That 60s sound.I can never get enough of it.The Mamas and the Papas,Dusty Springfield,The Beach Boys. They all had that sound. What a decade of great music we experienced.So Happy I was there.
The Association .. What a great group they were. My brother was a friend of one of the originals, Gary Alexander. The Hawaiian / Japanese guy took Gary's place when Gary became ill. I was 15,16 yrs. old at the time & playing in bands myself. Their professionalism blew me away when I was invited to sit & watch at the control board at Capital Records while they recorded songs for their "Requiem For The Masses" album. What a Treat for this young kid 😊
During this Music era the band would show up to the recording studio with a song and the studio musicians (The Wrecking Crew in this case) would arrange and play all the instruments. The band would sing the vocals over the recorded music tracks. Notice the instrumentation is perfection. Many bands of that era did this in order to get in and out of the recording studio in one day and get the record cut. Beautiful song in every way.
Since you mentioned The Wrecking Crew: Hal Blaine on drums, Joe Osborn on bass, Larry Knechtel on keyboards, and Al Casey and Mike Deasy on guitar, and producer Bones Howe on tambourine, played on this track.
The Wrecking Crew didn't arrange this. The band always worked with the producer to develop the songs, many of which they wrote. If you search for them live, at Monterrey Pop and at the Ravinia Festival you hear the band playing and they are very good musicians, playing well while singing six-part harmony. As you said, the idea was to record quickly and the studio musicians could do things in one or two takes. Plus the band was touring constantly so they had only a short period to record their albums.
@@marks.3303 Did the band write all the music for each instrument? I doubt it, they probably had the chord progressions and the timing. The players created the arrangement (the actual musical notes and phrasing) for each instrument.
@@heathwirt8919 No, that would be the arranger and producer's job. The session musicians play what they're told, by the producer, who would work with the band on how they wanted a song to sound. Obviously with their own compositions but even with outside writers, since they mostly brought the songs to the producer, not the other way around. The stopped working with their first producer Curt Boettcher because he wanted them to do songs he brought in and do them strictly his way. The band was very much in creative control.
If there's a more beautiful song, I've never heard it. This one really sounds best on a tube amplifier. Not that a solid state doesn't sound good, but tubes really bring out those gorgeous harmonies.
I loved that group. I was dating a guy in 1966 whose niece, who was the same age as us, dropped out of college to become one of their groupies. Their music was just so easy to listen to. Before the introduction to hard rock or heavy metal.
In the mid 60's you couldn't turn on the radio and not hear these guys, they were so popular. Such great harmonies. My favourite at the time was "Windy".
Do they make true love songs like this anymore? A song you can slow dance to, romance to, cry to.....just embrace everything pertaining to... real love. One of my favorite songs from my favorite era. Thank you for the reaction, Harri. 💞
The greatest love song ever written, alongside Annie's Song by John Denver. Yes, the song and its melodies/instrumentals/harmonizing should go on forever.
The publishing rights organization BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc) announced in 1999 that Never My Love by The Association was the second most played song on radio and television of the 20th Century in the US.
A vastly underappreciated band, imo. As you've discovered, they have a load of real beauties, characterized by those ethereal harmonies and an unerring pop sensibility for both songcraft and arrangements. Been much too long since I've heard this, so I was as gratified as you to hear the organ at last get its moment in the sun.
Of all the songs recorded and played on the radio from its invention to the end of the century, this song was ranked #3 in total airplay. That's tens of thousands of songs and this was third. Incredible.
Awesome, this is such an underrated classic. I'm an 80's kid so I have no contemporary nostalgia associated with it - it's just a gorgeous song. Thanks for highlighting it!
It came out my senior year of high school and seemed an instant hit custom made for your "steady girl." So straight, all the straights loved it. It was EVERYWHERE. Years later after writing some songs of my own I began to appreciate the arrangement so much more. They have a greatest hits album that you would enjoy for the most part. AND they played instruments while singing! Harry you should have seen it! Pure class. Perhaps a bit over my head as I was hungry for hard blues, R&B and British Rock at that time. There was too much darn music to "get" all of it. So guess what---I was there and now you are there and it really doesn't matter what year it all took place now, does it? Ha!
"Tempted to give it a score!" LOL. Please do on special occasions such as this one. I agree with your observation of it's simplistic beauty. No pretense, just perfectly balanced ! Thank you for this one bro!
