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Rating: The Mama's and the Papa's were formed around '65 by John Philips (1st September '35) and Denny Doherty (29th November '40), who had a negative experience as a duo, and Michelle Philips (4th June '44), John's wife, who was part of another duo, also destined for failure.
The folk and pop that characterize them are perfectly found in this "If You Can Believe Your Eyes And Ears," which contains their only classic "California Dreamin'", written by John on a snowy day in New York, nostalgically thinking of the sun in Los Angeles. In Italy, it would become the great classic of Dik Dik, adapted almost well by Mogol with the title "Sognando la California" (and remember the B-side "Dolce di giorno", the first song written by Battisti-Mogol?).
If you want a record that exudes the air of freedom and carefreeness of the "sixties," this is the one for you. "Monday, Monday" (their only number 1 of their career) is the other song that reflects this atmosphere along with "California Dreamin'".
Two other gems of this "If You..." are a ballad rendition featuring Cass Elliot's excellent voice (the last to join the lineup, the plump one -19th September '41-) of a Beatles song without praise or shame, "I Call Your Name", and "Spanish Harlem" (a track with the feel of a soundtrack), a cover of a Ben E. King song ("Stand By Me", remember?), brought to success by other artists including Aretha Franklin.
Today this album is listed among the 500 best-selling pop music records (Billboard magazine), perhaps one more reason to seek it out.
The group disbanded in '68, with two other albums and problems already present within. In '67, John wrote for his friend Scott McKenzie "San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Flowers In Your Hair)", the hippie anthem par excellence, and together with the three companions organized the Monterey festival, two years before the more famous Woodstock. After a solo career and an attempt to reunite the Mama's and the Papa's, he died in 2001 of heart failure. Six years later, it was the turn of his friend Denny Doherty due to kidney failure (following surgery for an abdominal aneurysm).
Cass Elliot continued a short but rewarding solo career which ended with a heart attack in London in '74.
Michelle Philips, the pretty one of the group, didn't have great success as a solo artist, but made some appearances in a few films; and is remembered for her participation in the famous "Beverly Hills 90210" (Brendon, Brenda, Luke Perry etc. etc.).
It was nice to release another review about this quartet. Hoping for more recognition... oh well!
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