Customer Reviews

The Association

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This was the best CD/album of the group for it's time. You have to listen to these tracks. true harmony and what the band ment to the world. They had to best music, before the bass player passed away in 1971. The ultimate CD/album from the group and nothing compares to the sound of this band.

The Association's self-titled 1969 album represents the group at a curious turning point in their career where they were able to progress in a musical direction beyond the familiar pop-hits such as "Cherish" and "Never My Love" but still not be taken seriously by the counterculture. If their "AM radio" reputation preceded them among the "too hip for the square" crowd, the absence of a bonafide hit single from this album ensured that their pop following would have a hard time finding them in a sea of new acts and trends in the rock arena. Despite the new musical biases working against the Association, this album charted at a respectable #32 on Billboard's Album chart but today is relatively unknown, having been released in the year following their million-selling Greatest Hits package.

Comprised of nearly all original material and co-produced by the group and John Boylan, the Association seemed eager to wipe clean the slick, canned sound of the previous two albums produced by Bones Howe. This resulted in what is considered by many as their best album vocally, with painstaking care being given to vocal arrangements and harmonies, always an Association trademark. Vocals on "Love Affair" and "Under Branches" are soaring and clean with the band singing at its most confidant. Jim Yester's smooth lead vocals and Jules Alexander lyrics are backed by sparse instrumentation giving the spotlight to the layers of backing vocals. Unfortunately, choosing "Under Branches" for single release in May, proved to be perhaps an over-confidant move as its complex time changes and over-mellowness caused the song to reach a dismal #117 on the Billboard Bubbling Under chart.

The group is clearly having fun with Terry Kirkman's inspiring "Look At Me, Look At You" and Russ Giguere's comical "Broccoli." The CSN-like "Dubuque Blues" and "What Were The Words" may be the best evidence that the Association could be taken as a serious late-sixties band but they falter with hard-rock ("I Am Up For Europe") and topical themes ("Boy On The Mountain") as these excursions would have been best replaced in favor of outside material.

"Yes I Will" was the next single released but it surprisingly bombed (#120 Billboard Bubbling Under chart) despite being a catchy tune with everything you could ask for in a two minute and thirty second pop song. The excellent Jules Alexander composition "Dubuque Blues" was the final single released in support of the album, but it offered very little support, even missing Billboard's Bubbling Under chart.

Although "The Association" has been sadly overshadowed by the group's earlier hits, many diehard fans rate this as one of their best albums. Years later many of the songs still sound fresh and vibrant and is considered an essential part of their catalog.

The Association are one of the most underacknowledged brilliant bands from the late 60's/early 70's. Oh sure, these guys had several big hit singles through 1968 ("Windy" being the best-known of the lot), but come 1969, the public's interest in The Association was waning, which is a total shame if you ask me. After all, these guys from Los Angeles have created some of the most beautiful pop/rock that has ever been done. (There's also a marvelous art-rock feel to some of their material---"Requiem For The Masses" is a perfect example.) Their tight musical chops & intelligent songwriting alone is worth the price of admission, but then, there's also their heavenly choir voices....aaaah. Pure vocal magic. The Association may be best known for their early ballads, but these domestic re-issues of their catalog prove beyond a doubt that there is so much more to this band than just their "Greatest Hits" collection.I can't believe the whole world totally missed the boat on the group's fabulous self-titled album from 1969. "The Association" marked the beginning of the downward arc for the band commercially: there were no hit singles, and record sales weren't too hot, either. But *creatively*, the band had never been better. I love all of their earlier albums, but "The Association" is the group's finest work. By this time, the band had branched out into creating songs that were a bit more sophisticated and arty. In fact, the group sound on this album like a cross between The Moody Blues & The Alan Parsons Project! Even the album cover, with it's striking "Stonehenge in outer space" painting, signaled that The Association were doing something very different indeed with this record. And it's magnificent.Gorgeous songs abound everywhere: "Love Affair," "The Nest," "Under Branches," and the brilliant album-closer, "Boy On The Mountain," which almost brings me to tears whenever I hear it. "Yes I Will" & "Are You Ready" are really catchy songs that *should* have been big hits. And then there's "Broccoli"---it is what it is, folks. If this wonderfully silly song doesn't put a smile to your face, then you must not have a sense of humor! The door may have been closing on The Association by the time 1969 rolled around, but the band were still at the top of their game musically. "The Association" is a fabulous album by this equally fabulous band, and is a true buried musical treasure. Yes, there IS more to The Association than just "Windy."

