Love's
self-titled debut album was released in mid 1966.
It contained 12 original compositions plus the Bacharach/David
song 'My Little Red Book' which became the groups
first local & national hit in April '66. The
other cover on the album was a song brought to the
group by Bryan from his time as a roadie with the
Byrds called 'Hey Joe', which would also be covered
by the Leaves & some cat named Jimmy Hendrix.
Knowing that the Leaves were going to try and rush
their version of the song out before Love, Johnny
Echols when asked by the Leaves for the words to
the song, supplied an altered version, which ironically
has now stuck with the general public because of
the deluge of hit versions since the Leaves and
Mr Hendrix. Love's is the best reading, even including
the comparatively lame version the Byrds themselves
finally delivered - after much prompting from David
Crosby - on the 5th Dimension album in 1967.
There are plenty of reviews across the web and
articles on the album and the new sleeve notes
on the 2001 reissue offer some great insights
to the days of the recording, however it's worth
a note to say that there are substantial differences
between the mono & stereo versions of the
albums. Do go and grab a copy of the remastered
2001 Elektra reissue, as you will find that some
of the mixes are up to 10 seconds longer on say
the mono mix than the stereo mix etc.
An infectious summer album of uplifting buoyant
songs. The first Love album contains some of the
most simple songs Bryan & Arthur ever wrote
but they stand alongside their best work, catching
the sound & positive possibilities of an era,
whilst also hinting at the cynicism which would
eventually envelop the age.
