Emerging from Providence, R.I., Wadsworth Mansion are the ultimate example of a one-hit-wonder act. In early 1971, the band snagged the Top 10 charts with their first single, “Sweet Mary,” then pretty much vanished from view.
Fueled by the success of “Sweet Mary,” the group roped together what was to be their only album. Simply titled Wadsworth Mansion (Sussex Records), the disc duly featured the premiere single that told the story of a soldier returning home from war to see his girlfriend. Sprinkled with charmingly cheesy “wop ba-dooba doo-wops” and seizing hooks crackling with earworm quality, the tune proposed a funky country feel, resulting in a springy slice of hippy bubblegum rock.
Wadsworth Mansion was comprised of original material accented by an awareness for composition and melody, revealing the group to be competent songwriters. Southern-salted vocals, wrapped around traditional musical styles pinned to rock rhythms, symbolized the collection.
Crowded with clattering guitars and jubilant energy, “Long Haired Brown Eyed Girl” and “Havin’ a Such Good Time” sit on the Creedence Clearwater Revival side of the field, while “Let It Shine” starts out in a soft and quiet setting before inflating into a grand gospel-inspired chorus – aided by inventive instrumentation, bouncing back and forth between mellow and manic.
An engaging arrangement beaded with lively organ rolls and a pinch of psychedelic haziness marks “City Gardener.” The electric-country folk of “Queenie Dew” lends a tip of the cap to the Band, and “Michigan Harry Slaughter” offers a catchy bluesy funk-pop groove.
But if pressed to pick, the crown jewel of Wadsworth Mansion would definitely be the hard-rocking joyride of “I Like It.” Flashing and lashing with witchy guitar riffs, racing keyboard thrills, sharp turning breaks and supernaturally synthesized harmonies, the progressive piece observes the band momentarily stepping away from the rural rock sounds dominating the album.
Although Wadsworth Mansion never repeated the commercial visibility afforded by “Sweet Mary,” the group continued to tour. Unfortunately, they were plagued by bad luck.
June 1972 saw the band lose all their equipment in a flood, prompting a series of gigs to be canceled. Wadsworth Mansion eventually replaced the gear, but were arrested shortly thereafter for loitering on the streets with questionable characters.
The group soon split up, with a couple of its members relocating to Hollywood and forming a band called Slingshot that sadly failed to move beyond playing regional shows.
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