The Lettermen Albums

What The Critics Say

The Lettermen's 1967 album Spring! is like an adult contemporary year-in-review -- nearly all of its songs were heavily recorded by MOR artists at that time, and no fewer than four had appeared on Jim Nabors' albums in the previous year. The Association's "Cherish" and the Seekers' "Georgy Girl" were recent hits and obvious springboards for the Lettermen's harmony vocals, and "Volare" gave the Lettermen themselves a Top 20 hit on the adult contemporary charts. Three songs serve as solo showcases for each of the three members: "My Cup Runneth Over" for Tony Butala, "Happy Together" for Bob Engemann, and a soft-spoken reading of the usually bombastic "The Impossible Dream" for Jim Pike. "Dedicated to the One I Love" has a falsetto vocal arrangement reminiscent of the Beach Boys. The trio's sound varies considerably from track to track, from the solo spots to offbeat interpretations (like the Latin percussion on "More" and the slowed-down rendition of "Georgy Girl") to covers that adhere closely to the sound of the original hits ("Cherish," "Happy Together"). The fact that it doesn't all hang together reflects the group's admirable attempt to take well-worn material in different directions. ~ Greg Adams, All Music Guide