The Rascals: Once Upon A Dream (Remastered + Expanded) CD Track Listing

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The Rascals Once Upon A Dream (Remastered + Expanded) (1968)
Once Upon A Dream (Remastered + Expanded)\n2007 Colllectors' Choice Music / Rhino Entertainment Company\n\nOriginally Released February 19, 1968\nCD Edition Released January 26, 1999 (WEA International)\nRhino Handmade Compilation Released October 17, 2001\nCollectors' Choice CD Edition Released August 28, 2007\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: Once Upon a Dream was the Rascals fourth album, and the first to drop the word "Young" from their moniker; but it's more than a name change. Released in February of 1968, the quartet took the easy, textured feel of its previous single, "Groovin," and the deeply felt influence of the Beatles Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album, and put their own spin on it by adding their trademark blue-eyed soul and jazz influences to the mix of psychedelia. While the influence of the Beatles cannot be underestimated on the emerging sound of the Rascals, their own maturity as songwriters and recording artists can't either. Self-produced, the Rascals had help from arranger-conductor Arif Mardin and engineer Tom Dowd, as well as Adrian Barber, who engineered the various sound effects in the intros, outros, and inside the tracks themselves. Once Upon a Dream was conceived of and recorded as an album, whereas their previous trio of full-lengths had been collections of singles with other tracks (many of them excellent) to fill the gaps. The set netted one single in the gorgeous "It's Wonderful," and the set itself peaked at number seven. All details aside, though, a listen to this platter is startling. Its sophisticated orchestral and vocal arrangements are remarkable even in the 21st century. Beginning with an ethereal piano, string and vocal intro, it quickly gives way to a punchier acoustic guitar, harmonica, B-3, and popping snare riff that ushers in the laid-back soul of "Easy Rollin." The track is laid-back with bird sounds (which is a logical extension of "Groovin'," the previous album's title track), a beautiful refrain, and lots of space, which is indicative of two things: first, the production level was a giant leap, as were the songs (all but one written by Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati -- guitarist Gene Cornish wrote "I'm Gonna Love You Too"), which, while expansive, were deeply rooted in the kind of pop the Rascals had perfected. There's the sweet and utterly crazy "Rainy Day" that seems to be a minor opus with its orchestral interludes, many parts, and stormy effects; nonetheless, it's a very accessible love song. Then there's the rave-up rocker "Please Love Me" that could have been done as a garage band track but with its flute (played by Hubert Laws!), soprano saxophone solo (jazzman Steve Marcus) fuzzed out guitar effects, and an undercurrent of strings, becomes something else entirely. After a fun house carny interlude, the single pops in with that trademark snare leading the way, and the pillowy harmonies that keeps the soul groove in its pocket.\n\n"My Hawaii" is a cut that Jimmy Webb would have been proud to write, given its melodrama and orchestral colors, the addition of a harp, and the added bass drive of Richard Davis Other bassists on the session include Chuck Rainey and Ron Carter (who was with Miles Davis at the time). "My World" is pure blue -eyed soul with Ray Charles-styled female backing vocalists along with the Rascals themselves, and might be the toughest cut on the set. There's a Fats Domino-cum-Charles styled blues cut in "Singin' the Blues Too Long," with sputtering trumpet and saxophone lines (the former by Mel Lastie, the latter by King Curtis). Just before the final cut, the listener encounters "Sattva," the Rascals answer to "Within You, Without You." It's complete, with Cavaliere playing sitar, Dino Danelli on tabla, and Brigati on tamboura, but still contains the Rascals, tight New York pop-soul in the bridge; in other words, it's truly psychedelic! The title cut that closes out the album and concludes the cycle is sung by David Brigati. It's an over the top crooner that is drenched in pompous orchestration, and it's only the dynamics (controlled tightly by Mardin), and the truly languid, beautiful, and yes, dreamy melody that reins it in from the ledge. It's an under-celebrated masterpiece of the psychedelic era and belongs next to Pet Sounds and Sgt. Pepper's on the shelf because it is easily as sophisticated, and once heard in its entirety, can never be forgotten. \n\n[The Collector's Choice reissue was made from the Rhino Handmade box set of complete Atlantic recordings. It contains not only stereo mixes, but the entire album in mono as well.] -- Thom Jurek\n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nI always thought I'd like to own this album...., October 22, 2002 \nBy Joseph Townsend "the rake" (Hattiesburg, Ms. USA)\nI was a big fan of the Young Rascals (they dropped "Young" from their name with this album). I owned "Groovin' and "Time Peace" and wore those LP's out. I recall reading the Hit Parade favorable review of "Once Upon a Dream" - the review noted that this wasn't a loud,excessive rock album, but more of a sweet, peaceful record, and for the Rascals, that was a good thing. Easy Rollin and Its Wonderful were the only songs on the record that I had heard, but I kept reading of how good Rainy Day, My World, Silly Girl, the title song (not actually song by one of the group but by "Dave" and I think Dave was Eddie's brother, but I'm not 100% sure of this. Sattva is a cool eastern, mystical sounding song that I like. Gene's I'm Gonna Love You sounded really dated the first time or two that I heard it and then to my surprise I found myself going around humming the tune. Eddie gets to sing a bit more lead on this album than on most rascals records,and I