Rascals, The

Band members               Related acts

- Eddie Brigati -- vocals, percussion (1964-71)
- Felix Cavaliere -- vocals, organ  (1964-72)
- Lois Colin -- harp (1972)
- Gene Cornish -- guitar (1964-71)
- Dino Danelli -- drums (1964-72)
- Buzzy Feiten -- guitar, keyboards (replaced 

  Gene Cornish) (1971-72)

- Molly Holt -- vocals (1971-72)
- Robert Popwell -- bass (1971-72)
- Ann Sutton -- vocals (1971-72) 

 

 

- Brigati (Eddie Brigati)
- Bulldog (Eddie Brigati and Gene Cornish)
- Felix Cavaliere (solo efforts)
- Joey Dee and the Starliters

- Buzz Feiten (solo efforts)
- Fotomaker (Dino Danellie and Gene Cornish)
- The Larsen/Feiten Band
- Mr. Mister (Buzz Feiten)

- Treasure (Felix Cavaliere)

- The Young Rascals

 

 

 

 

Genre: rock

Rating: 5 stars *****

Title:  Time Peace/The Rascals Great Hits

Company: Atlantic

Catalog: SD-8190

Year: 1968

Country/State: Long Island, New York

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: gatefold sleeve

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: not yet listed

Price: $9.00

 

 If you're going to be cheap about it and only buy one Rascals album, then 1968's "Time Peace The Rascals Greatest Hits" is probably the one to shell out for.  The album title and a quick look at the 14 song titles should make it instantly clear that this is one of the top-10 'best of' sets in existence.  A must own for anyone who calls themselves a music collector !!!

"Time Peace The Rascals Greatest Hits" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore   (Pam Sawyer - Laurie Burton) - 2:41

2.) Good Lovin'   (Rudy Clark - Arthur Resnick) - 2:28

3.) You Better Run   (Felix Cavaliere - Eddie Brigati) - 2:25

4.) Come On Up   (Felix Cavaliere) - 2:41

5.) Mustang Sally   (Bonny Rice) - 3:41

6.) Love Is a Beautiful Thing   (Felix Cavaliere - Eddie Brigati) - 2:30

7.) In the Midnight Hour   (Wilson Pickett - Steve Cropper) - 4:00

 

(side 2)
1.) Lonely Too Long   (Felix Cavaliere) -2:57

2.) Groovin'   (Felix Cavaliere - Eddie Brigati)  -2:25

3.) A Girl Like You   (Felix Cavaliere - Eddie Brigati) - 2:46

4.) How Can I Be Sure   (Felix Cavaliere - Eddie Brigati) - 2:50

5.) It's Wonderful   (Felix Cavaliere - Eddie Brigati) - 2:40

6.) Easy Rollin'   (Felix Cavaliere - Eddie Brigati) - 2:55

7.) A Beautiful Morning    (Felix Cavaliere - Eddie Brigati) - 2:32

 

 

 

Genre: rock

Rating: 3 stars ***

Title:  Freedom Suite

Company: Atlantic

Catalog: SD-2-901

Year: 1969

Country/State: Long Island, New York

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: gatefold sleeve; double LP set

Available: 2

GEMM catalog ID: not yet listed

Price: $25.00

 

 

 

1969's "Freedom Suite" was a reflection of a band flush with success and too much money and studio time on their hands.  A sprawling and ill-conceived double album set, it would have made a killer single collection.  The first two sides offered up another first rate set of Cavaliere-Brigati blue-eyed soul (including the earlier chart topping hit 'People Got To Be Free' b/w 'My World' (Atlantic catalog number 45-2537)).  While the material retained a patented commercial flair, much of it was characterized by a distinctive political and social content.  Interestingly unlike much of the competition The Rascas managed to make their points without savaging anyone.  Tracks like 'America the Beautiful', 'Me & My Friends', 'A Ray of Hope' (written for Senator Ted Kennedy), 'Look Around', and 'Heaven' (supposedly inspired by the Reverend Martin Luther King's recent assassination) were all the more effective and memorable for their subtlty and restraint. Unlike most political and social commentary, most of this material has actually aged with considerable grace and dignity and still sounds good on those rare occasions you are lucky enough to hear it on the radio. Other highlights included the blazing slice of R&B 'Any Dance'll Do', the atypical rocker 'Of Course' and Gene Cornish's pretty acoustic ballad 'Love was So Easy To Give'.  Unfortunately the third and fourth sides showcased a series of three pompous, plodding and overblown instrumentals.  Group efforts like 'Boom' with a seemingly endless Danelli drum solo and 'Cute' were best described as a massive waste of vinyl ...  In addition to the earlier hit the album spun off two more hits:

