Rock Archeologia

The Rock Flowers - The Rock Flowers (1971) 

Artist: Rock Flowers
Album: Rock Flowers
Label: Wheel Records
Catalog#: WLS-1001
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1971
Genre: Rock, Funk / Soul, Pop
Duration: 00:37:12

• So yea, The Rock Flowers - whattatheyallabout? Well, in a long and indeed great tradition of toy and music markerting link-ups Mattel lauched a set of dolls to compete with the then popular Dawn dolls by rival firm Topper Corp. The Rock Flower then kinda melded their own niche, concentrating on a "hippy rocker" image together with a plastic single that came with each doll. They were produced en masse from about 1970/71 to 74 and were quite the popular girls on the block! The original trio that made up the Rock Flowers Heather, Lilac and Rosemary but were also later joined by Iris and a certain Doug! By 1974 the dream was over, and Mattel resorted to selling the remaing dolls minus record and shoes - funnny! Well I guess it complimented the hippy vibe!
• Now as well as the singles that came with each doll, 2 LP's were released consecutively in '71 and '72 featuring the vocal talents of Rindy Dunn, Debra Clinger and Ardie Tillman. What was stange about these LP's is that bearing in mind their issuing as part of a marketing masterplan, the only reference to the dolls was the name of the group itself! Anyhow the Lp's and singles are a utter fantastic collection of bubblegum girl sounds, with a bit 'o a rockin' edge! Produced by the man behind the Partride Family (Mr. Wes Farrell) and written by Toni Wine, Ellie Greenwich (brill!) and Carol Bayer. So great that Jeff Barry wrote for The Archies, and Ellie for The Rock Flowers! The girls went on to tour with Tom Jones before splitting. I will probably feature more of the wonderful Debra Clinger and her sisters in the future, but for now enjoy!

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 • Side One:
A1. (You're) My Kind Of Music 02:49
A2. You Shouldn't Have Set My Soul On Fire 02:38
A3. Uptight World 02:22
A4. Shake It, Wake It 02:14
A5. Heaven Help The Non-Believer 02:58
A6. Sunday Dreaming 03:11
 • Side Two:
B1. Mother You, Smother You 02:31
B2. Gettin' Together 03:13
B3. Number Wonderful 02:22
B4. It Was Always Always You 02:40
B5. And Then He Says He Loves Me 02:49

     TMs of Ringling Bros.-Barnum & Bailey Records, Inc. © 1971.

Personel:
Dennis Budimir, Louis Shelton - Guitar
Ardie Tillman, Debby Clinger, Jacquie Wiseman - Vocals
Mike Melvoin - Arranged (Horns, Strings) - Piano
Wes Farrell - Arranged (Rhythm Tracks), Producer
Max Bennett - Bass
Hal Blaine - Drums
Engineer – Bob Kovach

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