Autumn in San Francisco

AMG Review of Autumn in San Francisco

Bruce Eder
All Music Guide

This 17-song compilation would probably rate a little higher based on quality and content, if only it hadn't been supplanted by numerous other reissues in the two decades since its original release. The music is first-rate, covering the highlights of the Beau Brummels' history with Autumn Records prior to the latter's failure and subsequent acquisition by Warner Bros. in late 1966; there's no question that the band was at its best during this period, and along with excellent songs we get very good sound as well. The annotation and accompanying explanation for the purpose of Autumn in San Francisco is a little vague, but the songs are so enjoyable that one isn't likely to dwell on (or even need) a reason for immersing oneself in the material at hand -- from the gentle folk-rock strains to the harder garage rock textures that run through "In Good Time," it's all some of the best ock & roll of its time. And it's not possible to hear the hauntingly fragile, beautiful "Sad Little Girl" too many times -- Ron Elliott deserves the label of pop/rock genius for that song alone.