The Mamas and the Papas (album)
Encyclopedia
The Mamas & the Papas is a 1966 album
by The Mamas & the Papas
. The self-named album was their second release. It peaked at number four in the US and number 24 in the UK. The lead off single, "I Saw Her Again", peaked at number five in the US and number eleven in the UK. "Words of Love
" was released as the second single in the US and peaked at number five in the US. In the UK, it was released as a double a-side with "Dancing in the Street
" and peaked at number 47.
After it was discovered that group members Michelle Phillips
and Denny Doherty
were having an affair, tension in the band erupted and Phillips was fired from the group in June 1966. In July, a new singer was hired to replace her. Jill Gibson
was producer Lou Adler's girlfriend at the time and was already a singer/songwriter who had performed on several Jan and Dean
albums. She learned to sing Michelle's parts within three weeks while the band was in London, England. Who actually sang on this album is a matter of conjecture. Half of the album had already been recorded with Michelle, including the hit singles "I Saw Her Again" and "Words of Love," before she was fired from the group. Gibson went to work recording with Denny, John Phillips and Cass Elliot, including dubbing over some of Michelle's completed vocals. By the end of August, Michelle was asked to rejoin the group and Gibson was let go. Michelle then recorded vocals on two new songs with the group and dubbed over some of Jill's vocals.
During the discussion on this sophomore album in the Matthew Greenwald's book, "Go Where you Wanna Go", Gibson claims she sang on ten of the songs. Producer Lou Adler states it was more like six. And Michelle Phillips adds that only Engineer Bones Howe knows for sure who was on the final release, because she and Jill both recorded many of the same songs, dubbing over each other's vocals. In all likelihood, a number of the songs on this album contain the voices of all five singers.
The album was first issued on CD in 1988 (MCAD-31043) and also appears in its entirety on All the Leaves are Brown
, a retrospective compilation of the band's first four albums, with the single versions of "I Saw Her Again" and "Words of Love".
Side One:
Side Two:
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
by The Mamas & the Papas
The Mamas & the Papas
The Mamas & the Papas were a Canadian/American vocal group of the 1960s . The group recorded and performed from 1965 to 1968 with a short reunion in 1971, releasing five albums and 11 Top 40 hit singles...
. The self-named album was their second release. It peaked at number four in the US and number 24 in the UK. The lead off single, "I Saw Her Again", peaked at number five in the US and number eleven in the UK. "Words of Love
Words of Love (The Mamas and the Papas song)
"Words of Love" is a song appearing on the album The Mamas and the Papas. The song was written by John Phillips, and featured Cass Elliot as the primary vocalist...
" was released as the second single in the US and peaked at number five in the US. In the UK, it was released as a double a-side with "Dancing in the Street
Dancing in the Street
"Dancing in the Street" is a 1964 song first recorded by Martha and the Vandellas. It is one of Motown's signature songs and is the group's premier signature song.-Martha and the Vandellas original:...
" and peaked at number 47.
After it was discovered that group members Michelle Phillips
Michelle Phillips
Michelle Phillips is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She gained fame as a member of the 1960s group The Mamas & the Papas, and is the last surviving original member of the group.-Early life:...
and Denny Doherty
Denny Doherty
Dennis Gerrard Stephen Doherty was a Canadian singer and songwriter. He was most widely known as a founding member of the 1960s musical group The Mamas & the Papas.-Early career:...
were having an affair, tension in the band erupted and Phillips was fired from the group in June 1966. In July, a new singer was hired to replace her. Jill Gibson
Jill Gibson
Jill Gibson is an American singer, songwriter, photographer and painter. She is mostly known for having once briefly been a member of the famous 1960s rock group The Mamas & the Papas.-Early life and personal life:...
was producer Lou Adler's girlfriend at the time and was already a singer/songwriter who had performed on several Jan and Dean
Jan and Dean
Jan and Dean were a rock and roll duo, popular from the late 1950s through the mid 1960s, consisting of William Jan Berry and Dean Ormsby Torrence...
albums. She learned to sing Michelle's parts within three weeks while the band was in London, England. Who actually sang on this album is a matter of conjecture. Half of the album had already been recorded with Michelle, including the hit singles "I Saw Her Again" and "Words of Love," before she was fired from the group. Gibson went to work recording with Denny, John Phillips and Cass Elliot, including dubbing over some of Michelle's completed vocals. By the end of August, Michelle was asked to rejoin the group and Gibson was let go. Michelle then recorded vocals on two new songs with the group and dubbed over some of Jill's vocals.