Early September, 1967, and I'm heading 800 miles away to college. My girlfriend was crying so I handed her the 45 of this song. She played it constantly. Later she told me that she had to go buy a new copy because she wore that one out. A year and a half later we did break up, but 55 years later and both of us having married other people, we're still good friends.
This whole song is beautiful and I could never get over how brilliant the backing instrumentals combined with the harmonies are throughout, but when I found out from a previous comment that the occasional Beach Boys instrumentalists, “The Wrecking Crew” were responsible for the instrumental backing, it is no wonder it is such a great song
my parents bought me this album and a portable record player for my 13th birthday. I am 66 yrs old and still have the album! I love their harmonies and especially this song! Thanks for playing!
Love your channel and insights. I think the bass playing is faultless but most of all those keys at the end of the song. Seriously one of the greatest organ solos ever recorded. I SO agree that the organ solo should have been longer. We make the same face when those keys come in at the end. Keep up the great work Harri.
Number one song for weddings the year it came out. Just a beautiful blend of harmonies surrounded by orchestral supremecy. Such a lovely message every girl wants to hear. Second most played song on radio and TV in the 20th century, only behind "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" by The Righteous Brothers. Great memories again.Thanks Harri and Brandon. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
One of my favorite ‘love songs’ ever. Fantastic. Man this takes me back to my childhood every time I hear it. It was a wonderful time to be a kid, and a fantastic era for popular music
Besides being buy far the best at what you do compared to others, I just like you as a person, your genuine natural responses are so enjoyable there’s not a phony bone in your body.
I'm so glad the organ player was a guy named Jim Yester a man who has made Alabama proud. You are a great reactor and you are a great listener. Keep up the excellent reactions.
It made this grown man cry..... Especially because it reminded me so much of my childhood, I was about 8 just came out. But it was used to devastating effect in Outlander
First concert I every attended: The Association in the fall of 1967 at the University of Arkansas. Cherish, Never My Love, Along Comes Mary, Windy ... what a great catalog of songs they had.
I was around 11 years old when my parents received this album in the mail from their record club which would send albums every month. I fell in love with this music at such a young age. Thank you, Dad & Mom.
One of my favorite groups, loved the harmonies and the lyrics as well as the melody. They had many good songs "Everything That Touches You", "Cherish", "Windy" are just a few.
I was a kid when this came out, it became an instant favorite, and it still evokes a lot of emotion. I was so young, and I thought this was what love was going to be. In my case, not so much. Still, I love the song; it takes me back to that brief magical time between my mom's 1st and 2nd marriages when the neighborhood kids really bonded, the moms were cool, and summer afternoons included the young woman who lived next door with her boyfriend (they weren't married, oh the daring in my wonder bread world) would bring her guitar and we had sing a longs that still make my heart warm. you are finding some oldies that are shining jewels in my mind, Thanks for the memories! (I'm sorry I tend to respond with novels, but these songs evoke so many memories. Thanks for indulging me!)
You gotta listen to the Tom Scott and the Dreamers version. That saxophone is beautiful and it’s the version Pete Rock sampled for It’s On You which is one of my favorite hip hop tracks of all time.
This has always been a fav of mine. It is fun to see the name of a song pop up and I start to smile knowing the joy you are going to be having from start to finish. You only hear a song for the first time once.Now PLEASE Listen to Dan Fogleberg Netherlands. You will want to do every song on the album!
Outstanding selection , Brandon . This group combined subtle nuance with textured beauty . Reminds of a 75 degree , light breeze with sunlit Day , every time . Their inventory is well worth a deeper dive ...
One thing to keep in mind with songs of that time, is that the radio stations wouldn't play anything over 2.5 to 3 minutes long.
That 60s sound.I can never get enough of it.The Mamas and the Papas,Dusty Springfield,The Beach Boys. They all had that sound.
What a decade of great music we experienced.So Happy I was there.
Me too
@@donnysarian YUP, me too!
Oh yes! Me too!!
They had such great harmonies. They made some beautiful songs.
The vocal arrangements are bringing me such Brian Wilson vibes!
