John Sebastian Live

Last updated • 7 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
John Sebastian Live
Jseblive1970.jpg
Live album by
John Sebastian
ReleasedSeptember 1970
RecordedJuly 1970, Woodstock, New York [1]
Genre Folk, rock
Length33:35
Label MGM
Producer none credited
John Sebastian chronology
John B. Sebastian
(1970)		John Sebastian Live
(1970)		Cheapo-Cheapo Productions Presents Real Live John Sebastian
(1971)

John Sebastian Live is a recording of a July 1970 concert performance by American singer/songwriter John Sebastian, released in September of that year by MGM Records.

Contents

The album is noteworthy as it was only available for sale for about two months in 1970, making it a relative rarity in Sebastian's catalog. MGM, for whom Sebastian had recorded (via a distribution arrangement with Kama Sutra Records) as a member of the Lovin' Spoonful [2] during 1965-68, released the album after Sebastian had left MGM/Kama Sutra to sign with Warner Bros. Records' Reprise Records subsidiary as a solo artist. Contending that Sebastian still owed them an album according to the terms of his Lovin' Spoonful contract, [3] [4] MGM released both Sebastian's debut solo album John B. Sebastian and John Sebastian Live during 1970 without authorization from Sebastian or his management. Warner Bros. Records sued MGM for copyright infringement following MGM's release of John B. Sebastian (which Warner/Reprise had already issued in January 1970), [5] ultimately resulting in MGM's pulling their releases of the two Sebastian albums from the market. John Sebastian Live has not been reissued by any record label since it was withdrawn by MGM in late 1970.

Despite its limited release, John Sebastian Live briefly placed on the U.S. Billboard Top LPs chart, peaking at #129.

Background

John Sebastian left the Lovin' Spoonful in early 1968 to pursue a solo career. He recorded his debut album John B. Sebastian under the auspices of the Lovin' Spoonful's label Kama Sutra Records (whose releases were distributed by MGM), and Kama Sutra released the first single taken from the album, "She's a Lady" b/w "The Room Nobody Lives In," in December 1968. Before John B. Sebastian could be released, however, Kama Sutra terminated its distribution agreement with MGM, and temporarily suspended operations. [6] At about this same time in early 1969, the Lovin' Spoonful, whose records were not successful following Sebastian's leaving the band, also disbanded. In response to these events, MGM contacted Sebastian and his manager saying that they wanted to release John B. Sebastian on the MGM label, but rebranded as a Lovin' Spoonful record – a proposal that Sebastian rejected as "incredibly dishonest." [4] With Kama Sutra Records inactive, Sebastian and his management approached Warner Bros./Reprise Records and quickly reached agreement on a five-album commitment, with Sebastian's new label purchasing his Kama Sutra contract and the master tapes to John B. Sebastian as part of the deal. [3] Reprise ultimately released the album in January 1970 (catalog no. RS 6379 [7] ) .

Shortly after Reprise released John B. Sebastian, MGM released the album on their label as well (catalog no. SE-4654 [8] ), containing the same songs and sequence but with different artwork. Warner/Reprise quickly sued MGM for copyright infringement over their issuing a recording they no longer had contractual rights to; [5] MGM claimed in response that the Lovin' Spoonful’s owing them an album, plus the marketing support they gave to the Kama Sutra single release of "She's a Lady," gave them the right to release John B. Sebastian despite the artist’s no longer being associated with them. [3] The lawsuit was adjudicated in Warner/Reprise's favor in late 1970, but not before MGM released John Sebastian Live (MGM catalog no. SE-4720 [8] ) in September 1970. MGM's precise rationale for releasing John Sebastian Live while Warner/Reprise's lawsuit was still in progress was not publicized. A possible explanation for the timing of the album's release, however, might be that, while the courts might have insisted that MGM withdraw their version of John B. Sebastian given Reprise's prior release of that album, the release of John Sebastian Live might be allowed to stand if it was found that Sebastian still owed MGM an album.

Both MGM’s version of John B. Sebastian and John Sebastian Live were ultimately pulled from the marketplace in late 1970 upon settlement of Warner/Reprise’s suit. John Sebastian Live was not reissued, but Sebastian, assisted by producer Paul A. Rothchild and musical director Paul Harris, would quickly record a live album as Sebastian’s second Reprise project (Cheapo-Cheapo Productions Presents Real Live John Sebastian, Reprise catalog no. MS 2036, [9] released March 1971).

