32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
More Than the Neophyte Fan Needs, But a Fitting Tribute, June 21, 2006
This review is from: Painting the Day: The Angelic Psychedelia of the (Audio CD)
For a group that had only four hit singles during its 2-year chart run, PAINTING THE DAY is the fourth greatest hits collection of The Cowsills' sunshine pop.
And let's face it, they were essentially a singles group. The only studio album to crack the Hot 100 LP chart was their self-titled MGM debut album (which contained "The Rain the Park, & Other Things")--it peaked at No. 31 in 1967. Even their BEST OF THE COWSILLS did no better than No. 127 two years later.
But that doesn't take away from the infectious hooks and tight harmonies that were the trademarks of such hits as "We Can Fly," "Indian Lake" and "Hair." And this compilation cranks up the nastolgia factor by also including their performance of the "Love American Style" TV theme.
What makes PAINTING THE DAY different from the other anthologies available is that it includes their 1970 album II X II in its entirety (tracks 13-23). It's an interesting (although not essential) artifact which shows the group encorporating a more psychedelic approach. "Silver Threads and Golden Needles" and "Prophecy of Daniel and John the Divine" were released as singles, but only reached No. 74 and No. 75 respectively.
The Cowsills were a truly family affair, with Mom Barbara and her children comprising the group and Dad Bud managing. [They were the inspiration for the TV series "The Partridge Family."] However, by 1972, the hits dried up and the band went their separate ways. In 1985, Barbara died; in 2005 Barry drowned in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and just this year Bill died of cancer. This compilation makes a fitting tribute to their legacy. RECOMMENDED
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