The LOVIN' SPOONFUL: "Daydream" + Bonus

Original released on LP Kama Sutra KLPS 8051

(US, March 1966)

The band's second LP was very strong; this time, most of the tunes are originals, with the exception of a cover of "Bald Headed Lena." Joe Butler and Yanovsky are featured on some lead vocals, and the album includes two more hits, "You Didn't Have to Be So Nice" and "Didn't Want to Have to Do It." [This 2002 reissue includes instrumental versions of "Jug Band Music" and "Fishin' Blues," demo versions of "Daydream" and "Didn't Want to Have to Do It," an alternate version of "Night Owl Blues" and an extra track, "Big Noise From Speonk."] (Gary Mollica in AllMusic)

The LOVIN' SPOONFUL Debut Album + Bonus

Original released on LP Kama Sutra KLPS 8050

(US, November 1965)

By the time of its release, the Lovin' Spoonful's debut album was already a significant record because of the inclusion of its title track, John Sebastian's timeless anthem to love and music, which had been one of the major hits of the summer of 1965. The album elaborated upon Sebastian's gentle, winning songwriting style with the humorous "Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind," which was released as a single in the spring of 1966 and became another Spoonful hit, and the wistful "Younger Girl," which became a chart hit for the Critters. The album also revealed the group's jug band roots in its arrangements of traditional songs like "Fishin' Blues" and "Wild About My Lovin'" and revealed that lead guitarist Zal Yanovsky and drummer Joe Butler, while not quite in Sebastian's league, were good singers as well. The Spoonful would be remembered as a vehicle for Sebastian's songwriting, but "Do You Believe in Magic" was a well-rounded collection that demonstrated their effectiveness as a group. (William Ruhlmann in AllMusic)