Contrary to what one reviewer states, The Nest is NOT a cover of anyone. The Nest is written by a member of The Association (Ted Bluechel, Jr) and is superb! This entire album is one that I recommend to everyone! It is one of those jewels of the era that only a few have discovered. As near to being the perfect listening experience as possible.

I love the music on this CD, but, once again, it does not sound like standard "Association" fare. Some of the music contained on this disc has a country flair, which could be a big negative, except in small doses, as in this CD. I like the version of "Dubuque Blues" found here. I would venture to say that there really isn't a song in the whole lot that is a loser. "The Nest" is beautiful, as is "Under Branches". I also like Terry Kirkman's "Look At Me, Look At You". The band even goes a little off the deep end with "Broccoli". I found the quote from band member Jim Yester, as found in the liner notes, to be very interesting. He acknowledged the band's diversity, but noted that being diverse was, at times, detrimental because it did not give the band specific direction. I have found that the group was pigeon-holed by top 40 radio, and that when people listened to the other music on their LP's, they were disappointed to find that The Association wasn't just about the type of music they expected from them. In any case, if you want to hear good songs from a great, versatile band, try this CD on for size.

I'll make this review short. Why you ask? It doesn't take much to say this is the finest hour of the Association. They sound perfect and natural. The song credits are shared and John Boylan, producer, does a fine, fine job. To think I bought this album at Radioshack who also had "Live". I batted .500 that day. I bought "The Association" but passed on the concert album for no specific reason. I just now am listening to that live LP and thinking it's great. But back to "The Association". I bought it in the mid seventies and I'm still digging it intensely in 2006. I can't believe I first thought I was buying a cutout that turned out to be part of my musical life... and you other reviewers who say the same in maybe different ways have let me know I have pretty good taste in music!! Buy this and experience. It will hit you and perhaps become part of you too. To Chip Cole, son of a member, your review is much appreciated and Brian is remembered with every listening of the Association, group and cd.

Well . . . that review title probably gets me in trouble, but I generally don't review items I don't care deeply about, which until now meant only 5 star works. But this one's a real oddity - as the title suggests, the embodiment of "weird greatness". The Association was never deep, and if they tried for depth they usually came across as pretentious (Try "Requiem For The Masses" when you're not on anything and you'll probably wish you were). BUT, they were first and foremost always fun, and then, always impressive. Pop songs as high in spirit and energy as anyone else on the charts, sweet multi-part harmonies at which even the CSNY types would shake their heads in awe. Everybody knows the hits, but this album came along as something to ponder. The musicianship was some of their strongest playing, innovative and bold. The harmonies, as always, mind-blowing even without artificial assistance. But the songs here are what cause the conundrum. "Boy on the Mountain" - makes you feel faith rising in your heart and mind. "Goodbye Forever" - rocks you with that Association power which made you sit up when you first heard "Along Comes Mary". Then "Look At Me, Look At You" blasts you with phrases like "I defied the Lord and Ford at that eucalyptus stand". Those three songs are the stunning peaks, but the rest of the songs are a heavily-Jules Alexander-influenced (he had just returned to the group after some 'meditative reconstruction'), bizarrely entertaining listening experience which make you move and groove if sober, and drop your jaw in wonder if wrecked. I didn't understand it all back then in 1969-70, as my medications of choice were just starting to kick in, but boy-oh-boy I loved putting this album on the turntable and kicking back with no regard for responsibility or the future of our democratic republic. Dare I say it . . . yes . . . I was "up for Europe" and some "Broccoli". I don't know what that means and you might not get it either, but if you buy this you'll probably find yourself hummming those or singing along . . . even if totally coherent.

I saw The Association in Dubuque, IA many moons ago. It was shortly after that the song "Dubuque Blues" appeared on the horizon. Had to support my hometown. As for the rest of the album -- if "Broccoli" doesn't make you smile please find your inner child and get back in touch with life's simpler joys.

This album was my first taste of folk/rock so many years ago. I still have the album some 35 years later and it sparks the same emotions. I wasn't old enough at the time to listen to the music without attaching myself to it. Each song became a part of who I was at the time. Not even 10 years old when my dad bought me this album, the Association told me there was some fantastic world waiting for me. Listening to it again now brings back memories of clothes on the line, Victrolas and amazement of the world.

It's nice to see Brian's son's post. Your dad is one of my favorite bass players. I was saddened by his passing.

My uncle, Pat Colecchio (their Manager) got album art credit for this, whatever that means.

But aside from that this is my favorite album. Dubuque Blues is a real work of art and The Nest is a Magnum Opus. The band at their best musically and at their songwriting prime. It's good to this day.

Get it.