Title: The Toys Sing "A Lover's Concerto" and "Attack"
Company: DynoVoice
Catalog: 9002
Year: 1966
Grade (cover/record): VG-/VG
Comments: tape on top seam; sticker on cover; minor edge; mono
Available: 1
Price: $50.00
Barbara Harris, June Montiero and Barbara
Parritt became friends while attending Woodrow Wilson High School in Jamaica
New York. Discovering a mutual interest in music, they decided to form their
own group. Performing at local talent shows and dances brought them to the
attention of Vince Marc who was managing singer Diane Renay. Impressed by
the trio's harmonies, he hired them to provide backing vocals on a number of
Renay sessions. That led Marc to bring the group to the attention of Bob
Crewe. Having just established the DynoVoice label, Crewe signed them to a
contract, turning them over to the songwriting/production team of Sandy
Linzer and Denny Randell.
Written by Linzer and Randell (with more than a little uncreditted
inspiration from Bach's "Minuet In G Minor"), the trio's debut
single "A Lover's Concerto" b/w "" proved a top-5 hit. A
sound alike follow-up "Attack" b/w "" also sold well,
leading the company to rush them into the studio to cut a supporting album.
Interestingly, produced and largely written by Linzer and Randell, 1966's
"The Toys Sing A Lover's Concerto"
was an amazing effort. Whereas most mid-'60s supporting LPs were little more
than throwaway filler, Linzer and Randell provided the trio with an
exceptional collection of upbeat pop and soul. Exemplifed by tracks such as
"What's Wrong with Me Baby" and "Can't Get Enough of You
Baby" Linzer and Randell were also smart enough to borrow more than a
few licks from the Motown catalog (though Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and
Eddie Holland were reported to have based The Supremes' "I Hear a
Symphony" in "Concerto"). Blessed with three capable singers,
Harris handling the majority of material (though Montiero turned in an
amazing performance on "Hallelujah", while Parritt turned in one
of the best covers of "Yesterday" we've every heard), material
such as "Deserted", "Hallelujah" and "Back
Street" was varied, commercial and perfect for top-40 radio.
Simply stated, the set stands as an overlooked classic; easily one of the
best "girl group" LPs issued in the '60s. Why the set didn't
sell better than it did (it peaked at #42), is one of rock's biggest
mysteries.
"The Toys Sing A Lover's Concerto" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Can't Get Enough of You Baby (Sandy Linzer - Denny Randell) - 2:42
2.) Deserted (Sandy Linzer - Denny Randell) - 2:36
3.) See How They Run (Sandy Linzer - Denny Randell) - 2:11
4.) Hallelujah (Sandy Linzer - Denny Randell) - 2:32
5.) I Got a Man (Sandy Linzer - Denny Randell) - 2:20
6.) A Lover's Concerto (Sandy Linzer - Denny Randell) - 2:37
(side 2)
7.) What's Wrong with Me Baby (Sandy Linzer - Denny Randell) - 2:32
8.) Yesterday (John Lennon - Paul McCartney) - 2:27
9.) Baby's Gone (Sandy Linzer - Denny Randell) - 2:30
10.) This Night (Sandy Linzer - Denny Randell) - 1:57
11.) Back Street (Sandy Linzer - Denny Randell) - 2:42
12.) Attack (Sandy Linzer - Denny Randell) - 3:04
Appearances in the "B" films "It's a Bikini World" and
"The Girl In Daddy's Bikini" led to the release of the single
"Sealed with a Kiss" b/w "I Got My Heart Set On You". A
minor pop and R&B hit, within a matter of its release they were a
musical footnote.