Customer Reviews

Mirror of Our Minds

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From primitive R&B stomp to Eastern influenced psych and all points inbetween, Florida 60's garage legends We The People do it all and do it well! This phenomenal 2 CD set from Sundazed is one of the most important documents of the 60's ever made. The songs on this CD represent a wide array of style and sound and showcase Wayne Proctor and David Duff as two of the most unsung garage gods ever! Sundazed, once again, should be given a big thumbs up for this one. The classy and informative booklet and amazing sounding recordings show why these guys are the kingpins of the 60's U.S. reissue world. Favorite tracks include the stompin title track "Mirror of your Mind", a tough R&B track in the realm of The Pretties or Downliners Sect, the haunting "St. John's Shop" shows the band at their psychedelic best. As well there are a host of tunes that fit all the spots inbetween. 40 songs in all, including tracks from pre-WTP band's like The Offbeets, The Nonchalants and The Trademarks. This is a MUST HAVE!

We The People used to play at the Winter Park Youth Center just down the road from where I lived back in 1966-67 just about every other month on the weekends. They got airplay back in 1966 on WLOF 950 the local rock station debuting with "My Brother, The Man". Each of them were really great musicians who could play other groups music like the Rascals and Standells and do them justice. One of my favorites was "Love is a Beautiful Thing", sung by David, the bass player. I saw them switch drummers, when Lee Ferguson was then replaced by Terry Cox (I remember him being thrilled to be in the band as he played his first song by the Rascals "Groovin"), loose Wayne Proctor (he went into the service) and witnessed them evolving their sound in a very short time. I used to stand next the keyboard player, Randy Boyte (he used had a hammond B3) and just marvel at the energy and tightness of their sound. A heavy set guy, Ron Dillman was the manager whom I saw when they arrived to set up their equipment.

Tommy Talton sang the lead in "Mirror of Your Mind" and it's one of my favorites with an unusual beat that was ahead of its time and could rival many alternative bands sounds of today. These guys wore paisely shirts and granny glasses in 1967 when they released "St. John's Shop", a song that was on the Top 5 on 95 (WLOF) for many weeks; the flip side had "In The Past", a haunting tune Wayne Procter sang and played a mandalin like guitar.

In 1967 they finally got a contract with RCA and released their first national record, "Follow Me Back to Louisville", sung by the bassist, David Duff. However, it barely went on to Billboard's HOT 100.

With proper promotion, these guys would have gone to the top, and if you take a listen I think most of you will agree....

I found some of the most exciting 60's music that I've ever heard on this two-CD, 40 track collection. We The People delivers fuzz-drenched rave-ups reminisent of the Yardbirds and Pretty Things as well as beautiful harmony ballads. Half a dozen of these songs should have easily charted nationally had the group been properly promoted. My favorite tracks include "When I Arrive," "In The Past," "My Brother, The Man," "Mirror of Your Mind," "You Burn Me Up And Down," "Beginning Of The End," "St. John's Shop," and "Declaration of Independence." Sundazed also offers a great booklet with liner notes and photos that chronicle this talented cult band's history.

I'm giving this forty track / 2-CD title a five-star rating for effort alone + look at the asking price for the sometimes hard-to-find pressing. So many happening cuts here to thoroughly soak in, it's tough to list the ones I dug the most, but here it goes: "Drivin' Me Out Of My Mind", both versions of the inspiring "Look At The Girls", "There's Gonna Be A Storm", the somewhat tripping "In The Past" (also liked Chocolate Watchband's version), "Follow Me Back To Louisville", "Lovin' Son Of A Gun" and "Hair Of Wednesday". Basically, just great vintage psychedelic / garage rock. Personnel: Wayne Proctor-guitar & vocals, Tommy Talton-guitar, Randy Boyte-organ & keyboards and Carl Chambers-drums. Fans of the Outsiders (either band), Fuzztones, Superfine Dandelion and the Blues Magoos should get a lot out of 'Mirror Of Our Minds'. A must-have.

One of my favorite bands growing up. First saw them live when I was 12 years old. They were regulars at the Orlando and Winter Park Youth Centers. WTP was "Orlando's Band" just as The Outlaws were "Tampa's Band" (at least in the eyes of the youth center crowd.

It amazes me that this band or any of Tom Talton's later efforts, paticularly Cowboy, didn't get more support.

I'm working on a book about FL teen center bands from the 60's and the WTP guys will surely get there due in it.

And we thought they were just a little teen center band....