THE MAMA’S & THE PAPAS – PEOPLE LIKE US LP – Nr MINT CONDITION

The Mamas & The Papas – People Like Us
(ABC/Dunhill Records  1971  DSX50106  US Pressing)

Textured Sleeve in Nr MINT condition
– still in original shrinkwrap – perfect apart from punch hole bottom right
Lyric Insert in Nr MINT condition

Vinyl in Nr MINT condition
 

The Mamas and the Papas were an American folk rock vocal group that recorded and performed from 1965 to 1968, reuniting briefly in 1971. They released five studio albums and seventeen singles, six of which made the top ten, and sold close to 40 million records worldwide. The group comprised John Phillips (1935–2001), Canadian Denny Doherty (1940–2007), Cass Elliot (1941–1974), and Michelle Phillips née Gilliam (b. 1944). Their sound was based on four-part vocal harmonies arranged by songwriter and leader, John Phillips, an innovator who adapted folk to the new beat style of the early sixties.

People Like Us is the fifth and final studio album released by The Mamas & the Papas in November 1971, three years after the group originally split. This album came to be because the former members of the group were still under contract with Dunhill Records. The group had originally been signed to the label when it was run by their original producer Lou Adler, but by 1971, Dunhill’s distributor, ABC Records, had purchased the label and discovered the clause in the group’s original contract. According to their contract, the group had to produce one more album, or else be in breach of contract and subject to possible fines. While the album has some memorable songs, it was considered a disappointment by fans and critics, and did not sell well upon its release. It was produced by John Phillips. Michelle Phillips said later in the liner note of a Mama & Papa’s CD compilation that the album “sounded like what it was, four people trying to avoid a lawsuit.”

All tracks except “I Wanna Be a Star” (written by Michelle) were written by John, making People Like Us the Mamas and Papas’s only entirely self-written and produced album. Some of the lyrics refer to John’s romance at the time with actress Geneviève Waïte, whom he married in 1972.

Tracks include “Pearl”, a tribute to singer Janis Joplin, the single “Step Out” and the title track which is the last song the group ever recorded. Due reportedly to the illness of Cass Elliot during the sessions, most lead vocals are handled by Denny Doherty and Michelle, and while present and audible on certain tracks, Elliot does not feature prominently on the album.

Track listing

All songs written by John Phillips, except where noted.

Side A

1. “People Like Us” – 3:25
2. “Pacific Coast Highway” – 3:04
3. “Snowqueen of Texas” – 2:37
4. “Shooting Star” – 2:54
5. “Step Out” – 3:03
6. “Lady Genevieve” – 3:48

Side B

1. “No Dough” – 3:05
2. “European Blueboy” – 3:39
3. “Pearl” – 2:24
4. “I Wanna Be a Star” (J. Phillips, Michelle Phillips) – 2:17
5. “Grasshopper” – 2:57
6. “Blueberries for Breakfast” – 2:59

Personnel

• Denny Doherty – vocals
• Cass Elliot – vocals
• John Phillips – vocals, guitar
• Michelle Phillips – vocals
• Gary Coleman – drums, tambourine, bells, vibraphone, shaker
• Ed Greene – drums
• Bobbye Hall – conga, tambourine, shaker, cabasa
• Jim Horn – flute, saxophone
• Clarence McDonald – keyboards
• Tony Newton – bass guitar
• Earl Palmer – drums
• Donald Peake – guitar
• Joe Sample – keyboards
• Louie Shelton – guitar
• David T. Walker – guitar