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The album of the summer, for me, has been Seals and Crofts’ “Summer Breeze” (Warner Bros. BS 2629). It is truly a welcome breeze.I first saw the duo about the time their first album was released. At that time (November 1970) they were the warmup act for the group Chicago. I was impressed then and each thing they have done since then has impressed me more.The first side of this album is pure joy to listen to. You want to listen to it time and time again. The title song features their unique orchestration which blends an electric lead guitar with winds, strings and xylophone. The melody is very mellow. Then there is “East of Ginger Trees” which skillfully utilizes their tinge of Eastern charm and scent (much of which is derived from the Baha’i faith).EVERY NOW AND THEN Seals and Crofts approach a Simon and Garfunkle harmony sound, which with their other harmonies sounds very nice.Other standouts on the album are Seals’ fiddle playing on “Fiddle in the Sky,” “Hummingbird,” “Funny Little Man,” “Say” and the humorous “Yellow Dirt.”Keep cool for the rest of the summer — listen to Seals and Crofts.With “The Slider” (Reprise MS 2095) we have the latest installment in the Marc Bolan myth. The album features some songs that already have been tremendously successful in England, where Rextasy has reportedly replaced Beat-lemania. These are the two No. 1 singles “Metal Guru” and “Telegram Sam.”AS USUAL, Bolan has managed to mix a hodgepodge of sexual references, cosmology and just plain obtuseness that works admirably well. What it comes down to is that you really cannot attempt to explain what he’s saying (or his obvious obsession with cars, at least lyrically). You have to accept the total package and enjoy it.Seems I am getting as obtuse as Bolan. What I mean to say is that I like the album because I like Bolan’s style. It is not his best; in fact, it is a definite step down from his last, “Electric Warrior.” But you still find yourself singing along, even if it might be to meaningless words. At least Bolan picks words that sound nice the way he uses them.Listen to “Chariot Choogle” and“Buick Mackane.” These are somewhatdifferent; it’s just that he hasn’t gone farenough this time.* * *“Circles” (Elektra EKS-75034) is the latest from the New Seekers. It is nothing new, just more of the same sweetness, lightweight rock and overpowering harmonies.BUT FOR THE MOST part, as always, it works and you have a very listenable album. The best song is Paul Williams’ “Just an Old Fashioned Love Song.” Other good cuts are their English hit “Beg, §teal or Borrow,” “Circles” and “Jean’s Little Street Cafe.” They also do songs by Neil Young and Cat Stevens and two written by group members.Most probably you’ll be hearing a lot about Lori Lieberman over the next fewyears.The 20-year-old has only been singing for about a year, but her real powerful voice should become a fixture on radio and television. Her first album is “Lori Lieberman” (Capitol ST-11081) and it contains a bevy of sad songs and delicate strings.The songs are O.K. on the whole (written by producers Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel except for one by Lori), but it is her ability to go from loud and overpowering to soft within a bar of music that sets Lori apart. Then, the song “Back to Before” has potential as a single. Highly enjoyable also are There’s a Harbor” and “And the Feeling’s Good.”
Newspaper Details
Hoffman Estates Herald
Hoffman Estates, Illinois, US
Fri, Aug 25, 1972
Page 35
Full Page
Clipped by
Clifford M.
CZ 03 Jun 2025
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