AMG Review of Good Time Music

Steve Leggett
All Music Guide

With an intriguing brand of folk-rock that managed to somehow sound both bright and mournful at the same time, the Beau Brummels had a delightful run of singles in 1964 and 1965, including "Cry Just a Little," "Laugh, Laugh," and the Byrdsian (and quite ominous) "Don't Talk to Strangers." Personnel changes and label snafus (they were signed at the time to Autumn Records) kept the group from building forward on this promising start, and these early tracks remain the Beau Brummels' main legacy. This collection has all the high points from this time period, including the above singles and a handful of songs ("You Tell Me Why," "Still in Love with You Baby," "Gentle Wandering Ways") that are every bit as strong.