really like the big band sound of his "My Hawaii" and Felix does a good "Stormy Monday" type blues song with "Singin the Blues too Long." The liner notes point out that the album was recorded in five days in New York in the fall of 1967. I do not like the description of the album as "Overly Ambitious", but I do agree that the orchestral and choral arragements of Arif Mardin are "sophisticated" and I would say that the overall sound of the record stands the test of time very well (make that exceptionally well). I still maybe rate "Groovin" as their best overall effort, but due to the fact that most of this record is still new to me, it is certainly a treat. A solid four or maybe 4.5 stars. If you stoped buying Rascals with the Time Peace album, treat yourself to this album. \n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nThe Only Rascals' Album You Need To Own, But It Won't Be!, June 20, 2001 \nBy Robert M. Khoury (New York City)\nI first purchased this album on vinyl when it was released in the late 60's. "Sgt. Pepper" had just been released and influenced most of the top bands, The Stones, The Rascals, and so on, to experiment in the same fashion. Most of their efforts were miserable failures, for example, "Her Satanic Majesty's Request," with the exception of this masterpiece by The Rascals. "It's Wonderful" was a hit record, despite a few minutes of goofy lambs' bleeting at the end, a la "Hey Jude," but it is certainly not the best cut. "Rainy Day," "Silly Girl," "My Hawaii," and the title track are simply beautiful songs. Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati, the principal songwriters of the group, have never written better music. I followed their musical development very carefully for the rest of the group's professional life, and this album was by far their best effort. In fact, this album in vinyl format is still routinely for sale on Ebay due to demand and because it has never been re-released in America. When The Rascals were inducted in the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame a few years ago, it was a shame that Cavaliere-Brigati were not inducted as songwriters as well. Nevertheless, this album will be played enthusiastically 40 years from now, for the same reasons we are still in love with it almost 40 years after its initial release. \n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nAn Album Far Ahead of its Time!, February 20, 2005 \nBy Robert M. Anthony "The Ultimate Rascal's Fan!" (Bloomfield, NJ)\n1968-The Rascals do it again, only this time the band shows its utmost versatility with outstanding arrangements (Singing the Blues Too Long) lyric content, and the groups ultimate message-World Peace at a time when the world was holding its breath. Yes The Rascals-Americas very own Beatles, but with much more soul, funk, and kick ass Rock & Roll. We prayed for more! \n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nunderappreciated gem, September 18, 2007 \nBy bluesboy (st claire shores, michigan)\nI'm surprised this album has not been reviewed on this site. It was never an overly popular album when it came out but nonetheless a good, quality sound. It has kind of a dreamy theme to it. Haunting. It sounds like the rascals put this together as a loose themed concept album and I think it worked. To any music fan who enjoys music beyond the hits this album is worth a listen to a couple times through. It is one of my favorite all time albums and I think it has held up well over the years. \n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nIncredibly Moving hidden gem!, November 5, 2007 \nBy W. Euler\nMy history with this album-first owned when newly released on vinyl 1968 aged 14-then after probalbly a shelf life of probably 3 months, at that time in my life something new was always replacing what I was currently listening to probably sold it or gave it away- Then in the late 70's early eighties owned again on vinyl relacing my original with another vinyl copy-no cds yet, then in 2002 with the Rhino Hand made version. I have not heard this one yet-just haven't dropped the money for it yet. In any event, I just can't express the optimisim and hope in this collection of works. There is literaly something for everyone here from blues to physcedelia to romantic melodic ballads. The title track to my hears is the crowning piece of the album, and the little overdub piece in the middle with the RFK dialogue-I gaurantee will bring goose bumps. I gaurantee if you have any appreciation of these guys at alll, you will be blown away here! \n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nDon't Pass It By!, November 2, 2007 \nBy Glenn L. Hornbeek "wayved" (Arizona)\nI was not on the planet when this came out (1974 baybee!) but Groovin' was one of the first albums ever handed down to me by my parents--I fell in love with it instantly. Then, years later, a friend of mine dug this out of her father's record collection cos she knew I loved the Rascals.....From the cover art on--its awesome. Sure some of it may be stuck in its time, and some of it is kinda cheesy ("My Hawaii"--ha ha) it all works for me. "Sattva" blew my mind (when I got a Stereo copy of this LP i couldn't believe it!), "In My World" has that wintry melancholy sound to it -- its just magic. I now have four copies on vinyl. I'm glad it has finally made it to the digital age--I just hope more people hear it. \n\n\nHalf.com Details \nProducer: Arif Mardin \nDistributor: Infinity Entertainment Gr \nRecording Type: Studio \nRecording Mode: Stereo \nSPAR Code: n/a \n\nAlbum Notes\nThe Rascals: Dino Danelli, Eddie Brigati, Felix Cavaliere, Gene Cornish.\n\nAdditional personnel include: Chuck Rainey, Hubert Laws, King Curtis, Richard Davis , Ron Carter.\n\nLiner Note Author: Richie Unterberger.\nRecording information: 1968.
This rock cd contains 22 tracks and runs 74min 34sec.
Freedb: 38117816
Buy: from Amazon.com

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