Toys, The

Band members               Related acts

- Barbara Harris - vocals (1965-68)
- June Montiero - vocals (1965-68)
- Barbara Parritt - vocals (1965-68) 

 

 - none

 

Title:  The Toys Sing "A Lover's Concerto" and "Attack"

Company: DynoVoice

Catalog: 9002

Year: 1966

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG+

Comments: tape on top seam; sticker on cover; minor edge; mono pressing

Available: 1

Price: $70.00

 

 Barbara Harris, June Montiero and Barbara Parritt became friends while attending Woodrow Wilson High School in Jamaica New York. Discovering a mutual interest in music, they decided to form their own group. Performing at local talent shows and dances brought them to the attention of Vince Marc who was managing singer Diane Renay. Impressed by the trio's harmonies, he hired them to provide backing vocals on a number of Renay sessions. That led Marc to bring the group to the attention of Bob Crewe. Having just established the DynoVoice label, Crewe signed them to a contract, turning them over to the songwriting/production team of Sandy Linzer and Denny Randell.

Written by Linzer and Randell (with more than a little uncredited inspiration fromBach's "Minuet In G Minor"), the trio's debut single "A Lover's Concerto" b/w "" proved a top-5 hit. A sound alike follow-up "Attack" b/w "" also sold well, leading the company to rush them into the studio to cut a supporting album. Interestingly, produced and largely written by Linzer and Randell, 1966's "The Toys Sing A Lover's Concerto" was an amazing effort. Whereas most mid-'60s supporting LPs were little more than throwaway filler, Linzer and Randell provided the trio with an exceptional collection of upbeat pop and soul. Exemplifed by tracks such as "What's Wrong with Me Baby" and "Can't Get Enough of You Baby" Linzer and Randell were also smart enough to borrow more than a few licks from the Motown catalog (though Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland were reported to have based The Supremes' "I Hear a Symphony" in "Concerto"). Blessed with three capable singers, Harris handling the majority of material (though Montiero turned in an amazing performance on "Hallelujah", while Parritt turned in one of the best covers of "Yesterday" we've every heard), material such as "Deserted", "Hallelujah" and "Back Street" was varied, commercial and perfect for top-40 radio.  Simply stated, the set stands as an overlooked classic; easily one of the best "girl group" LPs issued in the '60s.  Why the set didn't sell better than it did (it peaked at #42), is one of rock's biggest mysteries.

"The Toys Sing A Lover's Concerto" track listing:
1.) Can't Get Enough of You Baby (Sandy Linzer - Denny Randell) - 2:42
2.) Deserted (Sandy Linzer - Denny Randell) - 2:36
3.) See How They Run (Sandy Linzer - Denny Randell) - 2:11
4.) Hallelujah (Sandy Linzer - Denny Randell) - 2:32
5.) I Got a Man (Sandy Linzer - Denny Randell) - 2:20
6.) A Lover's Concerto (Sandy Linzer - Denny Randell) - 2:37
7.) What's Wrong with Me Baby (Sandy Linzer - Denny Randell) - 2:32
8.) Yesterday (John Lennon - Paul McCartney) - 2:27
9.) Baby's Gone (Sandy Linzer - Denny Randell) - 2:30
10.) This Night (Sandy Linzer - Denny Randell) - 1:57
11.) Back Street (Sandy Linzer - Denny Randell) - 2:42
12.) Attack (Sandy Linzer - Denny Randell) - 3:04

Appearances in the "B" films "It's a Bikini World" and "Teh Girl In Daddy's Bikini" led to the release of the single "Sealed with a Kiss" b/w "I Got My Heart Set On You". A minor pop and R&B hit, within a matter of its release they were a musical footnote.

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