The Association .. What a great group they were. My brother was a friend of one of the originals, Gary Alexander. The Hawaiian / Japanese guy took Gary's place when Gary became ill. I was 15,16 yrs. old at the time & playing in bands myself. Their professionalism blew me away when I was invited to sit & watch at the control board at Capital Records while they recorded songs for their "Requiem For The Masses" album. What a Treat for this young kid 😊
During this Music era the band would show up to the recording studio with a song and the studio musicians (The Wrecking Crew in this case) would arrange and play all the instruments. The band would sing the vocals over the recorded music tracks. Notice the instrumentation is perfection. Many bands of that era did this in order to get in and out of the recording studio in one day and get the record cut. Beautiful song in every way.
Interesting, Thank you!
Since you mentioned The Wrecking Crew: Hal Blaine on drums, Joe Osborn on bass, Larry Knechtel on keyboards, and Al Casey and Mike Deasy on guitar, and producer Bones Howe on tambourine, played on this track.
The Wrecking Crew didn't arrange this. The band always worked with the producer to develop the songs, many of which they wrote. If you search for them live, at Monterrey Pop and at the Ravinia Festival you hear the band playing and they are very good musicians, playing well while singing six-part harmony. As you said, the idea was to record quickly and the studio musicians could do things in one or two takes. Plus the band was touring constantly so they had only a short period to record their albums.
@@marks.3303 Did the band write all the music for each instrument? I doubt it, they probably had the chord progressions and the timing. The players created the arrangement (the actual musical notes and phrasing) for each instrument.
@@heathwirt8919 No, that would be the arranger and producer's job. The session musicians play what they're told, by the producer, who would work with the band on how they wanted a song to sound. Obviously with their own compositions but even with outside writers, since they mostly brought the songs to the producer, not the other way around. The stopped working with their first producer Curt Boettcher because he wanted them to do songs he brought in and do them strictly his way. The band was very much in creative control.
If there's a more beautiful song, I've never heard it. This one really sounds best on a tube amplifier. Not that a solid state doesn't sound good, but tubes really bring out those gorgeous harmonies.
Beatles and the beach boys!!!! What a complement!!!!
I loved that group. I was dating a guy in 1966 whose niece, who was the same age as us, dropped out of college to become one of their groupies. Their music was just so easy to listen to. Before the introduction to hard rock or heavy metal.
I am 68, and it is amazing how many memories this song brings up.... I am glad you enjoyed it, and thank you for sharing.
Brandon Watts is on a roll with The Association. This song has withstood the test of time. 👍 Nice reaction Harri.
In the mid 60's you couldn't turn on the radio and not hear these guys, they were so popular.
Such great harmonies. My favourite at the time was "Windy".
Do they make true love songs like this anymore? A song you can slow dance to, romance to, cry to.....just embrace everything pertaining to... real love. One of my favorite songs from my favorite era.
Thank you for the reaction, Harri. 💞
You are right. This could easily pass for a Beach Boys song. The organ sounds like something Brian Wilson would play in the group’s early years.
Their song CHERISH was voted #1 of the year two years in a row in Cleveland OH around 1966.
This was a #2 hit in 1967 & it was written by The Addrisi Brothers, Dick & Don.
The greatest love song ever written, alongside Annie's Song by John Denver.
Yes, the song and its melodies/instrumentals/harmonizing should go on forever.
Our First Dance song for our wedding. 20 years and going.
The publishing rights organization BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc) announced in 1999 that Never My Love by The Association was the second most played song on radio and television of the 20th Century in the US.
Nice song! I like it.🙂Another great song from the old time you needs react to is
Buffy Sainte Marie - I´m gonna be a country girl again - Topic. 💯🙂
The Association Song, "Everything that touches you" is an Absolute Beauty, please play it. 😊💘
yesssss ! my absolute favorite assoc. song by far. harri did it 2 weeks ago - here's a link to his reaction : th-cam.com/video/0H4sCD6Bz-U/w-d-xo.html
He covered that one last month
th-cam.com/video/0H4sCD6Bz-U/w-d-xo.html
YESSSSS!!!!! Do that one next please!
@@tvgator1 He already did, I posted the link in this thread as did the Doc of Rock.
Along Comes Mary is great. One of my favorite Association songs. Thanks.
This is my favorite song of the Sixties.... it encapsulates the full range of that era's sound...Love!💜
The 60s were one of the most turbulent periods in history but produced some of the most timeless music ever . another great reaction.
A vastly underappreciated band, imo. As you've discovered, they have a load of real beauties, characterized by those ethereal harmonies and an unerring pop sensibility for both songcraft and arrangements.
