Little Anthony and the Imperials - 1967 - Reflections
Posted by nikos1109
Little Anthony and the Imperials had a string of r’n'b style hits on the End label in the late 50s. After several years absence, they resurfaced, and with the writing/producing talents of Teddy Randazzo, Anthony Gourdine and his Imperials created some of the most memorable, superbly crafted pop tunes of the rock era, several of which have become standards. “Goin’ Out Of My Head”, “Hurt So Bad” and “I Miss You So” represent some of the most polished landmark tunes to come out of the mid-60s.
By the time the listener gets to ‘Reflections”, a soulful tour de force takes shape. The songs, the orchestrations, the singers take you to Shangri la. All of the music is in STEREO too. This is some of the most beautiful music ever to come out of the 60’s. Teddy Randazzo made this world a much better place.
This is a @320 vinyl rip of the original Veep LP including covers
Tracks
A1. Don’t Tie Me Down 2.49
A2. My Love Is a Rainbow 2.40
A3. If I Remember to Forget 2.46
A4. Keep It Up 3.02
A5. Hold on to Someone 2.13
A6. Yesterday Has Gone 2.55
B1. Trick or Treat 2.32
B2. Lost in Love 3.03
B3. In the Mirrors of Your Mind 2.46
B4. I Love You 2.22
B5. Better off Without You 3.08
B6. Thousand Miles Away 2.32
Little Anthony & the Imperials were ten years into their history when they recorded this elegant, slightly trippy pop-soul classic under the guidance of writer/producer Teddy Randazzo, who co-authored all but one of the 12 songs here and did for this quartet more or less what Jimmy Webb did for The 5th Dimension during the same period. There’s nothing really psychedelic about the music here, despite its coming out in 1967 — rather, it’s a cheerful mixture of lyrical soul sounds and sunshine pop, with an understated elegance and gorgeous harmonies (and tastefully restrained horn and string parts, with the occasional flute) supporting the impassioned lead vocals by Little Anthony. The resulting album is one of the most beguilingly upbeat soul records of its period, a match and then some for anything coming out of Motown for accessibility. What’s more, it hasn’t lost an iota of appeal across the ensuing four decades — even the most straightforward song here, “Hold on to Someone,” which could have come from any part of their history, still sounds fresh, and the rest exudes a warm, lingering glow reflective of its era. Among the rest, “Yesterday Has Gone” is almost a soul analog to Spanky & Our Gang’s “Sunday Will Never Be the Same,” while “Trick or Treat”and “Lost in Love” call to mind The 5th Dimension doing just about anything well. It’s worth owning any way you can get it, on LP or CD.
Biography and Discography here
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December 5th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Definitely one of my favourite 60’s groups. “Hurt so bad” is one of the best R’n'B hits ever. Enjoy!
December 5th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Thanks!
December 5th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Brilliant LP - thank you so much Nikos, greatly appreciated!
December 5th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
A real soul gem. Thanks for sharing.
December 5th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
much appreciated for the gem!
December 5th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Thanks. But in fact, why are you talking about “Little Anthony” while the album sleeves mention just “Anthony” without “Little” ?
Piet
December 5th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Good point my friend. Maybe cause we all know him as “Little Anthony”.
December 5th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Many thanks Nikos!
December 6th, 2009 at 12:13 am
thank you!!
December 6th, 2009 at 7:31 am
Fantastic, and thank you.
December 6th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Damn! Thanks so much for this one. Been after this for serious time! your crates are the deepest!
December 6th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
The sweetest natural counter-tenor in all of doo-wop history!
December 6th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Thx for this! Much appreciated. By the way, the description of the file-names is wrong. always one behind.
December 6th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Very nice!!! Little Anthony, one of the greatest to ever do it. Thanks Nikos
December 7th, 2009 at 1:39 am
Wow, Thanks for this one.
-dj85
December 7th, 2009 at 10:09 am
This is such an amazing blog, thanks for everything!!!
December 7th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
thanks nikos hey can u maybe use sharebee cuz rapidshare never lets me get nothing anymore
December 7th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Rapidshare is the only way to keep 300 and more albums safe. Try it again, it happens sometimes.
December 7th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
The best sweet uptown soul sound of the mid-’60s. Fantastic group.
December 8th, 2009 at 12:24 am
Thanks, much appreciated.
December 8th, 2009 at 5:08 am
Thank you for your generosity - love the rip at 320 and Little Anthony & the Imperials do take me back a looooooong way! Terrific.
December 8th, 2009 at 10:07 am
Amazing voice! Going out of my head……
December 8th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Here Brian Wilson’s influence on Randazzo is clear: the falsetto harmonies and abrupt a capella section in leadoff single “Don’t Tie Me Down” are dead giveaways.
December 8th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Some soul pop diamonds in here. Great work once again.
December 8th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
after a day of trying finally got it cant wait to hear it thanx nikos
December 9th, 2009 at 12:37 am
Just a heads up, I think the track listing is incorrectly matched with the songs. For example “A Thousand Miles Away” is titled “Better off Without You”. Amazing album though and the quality is great.
December 9th, 2009 at 1:50 am
Little Anthony & The Imperials is one of my favourite groups! Anthony Gourdine sings so softly & beautiuful !
Thanks for this rare and wonderful album !
December 9th, 2009 at 2:51 am
This is a real pot pouri of sounds showcasing the versatlity and longevity of a group that embraced the doo-wop to the sweet soul of the late 60s with equal ease. Personally i far prefer their post doo-wop trips, and those first 3 tracks ‘Don’t tie me down’, ‘If I remember to forget’ and the cracking ‘My love is a rainbow’ are worth the weight of the record in gold. A wonderful wonderful treat Nikos. Thank you so much.
December 9th, 2009 at 10:18 am
There’s a new link. The songs have the right name.
December 10th, 2009 at 10:18 am
thanks soulfunky man
December 10th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
whats good Nikos. Man u keep hittin us over the head so much great music. much much appreciation to you for keepin the gems coming!
December 10th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
terry randazzo was a genius at the controls
December 11th, 2009 at 5:24 am
this is such a beautiful LP, was needing this type of soul in my life. Thanks brother
December 13th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
This was amazing one. Thanks!
December 13th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
I love Little Anthony and the Imperials. This is one I didn’t hear before. Thanks.
December 21st, 2009 at 3:24 am
some good food for my soul….thanks again nikos…jean paris
December 23rd, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Much Thanks Nikos!!
January 2nd, 2010 at 2:12 am
Once again, I want to think you for another gem. I’ve been playing this all day! The 5th dimension/Jimmy Webb comparison is so fitting.
this is a real treat.
Thank You!
January 3rd, 2010 at 1:07 am
Thanks for letting me meet with these guys!
January 5th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
Much appreciated.Thank you
March 25th, 2010 at 11:51 pm
so many gems, thankyou