Rating: ***
(3 stars)
Title: Down
To Middle Earth
Company: Decca
Catalog: DL
74920
Year: 1967
Grade
(cover/record): VG-/VG+
Comments: split
in seam; two cut out holes
Available: 1
Price: $40.00
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Can't say we know much about this outfit ... The Hobbits were apparently a New York City-based studio entity. We're basing that guess on the fact the debut album didn't reflect songwriting or performance credits (though one reference work credits the line up as Jimmy Curtis, Gini Eastwood, Heather Hewitt, Tony Luizza and Zok Russo). Regardless, we can attest to the fact the band's 1967 debut
"Down To Middle Earth" was produced by Terry Philips. If you had to categorize the album, tracks such as "I'm Just a Young Man" and "Daffodil Days (The Affection Song)" are best described as AM pop. On the other hand, let's be clear in saying the pop reference isn't meant to slag the LP. Virtually every one of the ten selections boasts a catchy melody, and even obvious commercial material such as "Treats" and "Hands and Knees" is worth hearing for a killer guitar solo and a cool song structure respectively. Material such as the title track and "Let Me Run My Fingers Thru Your Mind (Buy Me Flowers)" also exhibited plenty of psych touches in the form of oddball sound effects, floating melodies and
bizarre lyrics ("Clap Hands Till Daddy Comes Home"). All told this one's a pleasant surprise ... Curtis went on to production work, including a 1968 album by The Bag.
"Down To Middle Earth" track listing:
1.) Down To Middle Earth - 2:52
2.) I'm Just a Young Man - 2:53
3.) Daffodil Days (The Affection Song) - 3:17
4.) Break Away - 2:53
5.) Treats - 2:42
6.) Hands and Knees - 2:48
7.) Let Me Run My Fingers Thru Your Mind (Buy Me Flowers) - 2:48
8.) Out of My Mind - 2:39
9.) Clap Hands Till Daddy Comes Home - 2:28
10.) Sunny Day Girl - 2:32
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