Michelle Phillips – “Victim of Romance”

The Sleeve:

The Liner/Sleeve Notes:
None.

Personal Review:
Michelle Phillips was the other female vocalist of the 60’s pop group, The Mamas & The Papas – and the only still living member.

So, her one and only solo album opens with the track “The Aching Kind” – and it’s absolutely wonderful, Michelle is a tremendous example of talent and beauty wrapped up in one nice package. This song is absolutely amazing by the way, Michelle has amazing vocal skills. The next song is “Let the Music Begin” which, other than the spoken intro it’s an amazing song, and the chorus is absolutely stunning. I could honestly listen to this song over and over again, there is absolutely no complaints about this one! After that comes the title track of the album, “Victim of Romance” – which has kind of that 50’s female pop vocal sound to it, but oh my god, Michelle is beyond talented – I totally understand why she was a singer, this girl is amazing! After that comes “Trashy Rumors” which sort of slows down the album from it’s faster paced pop sound it has been providing, but Michelle makes the slow song work. Random fact here, but Michelle was the last of her ex band mates to release a solo album, Cass in ’68, John in ’70, Denny in ’71 and Michelle in ’77 – what took you so long? The A-Side ends with the song “There She Goes” – and it makes for an excellent way to close the A-Side, Michelle showcases her talent and it makes for a super amazing album.

The B-Side opens with the track “Paid the Price” – which makes for an amazing opening track to the B-Side of a terrific album! After that comes the song “Baby As You Turn Away” – which is a really nice song, and it has such an amazing chorus. After that comes the track “Lady of Fantasy” – it’s a slower song for sure, but Michelle still preforms it well. See, this is why I’ve always liked the Mamas and the Papas, because all four members are/were extremely talented individuals. After that comes the song that really made me buy the album entirely, “Just One Look” – there are only two versions of this song that I love, this one and the version by Klaus Nomi, “Just one look, that’s all it took” – it’s honestly the highest point of the album. The album ends with the track “Where’s Mine?” – it’s a slower song, but it makes for a good ending track to the album. Michelle is a wonderful singer.

Interesting Facts:

I can’t get over how much Michelle looks like Reese Witherspoon in this picture.

Track Listing:
A1 – The Aching Kind
A2 – Let the Music Begin
A3 – Victim of Romance
A4 – Trashy Rumors
A5 – There She Goes

B1 – Paid the Price
B2 – Baby As You Turn Away
B3 – Lady of Fantasy
B4 – Just One Look
B5 – Where’s Mine?

Label:
A&M

Catalog Number:
SP 4651

Studio Musicians & Other Album Credits:
Produced and Arranged by Jack Nitzsche
Engineers – Kim King, Sherry Klein & Mike Beiriger
“Let the Music Begin” Arranged by Alan Gordon & Jack Nitzsche
“Where’s Mine?” Arranged by Ron Nagle, Scott Free & Jack Nitzsche
“Just One Look” Arranged by Jack Nitzsche & Jerry Jumonville
“Lady of Fantasy” Produced & Arranged by John Phillips
Recorded at Larrabee Sound Studios and Record Plant
Remixed and Mastered at A&M Studios, Hollywood
Remix Engineers – Steve Mitchell & Kim King
Mastering Engineer – Bernie Grundman
Cover Design & Art by Linda King
Front Cover Photo – Terry O’Neil
Back & Sleeve Photos – Aloma
Piano, Electric Keyboards & Percussion – Jack Nitzsche
Drums, Percussion, Guitar, Steel Guitar, Accordion, Piano & Background Vocals – Scott Free
Guitars & Background Vocals – John Moon Martin
Guitar – David C. Allen
Bass – Tim Drummond & Gregory Lee
Sax Solos, Woodwinds & Percussion – Steve Douglas
Piano – Don Randi
Percussion – Ron Nagle & Gene Estes
Guitar & Mandolin – Ben Benay
Guitar Solo on “Aching Kind” – Jerry Donahue
Synthesizers – Mike Boddicker
String Section Concert Master – Sid Sharp
Woodwinds – Jerry Jumonville, Jay Migliori, Dennis Dreith & Jack Nimitz
Trumpets – Bob Findley, Bill Peterson & Mark Underwood
Vocalist – Tricia Johns
Singers – Laura Creamer, Cherie English, Myrna Matthews, Maxine Willard & Kathy Ward
Singers for “Paid the Price” – Billy Guy, Grady Chapman & Jerome Evans

Other Albums I Own by Michelle Phillips:
None.

Other Albums I Own that Michelle Phillips Appears On:
The Mamas & The Papas – “California Dreamin’ / Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming to the Canyon)”
The Mamas & The Papas – “Farewell to the First Golden Era”

Released:
1977

Related Vinyls:

Bay City Rollers – “Bay City Rollers” David Bowie – “Pin-Ups” The Models – “Models” The Partridge Family – “The Partridge Family Christmas Card”