Stream Beau Brummels' "You Tell Me Why"
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Album:The Beau Brummels [7/17]
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In 1974 the San Francisco-based Beau Brummels, who scored two hits in the mid-'60s with "Laugh Laugh" and "Just A Little, reformed and with Lenny Waronker and Ted Templeman co-producing, recorded an album of nearly all new material. The exception was a remake of "You Tell Me Why," which they had first recorded in the mid-'60s.
Cover of The Beau Brummels.The first time around, the group was a British Invasion influenced pop-rock outfit that featured the excellent songwriting of singer/guitarist Ron Elliott and the unique vocals of Sal Valentino.In the early '70s Valentino fronted (and led) an amazing San Francisco band, Stoneground. He had matured as a singer and occasional songwriter by then, and I saw numerous Stoneground performances and got to know Valentino and some of the others in the band. Although they never gained much of a following beyond the Bay Area, to this day their first two albums - Stoneground and Family Album remain favorites of mine.By 1974 Valentino and a number of other key members of Stoneground had left that group, which made it possible for the Beau Brummels to reform and record The Beau Brummels, which was first released in 1975.Although it got mixed reviews at the time, with one critic complaining that the group should have made a rock album, rather than the more folk/country/pop album that they did make, I've always loved this album. Until recently, when I wanted to hear it I had to pull out my vinyl copy and listen via turntable.But in July the album was finally released on CD, and after listening to it a number of times during the past week I feel that this is really an overlooked gem.The writing is excellent and Sal Valentino's voice never sounded better. And with Waronker and Templeman in the control booth, the group was never recorded as well previously.Although every song is a keeper, I think this version of "You Tell Me Why" is a good introduction for those unfamiliar with the Beau Brummels, as well as for those who remember "Laugh Laugh" but missed the reunion album.
Cover of The Beau Brummels.The first time around, the group was a British Invasion influenced pop-rock outfit that featured the excellent songwriting of singer/guitarist Ron Elliott and the unique vocals of Sal Valentino.In the early '70s Valentino fronted (and led) an amazing San Francisco band, Stoneground. He had matured as a singer and occasional songwriter by then, and I saw numerous Stoneground performances and got to know Valentino and some of the others in the band. Although they never gained much of a following beyond the Bay Area, to this day their first two albums - Stoneground and Family Album remain favorites of mine.By 1974 Valentino and a number of other key members of Stoneground had left that group, which made it possible for the Beau Brummels to reform and record The Beau Brummels, which was first released in 1975.Although it got mixed reviews at the time, with one critic complaining that the group should have made a rock album, rather than the more folk/country/pop album that they did make, I've always loved this album. Until recently, when I wanted to hear it I had to pull out my vinyl copy and listen via turntable.But in July the album was finally released on CD, and after listening to it a number of times during the past week I feel that this is really an overlooked gem.The writing is excellent and Sal Valentino's voice never sounded better. And with Waronker and Templeman in the control booth, the group was never recorded as well previously.Although every song is a keeper, I think this version of "You Tell Me Why" is a good introduction for those unfamiliar with the Beau Brummels, as well as for those who remember "Laugh Laugh" but missed the reunion album.
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