Hums Of The Lovin' Spoonful

Lovin Spoonful | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 23, 2011)
• Original Release Date: August 4, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Buddah
• ASIN: B0000894OW
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #92,942 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Hums Of The Lovin' Spoonful by The Lovin' Spoonful

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally this glorious gem reappears!, February 20, 2003

By 

MurrayTheCat (upstate New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hums Of The Lovin' Spoonful (Audio CD)

After a strangely long absence from the catalog, the glorious HUMS OF THE LOVIN' SPOONFUL is back. This masterpiece of wit--rich with variety--is delightful by turns. This album was the band's third, released late in 1966, and remains one of the best from that year (a year that yielded many great records). It does have its share of hits: "Darlin' Companion," "Rain On The Roof," "Nashville Cats" and "Summer In The City" all are known commodities...fantastic songs of musical diversity, imagination, charm and good taste. That description sums up this band in general; they combined musical styles to produce something wonderfully unique. Their songs are simple, but not simplistic. They're interesting and colorful...utterly enjoyable. They make me smile, no, beam from ear to ear.

Still, to this day, John Sebastian's voice is one of the most comforting sounds I know. From the first notes of "Lovin' You," the music will warm you and make you grin. "Coconut Grove" is one of the most deliciously dreamy songs you'll ever hear. The Spoonful could have fun, sometimes to the point of being silly, but they always remained consummately artistic at the same time. "Henry Thomas" is an example of that: stomping, bluegrass-like, with its perfectly appropriate use of a slide whistle. The lyrics are hilarious. "4 Eyes" (a particularly witty tune about the plight of wearing glasses as a youngster) is a masterpiece of humor. The marvelously bizarre "Voodoo In My Basement" is proof that it wasn't necessarily a bad thing that Zal was from outer space. (Love Zal!) And, this time around, we get bonus cuts. They are not earth-shattering, but always nice to have. Certainly, the price is right.

If you're a Spoonful fan, this album is a must. If you love the 60s, this album is a must. Heck, just get this.

Cheers and happy listening,
Murray

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You can Hum every classic tune, March 9, 2003

By 

WTDK "If at first the idea is not absurd, the... (My Little Blue Window, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Hums Of The Lovin' Spoonful (Audio CD)

It didn't get any better than this for the Spoonful. The late great Zal was shortly to leave (or be fired depending on what you read)for narcing on his pot dealer (it was either that or face being deported and possible jail time). Sebastian's originals were about as strong as they would ever be. Summer In The City, while the stand out cut and hit single, was only the tip of the iceberg. Voodoo In My Basement had the slightly off-kilter lazy day melody that was always so memorable; the witty paen to Tennessee session players Nashville Cats captures the feel of country music without imitating its cliches; Coconut Groove was the album's secret weapon. It's sly melody and witty lyric would be echoed and have an impact on other musicians (most notably Harry Nilsson).

The bonus cuts are icing on the delicious cake. There's nothing as interesting as on the previous reissues but that's not the point really; the bonus tracks provide fans a glimpse into the band's creative world.

If it was all downhill from here (and it was despite some wonderful moments on the underrated Everything's Playing), Hums was the original incarnation's Cody Jarret moment; Yep Ma, they were top of the world for a brief, brilliant and shining moment.
Thanks guys for such a marvelous album.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best of the spoonful, March 9, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hums Of The Lovin' Spoonful (Audio CD)

Flashback to the summer of 1968: I just discovered Hums of the Loving Spoonful in my sister's collection of LPs. She was away, and it's a good thing too, for I played it over and over. Rain on the Roof, Coconut Grove, Summer in the City, and Lovin' You are all pure gems. These are the songs of a simpler time, of a better time. They are still playing in my mind.

When I hear the Lovin' Spoonful, I think of lazy summer days in the country. I captured that feeling again a few years ago while traveling among the vineyards of western New York in late summer. Thank you Lovin Spoonful!