Once Upon a Dream (The Rascals album)

Once Upon a Dream is the fourth studio album by rock band The Rascals, released February 19, 1968. The album rose to number 9 on the Billboard Top LPs chart and number 7 on the R&B chart.

Once Upon a Dream
Studio album by
The Rascals
ReleasedFebruary 19, 1968
RecordedSeptember 21, 1967 – November 16, 1967
GenreRock, psychedelic pop
Length36:04
LabelAtlantic
ProducerThe Rascals, Arif Mardin
The Rascals chronology
Groovin'
(1967)		 Once Upon a Dream
(1968)		 Time Peace: The Rascals' Greatest Hits
(1968)
Singles from Once Upon a Dream
  1. "It's Wonderful"/"Of Course"
    Released: 1967

History

Once Upon a Dream was the band's first album billed to "The Rascals"; they had, for legal reasons, been known as The Young Rascals until this time. It was also the last Rascals album to be available in both mono and stereo mixes.

The album was received differently by fans and critics. Many consider this album to be the band's best work, while others insist that it was too different from their traditionally rhythm and blues influenced music. Lead vocals came from both Eddie Brigati and Felix Cavaliere, as well as from Eddie's brother and unofficial band member David Brigati (on "Finale: Once Upon a Dream") and Gene Cornish on his own number, "I'm Gonna Love You."[1]

In an interview with Melody Maker in 1967, Cavaliere stated, "Our new album, and I say this in a humble way, will be Sgt. Pepperish." The album uses frequent sound effects and spoken words between the songs.[1]

A single of "It's Wonderful" (credited to "The Young Rascals," the band's last recording to be so billed) was issued November 27, 1967 and peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The single ends with a coda of "Mardi Gras"-style special effects and party sounds that were not included in the album version.

The album was reissued on August 28, 2007 by Collectors' Choice Music.

Reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic [2]

In his review for Allmusic, music critic Thom Jurek, who highly praised the album, noted the influence of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and wrote the Rascals "put their own spin on it by adding their trademark blue-eyed soul and jazz influences to the mix of psychedelia... All details aside, though, a listen to this platter is startling. Its sophisticated orchestral and vocal arrangements are remarkable even in the 21st century... It's an under-celebrated masterpiece of the psychedelic era and belongs next to Pet Sounds and Sgt. Pepper's on the shelf because it is easily as sophisticated, and once heard in its entirety, can never be forgotten."[2]

Track listing

All songs are written by Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati, except where otherwise indicated.

Side One
  1. "Intro: Easy Rollin'" – 3:14
  2. "Rainy Day" – 3:39
  3. "Please Love Me" – 2:03
  4. "Sound Effect"
  5. "It's Wonderful" – 3:24
  6. "I'm Gonna Love You" (Gene Cornish) – 2:33
  7. "Dave & Eddie"
  8. "My Hawaii" – 4:13

Side Two
  1. "My World" – 2:54
  2. "Silly Girl" – 2:42
  3. "Singin' The Blues Too Long" – 5:10
  4. "Bells"
  5. "Sattva" – 4:23
  6. "(Finale): Once Upon a Dream" – 3:53

Personnel

The Rascals

Additional musicians

Production
  • Arif Mardin – producer, arranger, conductor
  • Gene Orloff – strings
  • Tom Dowd – engineer
  • Joe Atkinson – mastering
  • Phil Iehle – mastering
  • Bill Inglot – mastering
  • Dave Schultz – mastering
  • Jean Ristori – mastering
  • Adrian Barber – sound effects
  • Andree Buchler – coordination
  • Thierry Amsallem – coordination
  • Dino Danelli – cover sculpture, design
  • Mark Roth – photography
  • Urs Tschuppert – design
  • Richie Unterberger – reissue liner notes
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References
  1. Unterberger, Richie. "Once Upon a Dream > Reissue liner notes". Richie Unterberger. Retrieved September 15, 2011.
  2. Jurek, Thom. "Once Upon a Dream > Review". Allmusic. Retrieved September 14, 2011.
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