A real lost artifact, Barry McGuire's second album actually has quite a bit of historical significance. After his mega-hit, "Eve of Destruction," McGuire was set to do a follow-up album, complete with some excellent P.F. Sloan songs. During the early sessions, the Mamas & the Papas had just come into town. Being old friends of McGuire's from the folkie days (Barry was the lead voice on "Green, Green," by the New Christy Minstrels), he invited the group to audition for producer Lou Adler. The rest is history, and this record is essentially the Mamas audition, as they sing backgrounds on virtually all of the record. It's magnificent, too. Hits such as "Do You Believe in Magic," "Yesterday," and others work perfectly with McGuire's gravely lead voice and the Mamas & Papas sweet harmonies. McGuire even cut "California Dreamin'," and it's the exact same track as the famous Mamas version, sans Denny Doherty's lead vocal and Bud Shank's flute solo. If you're looking to find the real roots of the Mamas & the Papas, here it is. Unfortunately, Dunhill apparently wanted little to do with Barry McGuire after the backlash of "Eve of Destruction," and his career and this record presided in ignominy. Too bad, because there is a lot of excellent music here.
by Matthew Greenwald
Tracks
1. This Precious Time (P.F. Sloan, Steve Barri) - 2:48
2. California Dreamin' (John Phillips) - 2:38
3. Let Me Be (P.F. Sloan) - 2:34
4. Do You Believe In Magic (Joe Sebastian) - 2:15
5. Yesterday (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) - 2:51
6. Hang On Sloopy (Bert Russell, Wes Farrell) - 4:02
7. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues (Bob Dylan) - 3:59
8. Upon A Painted Ocean (P.F. Sloan) - 2:55
9. Hide Your Love Away (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) - 2:46
10.I'd Have To Be Outta My Mind (P.F. Sloan, Steve Barri) - 3:43
11.Child Of Our Times (P.F. Sloan) - 3:21
12.Don't You Wonder Where It's At (Barry McGuire, P.F. Sloan) - 2:51
13.Top O' The Hill (Drake Levin, Mike Smith, Phil Volk) - 2:22
14.Cloudy Summer Afternoon (Travis Edmonson) - 2:55
15.Secret Saucer Man (Barry McGuire, Paul Potash) - 2:43
16.There's Nothin' Else On My Mind (Eugene Pistilli, Terry Cashman) - 2:52
17.Walkin' My Cat Named Dog (Norma Tanega) - 2:07
18.Masters Of War (Bob Dylan) - 2:33
19.Inner-Manipulations (Barry McGuire, Paul Potash) - 3:40
20.The Grasshopper Song (Drake Levin, Mike Smith, Phil Volk) - 3:18
21.Why Not Stop And Dig It While You Can (Barry McGuire) - 2:16
22.Eve Of Destruction (P.F. Sloan) - 3:35
Tracks 1-6,9 with The Mamas And The Papas
Musicians
*Barry McGuire - Vocals
*Joe Osborn - Bass
*Hal Blaine - Drums
*P.F. Sloan - Lead Guitar
*Steve Barri - Percussion
*John Phillips - Vocals, Guitar
*Cass Elliot - Vocals
*Michelle Phillips - Vocals
*Denny Doherty - Vocals