Been much too long since I've heard this, so I was as gratified as you to hear the organ at last get its moment in the sun.
This song played a big, if bittersweet, place in my life. Never my love...if it were only true...
Of all the songs recorded and played on the radio from its invention to the end of the century, this song was ranked #3 in total airplay. That's tens of thousands of songs and this was third. Incredible.
Quite a few hits from them.
Awesome, this is such an underrated classic. I'm an 80's kid so I have no contemporary nostalgia associated with it - it's just a gorgeous song. Thanks for highlighting it!
It came out my senior year of high school and seemed an instant hit custom made for your "steady girl." So straight, all the straights loved it. It was EVERYWHERE. Years later after writing some songs of my own I began to appreciate the arrangement so much more. They have a greatest hits album that you would enjoy for the most part. AND they played instruments while singing! Harry you should have seen it! Pure class. Perhaps a bit over my head as I was hungry for hard blues, R&B and British Rock at that time. There was too much darn music to "get" all of it. So guess what---I was there and now you are there and it really doesn't matter what year it all took place now, does it? Ha!
When this was released a 3 -4 min time limit was imposed for most songs on the radio. This was considered a long song. 🙂
This song is an icon of the 60s and a masterpiece! Just beautiful and your reaction is right on!
Ohhh my... it's been years... wow... Great choice!
Nothing today could come within a million miles of this
Oh HARRI!!!!... I knew I made the right choice with your reactions , you do ALL my favs... thanks HARRI
Remember listening to this on The Association’s greatest hits around 1970 at 9, great memories.
First album I ever bought. Never tire of it.
Played it on the jukebox at my high school at lunch. 1969-70 ?
@@dianegoldeneye7363Class of '72. American Pie was the big song that year. Ever5ybody was trying vto figure it out. Still are.
Great reaction. Lol! I had to chuckle at your comment re: the organ solo should have continued. Thought, Oh just wait!! Thanks!
One of my many 8 tracks in the day ...great harmony .........Air Supply is just one more great groups of the same generation ...
Love this song. But their song Cherish, always melts me.
"Tempted to give it a score!" LOL. Please do on special occasions such as this one. I agree with your observation of it's simplistic beauty. No pretense, just perfectly balanced ! Thank you for this one bro!
The Association. Reminds me of a crush long ago.
Early September, 1967, and I'm heading 800 miles away to college. My girlfriend was crying so I handed her the 45 of this song. She played it constantly. Later she told me that she had to go buy a new copy because she wore that one out. A year and a half later we did break up, but 55 years later and both of us having married other people, we're still good friends.
Beautiful vocals and fantastic musical arrangements is a hallmark of The Association…
Those vocals!
One of my faves since a child and before my time & I was born in 67
Back in the day, this used to be a popular wedding reception song. Not that I'm *that* old lol😊
Thanks Brandon. The Association made such beautiful sounds. It’s just so pleasing to sit back and enjoy those lovely harmonies! So gorgeous 🌺✌️
I don’t what you what they have 3 of big songs of all time they are big singles great music
Play the song goodbye Columbus
Just saw them this past Wednesday night. Still sound fantastic there was only three of them.
What memories. Can you imagine listening to this on a local radio station while driving?
This whole song is beautiful and I could never get over how brilliant the backing instrumentals combined with the harmonies are throughout, but when I found out from a previous comment that the occasional Beach Boys instrumentalists, “The Wrecking Crew” were responsible for the instrumental backing, it is no wonder it is such a great song
my parents bought me this album and a portable record player for my 13th birthday. I am 66 yrs old and still have the album! I love their harmonies and especially this song! Thanks for playing!
Great song and great memories!
I will always “Cherish” this song.
Love your channel and insights. I think the bass playing is faultless but most of all those keys at the end of the song. Seriously one of the greatest organ solos ever recorded. I SO agree that the organ solo should have been longer. We make the same face when those keys come in at the end. Keep up the great work Harri.
Your reactions make me happy. Thanks, Harri.
Their songs were always so romantic.
Brandon strikes gold again. Great choice my friend. Had this on my list for the future. 🇺🇸🙃🇨🇦👍🇬🇧🤴🇺🇦🔥
Just found this song on a random 60s playlist and I'm hooked since. I am on my thirties now and I hope music today are still made like this.
Love this timeless classic, Brandon! Great choice!
