A minor correction...and a few further remarks

In a previously posted review of this album, I erroneously attributed authorship of the song "No, No, No, No, No" to "Papa" John Phillips, who did in fact pen four of the eleven songs on this release. "No, No..." was actually written by G. Stephens and M. Polnareff, which doesn't mean that it doesn't sound exactly like a Mamas & Papas song (sans Michelle and Cass) because it does. In fact you'd almost swear that John Phillips was doing the vocals on that one; McKenzie's otherwise distinctive voice is apparently multitracked here giving it an anonymous--though not unpleasant--quality.

It is McKenzie's voice that makes this release distinctive, since as I mentioned in the previous review, the material selection could have been better. But he was(is?) a remarkable singer, with a warmth and sense of diction that was rare even among folkies.

Another (minor) caveat, though: as with many recordings of the period, the string arrangements are a little clunky in spots. In the post-"Pepper" world, everyone was jumping on the orchestrated bandwagon, sometimes to good effect, but more often a bit heavy handed or just ill thought out. In the afore-mentioned "No, No..." the string section sounds like it was recorded down the hall.

One non-musical criticism as well: the cover art shown in the Amazon posting is a reasonably attractive shot of a San Francisco trolley scene. The CD I received was much less attractively packaged--with a black and white file photo of McKenzie sporting a really bad mustache and what appears to be a Nehru jacket, surrounded by bubble images of S.F. tourist attractions. "Tacky" does not begin to describe it. The music deserved better (and apparently, with later pressings, got it).

Lovely to hear you again my friend

I was alive, well, and a year out of high school when "San Francisco" hit the air in Houston. The song is one of the true time & place classics in my memory. Others being "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'"-Righteous Bros, "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore"-Walker Bros. and "Nights In White Satin"-Moody Blues. Some fans don't know that McKenzie and John Phillips were friends and when Phillips needed an anthem for his '67 Monterey Pop Festival,he tapped on Scott McKenzie's shoulder. The album was recorded in one night and was produced by Mamas & Papas and Johnny Rivers producer Lou Adler. Phillips sang chorus and harmony on several of the album's cuts. McKenzie's singing is unique in pop music. His huskey, plaintiff voice draws you in and truly wins your emotions to the point of view of his material. Although "San Francisco" was his most popular and remembered song, "Twelve-Thirty", "Like An Old Time Movie" and "What's The Difference Pt II" (later recorded by Johnny Rivers for his Realization album) are great examples of McKenzie"s ability to win a listener's heart. Scott's follow-up album "Stained Glass Morning" didn't come close to the mark he had set for himself with his first effort and most of us lost track of him. I have both albums on LP and was deighted when "San Francisco" (originally titled "The Voice of Scott Mckenzie") became available on CD. His "Anthology" is now available and I am anxiously awaiting it's arrival from England. The inability to find McKenzie's music until just a few years ago represented a large void in my CD collection-now filled. Scott McKenzie is one of my favorite singers and this album is well worth the asking price!

Taking us all back 40 years

I saw Scott McKenzie as an opening act at the Hollywood Bowl where the Mamas and the Papas were performing. I dropped my jaw listening to this man sing. I bought the album immediately, have loved it and the music for a long time. When I found it released on CD, had to have it....but had to reconstruct the album cover (Thank you PhotoShop) to make it look like the original record...

"Celeste" is beautiful, "Rooms" is stirring...even both versions of "Whats the Difference" are great. Actually, there isnt a song on the album I don't like, and don't remember fondly.