John Sebastian And Arlen Roth

★★★★

Explore The Spoonful Songbook RENEW/BMG. CD/DL/LP

Lovin’ Spoonful classics by the guy who wrote them. The Lovin’ Spoonful were one of the most commercially successful ’60s rock bands and frontman John Sebastian in the highest tier of songwriters du jour, as well as a multi-instrumentalist and brilliant harmonica player. The band are often neglected in era histories, but this collection of his Spoonful songs should rectify that. With virtuosic guitarist Arlen Roth, the classics get rearranged, with other vocalists including peers Maria and Geoff Muldaur and Austria’s MonaLisa Twins. Sebastian songs like Daydream, Do You Believe In Magic? and Nashville Cats are refreshingly optimistic – comfort food that couldn’t be more welcome. Sebastian’s voice is weathered, but it suits his bluesier side, the Twins are winningly upbeat and Roth is a jaw-dropping guitarist.

Outstanding music that functions as a high-dosage anti-depressant.

Michael Simmons