You Baby / Let Me Be

The Turtles second album was released in 1966 and it was their last attempt at folk rock before ditching it for their signature happy sound. As a fan of their later stuff, I rate this album on the bottom of their five major record releases but that doesn't mean it's not good. It is good, there is no doubt about it. It's just that this album doesn't sound like "The Turtles" for the most part - it sounds like a producers attempt to make The Turtles sound like The Byrds. Now, The Turtles do a very good job at that so it's hard to pass up this album. But the album, overall, does not carry the uniqueness of "Happy Together", "The Turtles Present: The Battle of The Bands", and the underrated "Turtle Soup". For example, an angrier and more aggressive sound can be found in "House of Pain", written by lead singer Howard Kaylan, and the P.F. Sloan hit tune "Let Me Be". My favorite tracks on the album are "I Know That You'll Be There", "Can I Get To Know You Better", and "You Baby". These tracks symbolize the movement from folk to light-hearted psychedelia infused rock 'n' roll. Also, "All My Problems" is a very special track and it was written by all of The Turtles (well, minus Volman). The 2012 reissue has the somewhat unreleased track "Teardrops" featuring a very solid vocal performance by Turtles' background vocalist Mark Volman and it's pretty cool. Of course, those of you looking for head trips should surely enjoy "Santa and The Sidewalk Surfer" which is also available on the 2012 reissue. It could almost be a Flo & Eddie tune in my opinion.

This is the last album from The Turtles "Folk" period and is very solid from beginning to end. The two singles are joined by several solid album cuts and this album is consistently good. You also get the added bonus of it including both the stereo and mono version of the album, which allows you to check them both out to see which mix you like best.

I knew going in it was a CD-R, so I'm not disappointed at that. I love the fact the mono mix is on it, because the stereo mix is that horrible 2-track stereo. I was surprised to find no notes whatsoever. Not even songwriter credits. If you already know what you need to about the group and the times, you're good to go, but I've never found staring at blank paper to be very gratifying.

Would rather have demos, unreleased material than both a mono and stereo version of same songs.

This CD does not come with a track listing on the track card, either inside or outside. No track listing on the outside of the front insert (neither on the outside or inside cover). You can only see the track listing by pulling out the front insert and opening it up. Disappointing. Good music... if only I knew what the tracks were.

Hi, for a very long time I've searched this disc.Thanks a lot, you made me really happy.Friendly regards.Frank

Great old music ever

Many people reflect on the Turtles as an underrated band in an age when so many were overrated.As one who bought all their albums back in those heady days, I have to agree. But my sense is - and this album/cd is a prime example - that they didn't ever quite work out just who they wanted to be.I have read that their goal was to be "America's Beatles," but I can't see any evidence of that in their not-inconsiderable output.Much of their catalogue goes close to being musical comedy, and yet they did some really good serious music along the way.Of all their albums - other than "Battle of the Bands" perhaps - this, their second, is the most even."You Baby," "Just a Room" and "Down in Suburbia" are my favorites, but I can't find a track that doesn't fit in some way.The "Down in Suburbia" lyrics are worthy of special mention - tackling some very raw issues of that day and this, with some very raw words.Notable writing contributions come from P. F. Sloan and Bob "Elusive Butterfly" Lind. So there's a lot of good things happening.The Turtles are much more than a footnote in the pages of the 1960s. "You Baby" is an indication that they could have been a chapter heading if things had gone better.I was delighted to stumble upon a CD version of this album, and am about to play it one more time....again.

Sooper dooper

Autre agréable découverte avec le deuxième album des Turtles curieusement non classé, tout comme le précédent, malgré son contenu de qualité. L’album commence par une de leurs compositions bien rythmée « Flyin’ high » suivie d’une excellente ballade dont l’interprétation vocale et l’accompagnement sont toujours aussi réussis. Encore du plaisir avec « House of pain » de Howard Kaylan et sa voix fort appréciable. Le plaisir continue avec « Just a room » et « I need someone » vocalement et instrumentalement irréprochables. Suit la reprise de « Let me be » déjà présent leur premier album.La face 2 débute par l’entrainant « Down in suburbia » avec un ensemble vocal toujours réussi avant l’harmonieux « Give love a trial ». Viens leur excellent 3ème hit US « You baby » (#20) qui n’a pas traversé l’Atlantique. Encore une bonne composition du groupe avec le blues « Pall bearing, ball bearing world » marqué par un accompagnement à l’harmonica plaisant suivi de l’adaptation réussie de « All my trials » en « All my problèm ». Le dernier morceau est excellent, il me fait penser à l’instrumental « Revenge » des « Kinks ».Tous les arrangements musicaux sont réussis tout comme les prises de sons.Le coffret de 2 CD propose les versions mono et stéréo toutes deux bien remasterisées et aérées. La version stéréo sépare bien les instruments des chanteurs tout en restant cohérent. Une réussite ! Limité à quatre étoiles compte tenu de la reprise de "Let me be"

What a weird idea putting the same album on in mono and stereo versions. Only 1 of the bonus tracks is worth having.