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The Blades of Grass - 1967 - Are Not for Smoking
New England's Blades of Grass were every bit as good as any of the other so-called sunshine pop groups that surfaced in the psychedelic summer of 1967, and if it weren't for a run of just plain blind bad luck, might have had a chance for bigger and better things. As it was, they managed just one album and a handful of singles before calling it quits. The group's biggest success was a version of "Happy," which charted well on the east coast, but unfortunately had to compete with the Sunshine Company's rendition, which stole most of the airplay in the rest of the country. Amazingly, Blades of Grass turned around and subsequently repeated the same scenario with "I Love You Alice B. Toklas," competing with the version by Harpers Bizarre, leading one to wonder if it wasn't bad management rather than bad luck that ultimately haunted them. The group's sole album, Blades of Grass Are Not for Smoking, is presented here in its entirety, along with some non-LP singles, and the end result is a light, soothing collection of baroque pop, heavy on angelic harmonies and ornate orchestration. (Steve Leggett) 01 - Happy 02 - Just Ah 03 - Tomorrow Is My Turn 04 - Satin Slipper 05 - You Won't Find That Girl 06 - Just Another Face 07 - Help! 08 - Or Is It The Rain 09 - Walk Away Renee 10 - That's What A Boy Likes 11 - The Way You'll Never Be 12 - I Love You, Alice B. Toklas 13 - You Turned Off The Sun 14 - Charlie And Fred 15 - Pageant 16 - If You Love Her, Cherish Her And Such 17 - Baby, You're A Real Good Friend Of Mine 18 - Leap Into The Arms Of Love LINK