Everything Playing [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]

Lovin Spoonful

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 18, 2003)
• Original Release Date: February 18, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Buddha
• ASIN: B0000894P3
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #157,893 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Time Music from the Summer of Love, March 7, 2003

By A Customer

I've been a Spoonful fan for over 25 years and I have to admit this is my favorite album of theirs. This may seem sacrilege to some since it's the only effort from their original catalog without Zal (actually, he supposedly worked behind the scenes) but it seems to be the culmination of how the band evolved over its brief two years of recording. The evolution I'm speaking of, specifically, concerns the more relaxed side of the band, carrying forth the tradition of such titles as "Younger Girl" to "Rain on the Roof" to "Darling Be Home Soon." If you're already familiar with "She is Still a Mystery" (one of their best songs) you'll be in for more of the same with this collection. "Everything Playing" represents a slightly more symphonic side of the band and, supposedly, as the booklet states, they play everything. There's diversion from the predominance of psychedelia, as well, such as John's straightforward folk song, "Younger Generation" (a song you hear him play solo in the Woodstock film). Also, the album features several harder-edged songs, one of which was a top 20 single, "Six O'Clock" (which I believe Zal plays on)--a sort of follow-up to their hit from a year before: "Summer in the City." In my opinion this album contains no filler. Actually, my two favorites are the songs least often talked about: "Try a Little Bit" and "Close Your Eyes"--a pair that concluded the original LP with a psychedelic pop crescendo. The bonus tracks are also refreshing to hear but don't differ too much from the originals. This album wasn't close to being one of their biggest sellers upon its initial release, but the reason behind the low sales (it only reached #118 on the Billboard charts) probably had been due more to repercussions from a publicized drug bust and Zal's departure than to the music itself. Naturally it would've been better with more of Zal, but new member Jerry Yester, who arranged most of the songs (and co-composed "Close Your Eyes"), was a welcome addition. So do yourself a favor and do what Spoonful fans neglected to do in 1967: Buy this album and have it become a part of your life as it's long been part of mine.

NOTE: Now if only they release on CD Zal's solo "Alive and Well in Argentina" (if only for me to hear it for the first time), the Lovin' Spoonful swan song "Revelation: Revolution 69", and John Sebastian's solo releases, a complete Spoonful catalog will be availble on the market for the first time in history! Write your marketers! Such a feat in regard to such a unique band is definitely what the world now needs.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Old Friend, December 23, 2007

By	Robert Felberg (Southbury, CT United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Everything Playing is one of my favorite Spoonful albums. It may well be as strong track for track as Hums. As rock music got to be taken a bit more seriously, John Sebastian had to progress as a writer as well. "She's Still a Mystery," Boredom," "Six O'Clock" "Younger Generation" "Money" and a jewel of a song, "Only Pretty, What a Pity" are feeling, intelligent, tuneful and as memorable as most of his past efforts. The songs are more sophisticated, but still comfortable as your favorite chair. Joe Butler would become the voice of the Spoonful when John left. Bulter's voice is very different than Sebastian's. More trained, I guess. Everything Playing is good old friend you can trust.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spoonful's Hidden Gem, January 17, 2007

By	Fernando J. M. Walter "fwalter" (Curitiba - Brazil) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In the 60's, Lovin' Spoonful had only two albums released in Brazil, where I live, both by a very small label which represented Kama Sutra: A 'Greatest Hits' album (which I think it was locally compiled) and Everything Playing. 'Summer in the City' received some airplay in the 60's, but I really take notice of the Spoonful work later, in 73 or 74, by listening to the mentioned albums, and I deeply fell in love with 'Everything Playing'. Great songs, like She Is Still a Mistery, Six O'Clock, Forever and Old Folks, great arrangements. The Spoonful has many great songs in its history, but 'Everything' is a different effort, with new directions in it. A must have, not only for the completists, but for all those who really appreciate that unique and creative era - the late sixties.