Boffalongo 2LP • 1969 Boffalongo & • 1970 Beyond Your Head
• From the Cyber Desk of Larry Hoppen
I’d just left Ithaca College as a Music Ed. student when I joined Boffalongo.
In pretty short order we cut 2 albums in New York City (released in 1969 and 1970).
The first LP is the original band ... Keith Ginsberg on guitar/vocals, Basil Matychuk on keys/vocals, the late Ritchie Vitagliano on drums and me on bass; 7 of their songs and 5 written by me. I played some guitar, organ, trumpet and sang as well. Recorded in a ‘state of the art’ 4-track studio on 54th Street, it exemplifies the sheer energy / exploration of youth: a first effort from a group of kids with an eclectic, intellectual and sometimes ethereal idea of pop music.
Boff’s personnel changed before we cut our 2nd LP Beyond Your Head in the same studio, now upgraded to 8-track! Keith left, Basil stayed, I moved to guitar, David ‘Doc ‘Robinson joined on bass and Ritchie still drummed on the record. However, the live band changed radically, right after the LP was released.
Sherman Kelly replaced Basil on keyboards/vocals and my former college roommate, Peter Giansante, entered on drums – just long enough to record a new song named Dancin’ in the Moonlight, written by Sherman in 1969.
Beyond Your Head shows the band’s growth from the first LP, with a preview of things to come through a first recording of what would become a global, iconic song, plus tunes by Doc and myself including a 3-song suite a la CS&N. (Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
The first LP is the original band ... Keith Ginsberg on guitar/vocals, Basil Matychuk on keys/vocals, the late Ritchie Vitagliano on drums and me on bass; 7 of their songs and 5 written by me. I played some guitar, organ, trumpet and sang as well. Recorded in a ‘state of the art’ 4-track studio on 54th Street, it exemplifies the sheer energy / exploration of youth: a first effort from a group of kids with an eclectic, intellectual and sometimes ethereal idea of pop music.
Boff’s personnel changed before we cut our 2nd LP Beyond Your Head in the same studio, now upgraded to 8-track! Keith left, Basil stayed, I moved to guitar, David ‘Doc ‘Robinson joined on bass and Ritchie still drummed on the record. However, the live band changed radically, right after the LP was released.
Sherman Kelly replaced Basil on keyboards/vocals and my former college roommate, Peter Giansante, entered on drums – just long enough to record a new song named Dancin’ in the Moonlight, written by Sherman in 1969.
Beyond Your Head shows the band’s growth from the first LP, with a preview of things to come through a first recording of what would become a global, iconic song, plus tunes by Doc and myself including a 3-song suite a la CS&N. (Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
A few years later, Doc would be the lead singer on the huge hit rendition of Dancin’ in the Moonlight by King Harvest (1973), a band which included Sherman as well as (the late) Wells Kelly – Sherman’s younger brother - who both became Boff’s drummer until we disbanded in late 1971 and then joined up with John Hall to start Orleans in Woodstock, NY, bringing me into the initial trio in Feb. of 1972.
Boffalongo - Boffalongo 1969
Band: Boffalongo
Album: Boffalongo
Ⓟ 1969 United Artists Records
Catalog#: UAS 6725
Country: US
Genre: Blues Rock, Acid Rock, Psychedelic
Format/BiTrate: MP3 / 192 kbps
Total Time: 00:38:16
Album: Boffalongo
Ⓟ 1969 United Artists Records
Catalog#: UAS 6725
Country: US
Genre: Blues Rock, Acid Rock, Psychedelic
Format/BiTrate: MP3 / 192 kbps
Total Time: 00:38:16
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•
History & Interesting Facts:
1. Larry Hoppen joined Boffalongo in 1968, while living in Ithaca, NY.
At the time the band was comprised of Keith Ginsberg (guitars), Basil Matychak (keyboards), and Ritchie Vitagliano (drums) and Larry on bass.
2. At some point although most likely early to mid 1968 the band moved from Ithaca,
NY to a 'communal' loft in the Fashion District of New York City.
3. While in New York City the band recorded their first LP "Boffalongo"
which was released December 31, 1968.
4. The music style would considered Psychedelic. It's a great LP
to get if you want to hear Larry play Bass.
