Artist:     Vanilla Fudge

Album:     Spirit of '67

Label:     Purple Pyramid Records

Release Date:     03/03/2015

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I am a little disappointed in this album, but it isn’t all bad. And frankly, it isn’t them, it’s me… I was hoping that this album would immediately take me back to the ˊ60s.

Anyone who likes cover bands will find a lot to like here, because Vanilla Fudge is one the absolute best. I especially enjoyed “Heard It Through The Grapevine” and “I Can See For Miles.” Basically, all of the songs here have that ˊ60’s organ bottom end along with a really strong drum beat from founding member Carmine Appice.

I loved “The Tracks Of My Tears,” and walked around for a couple of days with it in my head. (Ok, ok so I sang it a couple of times in the car.) “I’m A Believer” is also a winner. “Break on Through” didn’t impress me upon first listen, but like the others it is slowly growing on me. “Ruby Tuesday” has a great sound and vibe to it, while “Whiter Shade of Pale” even has me playing drums on the car steering wheel.

Bottom line, after my initial disappointment from failing to time shift to 1967, I did enjoy this album. They picked some really great 1967 songs to cover, and though some missed the target, many of them hit the nail on the head. Overall, if you like covers of ˊ60s songs, you will want to try this on for size.

-Mark J. Smith