Label: Decca
Year of Release: 1969
This is another example of a rather borderline psych-pop track which has been muttered about online recently, although in this case attention has been given to the B-side "Perfumed Candle" rather than the Harry Nilsson covering A-side I've pictured. I feel I need to be blunt, however, and say that "Perfumed Candle" is nowt special at all, being an orchestrally backed piece of Mamas and Papas styled pop which doesn't really sound particularly psychedelic. The cover of "I Guess The Lord Must Be in New York City" is a bit more punchy, breezy and optimistic, and has more sparkle than gruff old Harry's original version - therefore, it gets my vote as the side of choice.
Apparently, Eternal Triangle were to all intents and purposes Canadian act The Poppy Family before a change of name (and fortune). They had a major international hit with "Which Way You Goin', Billy?" the year following this release, although they couldn't quite sustain the buzz which initially surrounded their work, and split in 1973 when the couple fronting the act, Susan and Terry Jacks, divorced. There's a lesson for all muso readers who may be tempted to join acts with couples in them (hint/tip: don't. I've made the mistake of doing this twice in my lifetime, when once should be enough to learn a very simple lesson).
Some of the Poppy Family's albums are highly praised amongst aficionados of seventies music with a psychedelic slant, and they even used sitars on some of the tracks they recorded during that era, which seems very contrary, or incredibly unfashionable for the time depending on which viewpoint you want to take. After their dalliances with all things Eastern and a quick trip to the Divorce courts, Terry Jacks limped off into the sunset minus his lover and bandmate to record a weepy cover of the Jacques Brel track "Seasons in the Sun", and struck global market gold yet again.
If anyone has any opinions on the albums the Poppy Family recorded, please do voice them here - I must confess to never having stumbled on copies of them here in the UK, and it would be interesting to know if there's any hidden treasure contained therein.