 

 

 

- 'A Ray of Hope' b/w 'Any Dance'll Do (Atlantic catalog number 45-2584)

- 'Heaven' b/w 'Baby I'm Blue' (Atlantic catalog number 45-2599)

 

For a double album set the collection proved a major success peaking at # 17.  Certainly a timepiece, but still worth hearing some four decades later !

 

"Freedom Suite" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) America the Beautiful   (Felix Cavaliere) - 2:50 

2.) Me & My Friends   (Gene Cornish) - 2:42

3.) Any Dance'll Do   (Felix Cavaliere - Eddie Brigati) - 2:19

4.) Look Around   (Felix Cavaliere - Eddie Brigati) - 3:01

5.) A Ray of Hope   (Felix Cavaliere - Eddie Brigati) - 3:40

 

(side 2)
1.) Island of Love   (Felix Cavaliere - Eddie Brigati) - 2:23

2.) Of Course   (Felix Cavaliere - Eddie Brigati) - 2:40

3.) Love was So Easy To Give   (Gene Cornish) - 2:42

4.) People Got To Be Free   (Felix Cavaliere - Eddie Brigati) - 2:57

5.) Baby I'm Blue   (Felix Cavaliere) - 2:47

6.) Heaven   (Felix Cavaliere) - 3:22

 

(side 3)

1.) Adrian's Birthday   (Felix Cavaliere - Eddie Brigati - Gene Cornish - Dino Danelli) - 4:46

2.) Boom (instrumental)   (Felix Cavaliere - Eddie Brigati - Gene Cornish - Dino Danelli) - 

 

(side 4)
1.) Cute (instrumental)   (Felix Cavaliere - Eddie Brigati - Gene Cornish - Dino Danelli) - 15:10

 


Genre: rock

Rating: 3 stars ***

Title:  Once Upon a Dream

Company: Atlantic

Catalog: SD-8169

Year: 1968

Country/State: Long Island, New York

Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+

Comments: gatefold sleeve

Available: 2

GEMM catalog ID: not yet listed

Price: $15.00

 

 

One of America's finest bands, today The Young Rascals seem to have been largely forgotten.  That's a shame since these guys were simply killer ...

 

On the heels of their massive mid-1960s commercial successes, 1968's "Once Upon a Dream" found the band undergoing a series of major personal and creative changes.  On the personal front Felix Cavaliere joined the happenin' crowd in adopting an Indian guru in the form of Swami Satchidanada, while the rest of the group became involved in Satchidanada's Integral Yoga Institute.  Cavaliere also had a brief mental episode that forced the band to cancel part of a West Cost tour.  On the musical front, having finally convinced Atlantic to let them drop the hated 'Young Rascals' nameplate, the album marked their first release as 'The Rascals'.  As on earlier releases, Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati were again responsible for the majority of material (the one exception being Gene Cornish's strange 'I'm Gonna Love You').  While they were clearly interested in stretching their personal and creative limitations, Cavaliere and Brigatti retained a commercial orientation in the form of songs like 'Please Love Me', 'My World' and 'Silly Girl'.   Still, this time around their patented blue-eyed soul attack was supplemented by a much more diversified sound including fairly credible stabs at blues ('Singin' the Blues Too Long'), Indian raga ('Sattva'), hysterically dated psych ('It's Wonderful') and some outright experimental moves between the songs.  Released as a single 'It's Wonderful' b/w 'Of Course' (Atlantic catalog number 45-2463) provided the band with another top-20 hit.

