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This CD, from the early days of CDs, features two Johnny Rivers albums from 1966 and 1967.
Changes found Rivers abandoning his "roots rock" sound to become a balladeer. No rockers at all on this album, strictly ballads. Despite the change in his signature sound, the album yielded his only #1 hit, "Poor Side of Town", which was also his first hit that he wrote himself. The rest of the album consists of tasteful "middle of the road" ballads, most of which are covers of other people's ...
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Fresh from his Whiskey A-Go-Go fame Johnny really "changes" gears with his 1966 "Changes" lp. He was the first to record Jim Webb's "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" and personally I prefer it to Glen Campbell's version. The other songs selected for this lp are a source of real joy. The girl group backing Johnny are the best I've ever heard. Far from detracting their choral arrangements are an amazing contribution. 1967s "Rewind" showcases even more early Jim Webb jewels along with songs written ...
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Johnny Rivers' most spectacular period of music. Just look at the talent involved in "Changes": Hal Blaine, Joe Osborn, Larry Knetchel, Tommy Tedesco, Bud Shank and Gary Coleman, the quality of music is truly unbelieveable. Tommy Tedesco's guitar on "Days of Wine and Roses" is just about the most beautiful thing imagineable, as is Bud Shank's sax on "The Shadow of Your Smile". Just put this on and be taken away to a time where music was creative, courageous, and thoughtful. I can not say enough ...
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