Of course I like every record that I post, but this record is downright exceptional and this virtually unknown group contained some very heavy talent. The songwriting and vocal harmonies are exceptional, and certain harmony notes on "Sad, Sad Sunshine" hold the essence of Byrds-era David Crosby.
Both sides of this record are equally fabulous, and show the band had a very distinct personality. "Sad, Sad Sunshine" (a song that would fit perfectly on the "Notorious Byrd Brothers" LP), written by the great Al Kooper, is moody and magnificent while "They Said No" is garage/beat/jangle at its finest.
T'he Hard Times were based in San Diego and relocated to L.A to be regulars on TV's "Where The Action Is"; they did cut an LP (wehich didn't contain these tracks) that is OK but ot up to the glorious level of this perfect record. One would think that with major TV exposure this group would have been huge, but it was not to be.
from 1967...
THE HARD TIMES - THEY SAID NO
SAD, SAD SUNSHINE
3 comments:
You're right, a nice record!
Boy, if you played this for me and asked me to take a guess, I would have pegged those harmonies and echo driven guitar as the Blue Things from Kansas. Cool record that I've never heard before.
The only one I have by that group (on the same label) is a pretty decent version of Fortune Teller.
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