Packaging and content

While MGM's packaging of John B. Sebastian featured a gatefold cover including multiple photos and detailed liner notes, John Sebastian Live's packaging was limited; in particular, no producer credit was listed for the album, no venue information or recording dates were provided, and its songwriter credits were incorrect. It is not known whether the album's shoddy packaging was a by-product of its being rushed to market – the album appeared in the marketplace only two months after it was recorded – or if the packaging was intended as an artistic statement, in a manner similar to The Who's Live at Leeds album released about three months earlier. Despite the album's credits omissions, Allmusic cites its recording time frame as July 1970. [10] Sebastian has derisively referred to John Sebastian Live as "The White Album" due to its stark packaging. [1]

The album features Sebastian in solo performance at an outdoor venue that Sebastian has identified as being in Woodstock, New York. Sebastian would subsequently explain that the performance was hastily arranged:

I had a performance [at] what we called the Swamp Festival [in] New Orleans. [My wife] Catherine and I went, and Mountain did it, so I was there with my old pal Felix Pappalardi, and we were having a jolly good time. Somewhere around like eight or nine in the evening, somebody said, 'You know, we've got 300 people in a field in Woodstock.' Somebody, I forget who it was, couldn't do it. 'Could you come and play a set tomorrow morning for these people?' So it involved immediately jumping onto a series of planes, kind of all-night style. This is not how you'd prepare for a live album that you really wanted to represent yourself with ... We go to a little field [...] in Woodstock — I'm not entirely sure where it is, even though I've lived here for over 30 years ... As far as an indication of 'how is Sebastian after you keep him up all night and throw him out on stage and see if he can stay on his feet' — okay, maybe it's pretty good on that level. But that's about the only level it's good, because I would have prepared much more. [1]

Sebastian accompanies himself on electric guitar on all but two of the album's selections. The recording is of professional quality, apparently taken on a direct feed from the show's soundboard, but is marred on some selections by feedback, which Sebastian attributes to "a cheapo-cheapo [...] Fender Champ ... the worst amplifier in life!" [11] Audience members ignite firecrackers during some selections; during one such instance, Sebastian quips "Happy Fourth!", perhaps suggesting the show's approximate performance date.

The album's program features five songs from John B. Sebastian, along with songs that Sebastian performed during his tenure with the Lovin' Spoonful.

Track listing

Although the cover and labels of John Sebastian Live read "all songs written by John Sebastian," only eight of the album's eleven songs are original compositions wholly written by Sebastian. Accurate composer credits are listed below.

Side 1

  1. "Lovin' You" (Sebastian) – 2:35
  2. "You're a Big Boy Now" (Sebastian) – 3:15
  3. "She's a Lady" (Sebastian) – 2:06
  4. "Magical Connection" (Sebastian) – 2:52
  5. "Younger Generation" (Sebastian) – 2:54

Side 2

  1. "Coconut Grove" (Sebastian, Zal Yanovsky) – 2:02
  2. "My Gal" (Traditional, arranged by John Sebastian) – 2:31
  3. "Fishin' Blues" (Traditional, arranged by John Sebastian) – 2:41
  4. "I Had a Dream" (Sebastian) – 2:54
  5. "Red-Eye Express" (Sebastian) – 3:53
  6. "Darling Be Home Soon" (Sebastian) – 2:23 (edit; faded out during the song's instrumental bridge)

Personnel

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Sebastian</span> American singer-songwriter and musician

John Benson Sebastian is an American singer, songwriter and musician who founded the rock band the Lovin' Spoonful. He made an impromptu appearance at the Woodstock festival in 1969 and scored a U.S. No. 1 hit in 1976 with "Welcome Back."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Lovin' Spoonful</span> American folk rock band (1964–1968)

The Lovin' Spoonful is an American folk rock band formed in Greenwich Village, New York City, in 1964. The band was among the most popular groups in the United States for a short period in the mid-1960s and their music and image influenced many of the contemporary rock acts of their era. Beginning in July 1965 with their debut single "Do You Believe in Magic", the band had seven consecutive singles reach the Top Ten of the U.S. charts in the eighteen months that followed, including the number two hits "Daydream" and "Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?" and the chart-topping "Summer in the City".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MGM Records</span> Defunct American record label

