Bah-da, Bah-da-da-da
I got a mini road trip Wednesday that made me happy. While out and listening to the radio, I came across a program talking to a member of the Mamas and Papas. Missed the commentary on "California Dreamin'" (dammit) but got to hear a bit about "Monday, Monday," a song I never cared much for. Interesting comments on it, though. They recorded the four-part vocals on two different eight-track machines, with a pair of voices on each, which explains a lot about the quality and separation. The "Bah-da bah-da-da-da"s at the beginning are human voices standing in for trumpets. Voice as used as another instrument is an interest of mine. "Monday, Monday" has those rinkydink, tinkly instrumental bits and the lyrics are blah, as even the Mamas part of the group noted, but then the harmonies kick in and elevate it all.
I have a reflexive dislike of oldies due to having two college roommates who incessantly played the terrible stuff, the stuff that had the "mad-bad-sad" rhyme schemes, all day every day, making me run through $300 I couldn't afford to spend in two months to counter-program with Cure albums (which didn't help my "first two months living away at college" depression at all), but once in a while I hear something recorded before I was born that gives me a thrill. Then again, give me an intriguing use of vocals, especially harmonies, and I'm usually happy.
I have a reflexive dislike of oldies due to having two college roommates who incessantly played the terrible stuff, the stuff that had the "mad-bad-sad" rhyme schemes, all day every day, making me run through $300 I couldn't afford to spend in two months to counter-program with Cure albums (which didn't help my "first two months living away at college" depression at all), but once in a while I hear something recorded before I was born that gives me a thrill. Then again, give me an intriguing use of vocals, especially harmonies, and I'm usually happy.