History of the MAMAS & the PAPAS part one | #245 

'Twelve-Thirty' Is still one of the most beautiful and melodic songs ever recorded.

Great episode Matt, I love the track samples from each album and cover art discussions. Cass seems like such a cool person, such a shame she passed away so young.

These first four albums are beautifully written, beautifully performed, beautifully engineered and recorded, and just overall perfection.

Twelve-Thirty always struck me as such a beautiful song. When I later learned it was about coming out of depression it really struck me as even more beautiful.

The comparison of John Phillips in "The New Journeymen" and "The Mamas and the Papas" is astounding. Great job as always Matt!

Matt, that was fantastic. One of your best. Certainly my favorite. I can't imagine Denny Doherty and Jim Morrison hanging out. What a time to be alive. Anxiously waiting for part 2.

Cass didn’t have the pop look but she had the pipes and how! Thank you for such a great episode, Matt!

Glad to see that Got A Feeling is also a favorite off their first album! A beautifully delicate song.

I saw Michelle Phillips on her daughter's website. Even though she is 80 years old, you can still see the extraordinarily beautiful woman of the 1960's.

Something beautifully poetic that Cass passed away at the moment of her greatest triumph as a solo artist. I believe she still hold the record for the most encores at the Palladium after the end her final performance.

The more detail the better - thank you for researching and presenting this so well.

Mamas and Papas is one of those groups that I've always liked, but when I'm not playing their records, I often start thinking, "meh, maybe I overrate them". Then, I put on one of their records and again I am reminded of how special they were, and just how unique and enjoyable their music is. Not sure why this always happens with me; perhaps it is because of the relative brevity of their career and how none of the members beyond Cass had much of a viable solo career. But they definitely deserve their legend; when in doubt, just play one of their albums and the magic is really there. Another great installment, Matt.

Shall we talk about those apostrophes? 😂 I'm glad it got corrected by the second album, which is a great one and with the best sleeve! Nice two-part feature, thanks Matt.

Finally...a band I actually care about. Great job. Looking forward to part 2. Eventually John and Denny became roommates so they could keep an eye on each other, that the other wasn't with Michelle!

Nice segue from the Journymen to The Mamas and the Papas Matt. Michelle Phillips was a 60s honey and Cass Elliot had a magnificent voice!

When I first heard the song "Creeque Alley" (and listened to the lyrics) I was shocked that it was the band singing about themselves. I still love the line.. "McGuinn & McGuire are still gettin' higher, in LA, you know where that's at. ...And no one getting fat, except Mama Cass". Got that one on a 45 (rpm record) too. (I was glad that my parents didn't listen to the lyrics of Rock&Roll bands...)

The first and last time I saw The Mamas and the Papas live was at The Washington Coliseum on 10/15/66. The opening acts were ? and the Mysterians and The Left Banke. This is the same venue where The Beatles played after Ed Sullivan. Thanks Matt~!

Was a kid when they broke out. Loved seeing them on Sullivan. Great harmonies and great songs. So lucky to have been around to hear this era of music. Great job on this 👍

Lots of different parts of the story never told the same way twice with these folks. But...their music was ALWAYS great.

Got a Feelin’ sounds so simple…. until you try to sing it….then you realize the complexity of John’s arrangement….

I would argue mama Cass’ voice was most distinct and important as she anchored the other 3 harmonies. For whatever reason romantic turbulence between band members seems to create the best albums

Great episode, you really did your homework on this one. I can't wait for the second part. Thanks for sharing.

Excellent Matt. The Mamas and The Papas are one of my all time favorite groups to come out of the 60s. I don't know every song they ever recorded, but I have to say, of the many songs that I am familiar with, my favorite Mamas and Papas song is California Dreaming. It's the harmonies that I am really impressed with. I also love the chord progression in the song as well. I am looking forward to part two sir.

Great video Matt. One of my favorite 60's group.

Thanks, Matt. Great stuff. You know, for some reason, one of my favorite of their songs is "Twelve Thirty." It always takes me to a place of reverie. The harmonies are absolutely killer. I look forward to part 2. Thanks for all you do!

