The Association, The Troggs, and Gary Puckett

Sometimes there seems to be little rhyme and reason in the music business. There are many instances when incredibly talented and ingenious bands slip under the spotlight while atrocities manage to create a stir in the mass public. The Association is an example of one of the music industries conundrums. The group had originality, an outstanding sense of harmonization, an understanding of song construction and a persevering drive that outreached many of their contemporaries. While they sported several hit songs and had more than a substantial career, they never managed to hit the “big time” so to speak. At least comparative to many of the pop sensations culminating in the 60s. Perhaps the lost opportunity of properly reissuing their recordings on cd may have contributed to the fizzling out of the groups career; however, for those who first had the chance to hear the bands recordings did not easily give up on the group.
The song “Windy” was one of the first tracks from my early youth that I have a conscious memory of. In my opinion that song was just as good as a Beatles tune. Of course back then I was less clouded by the bias of persisting music trends and my social climate. The Association had a sound that instantly struck a chord with their audience. Like the Beach Boys their music was so open and relatable that it seemed to apply to almost everyone.
Not only were they skilled songwriters they were natural born musicians who had an incredible sense of chemistry. In fact they are still performing to this day and haven’t seemed to decline in quality in the slightest. The group has keen precision and a knack for controlling the audience. Their instrumentation is fairly modest, but they are always able to produce interesting sounds. At some of their shows they pull out a toy-like recorder, and showcase some of the most catchy melodies on it. However their strong-suit lies in their vocal performance. Everyone in the group has a voice of gold and they make things exciting switching between members for vocal leads. But the real charm of their music comes from their godly harmonizations. The Association are a classic act and though their career has unjustly been overshadowed they absolutely should not be missed.

Long after I left the concert venue, I kept hearing in my head the sound of the ocarina solo in "Wild Thing". When I woke up the next morning, the ocarina still persisted in my mind. The Troggs have a special way of making things last over the decades - their music, their energy, their humour, their legend. The Troggs were present at the "Rock in The Park" festival in Bucharest, offering a vivid performance on a breezy linden-scented night. I've been to many '60s bands' concerts, but I found The Troggs to be the most entertaining and energetic band of all. They were all spirited, singing loud and strong, dancing, making jokes and telling the story of each song. Many of their songs had "wild" lyrics, consequently being banned from the UK or other countries. But now is the time of free expression and they sang with the passion and vigour of some 20-something boys. They started with songs like "I Do Do", "Night Of The Long Grass" (1967 - banned for inappropriate lyrics, instigating drugs), "Any Way That You Want Me", "Gonna Make You" or "Feels Like A Woman". They continued with "Strange Movements", the song that was banned worldwide, except Spain, where it reached no 1 - as the Spanish didn't understand the lyrics! "I Can Give You Everything" was powerful and vibrant, followed by "Little Girl", that was no 1 in South Africa! :) "With A Girl Like You" was my all-time favourite, having the same tunes and positive energy as 50 years ago. "Love Is All Around", a song that many people now attribute to Wet Wet Wet, was in fact The Troggs' worldwide hit. That night, it was dedicated to Reg Presley, the lead vocalist who passed away at the beginning of the year. The public was then overenthusiastic at the first chord of "Wild Thing", the anthem of free-spirited '60s lovers. The band revealed that this song was no 1 all over the world, except in their mother country, Britain! Their performance was bold, sharp and strong, definitely with wild vibes! Ocarina, the crazy whistling instrument in the break, made it sound magical and mysterious, revealing its ancestral origins.

I didn’t get to attend the show because something got hung up while ordering tickets. The sale did not go through and I missed out.

I have known Gary Puckett from the beginning with his appearances in San Diego at the Red Coat Inn. He has always been one of my favorite. The last time I saw him was at the Blue Water Casino in Parker AZ. Was devastated when I didn’t get to see him, but maybe next time when he is in the area. Thank You.

Sandy