Customer Reviews

Once Upon a Dream

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

 

 

I was a big fan of the Young Rascals (they dropped "Young" from their name with this album). I owned "Groovin' and "Time Peace" and wore those LP's out. I recall reading the Hit Parade favorable review of "Once Upon a Dream" - the review noted that this wasn't a loud,excessive rock album, but more of a sweet, peaceful record, and for the Rascals, that was a good thing. Easy Rollin and Its Wonderful were the only songs on the record that I had heard, but I kept reading of how good Rainy Day, My World, Silly Girl, the title song (not actually song by one of the group but by "Dave" and I think Dave was Eddie's brother, but I'm not 100% sure of this. Sattva is a cool eastern, mystical sounding song that I like. Gene's I'm Gonna Love You sounded really dated the first time or two that I heard it and then to my surprise I found myself going around humming the tune. Eddie gets to sing a bit more lead on this album than on most rascals records,and I really like the big band sound of his "My Hawaii" and Felix does a good "Stormy Monday" type blues song with "Singin the Blues too Long." The liner notes point out that the album was recorded in five days in New York in the fall of 1967. I do not like the description of the album as "Overly Ambitious", but I do agree that the orchestral and choral arragements of Arif Mardin are "sophisticated" and I would say that the overall sound of the record stands the test of time very well (make that exceptionally well). I still maybe rate "Groovin" as their best overall effort, but due to the fact that most of this record is still new to me, it is certainly a treat. A solid four or maybe 4.5 stars. If you stoped buying Rascals with the Time Peace album, treat yourself to this album.

I first purchased this album on vinyl when it was released in the late 60's. "Sgt. Pepper" had just been released and influenced most of the top bands, The Stones, The Rascals, and so on, to experiment in the same fashion. Most of their efforts were miserable failures, for example, "Her Satanic Majesty's Request," with the exception of this masterpiece by The Rascals. "It's Wonderful" was a hit record, despite a few minutes of goofy lambs' bleeting at the end, a la "Hey Jude," but it is certainly not the best cut. "Rainy Day," "Silly Girl," "My Hawaii," and the title track are simply beautiful songs. Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati, the principal songwriters of the group, have never written better music. I followed their musical development very carefully for the rest of the group's professional life, and this album was by far their best effort. In fact, this album in vinyl format is still routinely for sale on Ebay due to demand and because it has never been re-released in America. When The Rascals were inducted in the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame a few years ago, it was a shame that Cavaliere-Brigati were not inducted as songwriters as well. Nevertheless, this album will be played enthusiastically 40 years from now, for the same reasons we are still in love with it almost 40 years after its initial release.

I LOVED THIS IN THE 60'S AND WORE IT OUT ON 8 TRACK AND VINYL! AND NOW TO FIND IT IS ON CD AFTER ALL THESE YRS!HAVE TO HAVE 2 COPIES. JUST THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE JUST A MEMORY BUT, NOW I CAN ENJOY IT AGAIN!GET THIS ONE! YOU'LL LOVE IT!

One of my all-time favorite LP's, not just from the 60's but overall! Truly a classic.

Even the weaker cuts are not enough to drop this below a 5 Star Rating.

Why this is so difficult to find on CD is beyond me. Even though I own the LP twice and even burned a copy onto CD, I

went as far purchasing the Rhino Box Set to get a Factory-burned CD.

What would make Once Upon A Dream the perfect Rascals LP/CD is if How Can I Be Sure, People Got To Be Free & A Beautiful Morning were included as well.

Are you a real fan of The Young Rascals? A collector of Rascals memorabillia? Then you've got to get this cd. It is a must have! Out of all of their albums (from 1965 To 1971) this one is their BEST.

1968-The Rascals do it again, only this time the band shows its utmost versatility with outstanding arrangements (Singing the Blues Too Long) lyric content, and the groups ultimate message-World Peace at a time when the world was holding its breath. Yes The Rascals-Americas very own Beatles, but with much more soul, funk, and kick ass Rock & Roll. We prayed for more!

once upon a dream is a wonderful album for any age group. i am 20 and i love it, there are no tracks that you will have to fast forward they all are great ,from a great group at the height of there artistic success!

When I first bought this album (in vinyl of course - it was the sixties)all I could say was WOW!! You have to understand, I have bewn a Rascals fan since their first album. This might be their best (I'm not sure - Groovin' might be). There is not one throwaway on the whole album. It's just too bad they haven't played together for such a long time. Bring back the Rascals (all four - Eddie Brigati, Felix Cavaliere, Dino Danelli and Gene Cornish).

A must for the year 2007, master this on CD for the world to enjoy!! Totally, this band was not to be denied during the 60's craze of psychadelic happenings.In response to all the head work out there the Rascals decided to turn us on with a mixture of mysticism and love. (As if they don't go together)Every song on that album is excellent vocallyas well as melodically.Felix and the band are true masters of turning on the listener.