The Yellow Balloon
was
Don Grady
's (
Robbie
on TV's
My Three Sons
)
rock & roll
group, but even more important, the brainchild of California producer
Gary Zekley
. Not unlike a
Gary Usher
,
Zekley
could grab a bunch of musicians and -- filling in the needed holes with his own talent -- produce sessions that rivaled
Phil Spector
or
Brian Wilson
for big sound and teen spirit.
Grady
had already been recording for the same label with his own group,
the Windupwatch Band
, when
started climbing the charts with
"Yellow Balloon,"
creating a need for a new group to go with the hit.
became the drummer and other members were recruited from various bands around the country, but in the studio, it was still
's show all the way. This 20-track compilation brings together the 11 tracks from
the Yellow Balloon
's 1967 album, along with the
Don Grady with the Windupwatch Band
singles (also released on the same
Canterbury
label), a couple of unreleased demos, and an interview with the late
putting it all in perspective. ~ Cub Koda