John Sebastian
Label: Reprise
Released: 1970
Released five months after his celebrated, tie-dyed (and unscheduled) appearance at the historic Woodstock festival, John Sebastian’s solo debut, titled simply John B. Sebastian, is an intimate, laid-back, folk-pop flavored gem. One of the album’s most memorable tracks is the lovely “She’s A Lady”—a paean to Sebastian’s wife. Featuring some sparkling acoustic guitar work from Woodstock compadres David Crosby and Stephen Stills, the tune also evokes images of Renaissance-era chamber music thanks to the brilliantly understated string quartet and recorder accompaniment. Being in love and expressing it in song has rarely sounded this perfect. Clocking in at a mere one minute and 45 seconds, many a listener, upon hearing the tune, wished it could have gone on forever.
—Rick Petreycik
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June 9th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Lovely!
June 9th, 2009 at 10:49 am
It is indeed a fine album, all the way through. ‘How Have You Been’ is a song that’s stayed with me for all these years. “John B. Sebastian” was issued on CD a year or so ago by Collectors Choice.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:03 am
This is lovely. Sebastian’s voice serves the song beautifully and I think the use of the recorder adds something special. Nice choice, DFD.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:08 am
One of Sebastian’s best written songs. Could’ve been longer, but hey, what a great little song. I’ll play it again.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Sometimes less is better…and this is the prototype. Great track from a very special time.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:21 am
I can’t think of much I don’t like by Mr. Sebastian.
How about something by Zal Yanovsky?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:25 am
WOW, this brings back the great feeling when FM radio like WNEW in NYC would play all types of music! I forgot about this one. But it will soon be in my CD collection! Thanks.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:28 am
recently found myself going thru old loving spoonful albums [not hits packages] and was struck by how little filler there was…impressive..
and when listening to the singles, i was struck as to how the band, thru their choices of instrumentation, worked to make each one sound different than the last…
quite underrated..i think of the youngbloods the same way
cheers
June 9th, 2009 at 11:30 am
I remember that his debut came out on MGM and Warner Brothers. I think MGM jumped the gun or something because that version was not around for long. What baffles me is how prolific John Sebastion was in the 60’s with the Lovin’ Spoonful, and into the early 70’s and then he seemed to vanish. Did he put out anything of merit after Welcome Back?
June 9th, 2009 at 11:33 am
By the way the Rhino Anthology cd The Lovin’ Spoonful is fantastic. I agree that the quality of their songs was always high.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:35 am
I remember my 14 year old sister had this on continuous play that summer. I was 7 years old at the time and remember her and I trying to figure out the recorder parts on Fa-Fana-Fa off the same album with my brand new recorder. Me agree with OuterMost-bring back some good old radio days in a NYC Summer. Nice choice Rick!
June 9th, 2009 at 11:37 am
I first read about John Sebastian, as a teenager in the 1980s, in the book “When the Music Mattered” by Bruce Pollock. That chapter prompted me to seek out this first LP, then ‘The Four of Us,’ then ‘Tarzana Kid,’ then ‘Welcome Back.’ Ironically, for me, ‘Welcome Back’ was the weakest of his ’70s output!
June 9th, 2009 at 11:40 am
beautiful stuff. I always liked JB anyway but this one I never heard before,
Now that I think of it didn’t he do some real short ones at Woodstock?
June 9th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Lovely song and way too short. In response to Armond, the reason that JBS did short songs at Woodstock was because he was too stoned to remember the words. ;~)
June 9th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
BEAUTIFUL SONG……..thanx DFD :~”)
June 9th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
dommage c est un peu court mais j aimerai bien trouver l album . merci
June 9th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Outermost is right on target……..Allison Steel playing some Lovin’ Spoonful on wnew fm……..people forget the talent of that band……..dukephoto remembers Zally and could he ever play his big trapezoid gibson firebird! We saw them live at Convention Hall, Asbury Park. They opened for the Beach Boys ………mid 60’s …..lots of fender amps in those days……..
June 9th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Mr. Sebastian was and still is delivering the goods.
