Old bands don’t always die, sometimes they come back. Originally similar to The Lovin’ Spoonfuls, they scored a big hit in 1966 with “Mr. Dieingly Sad.” Known for soft vocal harmonies I wondered what the band would sound like 45 years later, lead by surviving original member Don Ciccone. Much like The Four Seasons after its prime, it goes after a contemporary sound and splits up vocals and songwriting between new band members.
Listening to the opening track “Keep America Dancing,” I thought I had the wrong band on… it sounded more like Hank Williams Jr. But I need not worry, an excellent cover of Jackie Deshannon’s “Children and Flowers” and a few of the band’s past hits followed, albiet with a slick Vegas-style gloss. Mr. Ciccone still has solid songwriting skills, evidenced by the impressive “A Roll Of The Dice,” but its his only new contribution other than the forgettable “Ooh, La Ooh.” The harmonies that gave the band its claim-to-fame are still intact and displayed beautifully on “Pledge of Allegiance.” Not bad for a bunch of a geezers. Tailor made for the oldies circuit, it will win over my dad easily, but I wished the band stayed closer to its folk rock roots instead of trying to appeal to the Lee Greenwood – Wayne Newton crowd.
