Rock and roll history is littered with one hit wonders, and that includes Every Mother’s Son.
Hooking up with the MGM label, the New York City band proved to be an overnight sensation, with their debut single, “Come On Down To My Boat,” reaching an impressive No. 6 on the national charts in the late spring of 1967.
Originally recorded by the Rare Breed, the the song was so instantly infectious that there was absolutely no way it could flop. Sharing the tale of a fellow in love with a fisherman’s daughter longing to rescue her from the dock where she is tied and can’t get free, “Come On Down To My Boat” flowered to a bold and bright bouquet of fat, fresh melodies and huge, heavenly harmonies. A coarse, chunky riff stolen straight from “Louie Louie” stood as an added attraction, giving the pert, plucky pop tune a pinch of a garage rock awareness.
Although the band continued to spawn stellar material, as confirmed by the tracks on The Very Best Of Every Mother’s Son: Come On Down To My Boat (Collectables Records), they struggled to be heard on a widespread scale. Tightly wound performances, ablaze with sparkly vocals, exciting instrumentation and supernatural chemistry marked their compositions, many which they penned themselves. Having devoured a delicious diet of the Beach Boys, the Kinks, the Hollies, and the Monkees, Every Mother’s Son shrewdly inserted these influences into their own distinctive sound.
Strewn with jaunty power chords, “Alison Dozier” punches in as a brazen rocker, where the creamy psychedelic flavoring of “Put Your Mind At Ease” flutters gracefully to a breathtaking showcase designed of golden-throated choruses and adventurous arrangements. Detailed and dainty, “For Brandy” and “What Became Of Mary” twinkle and shine with a pure pop consciousness, while “Come On Queenie” swivels and swaggers to a bluesy jug band fashioned beat.
By the end of the decade, Every Mother’s Son expired and were all but a nice memory. However, singer, guitarist and songwriter Dennis Larden remained active in music, as he joined Rick Nelson’s Stone Canyon Band and lent his talents to Who drummer Keith Moon’s amazingly horrific “Two Sides Of Moon” solo album.
It’s no secret most people judge Every Mother’s Son strictly on the basis of “Come On Down To My Boat,” which is indeed a terrific tune, but how pleasantly surprised they will be when discovering what else the band had to offer. Loaded to the rim with impossibly gripping tunes, The Very Best Of Every Mother‘s Son: Come On Down To My Boat is the epitome of pop rock perfection.
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