The mere mention of these guys' name just SCREAMS early seventies. Bread is about the only other consistently successful band I can think of that defines the BRADY BUNCH era so well. Three Dog Night had a solid run of hit singles between 1969-75 - "Mama Told Me Not To Come"." "Joy To The World". "Shambala". "Liar". "One". (And that's not even half.)
Just like most hit machines, they didn't break up so much as fade away. Even yacht-rock doofuses like the Doobie Brothers had a farewell tour and an album behind it. But on the other hand, groups like Pablo Cruise, the Little River Band, and Three Dog Night just sort of quietly tiptoed away when their time was up, and hardly anyone noticed.
So, what's the verdict? AM radio genuises, or oldies station irritants?
And will anybody here ride for the non-hits? (I bought a copy of their SUITABLE FOR FRAMING LP - someone else recommended it - and was surprised at how well it held up...they didn't just save their best things for the A-sides of their singles. Haven't gotten around to buying their other albums though, and they had several.)
― Rev. Hoodoo, Sunday, 30 September 2007 05:24 (sixteen years ago) link
Back in the day I would have sneered at them, but so many of their songs hold up today. Has to be Classic.
In fact they seem to be reunited and playing fairs lately, don't know the lineup.
― nickn, Sunday, 30 September 2007 08:06 (sixteen years ago) link
Eli's Coming is a youtube favourite of mine.
― Bob Six, Sunday, 30 September 2007 10:35 (sixteen years ago) link
Classic. The first music I remember hearing, really, along with Elton John's first Greatest Hits.. When my parents would get together and drink with friends in mid-1970s, it was Three Dog Night-- best-of and albums-- in the 8-track all night long. So I associate the music with watching people having a good time. I've been saying for a while that Paul Thomas Anderson or somebody like him will use "Shambala" in an amazing film sequence and these guys will enjoy a revival because of it (maybe that has already happened?) I also love their version of "Black and White", which was a very inspiring idea to a kid in the 70s.
― Mark Rich@rdson, Sunday, 30 September 2007 14:32 (sixteen years ago) link
Pretty easy to find this in decent shape on vinyl for $1, worth getting:
http://a5.vox.com/6a00c2251d27c6549d00d41419cef56a47-500pi
― Mark Rich@rdson, Sunday, 30 September 2007 15:25 (sixteen years ago) link
Their version of Harry Nilsson's "One" = DUD Their version of Randy Newman's "Cowboy" = CLASSIC
― Tom D., Tuesday, 2 October 2007 08:58 (sixteen years ago) link
awesome use of "easy to be hard" over the opening shots of 'zodiac'
― omar little, Saturday, 12 January 2008 23:27 (sixteen years ago) link
Among the non-hits, seek out "I'd Be So Happy," probably the prettiest ballad they ever did. Also "It's for You" and "My Impersonal Life," as I gushed in this AMG review: http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:wjfwxqqgldfe
― Joseph McCombs, Sunday, 13 January 2008 16:43 (sixteen years ago) link
"In fact they seem to be reunited and playing fairs lately, don't know the lineup."
Last I heard, it was singers Danny Hutton and Cory Wells with a new backup band. The third guy, Chuck Negron, does the same circuit on his own.
As far as the non-hits go, I am partial to "Rock & Roll Widow" (flip of "Mama Told Me Not To Come").
― Rev. Hoodoo, Sunday, 13 January 2008 17:05 (sixteen years ago) link
"Feelin' Alright" is pretty funky, huh?
― Jordan, Wednesday, 16 April 2008 19:11 (sixteen years ago) link
I hate 99.9% of every dumb Facebook joke that turns up my wall, but I will sheepishly admit to liking this one: "If you get a friend request from Jeremiah, it's okay to accept...he's a bullfrog, and he's a good friend of mine."
― clemenza, Friday, 14 July 2017 12:12 (six years ago) link
wtf is going on here?
https://img.discogs.com/HkbfTB1o1V22Ilz6sXHAcgfXhS0=/fit-in/308x306/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-566745-1186865422.jpeg.jpg
― the punk wars are over and prog rock won (Matt #2), Monday, 24 February 2020 12:59 (four years ago) link