The Affection Collection - The Affection Collection (1969)

The Affection Collection - The Affection Collection (1969)

At least one reference questions whether this was a real band, suggesting it was Jimmy Gilmore and the Firebirds in disguise. That speculation is probably a result of the fact Firebirds' guitarist George Tomsco was credited with writing several of the band's singles, as well as some of the material that appeared on the band's lone 1969 album.

The fact of the matter is The Affection Collection were an Idaho Falls, Idaho-based quintet who recorded a series of mid-1960s singles and a posthumous LP released by the Evolution label. Not only were they a real band, but as of the late 1990s the group was still performing throughout Idaho and the Northwest.

As The Affection Collection (great band name), the line up consisted of drummer Tim Comeau, keyboardist Don Christensen, guitarist Mike Doggett, bass player Ray Hassell, and singer Hal Rowberry. Signed by the small Maudz label, the quintet hooked up with producer Norman Petty making their debut with the 1967 single 'In Apple Blossom Time' b/w 'Time Rests Heavy On My Hands' (Maudz catalog number 001). United Artists subsequently purchased national distribution rights, reissuing the single in early 1968 (United catalog number UA 50268). When the single bombed, United lost interest in the group. They subsequently returned to Maudz, releasing a pair of singles over the next year:

- 1968's 'Feelin' So Good' b/w 'Plastic Flowers' (Maudz catalog number 003)
- 1968's 'Girl' b/w 'I'll Be There' (Maudz catalog number 004)


Once again a national label came knocking - Evolution Records acquired distribution rights to the previous single, reissuing it in 1969 under Evolution catalog number 1004. It was followed by a second single 'Watch Her Walk' b/w 'I Don't Mind' (Evolution catalog number 1013).

Evolution subsequently agreed to finance an album. Produced by Norman Petty at his Clovis, New Mexico studio, "The Affection Collection" featured a mixture of earlier singles and 'new' material that was probably pieced together from earlier recording sessions. Underscoring my own shortcomings this was another one of those cases where I fell victim to the dreaded 'judging a book by it's cover' syndrome. If nothing else I could at least point to the cutesy band name and MOR cover art for mistaking these guys for some lame Association-styled MOR outfit. Mind you, there were a couple of Association-styled ballads. Complete with sweeping group harmonies, Doggett's 'I Don't Mind', 'I'll Be There' and 'The Collector' could have easily been mistaken for Association tracks (though good Association tracks). Perhaps reflecting producer Petty's musical roots, these guys were far more impressive on upbeat pop and rock numbers. Hard to adequately describe, but tracks like the original 'Girl', 'That's My Song' and 'Come On Home' exhibited a neat and unique mix of garage, English mersybeat and Buddy Holly influences. There were also interesting stabs at social commentary ('Hey, Little Man') and one totally unexpected slice of jangle rock/psych ('Time Rests Heavy On My Hands'). Unfortunately their sound was probably about two years behind popular tastes .... Had these tracks been released in 1966, they might have become major sellers.

Dropped by Evolution the band released one last 1970 single for Maudz 'Feelin' Fine' b/w 'Can't Put Her Down' (Maudz 1000), though original members Chistensen, Doggett and Rowberry appear to still be active performing in Idaho and the Northwest.

For anyone interested, Christensen's wife has put up a small but interesting website devoted to the band at:

The Affection Collection

(rateyourmusic.com)

Tracklist:

1. Girl
2. I Don't Mind
3. Watch Her Walk
4. That's My Song
5. I'll Be There
6. Come On Home
7. I'll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time
8. Hey Little Man
9. The Collector
10. Don't Live In The Past
11. Light In The Window
12. Time Rests Heavy On My Hands

The Affection Collection - The Affection Collection (1969)