John Phillips (John, the Wolf King of L.A.)
Encyclopedia
John Phillips is the first solo recording by the Mamas & the Papas
leader John Phillips
. All songs were Phillips originals, dealing mostly with recent events in Phillips' life, including references to his new girlfriend Geneviève Waïte
and longtime friend Ann Marshall ("April Anne"). The backing musicians included members of the legendary Wrecking Crew
. Today the album receives very favorable reviews from fans and critics alike.
As John was the backing singer in the Mamas and the Papas, with the other three serving as lead singers, the album mix tends to de-emphasize his lead vocals. Denny Doherty
stated that, had the Mamas & the Papas performed this album, it would have been one of their finest, because of the strength of Phillips' songs. The single "Mississippi" reached the US Billboard
top 40. Phillips and the other members of the Mamas & the Papas
were threatened with a lawsuit just as the album was released, discouraging the label from promoting the album.
In 2006, the album was reissued by Varèse Sarabande
with eight bonus tracks, also mostly Phillips originals.
2006 bonus tracks
The Mamas & the Papas
The Mamas & the Papas were a Canadian/American vocal group of the 1960s . The group recorded and performed from 1965 to 1968 with a short reunion in 1971, releasing five albums and 11 Top 40 hit singles...
leader John Phillips
John Phillips (musician)
John Edmund Andrew Phillips , was an American singer, guitarist, songwriter and promoter . Known as Papa John, Phillips was a member and leader of the singing group The Mamas & the Papas...
. All songs were Phillips originals, dealing mostly with recent events in Phillips' life, including references to his new girlfriend Geneviève Waïte
Geneviève Waïte
Genevieve Waite is a South African actress, singer and former model. She married John Phillips on January 31, 1972, and they had two children, Tamerlane Phillips and Bijou Phillips. They divorced in 1985. She later married Norman Buntaine, now separated.-Filmography:* Just a Kiss ......
and longtime friend Ann Marshall ("April Anne"). The backing musicians included members of the legendary Wrecking Crew
The Wrecking Crew (music)
The Wrecking Crew was a nickname coined by the drummer Hal Blaine after the fact for a group of session musicians in Los Angeles, California, who earned wide acclaim in the 1960s. They backed dozens of popular singers, and were one of the most successful "groups" of studio musicians in music history...
. Today the album receives very favorable reviews from fans and critics alike.
As John was the backing singer in the Mamas and the Papas, with the other three serving as lead singers, the album mix tends to de-emphasize his lead vocals. Denny Doherty
Denny Doherty
Dennis Gerrard Stephen Doherty was a Canadian singer and songwriter. He was most widely known as a founding member of the 1960s musical group The Mamas & the Papas.-Early career:...
stated that, had the Mamas & the Papas performed this album, it would have been one of their finest, because of the strength of Phillips' songs. The single "Mississippi" reached the US Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
top 40. Phillips and the other members of the Mamas & the Papas
The Mamas & the Papas
The Mamas & the Papas were a Canadian/American vocal group of the 1960s . The group recorded and performed from 1965 to 1968 with a short reunion in 1971, releasing five albums and 11 Top 40 hit singles...
were threatened with a lawsuit just as the album was released, discouraging the label from promoting the album.
In 2006, the album was reissued by Varèse Sarabande
Varèse Sarabande
Varèse Sarabande is an American record label, distributed by Universal Music Group, which specializes in film scores and original cast recordings. It aims to reissue rare or unavailable albums as well as newer releases by artists no longer under a contract...
with eight bonus tracks, also mostly Phillips originals.
Track listing
All songs written by John Phillips, except where noted.- "April Anne" – 3:22
- "Topanga Canyon" – 3:53
- "Malibu People" – 3:41
- "Someone's Sleeping" – 2:46
- "Drum" – 3:36
- "Captain" – 3:25
- "Let It Bleed, Genevieve" – 2:53
- "Down the Beach" - 2:52
- "Mississippi" – 3:36
- "Holland Tunnel" – 3:41
2006 bonus tracks
- "Shady" - 3:48
- "Lonely Children" - 3:44
- "Lady Genevieve" - 4:30
- "Black Girl" (traditional) - 3:29
- "The Frenchman" - 4:03
- "16mm Baby" (Reich) - 2:41
- "Larry, Joe, Hal and Me" - 2:25
- "Mississippi" [Single Version] - 3:07
Personnel
- John PhillipsJohn Phillips (musician)John Edmund Andrew Phillips , was an American singer, guitarist, songwriter and promoter . Known as Papa John, Phillips was a member and leader of the singing group The Mamas & the Papas...
- vocals, guitar, harmonica - Buddy EmmonsBuddy EmmonsBuddy Emmons , is an American guitarist.Emmons has been called "The World's Foremost Steel Guitarist" and his talent is greatly admired by fellow steel guitarists...
- pedal steel - James BurtonJames BurtonJames Burton is an American guitarist. A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 2001 , Burton has also been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame...
- guitar, dobro - Red RhodesRed RhodesRhodes played pedal steel on many country rock, pop and rock albums with The Monkees, James Taylor, Seals and Crofts, The Byrds, The Carpenters and many other groups. He is most often remembered for his work with former Monkee Michael Nesmith on Nesmith's first solo albums in the early 1970s...
- steel guitar - Darlene LoveDarlene LoveDarlene Love is an American popular music singer and actress. She gained prominence in the 1960s for the song "He's a Rebel," a #1 American single in 1962, and was part of the Phil Spector stable that produced a celebrated Christmas album in 1963....
- vocals - Gordon TerryGordon TerryGordon Terry was an adept American bluegrass and country music fiddler and guitarist. He was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and the Fiddlers Hall of Fame.-Biography:...
- fiddle, violin - Hal BlaineHal BlaineHal Blaine is an American drummer and session musician. He is most known for his work with the Wrecking Crew in California. Blaine played on numerous hits by popular groups, including Elvis Presley, John Denver, the Ronettes, Simon & Garfunkel, the Carpenters, the Beach Boys, Nancy Sinatra, and...
- drums - David Cohen - guitar
- Dr. Eric Hord - guitar
- Fanita James - vocals
- Jean King - vocals
- Larry KnechtelLarry KnechtelLawrence William "Larry" Knechtel was an American keyboard player and bassist, best known for his work as a session musician with such artists as Simon & Garfunkel, Duane Eddy, The Beach Boys, The Mamas & the Papas, The Partridge Family, The Doors, and Elvis Presley, and as a member of the 1970s...
- keyboards - Joe OsbornJoe OsbornJoe Osborn is an American bass guitar virtuoso, notable for his work as a session musician in Los Angeles and Nashville during the period from the 1960s through the 1980s. Osborn's work is widely admired by fellow musicians.Osborn began his career working in local clubs, then played on a hit...
- bass