John Sebastian and Arlen Roth Explore the Spoonful Songbook – Collaboration
We’re on John Sebastian’s new album!
That’s right! John – known and beloved for his work with the Lovin’ Spoonful but also his solo career – has released a new album recently … and we’re singing on it!
After him playing blues harp on two of our song on ORANGE – Once Upon A Time and Waiting For The Waiter, it was now our turn to work on one of his records 🙂
Together with renowned guitarist Arlen Roth, John Sebastian re-recorded 14 of his Lovin’ Spoonful hits in various forms – some are instrumentals and some are sung by either John, Arlen or Arlen’s daughter Lexie. We did some duets and provided lots of backing vocals for quite a few of the songs.
We will talk a bit more about the album, our involvement and the recording/collaboration process in a future post. But today we just wanted to announce the news here first and let you all know that it’s out, in case you want to give it a listen!
The full album title is John Sebastian and Arlen Roth Explore the Spoonful Songbook, and it’s available in most online stores like Amazon, WHSmith, Target, etc.
You can also stream it on Spotify and YouTube.
We were absolutely thrilled to be a part of this and hope you will enjoy the music!
Stay groovy,
Mona & Lisa
Really cool album. I didn’t realize The Spoonful’s music had such a Country influence. I like all the instrumentals and Nashville Cats and Four Eyes. Nice job on the backing vocals. Did the Twins get to play any instruments on the album?
I just got the CD after seeing your follow-on interview with John. I’m really enjoying it, though I confess I mostly cycle through the ones I know MLT is on. I think my favorite so far is Nashville Cats. “Been playin’ since they’s babies!”
I love the Lovin’ Spoonful…have all their albums…now I have to get this one that has my Favorite Twins on it❤️????????????
Always liked the Lovin’ Spoonful, so it will be interesting to hear the songs again with Mona and Lisa on them!
What a great album. I love this music. “Four Eyes” is my favorite after a couple first listening’s. I’m ordering the CD. Thank you!
Just ordered my copy tonight. Will be here Sunday. So many great Lovin Spoonful songs on this and with Mona and Lisa involved, well just had to get it! My headphones can’t wait…….!!!
CD arrived today, and John wrote a real nice bit about Mona, Lisa, and Rudolf, and thanked all the Wagners. Only flaw was incorrect crediting for “Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind”. Great, fun CD! Obviously, I’m blatantly partial to Mona and Lisa’s parts, but it’s all very enjoyable! Gonna preorder the vinyl, too!
That was fun to listen to. Thanks for the YouTube link. I noticed that you didn’t get credit for the vocals (on YouTube) on “Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind”, even though you sang more than just backup. Of course, we all knew it was you. When did you have time for this project?
Hi Lynn,
They recorded Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind during the same time they had John over to Liverpool to record the video for Waiting For The Waiter and asking Track for Once Upon A Time. The Twins spent a few days showing John Around, listening to stories, and playing a few songs. They recorded Make Up Your Mind during that time.
There is a video on YouTube also.
Rick, this is a new version done for John’s new album. Lynn, I just got the CD in the mail today, and the credit is incorrect on it, too. I think I like both versions about equally, but maybe that’s because this one is so new. They’re both great, tho! And “Nashville Cats”, and the other MLT contributions are awesome!
I gotta get this album! John’s always been one of my favorites and it made my heart soar when he and the Twins first got together. I’m so glad they continue to stay close. Another blast from the past on this new album is Maria Muldaur! She put me over the moon with her album in 1973 and then again in 1974, but I never knew she sang harmony with Linda Ronstadt on Linda’s epic album Heart Like A Wheel. I love the Twins so much, they sure make it easy to follow their call to “stay groovy”. Congratulations on this most recent collaboration. I know there will be many more to come.
I started streaming it immediately after reading your post. I got through Lovin’ You, my favorite Spoonful song, then stopped and bought the album! I love how the album refreshes these great songs. Great collaboration! I only wish the digital version came with the full set of liner notes and credits, but maybe those are on the vinyl…????
If I may be permitted to say so, I am so proud that you guys are John Sebastian’s album. Just listened to it. You guys are in with some pros. And you shine just as bright. But because I am biased – you guys shine brighter. I really like his album because it has country vibes – that’s my roots. Congrats. Stay groovy. Luv Ya Dubbya.
NYSMUSIC
“John Sebastian and Arlen Roth Unite to Explore the Lovin’ Spoonful Songbook”
https://nysmusic.com/2021/09/29/john-sebastian-and-arlen-roth-unite-to-explore-the-lovin-spoonful-songbook/
Thanks for the link! Great background on the making of the album and the MLT / Sebastian collab.
One last random observation: Does anyone else think Arlen Roth looks a heckuva lot like Dub Taylor? I know only my fellow oldsters will understand this reference without a web search.
I’m an old Westerns fan and always like seeing the bit players like Dub Taylor, Royal Dano, Shug Fisher, Slim Pickens and many more.
Four of my favorites too, Tim!
