Let's Live for Today

Grass Roots | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 1, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mca Special Products
• ASIN: B000002QWX
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #110,972 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Things I Should Have Said

2. Wake Up, Wake Up

3. Tip of My Tongue

4. Is It Any Wonder

5. Let's Live for Today

6. Beatin' Round the Bush

7. Out of Touch

8. Won't You See Me

9. Where Were You When I Needed You

10. No Exit

11. This Precious Time

12. House of Stone

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fine overlooked 60's folk-rock, March 6, 2005

By 

Hans Pfaall "eight_miles_high" (Connecticut, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Let's Live for Today (Audio CD)

Although I am thrilled to see that two top ten reviewers have reviewed Let's Live For Today, it is my opinion that neither of the gentlemen entirely hit the mark. While the title track is without compare, there is much to recommend the album. In fact, I have come to believe that Let's Live For Today is one of the finest overlooked folk-rock records of the 60's.

Originally, I picked this CD out of a used pile almost four years ago and had almost no idea of what to expect. The Grass Roots had many a hit single, and I didn't see too many of them on this record. Also, I never strongly associated the Grass Roots with folk-rock, so it was interesting to note how folk-rock influenced the album was upon hearing it. Considering how big of a hit the title track was, it's a surprise today to note that the album made only a disappointing #75 on the charts. Therefore, the album was not (as stated by another reviewer) one of the best selling albums of the decade.

Aside from the title cut, the material is made up of seven Sloan/Barri compositions, and four group originals that stand up well alongside the professional team's efforts. As for the professional team, it is NOT clear that they were better as producers than songwriters. Their production skills are evident in all of the material here, but we cannot forget their past history as songwriters. The duo was responsible for writing and producing some Turtles hits, as well as Johnny Rivers' signature tune "Secret Agent Man." Also, their composition "A Must to Avoid" was recorded for a hit by Herman's Hermits. In addition, P.F. Sloan had a good amount of success by himself as a writer, having penned (among other songs) Barry McGuire's #1 hit "Eve of Destruction," and "Take Me For What I'm Worth," a top 20 UK hit for the Searchers. To this day, Sloan is a highly regarded figure in 60's folk-rock.

There are no weak cuts to be found on this album. Two of the Sloan/Barri songs on Let's Live For Today reached the top thirty, "Things I Should Have Said"(#23) and "Where Were You When I Needed You."(#28) "Things" was a well executed pop/rock effort, while "Where Were You" had musical similarity to Sloan's "Eve of Destruction." Some of the tunes, such as "Tip of My Tongue" and "Out of Touch," traversed garage rock territory to an extent, though they were far more intricately produced and recorded than typical garage rock. "Wake Up, Wake Up" had definite psychedelic influence, and "This Precious Time" was a fine commercial LA folk-rock production of a song that had been recorded previously by Barry McGuire. "Is It Any Wonder" was an effective pop song that might have had hit potential if it was released as a single. The group originals were strong as well, and the snarling fuzz of Creed Bratton's "House of Stone" was a welcome surprise. "House of Stone" is an excellent garage rock effort that few to this day know about.

Overall, Let's Live For Today is a fine album that deserves to be heard beyond the admittedly top-notch title track. The album was reissued in 2002 on Repertoire as a twofer with the second album Feelings, and that is probably the best way to acquire this music if you are buying it on CD for the first time, though this CD is a great deal cheaper than the twofer.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This CD of their second album is a pop masterpiece., October 25, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Let's Live for Today (Audio CD)

Let's take a trip back in time! This is a CD of the Grass Roots' second album, and their first album for Dunhill (the record label they were to stay at for most of their hitmaking). This album captures the band at their freshest. Although it's only their second album, their pop craftsmanship matches any of their contemporaries. This CD is a symbol of the idealistic era it stems from and can take credit for contributing toward this era's rock n roll legacy. Not only does it contain "Let's Live for Today" (which was later covered by The Damned) but their earlier hit, as well (which was later covered by The Bangles), "Where Were You When I Needed You." What's amazing is that just about every other song on the album could've just as likely been hit singles had they'd been individually released--ranging from the folk rock kickoff of "Things I Could Have Said" to the fuzz-entrenched finale of "House of Stone." Despite the individual worth of each track, however, this factor doesn't lessen the sense that this effort, as a whole, is no less than an all-encompassing experience. I should also mention (since the CD's artwork isn't featured here) MCA has also been respectful enough to retain the original LP's psychedelic album jacket. Now if only the 'Root's "Feelings" and "Lovin' Thing" LPs can also be released on CD. Then we of the present generation can "live for today" in the same sense it's been lived for in the past. Groovily!

1.0 out of 5 stars Dont waste your money!, January 2, 2012

By 

Rochman (Rochester,NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Let's Live for Today (Audio CD)

Don't waste your money on this one. Have been a Grass Roots fan my whole life and these are "not" the original hits. They re-recordings that are very mediocre at best compared to original. The only valid collection currently out is 20th century masters...