Customer Reviews

Time/I Can Make It with You

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Pozo-Seco Singers" is a difficult name to remember, but play the first 15-seconds of `Time' or `Look What You've Done,' and every Baby Boomer will know the song immediately. The music of the Pozo-Seco Singers is as unforgettable as the group's name is obscure. Susan Taylor's beautiful and unblemished voice leads songs such as `Time,' `She Understands Me' (Susan changes the word "she" to "he"), and `Forget His Name.' Her peachy vocals are a splendid harmonic partner for Don Williams' warm but powerful baritone. Don sings most of the up-tempo material including `Look What You've Done,' and `It Ain't Worth The Lonely Road Back.' The harmonious sound of a soprano (Susan), tenor (Lofton Kline) and a baritone (Don) is thrilling. It is interesting that these three folkies from Texas chose Folk, but avoided the slightest hint of political protest. Despite the Civil Rights Movement, Vietnam War and the assignation of John F. Kennedy, Pozo-Seco sang about loneliness (Tomorrow Is A Long Time), coming of age (Changes) and fighting calories (Diet). Their music was a welcome respite from the social turmoil of 1966-67.

I've never been a fan of "Greatest Hits" and "Best of" packages - I'd prefer to have the original albums, and decide for myself which are the "best" selections. Pozo-Seco compilations often neglect worthwhile compositions such as the comely `She Understands Me' and the inspiring `Johnny.' Time and I Can Make It Without You are two delectable albums by a group who ignored social and political controversy, but instead focused their musical outlook on innocence and relationships.

Technical Note: The overall sound quality of these two albums is radiant. As usual, Collectors' Choice has done an excellent job searching the Columbia archives for quality master recordings.

The mix of Don Williams bass and Susan Taylor's angelic vocals is a match made in heaven. I bought the LP "Time" back in 1965 without ever having heard of the group. The picture of a sultry Susan Taylor on the cover and a nice selection of standard 60s folk tunes in the track listing was more than enough for me. Every song on that "Time" LP turned out to be a knockout. When this became available on CD I jumped at the chance to buy and discovered a new gem as a bonus track, "I Believed It All", a beautifully sung ode to the the innocence of childhood.

Williams of course went on to bigger and better things in a C&W vein but unfortunately Susan Taylor seems to have faded into obscurity. In any case, this CD would definitely be in my "stranded on a desert isle" backpack.

This trio of Texans included Susan Taylor, Donnie Williams, who became better known as country singer Don Williams, and Lofton Kline. As two of them faded into obscurity, you might think that this album is really about the other one, but not so. All three were excellent singers and each of them got their chance to sing lead.

There is a good mix of original songs and covers. They had a series of minor American pop hits - they never made the top 30, but they came close a couple of times. Their hits were Time, I'll be gone, I can make it with you and Look what you've done.

The covers include If I fell (Beatles), Come a little bit closer (Jay and the Americans). Guantanamera (Sandpipers), Silver threads and golden needles (originally recorded by Wanda Jackson, but later an American pop hit for the Springfields, with Dusty as lead singer), House of the rising sun (most famously a big hit for the Animals, though their version was also a cover), She understands me (which I first heard sung by Teresa Brewer as He understands me, although I think the original singer was Johnny Tillotson), You've lost that loving feeling (Righteous brothers), If I were a carpenter, Almost persuaded (David Houston), Ribbon of darkness (Gordon Lightfoot) and Louisiana man.

If you enjoy mellow sixties folk music, particularly by the Brothers four, you will enjoy this.

This group should still be together! Susan Taylor's voice is as pretty as any I've ever heard and Don Williams... What can I say? His smooth semi-baritone voice is ultra-pleasant! Great talent! I feel lucky to have found this CD! It would be an honor to have their other recordings...

I,too, recall listening and buying Pozo-Seco Singers 45 "Time"
in the San Francisco Bay Area where I grew up. Apparently Pozo-Seco were only a hit in the LA/SF area most likely because of the influence of Drake Radio i.e. KHJ/KFRC.
What is most interesting is that Don Williams,the tenor of Pozo-Seco, went on to become Don Williams, a HUGE Country star and the biggest influence to Eric Clapton since Muddy Waters. Listen, It's true... Clapton in the late 70s early 80's was really Don Williams. "Livin' on Tulsa Time", "Wonderful Tonight":. etc.. Clapton was either Williams or J.J. Cale.
Oh yeah... this is a great 60's era folk album...

i was excited that they finally put out these albums on cd.at least i can listen to them sing again .i only wish they would put out the last album when only don & susan where left in the group . the album was called shadows & light . i have this one album& it is excellant.

I ordered this CD a few weeks ago after waking up one morning with "Look What You've Done" in my head -- probably 30 years since I had last listened to the album. Absolutely the best money I've spent in a long time. Don't let the "touch of country" dissuade you from trying this group. Susan Taylor's voice will hold up to any genre. It would be a shame for anyone to miss this CD. With only a couple of exceptions out of this double CD, the songs are relaxing and mellow, with a different spin on a few classics. Try it.

Susan Taylor's mellow vocals on the timeless "Time," the first selection on this two album set is the best take of the bunch. This 24-tune disc is filled with cozy and mellow folk-pop hits, but also some country-tinged tunes. The vocals for the most part are hushed and laid-back, sound quality is superb.

Before Don Williams embarked upon a solo singing career as a Country artist, racking up 56 such hits from 1972 to 1992, he was the lead vocal of a trio from Texas calling themselves The Pozo Seco Singers, and in 1966/67 they put six songs onto the Billboard Pop Hot 100, three of which crossed over to the Adult Contemporary (AC) charts. As one reviewer states, "best of" or "greatest hits" do not interest him very much, but there are those of us out here who DO care about such songs, and although this Collector's Choice release does not advertise it as such, being a gathering together of two of their vinyl albums, with the two bonus tracks added you do get all six hits along with three of the B-sides. In addition to enjoying some of the nicest folk-rock offerings of that era.

Their first was Time, initially released on the tiny Edmark label before being picked up by Columbia in early 1966, and it went to # 3 AC/# 47 Hot 100 b/w Down The Road I Go (not here). The follow-up I'll Be Gone barely made the Hot 100, settling in at # 92 that June, but it went to a reasonable # 34 AC b/w It Ain't Worth The Lonely Road Back. Then, that fall, I Can Make It With You made the Hot 100 Top 40 at # 32 b/w a cover of the David Houston hit, Almost Persuaded. And, in December 1966/January 1967 they reached # 32 Hot 100 again with I Believed It All, but this time it went to # 8 AC as well b/w Excuse Me Dear Martha, which also charted at # 102 Hot 100 "bubble under" (but isn't included here).

Their final hit was a disappointment, as a spirited version of the 1961 Rusty & Doug smash Country hit, Louisiana Man, could only reach # 97 Hot 100 b/w Tomorrow Proper.

Excellent sound quality, as always with a Collector's Choice release, and in lieu of new liner notes they provide those that appeared on the original vinyl LPs. Just make sure you have a magnifying glass at hand to read them, unless you have 20-20 vision. Even then, I think you'll have trouble.

I first heard the Pozo Seco Singer in 1965 in my home town of Corpus Christi. They were a local group that had a lot of potential. Who knew that Don Williams would go on to be a star in the country field. I always tried to go see them whenever they played around CC. Many years later I got to see Don Williams perform and talked to him afterwards. He is still the same laid-back guy that he was back then. A great album to kick back with. "Time" has to be one of the best songs ever.