People Like Us is the fifth and final studio album released by the American folk rock vocal group The Mamas and the Papas. Released in November 1971 (three years after the group originally split), the album came to be because the former members of the group were still under contract with Dunhill Records. The group had originally been signed to the label when it was run by their original producer Lou Adler, but by 1971, Dunhill's distributor, ABC Records, had purchased the label and discovered a clause in the group's original contract. According to their contract, the group had to produce one more album, or else be in breach of contract and subject to possible fines up to 1 million dollars (according to Denny Doherty). The album is considered a disappointment by fans and critics with some notable exemptions such as “Snowqueen of Texas” and “Lady Genevieve”. Despite its reputation, it sold moderately well (#84 on the Billboard Pop Albums Chart).[1] It was produced by John Phillips. Michelle Phillips later wrote in the liner note of a Mamas & Papas CD compilation that the album "sounded like what it was, four people trying to avoid a lawsuit". This mostly had to do with the spark in the group's original content leaving as the group had parted ways and had pursued personal gains.
| People Like Us | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | November 1971 | |||
| Studio | Sound Factory (Hollywood) | |||
| Genre | Pop rock | |||
| Length | 36:12 | |||
| Label | Dunhill | |||
| Producer | John Phillips | |||
| The Mamas and the Papas chronology | ||||
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All tracks except "I Wanna Be a Star" (co-written by Michelle) were written by John, making People Like Us The Mamas and the Papas' only entirely self-written and produced album. Some of the lyrics refer to John's romance at the time with actress Geneviève Waïte, whom he married in 1972.
Tracks include "Pearl", a tribute to singer Janis Joplin, the single "Step Out" (#81 Billboard Hot 100, #25 Adult Contemporary) and the title track which is the last song the group ever recorded. Due reportedly to the illness of Cass Elliot during the sessions, most lead vocals are handled by Denny Doherty and Michelle, and while present and audible on certain tracks, Elliot does not feature prominently on the album.
People Like Us was reissued on MCA Records and Geffen Records.
The 2016 4-CD collection Ultimate Anthology features a full remix of the album, restoring various instrumental and vocal parts, including vocals by Cass Elliot that were originally mixed out by John Phillips.
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [2] |
| Christgau's Record Guide | C−[3] |
| Rolling Stone | (not rated)[4] |
Track listing
editAll songs written by John Phillips, except where noted.
Side A
edit- "People Like Us" - 3:25
- "Pacific Coast Highway" - 3:04
- "Snowqueen of Texas" - 2:37 (J.Phillips/G.W.)
- "Shooting Star" - 2:54
- "Step Out" - 3:03
- "Lady Genevieve" - 3:48
Side B
edit- "No Dough" - 3:05
- "European Blueboy" - 3:39 (J.Phillips/G.W.)
- "Pearl" - 2:24
- "I Wanna Be a Star" (Michelle Phillips) - 2:17
- "Grasshopper" - 2:57
- "Blueberries for Breakfast" - 2:59
Bonus Tracks (Expanded CD Version)
edit13. "Fantastic Four" [Outtake] 2:33
14. "Lady Genevieve" [Outtake] 4:30
15. "No Dough (Honeymoon)" [Alternative mix] 3:07
16. "Mississippi" [Album version] 3:36
17. "April Anne" 3:20
18. "Revolution on Vacation" [Alternative mix] 2:45
19. "Cup of Tea (Sky Jacked)" [Alternative mix] 3:50
20. "Me and My Uncle (Jack of Diamonds)" 4:20
21. "Andy's Talkin' Blues" 2:53
Personnel
edit- Denny Doherty – vocals
- Cass Elliot – vocals
- John Phillips – vocals, guitar
- Michelle Phillips – vocals
- Gary Coleman – drums, tambourine, bells, vibraphone, shaker
- Ed Greene – drums
- Bobbye Hall – conga, tambourine, shaker, cabasa
- Jim Horn – flute, saxophone
- Clarence McDonald – keyboards
- Tony Newton – bass guitar
- Earl Palmer – drums
- Donald Peake – guitar
- Joe Sample – keyboards
- Louie Shelton – guitar
- David T. Walker – guitar
Technical
edit- Gene Page – orchestral arrangement
- Dave Hassinger – engineer
- Rick Heenan, Val Garay – assistant engineer
- Henry Diltz – cover photography
Chart positions
edit| Year | Chart | Position[1] |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Billboard Pop Albums | 84 |
References
edit- ^ a b "People Like Us - The Mamas & the Papas | Awards | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-12-31.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: M". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved March 2, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
- ^ "The Mamas & the Papas: People Like Us : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone". www.rollingstone.com. Archived from the original on 2 October 2007. Retrieved 13 January 2022.