The Grass Roots - Where Were You When I Needed You [1966] (@320)

 

The Grass Roots - Where Were You When I Needed You [1966]

Where Were You When I Needed You Review by Richie Unterberger.

Before the Grass Roots reached the peak of their pop/rock popularity, they were a much more folk-rock-oriented outfit. Indeed, this debut album is a matter of much confusion; apparently the original Grass Roots were pretty much a front for the songwriting team of P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri, who ended up performing on much of the album themselves. In any case, this is decent, though not top-of-the-line, early folk-rock, falling about halfway between the Byrds and more pop-oriented peers like the Turtles and the Mamas & the Papas. Highlights include the hit title track and other Sloan-Barri originals like "Lollipop Train," "Look Out Girl," "This Is What I Was Made For," and "You Baby," which was a hit for the Turtles.

       Tracklist:

1.       "Only When You're Lonely" - 3:13

2.       "Look Out Girl" - 2:18

3.       "Ain't That Lovin' You Baby" - 2:50

4.       "I've Got No More to Say" - 2:50

5.       "I Am a Rock" - 3:04

6.       "Lollipop Train (You Never Had It So Good)" - 3:12

7.       "Where Were You When I Needed You" (First Version, vocal by P.F. Sloan)- 3:03

8.       "You Didn't Have to Be So Nice - 2:22

9.       "Tell Me" - 3:27

10.   "You Baby" - 2:23

11.   "This Is What I Was Made For" - 2:24

12.   "Mr. Jones (Ballad of a Thin Man)" - 2:56

13.   "You're a Lonely Girl" - 2:23

14.   "Where Were You When I Needed You" (Second version, Single version, vocal by Willie Fulton) - 3:03

15.   "(These Are) Bad Times" - 3:06

16.   "Tip of My Tongue" - 2:34

17.   "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" - 2:53

18.   "Hitch Hike" - 2:41

19.   "Eve of Destruction" - 3:36

20.   "Where Were You When I Needed You" (Third version, sung by Rob Grill, from Let's Live for Today)

 

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