Psychedelic Skeletons in the Closet–The Everly Brothers
Psychedelic Skeletons in the Closet–The Everly Brothers
Everybody who made a record before 1967 has a bad psychedelic moment. This week we examine the Everly Brothers who must’ve been smoking Kentucky Bluegrass when they made their Psychedelic Skeletons like “Talking to the Flowers” and “Mary Jane.” Everly Sage, Don & Phil Out of Thyme? Wake up, little Sandoz, and hear for yourself!
Suspect Album:
The Everly Brothers Sing released Aug 1967
Release Date In Relation to Sgt. Pepper LP:
Two months later
Apparently, someone at Warner Brothers Records sat the duo down and told them they either had to sound just like Harpers Bizarre or The Association.
Suspicious Psychedelic Instrumentation:
Fuzz guitars, bongos trying to pass as tablas, too many damn horns and flutes
Psychedelic Crutch Words:
“Mind,” “flowers,” “Mary Jane” (that code name for ganja that no one but imaginary jazz musicians use) and “tomorrow”
Bad Psychedelic Enabler:
Nancy Sinatra’s arranger, Billy Strange
Mind-Blowing Album Cover:
Hardly. The muted brown and greys on this album cover seem like an unenlightened turd next to the Pepto Bismol pinks of Cream’s Disreali Gears.
What’s It Sound Like?
Mild psychedelia of the “Cups and Cakes” variety. Apparently, someone at Warner Brothers Records sat the duo down and told them they either had to sound just like Harpers Bizarre or The Association, the label’s then-current top selling acts. Too bad the flowers didn’t talk them out of it.
Worst Lyrical Moment:
“Clouds so sweet cloud my mind girl / But I don’t care, I’ve got my Mary Jane”. Apparently our little cannabis girl didn’t leave our boys too paranoid– they sing “meee-uurrrry-jane” to ward off the DEA!!
Inappropriate Psychedelic Cover: “Whiter Shade of Pale”
Just imagine Terry Jacks singing about “sixteen vestal virgins” before scorching his tongue on a piping hot hash brownie. It’s a dog, Wudda dog. A psychedelic dog dog!
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