Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Come and Have Some Tea with Tea Company
Company: Smash
Catalog: SRS-67105
Year: 1968
Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: promo stamp on back
Available: 1
Price: $70.00
Fronted by Frankie Carr, by 1967 they'd become enamored with psychedelia, which led to a contract with Smash Records. Released the following year, the quartet's debut "Come and Have Some Tea with Tea Company" teamed the group with Consenting again producing. Musically the album featured a rather typically over-indulgent set of self-penned era-psychedelia (be sure to check out the hysterical "As I Have Seen You Upon the Wall"). In case you cared, the lone non-original was a Vanilla Fudge-styled cover of The Supremes' "You Keep Me Hangin' On". Unfortunately, as lead singer Carr wasn't any great shakes. Moreover, burdened by dopey lyrics ("Make Love, Not War") and bland melodies ("Love Could Make the World Go Round"), none of the eight originals proved particularly memorable. On the other hand, exemplified by tracks such as the 10 minute plus "Flowers" and "Don't Make Waves (Water Sound Effects)" the band displayed an awesome affection for sound effects. (Having missed the '60s, we can only report that "tea" was supposedly a reference to dope. Contrary to rumor, we can tell you the plant shown on the cover is not marijuana.)
"Come and Have Some Tea with Tea Company" track listing:
1.) Come and Have Some Tea with Me (Frankie Carr) - 3:32
2.) Flowers (Frankie Carr - M. Lassando) - 10:09
3.) Love Could Make the World Go Round (Frankie Carr) - 3:36
4.) You Keep Me Hangin' On (Brian Holland - Lamont Dozier - Eddie Holland) - 8:50
5.) Don't Make Waves (Water Sound Effects) - 1:39
6.) As I Have Seen You Upon the Wall (Frankie Carr - J. Vancho - M. Lassando) - 2:46
7.) Make Love, Not War (Frankie Carr) - 2:36
1977 saw the small Tribute label release a collection of pre-Tea tracks under the name The All Natural Band (see separate entry). The same year, three of the original Tea Company members regrouped as The Spare Change Band (see separate entries).