THOMAS & RICHARD FROST – Self Titled – (MCA) – 1972

For all of you musician friends of mine who think you have missed the boat and don’t know why – check out (below) the music bio to these guys.

These two brothers could not catch a wave, try as hard as they might.

They were in the right place, at the right time, with the right sound and the right amount of talent and inspiration, and yet their career was beset by my misadventure and mystery.

They recorded two albums for two different labels which may have propelled them into the big time but both albums weren’t released!

Some time later the music (most of it) was released, and lovers of the genre have been unanimous in their praise. I haven’t heard enough of it to make up my mind but clearly the guys had talent.

In the mid to late 1960s these Californian brothers, that formed the nucleus of various groups, were Anglophiles who had the smarts to incorporate some California sounds into their music. They released a number of catchy singles that showed much promise and led them to album contracts which I’ve said, weren’t released.

The shelving of albums killed of their initial enthusiasm, but in 1972 this album was released.

It disappeared.

The Frost brothers, from what I have heard, always had elements of sunshine pop (search this blog for definitions) in their music, so it was natural for them to stick to that sound. But what they have done here, and what is most interesting, is they have laid a level of country and folk on top of the sunshine pop.

By 1972 the market had changed significantly – folk rock had become influential in standard pop, whilst country rock and singer songwriter had ascended to chart making status. Accordingly, their sound was right for the times.

And, the music works on the ears. Perhaps, not surprisingly, because country and folk are all (or can be) harmony driven.

Country had invaded pop anyway and in some ways this album, on its face, is similar to some Bee Gees and Elton John of the time.

But, dig a little deeper into the sound and there is Tim Hardin, Shawn Phillips and Donovan (not surprisingly as he may have lifted from Shawn Phillips) all in the mix also.

This is a music that is lush and aurally relaxing, as is the best of sunshine pop, but at the same time it’s laid back, rootsy and quietly contemplative. A perfect music to lounge around to whilst sipping on a mint julep.

The brothers are on guitars with stellar support from:

• Ben Benay (guitar virtuoso of surf instrumental band The Marketts) on electric guitar;
• Larry Knechtel (session musician extraordinaire – Elvis, beach Boys Doors etc) on keyboards http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2009/08/you-may-not-know-larry-knechtel-but-you-definitely.html
• Doug Fieger (later of the Knack!) on bass
• Max Bennett (famous jazz bassist who also played with Elvis, The Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra, Marvin Gaye etc) on bass;
• the legendary Ron Tutt (Elvis’ drummer …and everyone else’s also)on drums;
• Also Sammy Clayton (later of Little Feat) on congas http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Clayton
• Jay Miglioro ( normally a saxophonist who has played with the beach Boys, Sinatra, Miles Davis and Charlie Parker) on flute and horns by    Jim Horn (session and solo artist http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Horn ), Jim Gordon (not sure if this is the well known drummer Jim Gordon moonlighting on another instrument or another Jim Gordon)  and Jay Migliori.

The record is produced by Joe Saraceno (who had worked with The Marketts and a lot of Californian 60s acts)

Tracks (best in italics)

• Desert Island –  A gentle bouncy singer songwriter song with some nifty lyrics (occasionally reminiscent of Ray Davies)….

I dream of some day

A lazy life on a desert island

With lovely native girls

All round my bed

But instead

I’m ruled by this life

And a cold T.V. dinner

And all the monthly bills

Hanging over my head

Were there ever any truer lyrics?

• Waving Me Goodbye  – a song of heartbreak and not dissimilar to Elton John in the early 70s (though less bombastic).  Beautiful
• St. Petersburg    – a song about growing old(er) …nice flute work. How many times do you get to say that outside of a Jethro Tull review? In music I mean.
• Fighting My Way    – not sure what this is about though the narrator could be “America” – how many songs name check Lieutenant Calley (The My Lai massacre)? A gentle psych flavoured song.
• Don’t Lose Your Way –  a atmospheric ballad with moody electric guitar
• Old Heartbreak   – an a slow country-ish song with an old school 50s rock n roll feel.
• Don’t Cross My Heart  – another old school rock n roll type song but this one is, perhaps, filler.
• The Way I Feel for You    – there should be sub genre of songs about trying to write songs ….
• Close the Door Behind You  – Delaney and Bonnie like southern soul.
• Got to Find the Light – a gentle country-ish mid tempo ballad .

And …

The music creates quite a beautiful cosmic groove with its mix of sunshine pop and country…. I’m keeping it.

Chart Action

Nothing no where

Sounds

Desert Island

Attached

Thomas & Richard Frost – Desert Island

Waving Me Goodbye

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L7jBuydRlA

St. Petersburg   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYrE52wlzWA

Don’t Lose Your Way   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iw-sM59US2I

Old Heartbreak   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maDtUK_qJmc&feature=related

Got to Find the Light

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVXoZ7jDmMI

Others

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmiH-vPuwQU

Review

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Bio

http://www.allmusic.com/artist/thomas-richard-frost-p535005/biography

Producer;

http://www.rockabilly.nl/references/messages/joe_saraceno.htm

Website

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Trivia

• The brothers in their band Powder were the backing band for Sonny & Cher in 1968
• Their earlier band Art Collective were the backing band for New Zealander Ray Columbus (of Ray Columbus and the Invaders fame) when he was based in California in the late 60s.