Cds You Should Own: Crazy Elephant

Germany's Repertoire record label has recently offered a very significant 1960's bubblegum act Cd that is well worth owning. Crazy Elephant was a bubble gum act put together by record producers Jerry Kasenetz and Jeff Katz of some great studio musicians into a pseudorock band meant largely to make some production money in the recording business. And although this band was short-lived with only one album, CRAZY ELEPHANT, they had several singles, the only hit one being "Gimme, Gimme Good Lovin". But this was a terrific act with a very tight sound that really captured some genuine recording studio magic on some songs like the largely failed single, "Sunshine Red Wine".

Germany's Repertoire label has put together a wonderful Cd package that includes a stereo version of the only album, plus bonus mono 45rpm single versions of "Gimme, Gimme Good Lovin'" as well as "Sunshine Red Wine". Also included are the remaining few late attempts at producing another hit single that all fell short on the charts as well.

Interestingly, the stereo version of "Sunshine Red Wine" is probably far and away the best example of the quick magic that this awesome bubblegum act was able to capture for a moment during the late 60's. The producers who threw together this pseudoband had to feel that this song was pure recording magic, which of course it certainly was. But likely the biggest mistake was to issue the single version in mono sound, which seemed to lose the real recording session magic of the stereo track. On the other hand, even the mono single version of "Gimme, Gimme Good Lovin" seemed to translate very well into a real hit sound on the AM radio charts.

This attempt by some enterprising record producers to find some great studio musicians might have fallen short on the charts to become an attempt to become a major recording act, however these talented musicians later contributed to other great acts such as 10CC, The Eagles, Santana, Rod Steward and B.B. King. Interestingly, the lead singer on much of the songs by Crazy Elephant was Robert Spencer from the 1950's Doo-Wop act, The Cadillacs, well known for their hit song "Speedo" and other classics. However, Kevin Godley who later formed 10Cc was the singer on another late single recorded in the UK by the band. Crazy Elephant was a significant alliance of some great talent who could really play and really sing. They formed a very tight ensemble.

You just can't go wrong by buying a copy of this late 60's act on the Repertoire label. The remastering quality is excellent and sound quality just plain incredible. This is a great collection of everything that this short-lived band ever recorded all on one Cd. This is a record collector's dream come true. This is real good stuff here.