Growing Concern, was formed by Bonnie MacDonald and Mary Garstki, vocals, Dan Passaglia, organ, John Pedley, bass and Ralph Toms, guitar. Although little is known of Growing Concern, their only album (Mainstream, 1968) is an enjoyable piece of West Coast psychedelic pop. The opening track 'Hard, Hard Year' sets the tone for the album: it opens with melodic guitar work, which is joined first by bass, then by excellent keyboards; it also features beautiful female vocal harmonies from group members Bonnie MacDonald and Mary Garstki. 'Edge Of Time' features excellent lead guitar work, as does 'Tomorrow Has Been Cancelled'; 'A Boy I Once Knew Well' is a folky lament, which again features fine vocal harmonies, keyboards, and guitar work. Overall, quite a good blend of folk rock, pop, and psychedelia. The album is brilliantly recorded, and is of a consistently high musical quality. The band surely deserved a better fate than the obscurity to which they were consigned by the bizarre business practices of the Mainstream label. 01 - Hard Hard Year 02 - Edge Of Time 03 - Tomorrow Has Been Cancelled 04 - A Boy I Once Knew Well 05 - All I Really Want 06 - Mister You're A Better Man Than I 07 - What Kind Of Life 08 - Other Side Of Life 09 - I Knew A Girl 10 - Sit Down I Think I Love You LINK
