IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY

I might not be big on the the San Francisco psychedelic scene, but to me, this is one of the best albums to come out of that scene. The band was influenced by folk, classical, jazz, and even prog rock. The music, for the most part is also quite moody. The thing that defined the IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY sound is the vocals and violin of David LaFlamme. At this point, the band also had his wife Linda LaFlamme handle the keyboards (which include Hammond organ, piano, Wurlitzer electric piano, and harpsichord). The album opens up with "White Bird", this song was a staple of FM radio back in the good old pre-AOR days of progressive free form (the song still gets played, but only on rare occasions). The next song, is the more atmospheric "Hot Summer Day". They seemed to have captured the mood of a hot summer day on that song. "Wasted Union Blues" is a hard rocker, it's truly a stark contrast to "White Bird", to say the least. "Girl With No Eyes" is a much more classically influenced number, complete with harpsichord and violin. Hearing this song, you almost forget you're listening to a California band, as it sounds quite European. Side two consists of a killer instrumental, as well as "Time Is" with this unbelievable drum solo (in which a lot of echo was used to make it sound more majestic). The band sure brings back memories from many of the Baby Boomer types, and while I'm not a Baby Boomer (I belong to, but ashamed to belong to, the Gen-X crowd), I really surprise the Boomers when I bring up their music. They also have their detractors too who call their music "dated hippie fluff" as well. But unfortunately, the band fell victim to a very unstable lineup, and the wrath of their very greedy and unethical manager Matthew Katz.

Whatever you do, get the original LP (be it the American pressing on Columbia or the European pressing on CBS), never buy from San Francisco Sound, Katz's own label. His label has a bad reputation of releasing inferior products at a rip-off price, and he will not give royalties to the band members for each copy sold (Katz been spending the last 30+ years suing everyone from bands he used to manage to anyone who interferes with his unethical and illegal practices).

If you can get hold of an LP (not on the San Francisco Sound label), you're in for some really great stuff.