MGM Records was a record label founded by the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film studio in 1946 for the purpose of releasing soundtrack recordings of their musical films. It transitioned into a pop music label that continued into the 1970s. The company also released soundtrack albums of the music for some of their non-musical films as well, and on rare occasions, cast albums of off-Broadway musicals such as The Fantasticks and the 1954 revival of The Threepenny Opera. In one instance, MGM Records released the highly successful soundtrack album of a film made by another studio, Columbia Pictures's Born Free (1966).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buddah Records</span> American record label

Buddah Records was an American record label founded in 1967 in New York City. The label was born out of Kama Sutra Records, an MGM Records-distributed label, which remained a key imprint following Buddah's founding. Buddah handled a variety of music genres, including bubblegum pop, folk rock (Melanie), experimental music, and soul.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Do You Believe in Magic (song)</span> 1965 single by the Lovin Spoonful

"Do You Believe in Magic" is a song by American rock band the Lovin' Spoonful, written by John Sebastian in 1965. The single peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In 1978, Shaun Cassidy reached the Top 40 with his cover version.

<i>Do You Believe in Magic</i> (album) 1965 studio album by the Lovin Spoonful

Do You Believe in Magic is the debut album by the folk rock group the Lovin' Spoonful. It was released in the United States in November 1965, on the Kama Sutra label. Released in the United Kingdom followed in March 1966. The album features the hits "Do You Believe in Magic" and "Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Summer in the City (song)</span> 1966 song by the Lovin Spoonful

"Summer in the City" is a song by the American folk rock band the Lovin' Spoonful. Written by John Sebastian, Mark Sebastian and Steve Boone, the song was released as a non-album single in July 1966 and was included on the album Hums of the Lovin' Spoonful later that year. The single was the Lovin' Spoonful's fifth to break the top ten in the United States and their only to reach No. 1. A departure from the band's lighter sound, the recording features a harder rock style. The lyrics differ from most songs about the summer by lamenting the heat, contrasting the unpleasant warmth and noise of the daytime with the relief offered by the cool night, which allows for the nightlife to begin.

<i>Hums of the Lovin Spoonful</i> Album by the Lovin Spoonful

Hums of the Lovin' Spoonful is the third studio album and fourth overall by American folk rock band the Lovin' Spoonful, released in 1966 by Kama Sutra Records. It peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart.

<i>Whats Shakin</i> 1966 Elektra compilation album with various artists

What's Shakin' is a compilation album released by Elektra Records in May 1966. It features the earliest studio recordings by the Lovin' Spoonful and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, as well as the only released recordings by the ad hoc studio group Eric Clapton and the Powerhouse, until they were reissued years later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Boone</span> American Bass Guitarist (born 1943)

Steve Boone is an American bass guitarist and music producer, best-known as a member of the American folk-rock group the Lovin' Spoonful. Steve co-wrote two of the groups' biggest hits, "You Didn't Have to Be So Nice" and "Summer in the City".

<i>The Lovin Spoonful Anthology</i> 1990 compilation album by the Lovin Spoonful

The Lovin' Spoonful Anthology is a compilation album by the folk rock group the Lovin' Spoonful, released in 1990.

<i>The Very Best of the Lovin Spoonful</i> 1970 greatest hits album by the Lovin Spoonful

The Very Best of the Lovin' Spoonful is a compilation album by the Lovin' Spoonful, containing hits spanning their career through the 1960s and the 1970s released in 1970.

<i>The Best of The Lovin Spoonful</i> 1967 greatest hits album by the Lovin Spoonful

The Best of the Lovin' Spoonful is a 1967 compilation album by the Lovin' Spoonful featuring hits and other tracks from their first three albums. It charted the highest of the group's career, hitting number three on the Billboard Top LPs chart.

<i>If I Were a Carpenter</i> (Bobby Darin album) 1966 studio album by Bobby Darin

If I Were a Carpenter is an album by American singer Bobby Darin, released in 1966. It was a significant change in direction for Darin considering his previous album was a collection of show tunes.