•
Tracks:
1. The Bea's Gettin' Rough (Larry Hoppen)
2. Marble Clown (Basil Matychak)
3. Nightmare (Larry Hoppen)
4. Alladin's Lamp (Basil Matychak)
5. Please Stay (Larry Hoppen)
6. Woes Of Home (Keith Ginsberg)
7. Tomorrow Not Today (Larry Hoppen)
8. B.N.I. (Batteries Not Included) (Keith Ginsberg)
9. I Know The Feeling (Larry Hoppen)
10. Band Of Fools (Basil Matychak)
11. Rest Awhile (Keith Ginsberg)
12. Mr. Go Away (Basil Matychak)
Produced by Eric Nathanson & Steve Nathanson
Larry Hoppen - Bass, Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards
Keith Ginsberg - Guitars, Vocals
Basil Matychak - Vocals, Keyboards
Richie Vitagliano - Drums
Larry Hoppen - Bass, Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards
Keith Ginsberg - Guitars, Vocals
Basil Matychak - Vocals, Keyboards
Richie Vitagliano - Drums
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Boffalongo - Beyond Your Head 1970
Band: Boffalongo
Album: Beyond Your Head
Ⓟ 1970 United Artists Records
Catalog#: UAG 29130
Country: US
Genre: Blues Rock, Acid Rock, Psychedelic
Format/BiTrate: MP3 / 192 kbps
Total Time: 00:41:24
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•
History & Interesting Facts:
1. Keith Ginsberg left the band after the release of "Boffalongo". The timeframe most likely would've been late 1968 or early 1969. He was replaced by Dave "Doc" Robinson, a friend of Larry's from Ithaca. The addition of Doc on bass allowed Larry to switch from bass to guitar.
2. After the release of "Beyond Your Head" Basil Matychak left the band and was replaced by Sherman Kelly (a friend of Doc's) on Keyboards, and drummer Richie Vitagliano was replaced by Pete Giansante, a former college roommate of Larry's. Although, Sherman does appear on Doc's song "$1000 Week" I don't believe he was an official band member at the time of that recording. Sherman wouldn't become an official member until shortly after the album had been recorded. I believe the album liner notes and credits support that.
3. Sherman's song "Dancing In The Moonlight" was heard, liked and perceived to be a "hit" song by the label. The band lineup which was now Larry (guitars), Doc (bass), Sherman (keyboards), and Pete (drums) recorded the song and it was placed on subsequent releases of "Beyond Your Head". The song wasn't promoted by the record label and failed to do well in the charts.
4. David "Doc" Robinson would leave the band in 1970, move to Paris, France and form King Harvest the band that would go on to have a top 20 hit with "Dancing In The Moonlight". It was Doc that would sing Lead Vocal on the King Harvest version of the song. The rest of 1970 Boffalongo, consisted of Larry, Sherman, most likely Pete on drums, and various bass players.
5. Wells Kelly joined King Harvest in Paris, France in 1971 and left the group by that spring. Shortly after returning to the U.S. Wells would become a member of Boffalongo, along with future Orleans/John Hall Band Alumni Bob Leinbach on Organ and Vocals. So this lineup would consist of Larry (guitars), Sherman (keyboards), Bob (Keyboards), Wells (drums) and various Bass players. This lineup would last until the end of 1971 when Wells left the band to form a new group with John Hall in Woodstock. According to Larry, "Shortly before Christmas, 1971, Wells got a call from John Hall to come to Woodstock, NY and form a band. Wells announced this to all Boff-ians; we realized that our Boff days were over, immediately."
6. In some places it's written that Boffalongo evolved into Orleans, this is inaccurate. At the end of 1971 Wells and John formed a band in Woodstock. Wells played keyboards and John was on guitar. In 1972 when their drummer and bassist quit the band Larry was asked to join, which he did. That band shifted to the trio of Wells (drums), John (guitars), and Larry (bass) although they would often switch instruments during the show. This is the lineup that would exist through 1972 and possibly into early 1973. You can hear early recordings of the trio by subscribing to the Orleans Newsletter here. You can download these songs, as well as, others for FREE. At some point in 1972 or very early 1973, Lance (bass) would join the band and Larry would switch to guitar. It was this lineup that would evolve into Orleans, a name apparently suggested by Wells.
