Various Artists: Safe In My Garden - American Pop In The Shadows 1967-1972 (Vinyl 2xLP)

Peace and love in late 60s America did not come without parallel feelings of fear and confusion about the social situation – specifically about Vietnam. Safe In My Garden is the latest Ace compilation in an acclaimed series compiled by Bob Stanley – it’s a companion piece to the much-praised State Of The Union - The American Dream In Crisis 1967 -1973.

The music on Safe In My Garden is harmony-laden, beautifully produced soft rock. Sunshine pop, even - a melodic, innovative style of American music that grew in the mid-60s out of the folk and surf scenes, exemplified by the Beach Boys and the Mamas and Papas. You will hear orchestral arrangements, and soft boy-girl vocals. But it wasn’t made in isolation from what was going on in the outside world. There are clouds and minor chords, plenty of melancholy in those harmonies.

1. Always You – The Sundowners
2. Move With the Dawn – Mark Eric
3. She – Tommy James & The Shondells
4. A Famous Myth – The Groop
5. Dreamin' in the Shade (Down in L.A.) – Brewer & Shipley
6. I Don't Think I Know Her – Tee & Cara
7. Knock On Wood – Harpers Bizarre
8. The Visit (She Was Here) – The Cyrkle
9. I See It Now – Fargo
10. Summer Sound – Best of Friends
11. A Moment of Being With You – The Critters
12. Blight – The Millennium
13. Jill – Gary Lewis & The Playboys
14. I Can See Only You – Roger Nichols & The Small Circle of Friends
15. Little Dreams – The New Wave
16. My Brother Woody – The Free Design
17. Christina's World – Nancy Priddy
18. The Ark – Chad & Jeremy
19. Creators of Rain – Smokey & His Sister
20. How Can I Stop Loving You – The Eighth Day
21. Love Is a Rainy Sunday – Love Generation
22. Springtime Meadows – The Sunshine Company
23. The Word Is Love – Thomas & Richard Frost
24. Prairie Grey – New Colony Six