Episode 017: Seventeen Miles to the Sun

The Association - Never My Love (US 1967) A huge hit for these Los Angeles pop chart regulars and the paradigm for what would become the “soft rock” sound with its clear and minimal production that leaves room to emphasize the vocal. The laid back and dreamy quality of this massive single perfectly captures the feeling of being in love and sets a mood that is distinctly California.

The Peppermint Trolley Co - Baby You Come Rolling Across My Mind (US 1968) A Redlands, CA band that cut the original version of the Brady Bunch theme, the Trolleys specialized in breezy sunshine pop as evidenced on this lovely heartfelt tune from their only LP.

The Beach Boys - Feel Flows (US 1971) Brian Wilson and Co. never quite recovered from the media fiasco that was Smile, but arguably, they wrote and released their finest material during the band’s decline in popularity in the 70’s. Afforded recording technology only few in the world could claim to own, their 70’s output sounds ahead of their time due to both the clarity of the production and their experiments with electronics and synthesizers, as can be heard on this stunning number - one that hundreds of rock bands would mimic in the 90’s.

Harpers Bizzare - Witchi Tai To (US 1969) Santa Cruz sunshine pop masters that found early success with a few hits under their belt and featured a young Ted Templeman, who would go on to be a producer of many iconic pop hits. This sweet version of a Jim Pepper tune shows off both their soaring harmonies and the hallmark psychedelic production of the time.

The Mamas and the Papas - Step Out (US 1971) Taken from the last album these legendary hit-makers would produce, this light and funky tune features a heavy rhythm by LA’s wrecking crew studio musicians that offsets the sugary vocals of the group. It makes one wonder what direction they would have pursued had they continued into the 70’s.

The Millennium - It’s You (US 1968) The studio project of fearless pop experimentalist Curt Boettcher, these LA misfits featured a cast of songwriters and singers that could each hold their own as solo artists. This proto Buckingham-Nicks era Fleetwood Mac-esque stunner is taken from their only album which is a masterpiece of soft harmony laden pop-psych.

Yes - Sweetness (UK 1969) The love affair between UK bands and the US west coast harmony pop bands proved a source of constant reciprocated inspiration for both camps. Before veering head first into prog territory, Yes dipped their toes into a more jammed out version of harmony pop as heard on this early original from their debut. More evidence can be heard on their lovely take on The Byrds I See You from the same LP.

The Orange Bicycle - Carry That Weight (UK 1969) Another west coast sound obsessed UK outfit that turns this Beatles classic into a proto Eagles harmony jam, they released one in LP in 1970 after a three year run of fine pop-psych singles.

Ian Matthew’s Southern Comfort - Tonight (UK 1970) Mr. Matthews nailed the west coast harmony pop so perfectly that you’d think he was a Los Angeles native. This is no surprise, as his previous outfit The Fairport Convention arguably may be one of the first UK bands to take on the west coast sound as their own. This smooth number is years ahead of it’s time and foreshadows a sound that he and so many would take less than a decade later.

Bread - It Don’t Matter to Me (US 1969) It’s only fitting to end this episode with a band whose sound would loom large over the 70’s. Bread’s ballads were extra personal, heartfelt and tender and foreshadowed both the sensitive singer-songwriter movement and AOR soft rock that would dominate the decade. Though the band featured three songwriters, David Gates was responsible for all of their singles and hits.