The Lovin’ Spoonful – Greatest Hits (2000)

The New York based 60s folk rock group The Lovin’ Spoonful released their first single, the #9 single “Do You Believe In Magic” in July of 1960. The track sees singer John Sebastian talk of the pure joy of music and leads off their Greatest Hits album from 2000.  Coming in at a generous 26 songs, three of the first five tracks are classic 60s folk pop songs. “Daydream” has an old timey feel complete with a whistle bit for fans to join in.  The easy going “Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind” captures the hardship of having to choose between two potential partners in a situation that is “not often easy and not often kind”.

Those songs see The Lovin’ Spoonful at their best, much of the rest of the album is a pleasant batch of songs that sound like they could be strummed around a beach campfire or appear in the background of a movie. Another top ten hit, “You Didn’t Have To Be So Nice” has a nice melody, “Darling Be Home Soon” adds strings/horns on an introspective soundtrack song, and “Jug Band Music” is a fun upbeat number. The one standout from this is arguably their best song – “Summer In the City”.  The track captures the essence of New York City in the stifling heat of the summer complete with car horns honking, “but at night it’s a different world/go out and find a girl”.  The grit and coolness of the city oozes out of the #1 hit.

Within a few short years, the group over.  Complications due to founder/guitarist Val Yanovsky’s arrest for marijuana in 1966 helped in the demise with Sebastian leaving a couple years later. Drummer Joe Butler carried on the band’s name for one more album where he was the only original member. Surprisingly it turned out a very good ending track for this compilation with “Never Going Back”.  Over the last 50 years, The Lovin’ Spoonful’s handful of hits have lived on forever on AM radio.

7/10