 

"Once Upon a Dream" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Intro (instrumental)   (Felix Cavaliere - Eddie Brigati) - 0:22

2.) Easy Rollin'   (Felix Cavaliere - Eddie Brigati) - 3:37

3.) Rainy Day   (Felix Cavaliere - Eddie Brigati) - 3:37

4.) Please Love Me   (Felix Cavaliere - Eddie Brigati) - 2:02

5.) It's Wonderful   (Felix Cavaliere - Eddie Brigati) - 2:40

6.) I'm Gonna Love You   (Gene Cornish) - 2:17

7.) My Hawaii   (Felix Cavaliere - Eddie Brigati) - 4:09

 

(side 2)
1.) My World   (Felix Cavaliere - Eddie Brigati) - 2:45

2.) Silly Girl   (Felix Cavaliere - Eddie Brigati) - 2:41

3.) Singin' the Blues Too Long   (Felix Cavaliere - Eddie Brigati) - 5:06

4.) Sattva   (Felix Cavaliere - Eddie Brigati) - 4:12

5.) Once Upon a Dream   (Felix Cavaliere - Eddie Brigati) - 3:20

 

 

 

 

Genre: rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  See

Catalog: Atlantic

Catalog: SD-8246

Year: 1969

Country/State: Long Island, New York

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: --

Available: 2

GEMM Catalog ID: not yet listed

Price: $10.00

 

Self-produced, 1969's "See" found the band poised at a musical crossroads while undergoing the first of a forthcoming string of personnel issues.  Increasingly at odds with Cavailiere and the rest of the band, creative mainstay Brigati was all but invisible throughout the album.  On one hand, material such as 'I'd Like To Take You Home' , 'Temptation's 'Bout To Get Me' and 'Real Thing proved catchy and quite commercial, effectively recalling some of the band's earlier top-40 heyday. In contrast 'Nubia', the mid-eastern flavored 'Stop and Think' and 'Away Away' found Cavaliere pursuing a less commercial path, opting for a move towards a quasi-jazzy attack.  At least to my ears (and I'm an admitted Rascals fan), Cavaliere's willingness to take risks and break out of the band's patented top-40 formula made the album surprisingly good. Among the highlights were the killer psych-ish title track and ''. Unfortunately while the goal of expanding their musical horizons was artistically admirable, it came at the expense of a sizable portion of their audience. Moreover, as you'd expect, the album proved a major commercial disappointment, barely cracking the top-40 at # 45.  Adding to ongoing problems, Brigati's decision to give notice marked the end of the original lineup. Elsewhere Atlantic tapped the album for three singles, the first two going top-40, the third top-60:

 

 

- 'See' b/w 'Away Away' (Atlantic catalog number 45-2634)

- 'Carry Me' b/w 'Real Thing' (Atlantic catalog number 45-2664)

- 'I Believe' b/w 'Hold On' (Atlantic catalog number 45-2695)

 

"See" track listing:

(side 1)
1.) See   (Felix Cavaliere) - 5:01
2.) I'd Like To Take You Home   (Felix Cavaliere) - 2:39
3.) Remember Me   (Gene Cornish) - 2:11
4.) I'm Blue   (Felix Cavaliere - Eddie Brigati) - 4:34
5.) Stop and Think   (Felix Cavaliere) - 4:11
6.) Temptations 'Bout To Get Me   (J. Diggs) - 3:31

 

(side 2)
1.) Nubia   (Felix Cavaliere) - 3:32
2.) Carry Me Back   (Felix Cavaliere) - 2:48
3.) Away Away   (Gene Cornish) - 3:20
4.) Real Thing   (Felix Cavaliere) - 2:44
5.) Death's Reply   (Felix Cavaliere) - 4:42
6.) Hold On   (Felix Cavaliere) - 3:50

 

 

Genre: rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Search and Nearness

Catalog: Atlantic

Catalog: SD-8276

Year: 1971

Country/State: Long Island, New York

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: small cutout notch along spine