<i>John B. Sebastian</i> (album) 1970 studio album by John Sebastian

John B. Sebastian is the debut album by American singer-songwriter John Sebastian, previously best known as the co-founder and primary singer-songwriter of the 1960s folk-rock band the Lovin' Spoonful. The album, released in January 1970, includes several songs that would become staples of Sebastian's live performances during the early and mid-1970s. Most notably, the album included "She's a Lady", Sebastian's first solo single, and an alternate version of "I Had a Dream" which was used to open the soundtrack album of the 1970 documentary film Woodstock. John B. Sebastian also featured support performances by David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash several months before that trio agreed to work together as a performing unit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Didn't Have to Be So Nice</span> 1965 single by the Lovin Spoonful

"You Didn't Have to Be So Nice" is a song by American rock band the Lovin' Spoonful. It was issued on a non-album single in November 1965 and reached number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1966. The song was later included the band's March 1966 album Daydream. According to its writer, band bassist and songwriter Steven Boone, it was inspired by 1960s celebrity photographer Nurit Wilde.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darling Be Home Soon</span> 1967 single by the Lovin Spoonful

"Darling Be Home Soon" is a song written by John Sebastian of the Lovin' Spoonful for the soundtrack of the 1966 Francis Ford Coppola film You're a Big Boy Now. It appeared on the Lovin' Spoonful's 1967 soundtrack album You're a Big Boy Now. Sebastian performed his composition at Woodstock; it was the fourth song out of the five he performed at the 1969 music festival in White Lake, New York.

<i>The Lovin Spoonful Greatest Hits</i> 2000 compilation album by the Lovin Spoonful

The Lovin' Spoonful Greatest Hits is a compilation album by the folk rock group the Lovin' Spoonful, released on Buddha Records on February 22, 2000. The album contains every Top 40 hit single enjoyed by the band in the United States including its only chart-topper, "Summer in the City." The original recordings were produced by Erik Jacobsen, and originally released on Kama Sutra Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Lovin' Spoonful discography</span>

The Lovin' Spoonful is an American folk rock band which was originally active between 1964 and 1968. During their original tenure, they released five studio albums, two soundtrack albums, four compilation albums and fourteen singles in the United States. Beginning with the release of their debut single, "Do You Believe in Magic", in July 1965, the band had seven consecutive singles reach the Top Ten of the U.S. charts in the eighteen months that followed, including the number two hits "Daydream" and "Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?" and the chart-topping "Summer in the City".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rain on the Roof (song)</span> 1966 song by the Lovin Spoonful

"Rain on the Roof" is a song by the American folk rock band the Lovin' Spoonful. Written by John Sebastian, the song was released as a single in October 1966 and was included on the album Hums of the Lovin' Spoonful the following month. The song reached number ten on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it the Lovin' Spoonful's sixth consecutive single to reach the top ten in the United States.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Unterberger, Richie, Liner Notes for John Sebastian's "Cheapo-Cheapo Productions Presents Real Live John Sebastian"". RichieUnterberger.com. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  2. ↑ Holzman, Jac and Gavan Daws (2000). Follow the Music - The Life and High Times of Elektra Records in the Great Years of American Pop Culture, FirstMedia, ISBN   0-9661221-1-9, p. 123-124.
  3. 1 2 3 "Unterberger, Richie, Liner Notes for John Sebastian's "John B. Sebastian"". RichieUnterberger.com. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  4. 1 2 "James, Gary, Interview with John Sebastian of the Lovin' Spoonful". ClassicBands.com. Archived from the original on April 6, 2015. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  5. 1 2 "WB Sues MGM for Bootlegging". Rolling Stone . Straight Arrow Publishers, Inc. (55): 14. April 2, 1970.
  6. ↑ "Hyde, Bob, The Kama Sutra/Buddah Records Story". Both Sides Now Publications. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
  7. ↑ "Reprise Album Discography, Part 3: R/RS-6200 to RS-6399 (1966-1970)". Both Sides Now Publications. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  8. 1 2 "MGM Album Discography, Part 10: SE-4601 to SE-4800 (1969-1972)". Both Sides Now Publications. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
  9. ↑ "Reprise Album Discography, Part 5: F/FS-2001 to MS-2199 (1961-1974)". Both Sides Now Publications. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
  10. ↑ Curd, Zach. "John Sebastian Live > Review". Allmusic . Retrieved October 5, 2013.
  11. ↑ Sebastian stage banter taken from the introduction and closing of "You're a Big Boy Now" on John Sebastian Live, MGM Records, catalog no. SE-4720.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.