TCCDM Pulls One Out..."The Genuine Imitation Life Gazette" - The Four Seasons (1969)

"The Genuine Imitation Life Gazette" - The Four Seasons (1969)

The Four Seasons throw down the gauntlet by diving into the psychedelic pool.  Nothing heavy or in your face, but the music's definitely been dusted.  Pop psych filled with baroque vibes and unexpected arrangements that flirt with the head.  A little bit of studio shenanigans like looping and bouncing and fade-ins and outs show up occasionally, but without getting too wanky.  Influences of Beatles and Beach Boys and Zombies can be heard and their vocals keep everything steady as she goes.

I've always thought of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons as a singles group, not an album band.  But "The Genuine Imitation Life Gazette" is a legit album.  This is a solid offering easily as good as other, more well-known pop-psych offerings.  They don't knock it outta the park, but it's a keeper, for sure.

"The Genuine Imitation Life Gazette" (back)

Favorites include the excellent “Saturday’s Father”...about visitation rights.  "Genuine Imitation Life" with its strange lyrics, fake endings, and obvious Beatle nod has a trippy aura.  The catchy "Wall Street Village Day" and "Mrs. Stately’s Garden” are both good stuff.  

The album was released with a gimmick, newspaper-like cover with an extra middle sleeve gatefold.  It also came with an 8-page 'newspaper' insert with comics, fake ads, puzzles, etc.  Just a fantastic presentation.   If the company had put as much money into promoting the album...who knows?  The Four Seasons succeeded in every way with this album...except commercially.  Nice copies can still be found for under $10, and are well worth it.  A fun fact for you.  Singer-songwriter Jake Holmes, famous for writing "Dazed and Confused"...the song Led Zeppelin five-fingered...partnered with Bob Gaudio to help create “The Genuine Imitation Life Gazette" album.

"The Genuine Imitation Life Gazette" (inside gatefold)

8-page insert (front)

8-page insert (inside)

Philips label

 CAT #
PHS-600-290
SIDE A  DEADWAX
PHS-600-290-A-3  11-11  RL  MR
SIDE B  DEADWAX
PHS-600-290-B 4  1-11111  RL  MR

"Genuine Imitation Life" - The Four Seasons / "The Genuine Imitation Life Gazette" (1969)

TRACKS:
A1  "American Crucifixion Resurrection" 6:48
A2  "Mrs. Stately's Garden" 3:12
A3  "Look Up Look Over" 4:42
A4  "Something's On Her Mind" 2:44
A5  "Saturday's Father" 3:10
B1  "Wall Street Village Day" 4:26
B2  "Genuine Imitation Life" 6:15
B3  "Idaho" 3:03
B4  "Wonder What You'll Be" 3:25
B5  "Soul Of A Woman" 7:05

PERSONNEL:
Frankie Valli - vocals
Tommy DeVito - guitar, vocals
Bob Gaudio - vocals, keyboards, piano, arrangements
Joe Long - vocals, bass, assistant music editor
ADDITIONAL:
Charles Calello - arrangements, conductor
John Holmes - percussion, hi-hat
Joseph Cassiere (aka Joey Cass) - drums
Vincent Corrao - guitar
Anthony De Angelis - woodwind
Richard Natoli - woodwind
Salvatore Piccolo - trumpet
Emmanuel Green - concertmaster

Good stuff.

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