The Four Seasons - Helicon (1977) (vinyl Lp) - €5,00

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In the mid-1970s, The Four Seasons – who had installed a soul influence in their music as early as in the mid-1960s – had released an album (Who Loves You) and a couple of hit singles ("Silver Star", "December 1963") that contained a notable influence of disco music. 

People often think that was just a part of a widespread hysteria, that The Four Seasons only went with the stream, but that is not true. 

The actual disco fever rather happened around 1978. Instead, jumping on the disco bandwagon as early as in the summer of 1975, The Four Seasons almost belonged to the innovators, along with Bee Gees. 

All white disco performers who had arrived from outside the soul scene were still rare. 

Bob Gaudio wrote - with Judy Parker - all tracks and produced the album in more of an uptempo 'rockier' style than say 'Who Loves You' had been two years before.

Don Ciccone said Bob asked him to sing in a more 'gritty soulful' style than he normally did hence his lead on 'Lets Get it Right' and co-leads elsewhere.

Gerry sang 'Long Ago' and 'Down The Hall' while Gerry / Don handled 'If We Should Lose Our Love' and the title track.

Gerry sang most of 'Put A Little Away' and 'New York Street Song ' - a number about drug addiction ! - these also featured Frankie and Don taking bridge vocal lines in turn while the latter has some notable vocal only intro and concluding sections sung by all in perfect tight harmony...with Frankie's voice clearly standing out!

'Rhapsody' features Frankie surging in on the chorus again soaring over The Seasons tight harmonies and Don soulfully taking the verse vocals.

The closing track was the short but beautiful 'I Believe in You' with Frankie closing the album expertly on his lone solo lead vocal track backed by impeccable Seasons harmonies - this maybe might have made a fine single...

curiously but clearly intentionally Bob only sings harmonies / backup vocals where Frankie does not...and in turn Frankie likewise

Gerry's fine drumming was more rock styled while John Paiva provided some great lead guitarwork and Lee Shapiro handled keyboards along with Bob and the arrangements.

Gregg Allman guests on organ on 'Rhapsody'

Yes it's a different seventies Seasons album in style being more harder edged both musically and lyrically with instruments firmly to the fore and Gerry & Don taking the main lead vocal spotlight for a change, tho' Frankie's more cameo style vocal appearances make his unique voice stand out even more, while his two main features on 'Rhapsody' and 'I Believe in You' are superb and close each side of the vinyl album - indeed the album's two sides duly build up towards Frankie Valli's contributions.

Artistically, Helicon is not bad at all. Especially like "Rhapsody", the title track, "Put a Little Away" and "New York Street Song (No Easy Way)" – the last one of those is a disco song, eventually. 

Most other tracks are nice as well. Perhaps "Let's Get It Right", "Long Ago" and "I Believe in You" are not very memorable, but those are still decent. Overall, the album lacks some groove, and that is why it could be even much better. 

The songs are relatively well written, while the singers and musicians are recognisably professional. Y

ou see: it is like, something works quite like it is supposed to work, though not any better than that. I like Helicon, though I never have the feeling that I love it, which happens now and then listening to The Genuine Imitation Life Gazette.

Side one

1. If We Should Lose Our Love - 4:14

2. Let’s Get It Right - 5:17

3. Long Ago - 5:07

4. Rhapsody - 5:14

Side two

1. Helicon - 4:23

2. Down The Hall - 4:11

3. Put A Little Away - 4:09

4. New York Street Song (No Easy Way) - 4:49

5. I Believe In You - 2:59

Companies, etc.

• Published By – ATV Music Ltd.
• Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Warner Communications Inc.
• Copyright © – Warner Communications Inc.
• Distributed By – WEA Records Ltd.
• Printed By – Gothic Print Finishers Ltd.

Credits

• Lyrics By – Bob Gaudio, Judy Parker
• Music By – Bob Gaudio
• Producer – Bob Gaudio

Notes

Release: 1977

Format:  LP, Vinyl

Genre:  Rock, Pop

Label:  Warner Bros. Records ‎

Catalog#  BS 3016

Vinyl:  Goed (VG)

Cover:  Licht Beschadigd (G) Gatefold

Prijs: €5,00