John Phillips (John, the Wolf King of L.A.) explained

John Phillips
(John, the Wolf King of L.A.)
Type:Album
Artist:John Phillips
Cover:John Phillips Wolfking of L.A..jpg
Released:January 25, 1970
Recorded:1969
Genre:Folk, country rock
Length:33:29
Label:Dunhill
Producer:Lou Adler
Next Title:Brewster McCloud
Next Year:1970

John Phillips (John, the Wolf King of L.A.) is the first solo recording by the Mamas & the Papas leader John Phillips. All songs were Phillips originals, dealing mostly with recent events in Phillips' life, including references to his new girlfriend Geneviève Waïte and longtime friend Ann Marshall ("April Anne"). The backing musicians included members of Wrecking Crew. Today the album receives favorable reviews from fans and critics alike.[1] [2] [3] The album was selected as one of ShortList's 55 Coolest Albums Ever.[4]

As Phillips was the backing singer in the Mamas and the Papas, with the other three serving as lead singers, the album mix tends to de-emphasize his lead vocals. Denny Doherty stated that, had the Mamas & the Papas performed this album, it would have been one of their finest, because of the strength of Phillips' songs.[5] The single "Mississippi" reached the US Billboard top 40. Phillips and the other members of the Mamas & the Papas were threatened with a lawsuit just as the album was released, discouraging the label from promoting the album.[6]

“Malibu People” was used as the opening song of the film Ciao! Manhattan.

In 2006, the album was reissued by Varèse Sarabande with eight bonus tracks, also mostly Phillips originals.

Track listing

All songs written by John Phillips, except where noted.

  1. "April Anne" – 3:22
  2. "Topanga Canyon" – 3:53
  3. "Malibu People" – 3:41
  4. "Someone's Sleeping" – 2:46
  5. "Drum" – 3:36
  6. "Captain" – 3:25
  7. "Let It Bleed, Genevieve" – 2:53
  8. "Down the Beach" – 2:52
  9. "Mississippi" – 3:36
  10. "Holland Tunnel" – 3:41

2006 bonus tracks

  1. "Shady" – 3:48
  2. "Lonely Children" – 3:44
  3. "Lady Genevieve" – 4:30
  4. "Black Girl" (Traditional) – 3:29
  5. "The Frenchman" – 4:03
  6. "16mm Baby" (Matthew Reich) – 2:41
  7. "Larry, Joe, Hal and Me" – 2:25
  8. "Mississippi" [Single Version] – 3:07

Personnel

Technical

Notes and References

  1. Web site: John the Wolfking of L.A.: John Phillips: Music . Amazon.com . August 28, 2011.
  2. Web site: Sean Howe . John, the Wolfking of L.A. Review . https://web.archive.org/web/20081007225706/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1535147,00.html . dead . October 7, 2008 . EW.com . September 18, 2006 . August 28, 2011.
  3. https://books.google.com/books?id=AVQbF9lTBwgC&pg=PA207 The Mojo Collection: 4th Edition
  4. http://www.shortlist.com/entertainment/music/the-50-coolest-albums-ever "The 50 Coolest Albums Ever"
  5. Matthew Greenwald, [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r859409|pure_url=yes}} album review], Allmusic. Retrieved January 1, 2008.
  6. "Straight Shooter", a PBS documentary about the Mamas and the Papas from 1988; a statement by John Phillips.
  7. Web site: John Phillips (John, The Wolf King of L.A.) – John Phillips Awards AllMusic. AllMusic. February 9, 2016.

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