During the discussion on this sophomore album in the Matthew Greenwald's book, "Go Where you Wanna Go", Gibson claims she sang on ten of the songs. Producer Lou Adler states it was more like six. And Michelle Phillips adds that only Engineer Bones Howe knows for sure who was on the final release, because she and Jill both recorded many of the same songs, dubbing over each other's vocals. In all likelihood, a number of the songs on this album contain the voices of all five singers.
The album was first issued on CD in 1988 (MCAD-31043) and also appears in its entirety on All the Leaves are Brown
All the Leaves are Brown
All the Leaves are Brown: The Golden Era Collection is a 2001 release compiling the first four albums by The Mamas & the Papas in their entirety, with some single-exclusive mono versions and one non-album track...
, a retrospective compilation of the band's first four albums, with the single versions of "I Saw Her Again" and "Words of Love".
Original track listing
All songs by John Phillips unless otherwise noted.Side One:
- "No Salt on Her Tail": 2:35
- "Trip Stumble and Fall": 2:35
- "Dancing Bear": 4:08
- "Words of LoveWords of Love (The Mamas and the Papas song)"Words of Love" is a song appearing on the album The Mamas and the Papas. The song was written by John Phillips, and featured Cass Elliot as the primary vocalist...
": 2:13 - "My Heart Stood Still" (Richard RodgersRichard RodgersRichard Charles Rodgers was an American composer of music for more than 900 songs and for 43 Broadway musicals. He also composed music for films and television. He is best known for his songwriting partnerships with the lyricists Lorenz Hart and Oscar Hammerstein II...
, Lorenz HartLorenz HartLorenz "Larry" Milton Hart was the lyricist half of the famed Broadway songwriting team Rodgers and Hart...
): 1:43 - "Dancing in the StreetDancing in the Street"Dancing in the Street" is a 1964 song first recorded by Martha and the Vandellas. It is one of Motown's signature songs and is the group's premier signature song.-Martha and the Vandellas original:...
" (Marvin GayeMarvin GayeMarvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
, William "Mickey" Stevenson, Ivy Jo HunterIvy Jo HunterIvy Jo Hunter, born George Ivy Hunter and sometimes credited as Ivy Hunter, is a former R&B songwriter, record producer and singer, most associated with his work for the Motown label in the 1960s....
): 3:00
Side Two:
- "I Saw Her AgainI Saw Her Again"I Saw Her Again" is a pop song recorded by the U.S. vocal group the Mamas & the Papas in 1966. Co-written by band members John Phillips and Denny Doherty, it was released as a single in June 1966 and peaked at number one on the RPM Canadian Singles Chart, number 11 on the UK Singles Chart, and...
" (Phillips, Doherty): 2:50 - "Strange Young Girls": 2:45
- "I Can't Wait": 2:40
- "Even If I Could": 2:40
- "That Kind of Girl": 2:20
- "Once Was a Time I Thought": :58
Personnel
- Denny DohertyDenny DohertyDennis Gerrard Stephen Doherty was a Canadian singer and songwriter. He was most widely known as a founding member of the 1960s musical group The Mamas & the Papas.-Early career:...
– vocals - Cass ElliotCass ElliotCass Elliot , born Ellen Naomi Cohen and also known as Mama Cass, was an American singer and member of The Mamas & the Papas. After the group broke up, she released five solo albums. Elliot was found dead in her room in London, England, from an apparent heart attack after two weeks of sold-out...
– vocals - John PhillipsJohn Phillips (musician)John Edmund Andrew Phillips , was an American singer, guitarist, songwriter and promoter . Known as Papa John, Phillips was a member and leader of the singing group The Mamas & the Papas...
