Album Reviews: Rascals / Young Rascals Reissues (2007)
Young Rascals:
The Young Rascals (Collectors’ Choice)
Collections (Collectors’ Choice)
Groovin’ (Collectors’ Choice)
Rascals:
Once Upon a Dream (Collectors’ Choice)
Freedom Suite (Collectors’ Choice)
See (Collectors’ Choice)
Search and Nearness (Collectors’ Choice)
The (Young) Rascals released nine albums during their career (1966-1972). All but the last two were on Atlantic, and have now been licensed for re-release. The first four albums (which cover their “blue-eyed soul” phase) now include both the stereo and mono mixes. Their later albums — beginning with 1969’s Freedom Suite — chart their musical expansion and assimilation of other influences (and sadly, their commercial decline). All are worthwhile-to-essential, but if you have to buy only one, get the 1966 debut. What? You can afford two? Give some belated appreciation to the creative adventurousness of Felix Cavaliere and Co. and pick up Freedom Suite, original home of the amazing, groundbreaking, soul-stirring hit “People Got to Be Free.”
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4000-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he is co-teaching a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 40 Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.