•
Tracks:
2. After the release of "Beyond Your Head" Basil Matychak left the band and was replaced by Sherman Kelly (a friend of Doc's) on Keyboards, and drummer Richie Vitagliano was replaced by Pete Giansante, a former college roommate of Larry's. Although, Sherman does appear on Doc's song "$1000 Week" I don't believe he was an official band member at the time of that recording. Sherman wouldn't become an official member until shortly after the album had been recorded. I believe the album liner notes and credits support that.
3. Sherman's song "Dancing In The Moonlight" was heard, liked and perceived to be a "hit" song by the label. The band lineup which was now Larry (guitars), Doc (bass), Sherman (keyboards), and Pete (drums) recorded the song and it was placed on subsequent releases of "Beyond Your Head". The song wasn't promoted by the record label and failed to do well in the charts.
4. David "Doc" Robinson would leave the band in 1970, move to Paris, France and form King Harvest the band that would go on to have a top 20 hit with "Dancing In The Moonlight". It was Doc that would sing Lead Vocal on the King Harvest version of the song. The rest of 1970 Boffalongo, consisted of Larry, Sherman, most likely Pete on drums, and various bass players.
5. Wells Kelly joined King Harvest in Paris, France in 1971 and left the group by that spring. Shortly after returning to the U.S. Wells would become a member of Boffalongo, along with future Orleans/John Hall Band Alumni Bob Leinbach on Organ and Vocals. So this lineup would consist of Larry (guitars), Sherman (keyboards), Bob (Keyboards), Wells (drums) and various Bass players. This lineup would last until the end of 1971 when Wells left the band to form a new group with John Hall in Woodstock. According to Larry, "Shortly before Christmas, 1971, Wells got a call from John Hall to come to Woodstock, NY and form a band. Wells announced this to all Boff-ians; we realized that our Boff days were over, immediately."
6. In some places it's written that Boffalongo evolved into Orleans, this is inaccurate. At the end of 1971 Wells and John formed a band in Woodstock. Wells played keyboards and John was on guitar. In 1972 when their drummer and bassist quit the band Larry was asked to join, which he did. That band shifted to the trio of Wells (drums), John (guitars), and Larry (bass) although they would often switch instruments during the show. This is the lineup that would exist through 1972 and possibly into early 1973. You can hear early recordings of the trio by subscribing to the Orleans Newsletter here. You can download these songs, as well as, others for FREE. At some point in 1972 or very early 1973, Lance (bass) would join the band and Larry would switch to guitar. It was this lineup that would evolve into Orleans, a name apparently suggested by Wells.
1. $1000 Week (Dave "Doc" Robinson)
2. The Pioneer Song (Basil Matychak)
3. Beyond Your Head (Larry Hoppen)
4. Snow White Lady (Dave "Doc" Robinson)
5. Endless Questions (Larry Hoppen)
6. Galaxy Glide (Dave "Doc" Robinson)
7. Hard To Keep From Cryin' (Larry Hoppen)
8. Sleepy-Time Guy (Basil Matychak)
9. Dancing In The Moonlight (2nd Issue) (Sherman Kelly)
10. • Baby Suite (Larry Hoppen)
Goin' Away, Cold Town In Winter & Please Love Me
2. The Pioneer Song (Basil Matychak)
3. Beyond Your Head (Larry Hoppen)
4. Snow White Lady (Dave "Doc" Robinson)
5. Endless Questions (Larry Hoppen)
6. Galaxy Glide (Dave "Doc" Robinson)
7. Hard To Keep From Cryin' (Larry Hoppen)
8. Sleepy-Time Guy (Basil Matychak)
9. Dancing In The Moonlight (2nd Issue) (Sherman Kelly)
10. • Baby Suite (Larry Hoppen)
Goin' Away, Cold Town In Winter & Please Love Me
Produced by Eric Nathanson & Steve Nathanson
Larry Hoppen - Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Keyboards
Dave "Doc" Robinson - Vocals, Bass
Basil Matychak - Vocals, Keyboards
Richie Vitagliano - Drums
Larry Hoppen - Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Keyboards
Dave "Doc" Robinson - Vocals, Bass
Basil Matychak - Vocals, Keyboards
Richie Vitagliano - Drums
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Hi again,
ОтветитьУдалитьDo you mind re-upping the first Boffalongo again as the link has expired.
Many thanks,
Nick
Contributor both albums. New links.
УдалитьAlex.