Available: 2

GEMM Catalog ID: not yet listed

Price: $10.00

 

Self-produced, 1971's "Search and Nearness" was released in the wake of the band's decision to end their five year relationship with Atlantic and sign with Columbia (the liner notes included a dedication to Atlantic's Jerry Wexler, Ahmet and Nesuhi Ertegun).  It also marked the group's first release in the wake of Eddie Brigati's previous departure (though the remaining members paid homage to him on the album's inner sleeve photo).  Ironically for the most part their Atlantic farewell proved to be a return to a more commercial sound.  It may not have been a full embrace of their blue-eyed soul roots, but tracks like 'Right On', 'I Believe' and 'Ready for Love' were certainly more mainstream than recent outtings.   In fact the only nod to their recent explorations of other genres was Danelli's jazzy instrumental 'Nama' (which was actually quite enjoyable in it's own fashion.  Not that it was perfect.  Their cover of The Box Tops' 'The Letter' sounded like a Vanilla Fudge cover gone amuck.  Unfortunately, their late inning return to form was simply too little, too late.  Backed by The Sweet Inspirations, the single 'Glory Glory' b/w 'You Don't Know' (Atlantic catalog number 45-2743) actually hit # 58.   The follow-up 45 

'Almost Home' b/w 'Right On' (Atlantic catalog number 45-2773) didn't do nearly as well.  Similarly the parent album barely charted, briefly peaking at # 198.  That commercial disappointment may have had something to do with Gene Cornish's subsequent decision to quit.  

 

Cavaliere and Danelli responded by quickly recruiting guitarist Buzzy Feiten, bassist Robert Popwell, and vocalists Molly Holt and Anne Sutton.

 

"Search and Nearness" track listing:

(side 1)
1.) Right On   (Felix Cavaliere) - 3:46

2.) I Believe   (Felix Cavaliere) - 3:55

3.) Thank You Baby   (Felix Cavaliere) - 3:09

4.) You Don't Know    (Gene Cornish) - 4:10

5.) Nama (instrumental)    (Dino Danelli) - 5:31

 

(side 2)
1.) Almost Home   (Felix Cavaliere) -3:49

2.) The Letter   (Wayne Carson Thompson) - 4:07

3.) Ready for Love   (Felix Cavaliere) - 4:07

4.) Fortunes    (Dino Danelli) - 3:10

5.) Glory Glory   (Felix Cavaliere) - 3:30

 

 

Genre: rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Peaceful World

Catalog: Columbia

Catalog: G 30462 / C 30642

Year: 1971

Country/State: Long Island, New York

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: gatefold sleeve; double LP

Available: 1

GEMM Catalog ID: not yet listed

Price: $15.00

 

 With a new record label and a reconstituted line up (Felix Cavaliere and Dino Danelli being the only original members), 1971's "Peaceful World" marked a new chapter for The Rascals.  Credited with producing the album, writing 10 of the 12 songs, and handling most of the vocals, to a large extent the album served as a showcase for Cavaliere.  It also marked another effort to find a balance between commercial moves and a more experimental orientation - in this case Cavaliere's muse taking him in a jazzy direction complete with backing from an impressive array of jazz players including Pepper Adams, Ron Carter, Alice Coltrane and Hubert Laws. Like most double album sets the collection would have benefited from some judicious editing (particularly the third and fourth sides which included the 22 minute side long title track), and some of the jazzier material was pretty and pleasant ('Little Dove' and 'Mother Nature Land'), if hardly earth shattering.  Still, the overall results were never less than mildly captivating.  That was particularly true when Cavaliere and company didn't stray too far from their commercial roots.  Highlights included the opening jazz-rocker 'Sky Trane', the aptly titled 'Happy Song' and the Sly Stone styled funk-meets Gospel shout out 'Love Me'.  Elsewhere the two Buzz Feiten compositions ('In and Out of Love' and 'Icy Water) were competent, if nothing particularly great.   Unfortunately the album didn't sell all that well either peaking at # 122.  

