Gary Lewis & the Playboys' albums are inevitably a less than satisfying experience --
Lewis' vocal abilities were good enough that, with Snuff Garrett,
Leon Russell, and a cadre of L.A.'s top session musicians surrounding him and the best possible tunes to work with, he could generate hit singles. Putting together a dozen good songs at a time, however, was beyond anyone's ability where
Lewis was involved. This, his third album, is highlighted by some halfway decent covers of familiar fare such as "Tossin' and Turnin',"
Don Everly's "('Til) I Kissed You," "My Special Angel," and "Sha La La," all of which are more memorable as songs than the title track, a number of which
Lewis is embarrassingly proud to have co-authored. "Sha La La" is the best track on the album, and the only one that requires no apology -- it wouldn't make the members of Manfred Mann lose any sleep, but it is a smooth and very appealing number. And the closing track, "Dreamin,'" is a positively catchy, upbeat number with
Lewis exploiting the hooks magnificently. Of course,
Lewis put another original in between these two numbers just to make sure no body takes any of the music making here too seriously -- "Time Stands Still," a slow ballad that only refocuses the listeners on the limitations of his voice. Not that this was too much of a concern for the people buying this album, the playing was enthusiastic and the arrangements occasionally inspired ("Sha La La," "Dreamin'"), but
Lewis' voice was so limited that it is difficult to get through this album in one sitting. ~ Bruce Eder