Johnny Rivers is a unique figure in the history of rock music. On the most obvious level, he was a rock star of the 1960s and a true rarity as a white American singer/guitarist who made a name for himself as a straight-ahead rock & roller during the middle of that decade. Just as important behind the scenes, his recordings and their success led to the launching, directly and indirectly, of at least three record labels and a dozen other careers whose influence extended into the 1970s, 1980s, and beyond. (by Bruce Eder)
When the folk-rock ship arrived, Rivers was ready to jump aboard, with assistance from producer Lou Adler (then also handling Barry McGuire and the Mamas and the Papas). “Twelve Greatest Folk Songs in His A Go-Go Style” reads the subtitle, and it’s an accurate description of a set dominated by some of the most familiar folk songs of the era: “Tom Dooley,” “Michael (Row the Boat Ashore),” “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “Green, Green,” “Where Have All the Flowers Gone,” “If I Had a Hammer,” and “500 Miles.” More contemporary material gets a nod via versions of Donovan’s “Catch the Wind” and Bob Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man.” Basically, however, it sounds like a mid-’60s Johnny Rivers album: nearly unvarying mid-tempo, easy-to-handclap-along-with rhythms, soulful female backup harmonies, and easy-rocking lead vocals.
Quality folk-rock took the best of both genres to create something greater than the sum of the parts, but Rivers just laid his own (pretty derivative) commercial pop/rock style on a set of folk material. That means this LP lacks the imagination necessary to rate as interesting folk-rock, though it’s adequately pleasant. A historical curiosity, it bears some similarity to the first hit albums by Trini Lopez, though with a heavier rock feel. That similarity is not unexpected given that drummer Mickey Jones had played with Lopez (and, in a more surprising twist, would soon go on to play with future Band members in the group that backed Bob Dylan on his famous 1966 world tour). (by Richie Unterberger)
Personnel:
Chuck Day (bass)
Mickey Jones (drums)
Johnny Rivers (guitar, vocals)
Alternate frontcover:
Tracklist:
01.Tom Dooley (Traditional) 2.47
02. Long Time Man (Traditional) 3.33
03. Michael (Row The Boat Ashore) (Traditional) 2.13
04. Blowin In The Wind (Dylan) 2.46
05. Green, Green (McGuire/Sparks) 2.07
06. Where Have All The Flowers Gone (Seeger) 3.55
07. If I Had A Hammer (Hays/Seeger) 3.00
08. Tall Oak Tree (Burnette) 2.24
09. Catch The Wind (Leitch) 2.59
10. 500 Miles (West) 3.01
11. Mr. Tambourine Man (Dylan) 3.32
12. Jailer Bring Me Water (Darin) 2.19
More Johnny Rivers:
Rewind is the third studio album by the American musician Johnny Rivers, released in 1967 by Imperial Records. The album includes cover versions of “Baby, I Need Your Lovin'” and “The Tracks of My Tears”. Produced by Lou Adler with arrangements by Jimmy Webb, who wrote eight of the songs, the album peaked at #14 on the Billboard albums chart.
…And I Know You Wanna Dance was Johnny Rivers’s sixth official album, and was his 4th live album . It was recorded live at the Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles, California. The album reached #52 on the Billboard Charts and included the most famous recording of “Secret Agent Man” which peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. (by wikipedia)
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