More of the Music of Sergio Mendes and Brasil ’66
More of our favorite Sixties Pop albums
The first three tracks on side 1 are the best reason to own this album, especially the first two (Wichita Lineman and Norwegian Wood), which are as good as anything the group ever did. I’m a big fan so that has to be seen as high praise indeed.
Let’s be frank: the average LP of this album is terrible. Shrill, aggressive sound is the norm, but compression and overly smooth (read; thick and dull) sound are also problems common to Ye-Me-Le. There’s also a “strained” quality to the loud vocal passages on almost every copy; only the best are free of it.
In-Depth Track Commentary
Side One
Wichita Lineman
The best copies have out of this world sound on this track, every bit as good as anything Sergio Mendes ever did. This was the song that made me search out the best sounding copies. Even when I had mediocre copies, I loved the music and KNEW there had to be better sounding versions out there.
Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
Love the arrangement. When the voices get loud, the sound can be painful. On the better pressings there is practically no strain whatsoever.
Some Time Ago
I love this song! It’s so relaxed and easygoing.
Moanin’
This is actually a pretty good arrangement of Moanin’. I’ve grown to like it.
Look Who’s Mine
Side Two
Ye-Me-Le
The best copies have DEMO DISC QUALITY sound for this song.