THE RISING STORM

You definitely know who the Tokens are. Think: “….Wimoweh, a wimoweh…”

The Tokens are best known for their massive 1961 #1 hit (US/UK) recording of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” In the late 60s, influenced by the Beatles and the Boys (Smiley Smile), Mitch Margo and The Tokens recorded a wildly psychedelic selection of songs written during “a pretty blue period” in Mitch’s life.

Admittedly, some songs haven’t stood the test of time as well as the Boys’ songs. Even I have trouble playing the overtly druggy Commercial in the presence of others. But really, I have to recommend you get your hands on this album because it will likely blow you away. The songs are simply beautfiul.

If you don’t get this album, you should at least rejoice in the opening mantra: “It’s amazing to be alive, all I can say is stay alive.” Also, be aware of the cover art… I have seen two other versions that portray Intercourse as either a lo-fi/punk record or a mid-eighties Kinks record.

I got this album from the link supplied below, and I happened to receive the Oglio CD which features the original cover art crudely featured at the top of this post. It is amazing to be alive!

“Wonderful Things”

All I Can Say Is Stay Alive!

I’ll be honest with you here. Nobody is reading this web-log today. It doesn’t even really exist. I’m the only one who knows about it and I’m just, sort-of, trying it on. The only reason I’m presenting this, the most classic and essential of all great rock albums, is to test out the site and make it look like there’s something here.

Please Buy Pet Sounds If You Don’t Already Have It

I first heard this album at too young an age. It was transferred to me by Jason on audio cassette tape and I couldn’t hear it when I tried listening at bedtime.

But, years later I was visiting a town called Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, which had a great record shop, and I saw this beautiful looking CD in the bins. My ears had been tuning a lot to the music of the 1960s and I inserted the remastered/mono disc into my car’s CD player and let the sexy opening licks rock me the way back home for the first time.

Maybe my ears still needed retuning, because I still couldn’t hear the whole of the album, but that’s how all the best ones sound at first. This album is absolutely essential.

“She Says Good Morning”

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THIS IS THE FIRST POST.