Another favorite I forgot to mention is Jack Elam. He may have been the most prolific western actor ever. Just his appearances on Gunsmoke are numerous. He could play hero, villain, bungling comic relief, etc. equally well! Also fun to see actors who became icons later in their careers before they became famous. William Shatner, Deforest Kelly, Leonard Nimoy pre-Star Trek, Adam West pre-Batman, Dan Blocker, Michael Landon, Pernell Roberts and even Lorne Greene pre-Bonanza, etc.
Yeah Jeffery, Jack was a great character actor. Also, Denver Pyle and Strother Martin. A few others that appeared on Gunsmoke before they were stars were Buddy Ebsen and Lee Majors although Lee got shot and killed early in the episode.
I meant to give a nod to Denver Pyle but he slipped my mind as I typed! He also appeared multiple times on Gunsmoke and several other westerns and played every type of character imaginable. Also of note was his “Dukes” costar James Best. Both had great roles on Andy Griffith’s show, too.
Haha, yeah James Best was great too. I always liked Denver Pyle as Briscoe Darling on The Andy Griffith Show, especially when him and the boys and Andy would set around the jail pickin’ the old country tunes. I still watch Andy Griffith, Gunsmoke, Rawhide and Wagon Train almost everyday.
Forgot to mention: I hope you get royalties of some sort (not asking, only stating) because your contributions REALLY make this production special and addictive!
Oh, WOW! What fun! “Four Eyes” was awesome, but “Lovin’ You” was easily my favorite! And what a great new version of “Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?”!!! And I’ve always loved “Nashville Cats”, but even more so with this version! Did you two help with any of the whistling in “Daydream”? Definitely gonna own this soon!
I listened to two tracks and just placed my order; it’ll be in the player before the next MLT post. It’s part of my MLT journey that hearing you sing enhances my mood, and it happens regardless of what you’re singing. It’s an inexplicable phenomenon, at least for the moment. I’ll figure it out at some point, even if it’s while waiting in the queue at Club 27. For now, thank you for what you do!
Oh man HOW COOL IS THAT?! You girls sound FANTASTIC! But then again I KNEW you would! Congrats!
It’s always such a thrill and joy to hear your vocals on a song, and how special to provide backing vocals for John Sebastian. As always your vocals provide the uplifting rainbow of colour to the song. It’s a really fun and bright song filled with wonderful blues harp and great guitar work. Will check out the album. Really interested to hear the other songs on it with your vocals. Thanks for sharing this track!
Welcome back
Your dreams were your ticket out
Welcome back
To that same old place that you laughed about
Well, the names have all changed
Since you hung around
But those dreams have remained
And they’ve turned around
Who’d have thought they’d lead you
(Who’d have thought they’d lead you)
Back here where we need you?
(Back here where we need you?)
Yeah, we tease him a lot
‘Cause we got him on the spot
Welcome back
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back
Welcome back, welcome back
No matter how great his other achievements, for us kids of the 1970’s (in North America, at least), Sebastian will always be fondly remembered as “the Kotter guy”.
I always loved the Spoonful, John asking you to accompany him was awesome, he is a truly nice guy! I heard those 2 beautiful voices backing him up and always right on!!!!!
Stay Groovy and we can’t wait for more!!!!
John Sebastian has always struck me as simply the nicest guy in rock and roll. He gives off a vibe that just makes me want to invite him over to my house for dinner. (Hope he’s okay with peanut butter and jelly…)
Mona and Lisa tap into that same reservoir for me (and probably everyone else in this club). I’m so happy that they found each other. Together they form a multigenerational nexus of loving generosity and good will. And, oh yeah, the music is pretty awesome too!
WOW…How cool is this? You both on John’s new album. Man talk about circle of life. This guy is so talented and his group from the 60’s and remember him at Woodstock in 1969 and then you had him on your orange album! I Can not express enough how cool this is. Your love for the music that you do is fantastic, and your style of picking artists to play with is the best. So a blast from the past and fast forward to 2021, I just love it and thank you so much for sharing and letting us all know that this music is alive and well thanks to the Mona Lisa Twins, and when I say music I sincerely mean music , song writing , performing , and knowledge is what separates you both from a lot of artists today. My dream is one day to meet you both and express how much your music has been for me and Maddie. Of course I would love to hear you play but seeing you in person and just saying thank you would make my day and Maddie’s day. Of course my heart will be pounding out of my chest but promise not to make a fool of myself….LOL…
Thank you again and please keep it coming.
Bill and Maddie Isenberg Huge Fans from Pittsburgh pa usa! .
Very nice, Thank you for sharing I’ll have to give the rest of the album a listen to.
Hey, Vincent! I just streamed the whole album on YouTube while washing dishes. Pretty durn cool!
thank you, I listened to a couple songs .on you tube , I have amazon, I’m going to stream it on their format. I listen to music when I do house chores too.
Got it already and it’s great! Especially the ‘alternate’ version of Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind. 🙂
Both versions are great! Just got the CD today, and there’s a typo in the credits for the new version. States John and Geoff Muldaur. ????
Cool…I have Spotify, I’ll definitely be giving it a listen, I’m happy you got to return the kindness, and perform on his record…. He was thrilled and elated I can be sure of that, Thankyou for sharing this news, regarding your guest singing on John Sebastian’s recent CD project ????☮