Number one song for weddings the year it came out. Just a beautiful blend of harmonies surrounded by orchestral supremecy. Such a lovely message every girl wants to hear.
Second most played song on radio and TV in the 20th century, only behind "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" by The Righteous Brothers.
Great memories again.Thanks Harri and Brandon. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
Love this song!
Great band,they made some superb music
Oh, those romantic songs of the 60s! Great choice!
Such a beautiful song. Love them. Ty
The SECOND most played song of all time.
Excellent choice Brandon I love the Association and they have so many beautiful songs.
I saw them a couple of times when I was young - they were great, one of my favorites.
Wow, talk about a blast from my favorites when I was growing up. Thanks Harri and Brandon.
Loved this back then still do as much. One of the most beautiful timeless songs ever. Songs as good as this from start to finish are rare
beautiful song loved it back in the 60s and still love it now.
Saw them in concert Albany NY in my teens around 1969 Great Group
Another song by them "Along Comes Mary"
God bless them and you all for appreciating this song. Very, probably the greatest love song ever.
This song could melt a lover’s ❤️
I really like your thoughtful, open-minded analysis of music that's new to you.
Another great reaction Harri, keep up the great reactions.
One of my favorite ‘love songs’ ever. Fantastic. Man this takes me back to my childhood every time I hear it. It was a wonderful time to be a kid, and a fantastic era for popular music
Loved this song and Their music. Great in concert.
Besides being buy far the best at what you do compared to others, I just like you as a person, your genuine natural responses are so enjoyable there’s not a phony bone in your body.
I'm so glad the organ player was a guy named Jim Yester a man who has made Alabama proud. You are a great reactor and you are a great listener. Keep up the excellent reactions.
This song was used to devastating effect in the season 5 finale of Outlander.
Luv your stuff, Hari
It made this grown man cry..... Especially because it reminded me so much of my childhood, I was about 8 just came out. But it was used to devastating effect in Outlander
For me, "Forever my love" is now forever linked to Outlander.
This is on my Top 20 song list All-Time! Thank you, Brandon!
We were young, in love, and life was simple and easy. Great reaction, sir!
First concert I every attended: The Association in the fall of 1967 at the University of Arkansas. Cherish, Never My Love, Along Comes Mary, Windy ... what a great catalog of songs they had.
One of our beautiful love songs ❤️🎶 the harmony is outrageous.
The layers of harmonies are astounding!!!
I was around 11 years old when my parents received this album in the mail from their record club which would send albums every month. I fell in love with this music at such a young age. Thank you, Dad & Mom.
One of them was Columbia record club(I think)
That is so sweet!
One of my favorite groups, loved the harmonies and the lyrics as well as the melody. They had many good songs "Everything That Touches You", "Cherish", "Windy" are just a few.
I was a kid when this came out, it became an instant favorite, and it still evokes a lot of emotion. I was so young, and I thought this was what love was going to be. In my case, not so much. Still, I love the song; it takes me back to that brief magical time between my mom's 1st and 2nd marriages when the neighborhood kids really bonded, the moms were cool, and summer afternoons included the young woman who lived next door with her boyfriend (they weren't married, oh the daring in my wonder bread world) would bring her guitar and we had sing a longs that still make my heart warm. you are finding some oldies that are shining jewels in my mind, Thanks for the memories! (I'm sorry I tend to respond with novels, but these songs evoke so many memories. Thanks for indulging me!)
Thank You
This brought back some wonderful times with my Father listening to his old box radio when I was a teenager. Great memories.
One of my favorite songs of All time.
Absolutely fabulous.
❤️✌️
Great reaction.
You gotta listen to the Tom Scott and the Dreamers version. That saxophone is beautiful and it’s the version Pete Rock sampled for It’s On You which is one of my favorite hip hop tracks of all time.
This has always been a fav of mine. It is fun to see the name of a song pop up and I start to smile knowing the joy you are going to be having from start to finish. You only hear a song for the first time once.Now PLEASE Listen to Dan Fogleberg Netherlands. You will want to do every song on the album!
This song is magical, thank you for covering it 💜💐💕
Love that "kid in a candy store" look when they brought the organ back in.
Love The Association too Brandon ! Thanks a bunch!!✌
That bass... ❤
Outstanding selection , Brandon .
This group combined subtle nuance with textured beauty .
Reminds of a 75 degree , light breeze with sunlit Day , every time .
Their inventory is well worth a deeper dive ...