Once Upon a Dream (The Rascals album)

History

Once Upon a Dream was the band's first album billed to "The Rascals"; they had, for legal reasons, been known as The Young Rascals until this time. It was also the last Rascals album to be available in both mono and stereo mixes.

The album was received differently by fans and critics. Many consider this album to be the band's best work, while others insist that it was too different from their traditionally rhythm and blues influenced music. Lead vocals came from both Eddie Brigati and Felix Cavaliere, as well as from Eddie's brother and unofficial band member David Brigati (on "Finale: Once Upon a Dream") and Gene Cornish on his own number, "I'm Gonna Love You."

In an interview with Melody Maker in 1967, Cavaliere stated, "Our new album, and I say this in a humble way, will be Sgt. Pepperish." The album uses frequent sound effects and spoken words between the songs.

A single of "It's Wonderful" (credited to "The Young Rascals," the band's last recording to be so billed) was issued concurrently with the album in early 1968 and peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The single ends with a coda of "Mardi Gras"-style special effects and party sounds that were not included in the album version.

The album was reissued on August 28, 2007 by Collectors' Choice Music.

Reception

In his review for Allmusic, music critic Thom Jurek, who highly praised the album, noted the influence of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and wrote the Rascals "put their own spin on it by adding their trademark blue-eyed soul and jazz influences to the mix of psychedelia... All details aside, though, a listen to this platter is startling. Its sophisticated orchestral and vocal arrangements are remarkable even in the 21st century... It's an under-celebrated masterpiece of the psychedelic era and belongs next to Pet Sounds and Sgt. Pepper's on the shelf because it is easily as sophisticated, and once heard in its entirety, can never be forgotten."

Track listing

All songs are written by Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati, except where otherwise indicated.

Side One

1. "Intro: Easy Rollin'" – 3:14
2. "Rainy Day" – 3:39
3. "Please Love Me" – 2:03
4. "Sound Effect"
5. "It's Wonderful" – 3:24
6. "I'm Gonna Love You" (Gene Cornish) – 2:33
7. "Dave & Eddie"
8. "My Hawaii" – 4:13

Side Two

1. "My World" – 2:54
2. "Silly Girl" – 2:42
3. "Singin' The Blues Too Long" – 5:10
4. "Bells"
5. "Sattva" – 4:23
6. "(Finale): Once Upon a Dream" – 3:53

The Rascals

Additional musicians

Production