Seals & Crofts - Greatest Hits

I was this many years old when I finally realized it wasn't Seals & Croft ... it was Seals & CROFTS. Well, better late than never I guess. Seals & Crofts had a pretty good run through the early '70s. While I'd never have called myself much of a fan I had to admit that their radio hits were syrupy ear candy. I still love "Summer Breeze" and "Diamond Girl" and when I saw the Greatest Hits album in the bargain bin (along with about twenty other albums that came home with me ... it was a good haul) I had to get it. So I did.

The album after a deep clean was remarkably pristine and the liner notes were still inside the jacket. Sadly it was just a lyric sheet with no credits. At least the back cover listed the producer - Louis Shelton, the legendary session guitarist who I assume also played guitar on the album.

This is a great sounding record, and the intertwined harmonies of James Seals and Dash Crofts are so good. It would have been cool to have the lead vocalist identified on the tracks, but it really didn't matter. It was the blend of voices that made their work special. Of course having said that I'll contradict myself and say that when the lead vocal is prominent I am partial to James' voice.

I really liked the songs on the Greatest Hits, although sometimes I think labels stretch the definition of hit a bit thin. Although here I have to admit I'd forgotten about the song "Hummingbird" which is one of my favourites of the newer to me songs on the album. By definition the album should be good, as it represents their greatest commercial success. If you're wondering, this is a good album. Really good.

The duo were followers of the Baha'i Faith and they wove elements of their beliefs into their lyrics and they never seemed to be heavy handed or preachy. They were just - good. The early '70s were the golden era of the singer songwriter and Seals & Crofts between 1972 and 1976 released four gold, and two double platinum records. If the label had waited another year to include songs from Get Closer, it truly would have been their Greatest Hits.

This scratched the itch I had for the duo, but I suspect if I was to come across any of their earlier albums curiosity would no doubt get the better of me as to what the deeper album cuts sounded like. Of course it would depend on the price ... I am notoriously cheap.

Comments

6 Cylinder

As a kid we had one radio station, not counting CBC, and generally there was very little that was worth listening to, although there were times something would come on that would make you pay attention. It was 1979 and on a couple of occasions I heard "There Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens" and it cracked me up, and I always wanted to get a copy for myself. A few years ago when my niece was dancing, they did a performance to this song, and now I can't separate my niece from a bunch of dancing chicks in chicken suits. Such is life. When I found this in the dollar bin I actually let out a little chirp, my goodness could it be? It was, and it was in great shape - including the inner sleeve. Score. I had no idea what to expect, for all I knew there was only one song worth listening to, and if that was the case it was still a dollar well spent. If I could buy an album by Showdown and enjoy it, odds are I'll find something to enjoy here to. Before I put this on I...

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