Beyond Bubblegum

No, this is not the obvious hits collection, but the band's 4th LP which for me is the best they ever made. I found my copy about 40 years after it came out, for the princely sum of 50 pence. The best 50 Pence I ever spent!

A band built around the session singer: Tony Burrows (who at the time that Love Grows was No 1 in the UK, was also the lead singer on at least 3 other simultaneous hit singles). Not all the songs are to the standard of their biggest hit, but have a listen to It's Up To You Petula which should have made the Top Ten also..

Although The Cowsills were a family band who definitely have some Bubblegum leanings, this album that was not released at the time it was made, but many years later. Its an absolute spellbinding piece of work, which demonstrates their fabulous maturity and coming of age in more ways than one. Less bubblegum and more sophisticated soft-rock of the Fleetwood Mac / Steely Dan variety - it's a strange but brilliant crossover, and by far the best thing they have ever done.

Tommy James & The Shondells was class A Bubblegum act, but like many pop artists of the period was happy to travel out of his established clique and embrace newer and more sophisticated styles. Material on this album incorporates rock, some country and some sweet soulful gospel too. What a talent!