Beau Brummels – ’66 / Self-Titled

The Beau Brummels signed to Warner Bros. after their few hits on the independent Autumn label, and ’66 should have heralded their arrival. Sal Valentino’s distinctive vocals are still a key feature, but the perfectly crafted songwriting of Ron Elliott was traded for a full set of current popular favorites (saddest moment: “Mrs. Brown You’ve Got A Lovely Daughter”). Two justly lauded albums followed (Triangle and Bradley’s Barn), but when both failed in the marketplace, the band, already in disarray, quietly disappeared. They re-formed for a self-titled 1975 release and a disastrous tour. But this is an album to be proud of, even though it sounds less like a band than like ten polished and thoughtfully composed songs performed by supple players and an incredible singer.