Great job, Matt. Most enjoyable, as your retrospectives always are.

RIP to Cass Elliot, John Phillips and Denny Doherty. Your music will forever change the landscape of folk/rock.

Matt, You did a fine job on this one. Looking forward to Part Two.

Excellent work sir!

Excellent video, well done.

Good one Matt. Ron Howard said every project will break your heart and though he was speaking about film, it fits this situation. What remains is the beautiful music. Rest in peace Mama Cass. Cheers and thanks. Nice job Matt.

Great stuff again.. the Jill Gibson period is very interesting.. always wondered about this thanks..

I saw Roger McGuinn's one-man show this past Saturday. Great stories from this era. His guitar still has plenty of jingle-jangle.

By the way, "Gota Feelin'" is another one of those songs that immediately puts one's soul back into that 60's music period and can't be duplicated today.

Another great episode Matt. I can’t wait for Part 2. Since the group ended that means that it will probably end badly.

Cass and Michelle's voices were perfect together and like a lot of 13 year old Boys I had a huge crush on Michelle

Beautiful work Matt on these videos of The Mamas & Papas👌 wonderful presentation of photos and clips 👍 and Great storytelling especially about Denny Doherty Turning On John Phillips to The Beatles on Acid 😵‍💫- What a way to Meet The Beatles 😆

I was quite obsessed by the song Got A Feeling. I asked Denny in an email what was the tick tock sound. He said it was a “tack piano”.

Great episode, looking forward to the next one.

Interesting how you mention the dimensions of Cass and Michelle’s voices. In the group ABBA, Agnetha and Frida were soprano and mezzo soprano and they blended well. So I am glad you caught how contrasting vocals could really fill out a sound.

Your band histories are top notch. There is a great version of “Go Where You Wanna Go” on the Echo in The Canyon soundtrack from a couple of years ago. Worth a listen. Also LOVE their version of “My Girl” especially the bum, bum, bum intro. “Straight Shooter” is another favorite of mine.

A succession of memorable songs back then - even in '67 cool to walk around humming them!

Perfect ending to my night! Thank you!

That first album is amazing.

Great synopsis of the early years of the Mama’s and Papa’s. I have been looking forward to you covering one of the great folk rock and vocal groups pf mid to kate 60s. Can’t wait for part 2. You are killin’ it!!!

I'm only in my 30s but I have to say Michelle is my celebrity crush and she was easily one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen. Like, damn!

the Mamas and the Papas were the best folk pop rock group and I have heard them on AM radio many times over the years have a great week and Thank You.🎶🎤🎸🎸🎹🥁🎶

Another superb episode, although I never did buy their music. My favorite song was Monday Monday. I loved Mama Cass's first solo album but it's hard to get on CD these days.

Love The Mapas & The Papas. Great first part, thx for that. Looking forward to the next part.

Fantastic!!!!! 🎶

Love the band and love your videos! Great job Matt!

Great Matt, well done!

Cass and Denny were always my favorites.

Wonderful assessment, Matt. Never knew all that Jill stuff. What a time.

That first album got burned into my 10 year old brain.....how much I didn't realise till this perceptive part one review of one killer group Hacking away on piano years later (got one in 1984) I was drawn to many of the songs...not realising why they seemed so familar, like "the in crowd" and "Spanish Harlem". "Strtaight Shooter" I didn't play but it raisees my 67 year old hairs...today! The toilet information...priceless...great touch. Even your graphics are leveling right up, sir, thank you! Can't wait for the next release! Deliver!

It was great getting to know more about this group. I didn’t know they almost replaced Michelle Phillips. That was interesting.

Great deep dive into the mamas and the Papas! Coincidentally this past weekend, I pulled out my greatest hits of the mamas and Papas CD and listen to it on three simultaneous nights. I guess great minds think alike Matt great.

Great band, great songs. I love your mock up album covers!

Excellent video Matt, i loved their hits. A number of years ago i got a 2 CD set with 52 tracks on it.

