'60s Mystery Band

[walker]

hey all -

I've been racking my brain for a few months now trying to figure out who this artist is. I discovered the music on a blank cassette tape that I picked up with a box of misc stuff at a garage sale. I was blown away by the music - really cool vocal harmonies with nice psychedelic flavor on some of the songs. Tony Matura (Opticnerve) recognized some of the music as being The Poppy Family, featuring vocals by Susan Pesklevits and Terry Jacks, but there is a good portion of the music that sounds like the same singer(s) but with a different band. I've run the gamut on all the Poppy Family stuff that I could find, but these four songs remain a mystery.

Little help?

'60s Mystery Band #1

'60s Mystery Band #2

'60s Mystery Band #3

'60s Mystery Band #4

[tmossman]

#3 is Wendy and Bonnie Winter is Cold from their album Genesis.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wendy_and_Bonnie

[walker]

Aaaahh! Thanks, Todd! I'll look into the Genesis album re-releases and see if the other tracks are there, too. I also have 4 of the demos that were referenced in the Wiki bio; they were on that same cassette. REALLY amazing work, especially considering that the girls wrote the stuff when they were teenagers.

[walker]

Wow... listening back to that 'Winder Is Cold' track - those vocals are brilliant! The way they develop the harmonies, then switch to counter-melodies that harmonize... man. Good stuff. It's a shame that this music isn't more widely known.

[beatbyrd]

I'd buy #3 and #4, just because I like the voices so much. Song # 2 is "Evil Overshadows Joe", by the Poppy Family. I'll have to check to see if Pesklevits is Susan Jacks' maiden name. With better promotion (and without Terry), I think Susan Jacks could have had the same level of success as Karen Carpenter. Looks and chops. This video is an ehhh song, but Susan looks pretty good singing it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiL7P4mDXcU

Edit: I just checked and that's Susan Jacks' maiden name. So, #1 must be a pre-Poppy Family band. I ended up buying the Genesis CD on Amazon.... Individual songs can be purchased/downloaded. Thanks for finding these tunes, Mark.
Tom

[walker]

Thanks, Tom. Funny, I thought that 'Evil Overshadows Joe' song sounded like The Poppy Family, but it's not on the 2-disc reissue set that I got from Amazon. PF must have a few B-sides kicking around or something. Very similar thread between Poppy and the Flower sisters; no wonder I thought it was all the same band. Poppy... Flower... even the names are similar!

[beatbyrd]

Thanks, Tom. Funny, I thought that 'Evil Overshadows Joe' song sounded like The Poppy Family, but it's not on the 2-disc reissue set that I got from Amazon. PF must have a few B-sides kicking around or something. Very similar thread between Poppy and the Flower sisters; no wonder I thought it was all the same band. Poppy... Flower... even the names are similar!

Mark, there's no way I would have figured you for a Poppy Family fan.

I'm looking forward to getting that Genesis CD. There's just something about a couple of ladies slathered with a ton of reverb...... Tom

(The setup for a jello, mud, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, etc. joke was provided as a public service to comedians everywhere.)

[walker]

It's funny... I didn't know of the PF until I came across that old cassette. The Flower sisters stuff is really incredible, too. I wonder if they're the ones responsible for Mystery Song #1. Let us know what you find on the Genesis album!

[johnallg]

Interesting thread, great music.

[beatbyrd]

Aaaahh! Thanks, Todd! I'll look into the Genesis album re-releases and see if the other tracks are there, too. I also have 4 of the demos that were referenced in the Wiki bio; they were on that same cassette. REALLY amazing work, especially considering that the girls wrote the stuff when they were teenagers.

Mark, on further listening to Wendy and Bonnie's tunes, I'd be willing to bet that the B-52's were big fans of the 'Genesis' album. The ladies from the B-52's voice their 'unique' harmonies almost exactly the same way Wendy and Bonnie did (many years earlier). Tom

[beatbyrd]

It's funny... I didn't know of the PF until I came across that old cassette. The Flower sisters stuff is really incredible, too. I wonder if they're the ones responsible for Mystery Song #1. Let us know what you find on the Genesis album!

Good ears...... It is the Flower sisters with a band called Crystal Fountain, circa 1967. The song is titled "The Night Behind Us". Now, you've got all 4 songs identified. Tom

[walker]

~This just in for Wendy & Bonnie fans~

Wendy Flower has finally released her solo album!

'NEW'

For anyone who wondered what she might sound like when she realized her true potential beyond the 'Genesis' album (with sister Bonnie when they were teenagers, this album answers that in spades. There are brilliant moments on this album that are on par with Brian Wilson at his most profound, and Kate Bush in her deeper introspective moments. 'NEW' also has some nice pop passages ala 'The Cardigans' and Suzanne Vega. But at the fundamental basis, it's a great next step for her own sound which debuted on the 'Genesis' album.

[jdogric12]

Have you tried the Shazam app?

[winston]

Mark,

Susan is a friend of mine. Our respective bands used to hang out together in the 60's. She is an amazing singer and she is still as gorgeous as ever. I am glad you have discovered her talent. She would be so pleased to know this.

[walker]

(edit) Susan Pesklevits! Yes - I loved her stuff, too. 'Beyond The Clouds' is such an amazing song - currently in my HR playlist.