"Peaceful World" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) Sky Trane   (Felix Cavaliere) - 5:47

2.) In and Out of Love   (Buzz Feiten) - 3:22

3.) Bit of Heaven   (Felix Cavaliere) - 3:28

4.) Love Me   (Felix Cavaliere) - 3:46

 

(side 2)
1.) Mother Nature Land  (Felix Cavaliere) - 3:28

2.) Icy Water   (Buzz Feiten) - 4:28]

3.) Happy Song   (Felix Cavaliere) - 3:40

4.) Love Letter   (Felix Cavaliere) - 5:26

 

(side 3)
1.) Peaceful World (instrumental)   (Felix Cavaliere) - 21:25

 

(side 4)
1.) Little Dove (instrumental)   (Felix Cavaliere) - 6:39

2.) Visit To Mother Nature Land (instrumental)   (Felix Cavaliere) - 5:03

3.) Getting Nearer   (Felix Cavaliere) - 8:56

 

 

Genre: rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  The Island of Real

Catalog: Columbia

Catalog: KC-31103

Year: 1972

Country/State: Long Island, New York

Grade (cover/record): VG / VG

Comments: --

Available: 1

GEMM Catalog ID: not yet listed

Price: $15.00

 

 

 Produced by Felix Cavaliere, 1972's "The Island of Real" may be their best release since dropping the 'Young Rascals' tag.  Perhaps chastened by the relative commercial failure of the two previous albums, Cavaliere and company responded by turning in their tightest and most commercial release in years.  All but gone were recent explorations of jazz and outright experimentation.      In its place Cavaliere responded with a relentlessly upbeat and catchy collection.  Exemplified by tracks like 'Lucky Day', 'Saga of New York'and Time Will Tell' the LP was almost unbelievably optimistic and hopeful, particularly for an early-1970s release (which probably ticked off lots of potential fans).  Elsewhere tracks like 'Be On the Real Side', 'Jungle Walk' and the title track represented The Rascals at their funkiest.  Yes, I said funky.  For goodness sakes, Kool and the Gang didn't have anything on 'Jungle Walk' ...  Anxious to come up with a hit in the fact of its significant investment in the band (Columbia reportedly signed them to a reported $1M, five album deal), the album was tapped for five singles, though none did anything commercially:

- 'Happy Song' b/w 'Love Me (Columbia catalog number 4-45400 )

- 'Lucky Day' b/w 'Love Me' (Columbia catalog number 4-45491 )

- 'Brother Tree' b/w 'Saga of New York' (Columbia catalog number 4-45568)

- 'Hummin' Song' b/w 'Echoes' (Columbia catalog number 4-45600)   

- Jungle Walk' b/w 'Saga of New York' (Columbia catalog number 4-45649)

 

The back panel picture showing Cavaliere wearing a Nehru jacket probably didn't help sales either with the album ultimately faltering at # 180.  Too bad since the set's one of their better offerings and deserved a better fate.  

Apparently recognizing they'd run out creative steam and commercial clout, shortly after the album's release Cavaliere and the band called it quits.

"The Island of Real" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) Lucky Day   (Felix Cavaliere) -

2.) Saga of New York   (Felix Cavaliere) -

3.) Be On the Real Side   (Robert Popwell) - 

4.) Jungle Walk   (Buzz Feiten) - 

5.) Brother Tree   (Felix Cavaliere) -

6.) Island of Real   (Felix Cavaliere) -

 

(side 2)
1.) Hummin' Song   (Felix Cavaliere) -

2.) Echoes   (Felix Cavaliere) -

3.) Buttercup   (Felix Cavaliere) -

4.) Time Will Tell   (Felix Cavaliere) -

5.) Lament  (Felix Cavaliere) -

 

Cavaliere subsequently turned his attention to production working with Laura Nyro and others, before starting a sporadic solo career.  He also recorded an album with the band Treasure.  Cornish and Danelli reappeared in the short-lived Bulldog followed by a four album stint as Fotomaker.  Brigatti and his brother David recorded a Cavaliere produced album as Brigatti.  

 

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