In The 20th Century Bag - The 18th Century Concepts

 

If I Were A Carpenter

In The 20th Century Bag

The 18th Century Concepts

Album Direction: Bob Summers

Cover Photo: Capitol Records / Howard Risk

Sidewalk T 5900

1967

From the back cover: Late last September 20-year-old Mike Curb of Sidewalk Records vacationed in Bavaria, in the remotest foothills of the Alps along the Austrian frontier. One clear, cold night he had trouble getting to sleep. Rather than toss and turn till morning, he got out of bed, dressed, and set off alone to explore a nearby castle which villagers had told him was haunted.

In that dark and gloomy old structure, one room blazed with light. There, assembled together, Mike found the 18th Century Concepts – ten musicians, in blond periwigs, and dressed in scarlet, lace and gold, playing with a startling modern beat upon instruments two centuries old. Quickly setting up the recording equipment he carries wherever he goes, Mike captured forever on tape the incredible sounds they made.

Before the first edges of dawn crept through the castle windows, Mike snapped the single photograph that appears on this album's front cover. With the click of his shutter, the musicians and their instruments vanished into the crisp Bavarian air. To this day, they've never been seen again!

Will you believe that story? No, chances are you won't But once you've heard the wild and wonderful music in this album, chances are no more likely that you'll be willing to believe the truth. Are you ready? These great go-go sounds that just won't stop are made by a group of schoolteachers... who live in El Monte, California... who teach everything from playtime kindergarten to high school civics... and whose hobby is getting together and wigging out as their 18th Century musical instruments play the big beat song favorites of today.

Note: The 18th Century Concepts consists of Cal, Cloys (they're twins), Betty, Mike, Bob, Ron John, Norma, Carol and Joan (No last names outside the classroom, please) Norms, Carol, and Joan supply the semi-madrigal choral effect on many of the numbers. Bob Summers, who plays mandolin, is the director of the album. Mike, who plays the keyboard instruments, is Mike Curb, 20-year-old executive director of Sidewalk Records, and famous film composer who has done scores for such movies as "Skaterdater," "The Wild Angels," and the soon to be released "Mondo Hollywood."

Can't Hurry Love

18th Century Bag

Eleanor Rigby

Little Toy Soldier

Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadow

A Lover's Concerto

18th Century Drawing Room

Old Time Movies

If I Were A Carpenter