Matt, was away from your channel for awhile, my bad. This was so outstanding I had to watch it twice. THANK YOU, cannot wait for Part 2. 😊❤❤❤❤🎉

I fell in love with the Mamas & Papas since I first heard 'California dreamin' in 1966. I bought the album and learned all their individual parts even though I hardly understood English. By the time I migrated to the US in late 1971, I was surprised to see their lastest album (People like us) but times had changed and so did I... By the way 'Got a feelin' is my favourite song of the group.

This was great Matt. I learned a lot but what stood out was Barry McGuire putting out the first version of CD, and Ray Manzarek playing session keys on the 2nd album. I had the yellow sticker version of the first album hanging in my bathroom for years BTW.

Definitely a band I’ve never delved into, apart from those great hits, so thanks, as you always do, for pointing out those deep cuts, Matt.

Cass had a heavenly voice.

This is brilliant Matt, many thanks 🙏

Another great vid. Thanks Matt!

Cass was such a love-bomb…she was everybody’s friend!

A truly enjoyable episode Matt! Looking forward to Part II. I was born in 1961 so these songs bring back so many childhood memories for me and I still enjoy them to this day. Off topic, have you ever considered doing an episode on Canadian psych/pop group, The Poppy Family especially their debut album, Which Way You Goin' Billy? ?. The album cuts are completely different than their world wide hit of the same name. The group disbanded after this album and only Terry and Susan Jacks remained.

Thanks Matt! This filled in some of the blanks in their song “Creeque Alley”.

Great video Matt. Always enjoyed the group, but didn't know the history.

Some of the best harmony vocals ever commited to vinyl come from this band. 👍

Yessssss! Was hoping you'd continue on from the Journeymen video. Btw. Totally agree. That Deliver LP is really f***ing solid. Gotta say. Thanks again, Matt!

Matt: Are drinking gin or vodka there tonight? When I saw the title of this one I knew we'd be in for a bumpy ride! And this is another in the weeds piece of research worthy of the Encyclopedia Britannica. LOVE how you pulled in the Jan & Dean connection! I lived in Hawthorne briefly about 10 years after that whole insanely cool scene with the Beach Boys, et. al. I remember the liner notes on the back of one of J&D's albums being pretty hilarious, including something about, "...You mean sing real high? Like a girl? Like Brian Wilson?" As an 11 year-old I SO wished I was part of that scene;-). This was a goody, and I look forward to part 2.

Jill Gibson?!?! I didn't know of this phase of the M&Ps at all! I learn things!

I'm so glad you're covering the Mamas & the Papas. Too bad about their crazy history. That's what you get when you put two young, healthy men together with two healthy young women at a time of sexual experimentation and freedom. I absolutely adore the compositions of John Phillips when he was 'trying to sound like the Beatles.' The Beatles lifted the bar so high that you had to be incredibly creative, sensitive and have tremendous taste in melodies and harmonies to match their level. One day I'm going to do a deconstruction of Monday, Monday. It's a remarkable piece of work that goes head to head with Lennon/McCartney, no problem. Quite a few of their songs do. I just love I Saw Her Again, as well. Btw, back around 2010, (just to brag a bit), I got a call from Lou Adler to teach guitar to one of his sons. While I did know of Lou, I hadn't realized at the time how important he was in sculpting the musical wave of the 60's. At first I turned down the offer because he wanted me to teach his kid on Sundays. I hate, hate, hate L.A traffic and on Sundays the drive up PCH was a miles long traffic jam both ways. (Sunday, Sunday...can't trust that day!) In order to sour the milk, I doubled my rate and told him I'd only drive to his place for that price. Without a second thought, I was hired! Honestly, I did indeed hate driving up the Pacific Coast Highway to Malibu in the middle of summer but it was cool to show up at the house of a legend. I met Lou a few times but only said 'hi Lou' and didn't badger him whatsoever.

