Crimson & Clover is the sixth studio album by American rock band Tommy James and the Shondells. It features the #1 hit, its title trackTommy James and the Shondells, "Crimson and Clover" Chart Position Retrieved February 7, 2015 as well as the #2 hit "Crystal Blue Persuasion".Tommy James and the Shondells, "Crystal Blue Persuasion" Chart Position Retrieved February 7, 2015 The album Crimson & Clover was released in December 1968 and reached a peak of #8 on the Billboard 200.
Based on suggestions from radio stations the group chose to create an extended five-and-a-half minute long version of the title song for the album. The first two verses were copied without lead vocals, and then overdubbed with guitar solos by Shondells guitarist Ed Gray using steel guitars and fuzz guitars, as well as an extended one-minute wah-wah pedal finish. During tape copying a slight speed error was inadvertently introduced. This resulted in a small drop in pitch during the new guitar solo sections, which went unfixed.Me, the Mob, and the Music: One Helluva Ride with Tommy James and the Shondells
The group had toured with Vice President Hubert Humphrey during his 1968 presidential campaign. Humphrey showed his appreciation by writing the liner notes for the Crimson & Clover album.
CD re-release
The version of Crimson and Clover on the 1991 "Crimson and Clover/Cellophane Symphony" CD is the same as the original album version; however, digital audio workstation software was used to fix the speed and pitch error made in 1968. The CD booklet states that "Crimson and Clover" is now as it was "meant to be heard," and that James is "very satisfied" with the reissue of the recordings in CD format.
Track listing
Personnel Tommy James and the Shondells Tommy James – lead vocals and backing vocals, acoustic and electric rhythm guitar, piano Eddie Gray – lead guitars and backing vocals Ronnie Rosman – organ and backing vocals Mike Vale – bass and backing vocals Pete Lucia – drums, bongos, tambourine and backing vocals
Additional personnel Bruce Staple – engineer Carol Geyer – sleeve design Michael Thom – liner notes Ken Perry – engineer (CD remastering) Bill Inglot – engineer (CD remastering)
Charts Album YearChartPeak Position1969Billboard 2008 Singles YearSingleChartPeak position1968"Do Something to Me"Billboard Hot 10038"Crimson and Clover"11969"Crystal Blue Persuasion"2Adult ContemporaryChart27
References
External links The Official Site of Tommy James and the Shondells