If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]

Mamas & Papas

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 24, 1998)
• Original Release Date: March 1966
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Mca
• ASIN: B0000062XR
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #23,849 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

As they developed and incorporated more of their own social lives into their music, the Mamas and the Papas became the model for other dysfunctionally self-involved groups like Fleetwood Mac. But none of that is evident on their 1966 debut, If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears; rather, it's the quartet's dreamy vocal interaction that is the highlight here. "California Dreamin'" is a touching honeymoon of a song; and its follow-up, "Monday Monday," is much the same--though it comes this close to overwhelming sappiness. "Spanish Harlem," "In Crowd," and Mama Cass Elliott's lead on the Beatles' "I Call Your Name" are just as enjoyable. Though the accompanying music on this album was not the focus, it's every bit as strong as the vocal arrangements, with Larry Knetchel, Joe Osborne, and Hal Blaine handling the chores here. --Randy Silver

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'M A BELIEVER !!!, August 14, 2006

By	Resonator (U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

To me, great debut albums are few and far between. These days, there's just too much hype made about this group and that group; and, even if they are good, so much media overkill and overplay gets done that you're sick of hearing about someone before they've really had a chance? "IF YOU CAN BELIEVE YOUR EYES AND EARS" is one of those great debut albums--almost a "sleeper," if you will--that can't be beat! From start to finish, you want to hear more; and usually do wind up playing it a second (and maybe even a third) time around before walking away and saying, "Wow," to yourself over and over again. I can only compare that to, say, the first Beatles album (take your pick between the first UK or US release), Boston's debut LP, Skynyrd's "PRONOUNCED," or (another "sleeper") "LISTEN UP... IT'S THE ECHOES"--the latter, in some ways, reminding me of The Mamas & The Papas magic and honesty? This group's definitely earned itself a place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. I only wish there were more like them!

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Their Debut Is Still the One To Own, December 2, 2001

By	Steve Vrana (Aurora, NE) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Of the four studio albums this highly influential group recorded during their all too brief career (1966-68), their debut is still the most thoroughly satisfying. It contains their two signature songs and biggest hits--"California Dreamin'" and "Monday, Monday"--and both sold over a million copies.

Almost every song on this album would have succeeded as a single, but by the time "Monday, Monday" was dropping off the charts "I Saw Her Again" (from their soon-to-be released sophomore album) was already climbing the charts. [In fact, their first three albums were released during an astonishing 12-month period!]

Whether doing covers like "I Call Your Name," "Do You Wanna Dance" and "Spanish Harlem" or John Phillips originals like "Straight Shooter" and "Go Where You Wanna Go," the group's folk-pop sensibilities and lush vocal harmonies make this album a real treasure.

While internal friction caused the breakup of the group by mid-1968, they left behind a body of work which rightfully earned them a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Their Fabulous Classic First Folk-Rock Album!, May 14, 2002

By	Barron Laycock "Labradorman" (Temple, New Hampshire United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

No single group flashed faster to the top nor created more hype than the fabled the Mamas and the Papas. From their initial burst onto the scene with "California Dreaming" to their final efforts with "For The Love Of Ivy", they created a new, exciting, and melodramatic form of vocal harmonies into the folk-rock mainstream. The album featured here was their freshman effort, and it is indeed a classic, containing wall to wall hits with "Monday Monday", "I Call Your Name", "Go Where You Wanna Go", and of course, "California Dreaming".

The cover shot of the four of them gathered fully clothed in an empty bathtub was typical of their earthy presence and flair the unconventional. Within a couple of years they had conquered the pop heavens, had an incredible string on non-stop hits, and promptly dissolved among the internal frictions so common to mid-sixties super-groups like the Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, and a number of others. Yet the incredible sound they created remains, and I defy anyone to listen to this album without snapping a finger or tapping a foot in time with incredible sounds emanating from the stereo. This album is a must-have for collectors of sixties folk-rock music. Enjoy!