1910 Fruitgum Company - 1,2,3 Red Light (1968)

According to the liner notes penned by Buddah Records' Neil Bogart (later of Casablanca fame), "people were tired of hearing about violence, wars, riots, etc.," in the late '60s. Hence, what the world needed then wasn't so much love, sweet love, but "happy go lucky make believe." 1910 Fruitgum Company (aka Kasenetz-Katz and session pals) deliver the (goody) goods on this, their third of four albums released in 1968 (talk about striking while the iron is hot!). While 1, 2, 3 Red Light is undeniably "happy go lucky," the more mature — but mostly unremarkable — album tracks pale in comparison with bouncy hit singles "Yummy, Yummy, Yummy" and the title track with its lovely "la la las" and happy handclaps. Other notable numbers: "The Song Song" strings together lines from previous singles (kind of like 1910 Fruitgum Company on 45), "Shirley Applegate" skillfully recalls the British Invasion/music hall sounds of Herman's Hermits ("Won't you come take a walk with me/Oh, how happy we will be"), and "The Mighty Quinn" is a faithful (if rather stiff) version of the Dylan original. All told, a mixed pack, with six upbeat selections followed by five lower key — and less successful — ones. 1910 Fruitgum Company, like most bubblegum merchants, were best served by their singles, and the LPs were designed primarily to capitalize on their success. But for those who like to follow dessert...with more dessert, 1, 2, 3 Red Light offers an abundance of sweetness to savor. 

1. 1910 Fruitgum Company - 1,2,3 Red Light (2:13)

2. 1910 Fruitgum Company - The Song Song (2:26)

3. 1910 Fruitgum Company - Shirley Applegate (2:07)

4. 1910 Fruitgum Company - The Mighty Quinn (Quinn The Eskimo) (3:05)

5. 1910 Fruitgum Company - Yummy, Yummy, Yummy (2:18)

6. 1910 Fruitgum Company - 9, 10 Let's Do It Again (2:11)

7. 1910 Fruitgum Company - The Book (2:06)

8. 1910 Fruitgum Company - Sister John (2:36)

9. 1910 Fruitgum Company - Take Away (2:23)

10. 1910 Fruitgum Company - Lookin' Back (2:29)

11. 1910 Fruitgum Company - Blue Eyes and Orange Skies (2:02)

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