Great video Matt!....Still waiting for the video on The Move!😉😁

great vocal group had their hit singles in the 60s now a greatest hits cd

Very enjoyable Matt. They had such a dominant sound in 66 + 67 but soon faded and became uncool much in the way the Beach Boys did at the time. They were frequently on TV but always syncing because it was hard for them to duplicate their wall of sound vocals live.

Fantastic review! I grew up on the Deliver album. My Mom swears we had the first album with the toilet but I don't think we did. Nevertheless looking forward to Part 2. Cheers🍺

Thank you for the exploration of a unique moment in rock!! The presence of women... which will be silenced... pity! fine analysis, Matt!!!

very cool,thanks.

This is a great video Matt I was thinking about buying their albums but I did not know where to begin. Thanks 😊

Great video, as usual. Mamas and Papas were far out. I heard you mention The Mothers of Invention in this episode… they are my favorite band, maybe you could do a history on the original Mothers in a future vid

Yay I have been waiting for the Mammas and Pappas video thank you!!!! I cant wait to see part two there is no information about their forth album The Pappas and the Mammas from summer of 1068 I love that album I love all the songs off the first four albums I am not that big on People like us the magic is basically all gone in that one

Hey, this is really a good video, and I'm glad to have seen it. I look forward to part 2.

I recommend the book All the Leaves are Brown by Scott Shea. It includes the story how McKenzie Phillips had to panhandle in the street because her parents were too stoned to take care of her when they were in the tropics.

Theirs is a great story, I like some of their songs. Thanks Matt.

Ah, I’ve been looking forward to this. Certainly one of the best, standout bands of the 60s. Perhaps even slightly underrated. Great work, Matt. I always learn something new from your ‘History Of…’ series, no matter how many documentaries I’ve watched on various bands.

I really enjoy your " History of " series. I'd love to see the Dave Clark Five and The Animals someday.

Thier first album was the first album I ever own that my Dad let me choose from out of a gift catalog. I was 12 years old at the time. .But much like the other super groups of '65 / '66 their success was short lived and they faded from the scene shortly after Deliver. Thanks for sharing the group's background to start up.

Superb! Although their history is even more convoluted than I realized. If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears was one of the first albums I owned.

I always enjoy watching your videos mate....haven't long finished watching the Byrds and Lovin Spoonful videos so these Mamas and Papas videos will be welcome. Good job mate 👍✌️

What a soap opera! I just liked the hits really. I remember seeing that photo on the album with Michelle Phillips sprawled across the others on that bathtub when I was 13…my adolescence began! She broke some hearts. John Phillips was a pretty screwed up person…he wrote a couple of classics though. Great video.

I've always found sunshine pop to be a fairly insipid music genre, but The Mamas and The Papas are one of the few exceptions. Always loved 'em. The be-all end-all of the genre in my opinion.

I remember buying California Dreamin' when it came out. The Mamas and Papas were great but as you mentioned the Byrds changed everything and are still my favorite group nearly 60 years later.

1. BTW, I Saw Her Again (my favorite Mamas and Papas song) went to #1 in Canada. 2. The middle poster at 25:00 could make one think someone was planning a Beatles-like animated TV series about the group.

Never thought of the Mamas and Papas music as Folk Rock, being in the same vein as the Byrds or Simon & Garfunkel. For me, their music seems more Pop Rock. Interesting that three of the four members had been in Folk groups, with Michelle originally concentrating on being a model. Didn't know Ray Manzarek had played keyboards on one of their songs, or that Jim Morrison had been friends with Denny Doherty. Looking forward to Part 2, Matt! Seems like many of the groups of this time, in spite of their talents and chart successes, couldn't last more than 3 or 4 years (If that) and only managed to release 2 or 3 albums. Groups like the Lovin' Spoonful, Buffalo Springfield, etc.

A great group, thanks for these videos. I've never owned any of their original albums, just the 2-disc compilation "Creeque Alley - The History of The Mamas And The Papas". I made a 3rd disc of other songs to complement it.

Loved them.

What a fantastic video have a wonderful day Matt also I am a fan of the mamas and papas ❤😊