Spiral Starecase, The

Band members               Related acts

- Harvey Kaplan - keyboards (1968-70)
- Dick Lopez - sax (1968-70)
- Vinny Parello - drums, percussion (1968-70)
- Bobby Raymond - bass (1968-70)
- Pat Upton - vocals, guitar (1968-70)

 

 

- none known

 

 

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Title:  More Today Than Yesterday

Company: Columbia

Catalog: CS-9852

Year: 1969

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: --

Available: 1

Price: $25.00

 

 Led by vocalist/songwriter/guitarist Tom Upton (the lineup rounded out by keyboardist Harvey Kaplan, sax player Dick Lopes, drummer Vinny Parello and bassist Bobby Raymond), The Fydallions (geez, great name), had been together since the mid-'60. Playing clubs and dances throughout California and Nevada, their big came when they picked up a job playing a Las Vegas club (hence the quasi-Elvis suits on the cover of their first album). In addition to paying their bills, their stage act caught the attention of producer Sonny Knight. Knight arranged for the band to record a couple of demo sides and then convinced Columbia Records to sign the group to a contract - though the company wisely insisted on a name change.

Powered by Upton's falsetto (he was actually pretty shrill, occasionally baring a passing resemblance to Neil Sedaka) and some first-rate horn arrangements, the quartet's 1969 debut "More Today Than Yesterday" featured an above average mixed collection of popular covers and Upton-penned originals. Material such as "No One for Me To Turn To" and "She's Ready" didn't make for the year's most original offering, but wasn't half bad. Moreover, released as a single the title track went top-20. Bolstered by the hit, the parent album hit #79. Although the quintet released several follow-up singles, none matched the debut's sales performance. Lack of funds to effectively tour, personal squabbles and general unhappiness with their management company led the group to break up before they could release a follow-up album.

"More Today Than Yesterday" track listing:
1.) More Today Than Yesterday (Pat Upton) - 
2.) Broken-Hearted Man (Pat Upton) - 
3.) For Once In My Life (R. Miller - G. Murden) - 
4.) This Guy's In Love with You (Hal David - Burt Bacharach) - 
5.) Sweet Little Thing (Pat Upton)
6.) Proud Mary (John Fogerty) - 
7.) The Thought of Loving You (D. White) - 
8.) Our Day Will Come (M. Garson - B. Hillard) - 
9.) No One For Me To Turn To (Pat Upton)
10.) Since I Don't Have You (J. Rock - L. Martin - J. Beaumont - J. Vogel - J. Verscharen - W. Lester - J. Taylor) - 
11.) Judas To the Love We Knew (Pat Upton)

 

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