– vocals and guitar - Michelle PhillipsMichelle PhillipsMichelle Phillips is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She gained fame as a member of the 1960s group The Mamas & the Papas, and is the last surviving original member of the group.-Early life:...
– vocals - Jill GibsonJill GibsonJill Gibson is an American singer, songwriter, photographer and painter. She is mostly known for having once briefly been a member of the famous 1960s rock group The Mamas & the Papas.-Early life and personal life:...
– vocals - Hal BlaineHal BlaineHal Blaine is an American drummer and session musician. He is most known for his work with the Wrecking Crew in California. Blaine played on numerous hits by popular groups, including Elvis Presley, John Denver, the Ronettes, Simon & Garfunkel, the Carpenters, the Beach Boys, Nancy Sinatra, and...
– percussion - Larry KnechtelLarry KnechtelLawrence William "Larry" Knechtel was an American keyboard player and bassist, best known for his work as a session musician with such artists as Simon & Garfunkel, Duane Eddy, The Beach Boys, The Mamas & the Papas, The Partridge Family, The Doors, and Elvis Presley, and as a member of the 1970s...
– organ and piano - Joe OsbornJoe OsbornJoe Osborn is an American bass guitar virtuoso, notable for his work as a session musician in Los Angeles and Nashville during the period from the 1960s through the 1980s. Osborn's work is widely admired by fellow musicians.Osborn began his career working in local clubs, then played on a hit...
– bass - "Doctor" Eric Hord - guitar
- Tommy TedescoTommy TedescoThomas J. Tedesco was an American master session musician and renowned jazz and bebop guitarist.Tedesco's credits include the iconic brand-burning accompaniment theme from television's Bonanza, The Twilight Zone, Vic Mizzy's iconic theme from Green Acres, M*A*S*H, Batman, and Elvis Presley's '68...
- guitar - P. F. SloanP. F. SloanP.F. Sloan is an American pop-rock singer and songwriter. He was very successful during the mid-1960s, writing, performing and producing Billboard top 20 hits for artists such as Barry McGuire, Jan & Dean, Herman's Hermits, Johnny Rivers, The Grass Roots and the Mamas and the Papas...
- guitar - Peter Pilafian - electric violin
- Ray ManzarekRay ManzarekRaymond Daniel Manzarek, Jr., better known as Ray Manzarek , is an American musician, singer, producer, film director, writer, co-founder and keyboardist of The Doors from 1965 to 1973, Nite City from 1977–1978 and Manzarek-Krieger since 2001.Manzarek is listed #4 on Digital Dreamdoor's "100...
– organ piano on "No Salt on Her Tail"
- Lou AdlerLou AdlerLou Adler is an American record producer, manager, and director.-Life and career:Adler was born in Chicago, Illinois in December 1933, and raised in East Los Angeles. In 1964, Adler founded and co-owned Dunhill Records. He was President of the label as well as the chief record producer from 1964...
- producer - Dayton "Bones" HoweBones HoweDayton Burr "Bones" Howe is a Grammy-award-winning record producer and recording engineer associated with 1960s and 1970s hits, mostly of the sunshine pop genre, including most of the hits of The 5th Dimension and The Association, as well as music supervision of several films...
- engineer - Henry Lewy - engineer
- Bowen David - assistant engineer
- Jimmie Haskell - string arrangement on "I Saw Her Again"
- Gene PageGene PageEugene Edgar "Gene" Page, Jr. was an influential conductor, composer, arranger and record producer most active from the mid-1960s through the mid-1980s....
- horn arrangement on "My Heart Stood Still"
- Guy Webster - photography
- George WhitemanGeorge WhitemanGeorge Whiteman [Lucky] was an outfielder in Major League Baseball, playing mainly as a left fielder for the Boston Americans , New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox between the and . Listed at 5' 7", 160 lb., Whiteman batted and threw right-handed...
- artwork
Chart positions
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Billboard Pop Albums | 4 |