MINT RAINBOW CAP 1968 THE HEARTS & FLOWERS NOW IS THE TIME CALF HIPPIES

$

46

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 ORIGINAL 1967 WEST COAST HIPPIES FOLKROCK WINNER!

      The HEARTS AND FLOWERS

                    Now Is The Time

\                                                  USA - RAINBOW CAPITOL - ST 2762 - STEREO

       = Beautiful mint first print =

...STILL IN ORIGINAL FACTORY PLASTIC...

Original 1967 =STEREO= first pressing on the collected RAINBOW CAPITOL label...

An excellent and still underrated group from Los Angeles, Hearts and Flowers produced two albums mixing electric folk rock with Californian hippie harmonies.

Larry Murray-Guitar, Vocals
Dave Dawson-Guitar, Vocals
Rick Cunha-Guitar, Vocals

Hearts & Flowers were very unique by the fact that they were not overtly influenced by the British Beat Invasion and did not employ the traditional rock rhythm section, although they originally operated without a bassist and drummer (they would eventually include bass and drums on their recordings, the drummer on this album has the same style as session drummer Eddie Hoh, but that's just a guess on my part.) Hearts & Flowers were signed to the mighty Capitol label and were teamed with Beach Boys production veteran Nick Venet.

"Now Is The Time...For Hearts & Flowers" was first issued in 1967 and it is a near flawless collection of original material and inspired covers. Larry Murray's "Now Is The Time" opens the set and provides a brief introduction to the band. "Save Some Time" is the first proper number and sets the tone for the brilliance that is to come, this number resembles the criminally underrated Beau Brummels during their "Bradley's Barn" & "Triangle" era; and also reminded of The Charlatans.

"Try For The Sun" is a Donovan song that Hearts & Flowers practically re-invent, you'd swear the song was written tailor-made for them, their cover is both vibrant and incredibly moving. "Rain, Rain" is an original that is a complete knockout and easily as good as the group's inspired choice of covers, Larry Murrays vocals are a dead ringer for Beau Brummels lead singer Sal Valentino. Another highpoint of the number is Hearts & Flowers totally unique vocal harmonies. "View From Ward 3" was lifted as a 45 (which of course was ignored), this number features another group trademark Dave Dawson's hypnotic use of the autoharp, Dawson uses the instrument throughout the album and it gives the music the same spooky effect as Tommy Hall's "electric jug" moves with the 13th Floor Elevators. "Rock & Roll Gypsies" closes out side one in fine form, this one was also issued as a 45 and it could have drawn some chart action on the country or pop charts had it been promoted (which it wasn't), this number has a semi-rock beat married to the group's faultless harmonies and picking.

Side two opens with an original take on Tim Hardin's classic "Reason To Believe" which is beautiful work, surpassing the original. "Please" is actually a cover of obscure West Coast psychedelic group The Kaleidoscope (a song from their classic 1967 album "Side Trips."), We almost prefer Hearts & Flowers version in that the group's harmonies brighten an already great song. "1-2-3 Rhyme In Carnivour Thyme" is a light-hearted group original written by Rick Cunha, this might sound crazy but this song actually reminds me of the English group The Kaleidoscope (no relation to the USA group.)

"I'm A Lonesome Fugitive" is a Merle Haggard number that is probably the most rural track on the record, this version is pretty true to the original and manages to capture the classic "Bakersfield" sound with ease. "Road To Nowhere" is a Carole King/Gerry Goffin number that just might be the best track on the album. Hearts & Flowers make this classic song their own with Dave Dawson's signature autoharp colors, a creepy banjo in the background and the Hearts' everpresent soaring vocal harmonies (a female voice is added on this track and it is rumored to be Linda Ronstadt.)

The record closes with a spledid cover of "Pusherman" which was superbly played by Steppenwolf on their first album and "10,000 Sunsets" which has Dave Dawson pushing his autoharp in all directions against the eerie vocal harmonies. This song is most psychedelic piece on the record (though not in the traditional sense of the term.) So there you have it, "Now Is The Time...For Hearts & Flowers" is one of the most original records of it's era and of course that is saying a lot.

Side One

• Now Is The Time
  Save Some Time
  Try For The Sun
• Rain, Rain
  The View From Ward 3
  Rock & Roll Gypsies
  
  Side Two
  
  Reason To Believe
  Please
  1-2-3 Rhyme In Carnivour Thyme
  I'm A Lonesome Fugitive
  Road To Nowhere
  10,000 Sunsets
  

CONDITION: The cover: solid all over, it's MINT in factory shrink wrapper  = overall still very collectible considering IF found is usually worn out 48 years later ... no split seams, no bends, no delete marks and no writing 

The vinyl: all very glossy over both sides, M- TOP COPY expect clean and enjoyable play grade!!   clean RAINBOW Capitol labels too!

...(rare) TOP COPY!       

A GREAT ADDITION TO ANYONE'S COLLECTION !

SEE: SELLERS OTher items for similar cool sounds for "head" people...

EFFICIENT/CAREFUL GRADING

All imperfections are noted both cover & record