The third album from the Mamas and the Papas delivers

"Deliver" was the third album recorded by the Mamas and the Papas and marks the beginning of the end as fame, money, drugs, and other things were starting to foul up the group's wonderful chemistry. Ironically, one of the best song on the album was "Creeque Alley," which was a fun take on how the group came together. The best song is the great cover of "Dedicated to the One I Love," which is so good that I have to stop and remember that the Shirelles did it first. "Look Through My Window" is another solid track and "Twist and Shout" is another cool cover (the "My Girl" cover is one of the few misfires for my money). "Deliver" is maybe a shade below the first two albums in quality, but the distinctive sound is certainly there: radiant harmonies built on an electric-folk foundation. The results are gorgeous and epitomized the Southern California lifestyle of the Sixties. There are few groups where you can really enjoy their below average songs just because of the sound, and the Mamas and the Papas are definitely on that short list. The album cover is my favorite for the group, even if it speaks to a closeness that was no longer real.

They Deliver The Goods

Deliver came out in 1967, at the height of the folk rock era. Simon & Garfunkle's Parsley Sage Rosemary & Thyme was a huge hit Donovan was scoring big with Sunshine Superman and Mellow Yellow and of course Bob Dylan and the Byrds were the chief architects of the folk rock movement. Along come four kooky looking individuals with beautiful finely crafted four-part harmony and the rest as they say is history. Deliver catches the M's&P's at their creative zenith. There's not a bad song in the bunch. Another words they deliver the goods. Pardon the pun. This one is a true classic and sounds as great today as the day it came out. Long live the M's&P's.

Two Good Albums - A Little Uneven, But Still Good!

This 2 albums on one CD contains the Mamas & Papas` 3rd and 4th album from 1967 and 1968.



Apart from their first album "If You Can Believe Your Ears" the Mamas and Papas' album were all somewhat uneven. They all contained one or more of their great singles; mostly written by band leader John Philips.

But the group also covered old pop-classics like "Spanish Harlem", "Dancing in the Street" or "My Girl". This of course made it harder to keep the albums consistent.



Some of their covers were quite succesful, though. On "Deliver" was their terrific cover of the old Shirelles hit "Dedicated to the One I Love" was included. The Mamas & Papas turned it into a completely different song, and one of their very best recordings and biggest hits.



They also gave a fine version of "My Girl" , but it may appear a little too "poppy" and mainstream for a group that had the ability to write first-class material themselves.



The autobiographical "Crequee Alley" is a charming and catchy tune which also made the top ten as a single.



Their cover of "Sing for Your Supper", sung by Mama Cass; seems completely out of place to my ears. Too much "family-pop".



Though I don't care much for their version of "Twist and Shout" either, at least they give the song a completely different and original treatment.



Their original album tracks are mostly pretty good. Especially "Look Through My Window" which strangely enough only made it to # 25 in the charts. "Did You Ever Want to Cry" was perfect for Mama Cass'; a little like her classic "Dream a Little Dream of Me" from their 4th album.



"Free Advice" and "String Man" are also good album tracks.



Michelle Philips opens the 4th album "Presenting" with a charming acapella version of the old Shirley Temple song "The Right Somebody to Love"; you might easily mistake her her for Marilyn Monroe on that one. The song goes directly into their majestic "Save in My Garden"; another John Philips masterpiece - it undeservedly on made # 53 in the charts.



"Medication Mama" is another strong track, nothing like their usual style,almost country and sung by John Philips ( or Doherty?)



"For the Love of Ivy" is another of their favourites, though not a hit, it's included on most Mamas and Papas compilations.



"Dream a Little Dream" is Cass Elliot's tour de force. A great recording.



Their cover of "Nothing's Too Good For My Little Girl" is okay, but apart from the terrific single-track "Twelve-Thirty", the rest of the album is pretty forgettable.



Still there are so many strong tracks on this "2 on 1" CD that I'll call it recommendable; if you want a little more than just their hit-records.