The Lovin’ Spoonful were one of the greatest bands this country ever produced in my opinion. All those songs still sound great today.
Nice pick today DFD! Thanks!
June 9th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
John Sebastian and the Lovin Spoonful were a band that put the times in their proper place. Although solo they never achieved the same fame as together, thier music will live on in the spirit of the 60’s. Get ready for the 40th anniversary of the ultimate of our era.
June 9th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
one of john’s finest. first heard this song when FM radio was good. DFD you out did yourself today with this pick.
June 9th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Sebastian is a top-drawer talent, whether solo or as part of The Lovin’ Spoonful. Nice selection, Mr. Petreycik!
June 9th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Check out John’s latest with the great David Grisman called “Satisfied” on Acoustic Disc. They ressurect a couple of ol’ Spoonful classics.
I saw John a few months ago in Seattle, he still puts on a great show.
June 9th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Both Kama Sutra and Warner Brothers released John B. Sebastian, and Kama Sutra released “She’s A Lady” as a 45. That version is ever-so-slightly different than the Warner Brothers/Rhino release. As for additional John Sebastian, Rhino Handmade released a compilation of all his Warners releases a few years back, andhe released “Tar Beach” in 1992 on Shanachie. This was followed by a 1979 acoustic concert, released in 1996, “King Biscuit Hour Presents John Sebastian.” Also in 1996, he began his recorded fopray back into his jug/blues/folk roots with “I Want My Roots”" released on MusicMasters and available at that time through BMG Record Club, listed as John Sebastian and the J-Band. The quality isn’t the greatest on this one. However, it was followed in 1999 by the Hollywood Records’ release, also with th J-Band, “Chasin’ Gus’ Ghost”. The most recent disc I have is John Sebastian and David Grisman, “Satisfied” from Acoustic Disc, which was released in 2007. He’s still making fine music. I saw him in concert maybe 15 years ago, and he came to the side of the stage and spoke with those of us who remained, for maybe 20 minutes or so. He was very friendly and was especially kind to a fellow who obviously had some mental cognition issues. One of a kind!
June 9th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
John Sebastian rules! I’ve seen him in concert many times over the years, and he ALWAYS treated his fans with much appreciation! A class act. Excellent pick, DFD!
June 9th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
JB and the Spoonful have even been making a comeback on “Facebook” lately-or at least on some YouTube posts from fans…
June 9th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
‘How Have You Been’ (same album) is the best thing Sebastian ever did, worth the price alone!
June 9th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Great music has always sounded deceptively simple - The best have always made it look easy - John and The Spoonful always put forth uncluttered, joyful, and simplistic songs that still thrill today - Always a welcome listen!
June 9th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
To my sister-in-law. Didn’t you & the ex play this for me & Kim? Seems familier and what you and the ex would have listened to and tried to turn me on to as a 70’s rocker.
June 9th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
I see that the Lovin’ Spoonful is currently on tour, but without John. I wish…
June 9th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
boy, jimB knows his stuff! thanks for all the info! I had “tarzanna kid,” which had a hauntingly beautiful song called {i think} “appalachia.” oh to heat it again. “she’s a lady” is wonderful, too. kenny rankin did a fine version of it as well.
June 9th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
what a great pick, DFD…. JB never failed to impress, either solo or with the Spoonful. The songs were always easy to listen to, simple in their message, and a delight to the ears. John is still a great performer; everyone should go to a concert and be prepared to be impressed. As I recall, there were a lot of forgotten lyrics at Woodstock; but that didn’t stop it from being a great time for us all :- ) —> can we have more of these picks please?
June 10th, 2009 at 4:34 am
John Sebastian is awesome. I had this album and I was only 10. Such a wonderful songwriter and mellow voice. I totally forgot about him. Thanks for the memories
June 10th, 2009 at 5:41 am
that great harmonica on the Doors’ Roadhouse Blues is compliments of John Sebastian.
June 10th, 2009 at 11:09 am
Less is More! Great tune.
June 11th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Beautiful…………
June 11th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
I had that bad boy on 8 track tape and it was always in my car.
June 16th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Welcome back……………..