Nuggets: An Invitation to Cry by The Magicians

Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era. Released in 1972, the two-LP set covered American garage rock and psychedelia from the years 1965-1968 and was a major influence on punk rock. Rhino Records reissued an expanded version of the set in 1998, with 118 tracks in total. I’m profiling and rating each of these 118 tracks, working backwards.

Track 13: An Invitation to Cry by The Magicians
From: New York City, New York
Rating: 6/10

AN INVITATION TO CRY – The Magicians [2:55]
(James Woods/Alan Gordon)
Personnel/GARY BONNER: vocals, guitar * ALLAN JACOBS: lead guitar, vocals * JOHN TOWNLEY: bass, vocals * ALAN GORDON: drums, vocals
Produced by ART POLHEMUS & BOB WYLD for KOPPELMAN-RUBIN ASSOCIATES, INC.
Recorded in New York, NY
Columbia single #4-43435 (11/65)

The Magicians started as an interracial rock band named Tex and the Chex. Tex and the Chex played regularly at the Cinderella club in Greenwich Village. Producers were impressed by drummer Alan Gordon’s song ‘An Invitation to Cry’, and offered the group a recording contract. They also insisted on a change of lead vocalist, so the band recruited Gary Bonner and changed their name to the Magicians.

The Magicians are one of two bands on Nuggets that feature Mike Appel. Appel is better known to music fans for managing Bruce Springsteen’s early career. Appel was drafted into the United States Marine Reserve for six months shortly before the band recorded ‘An Invitation to Cry’.

‘An Invitation to Cry’ is an interesting record, white soul with a hint of psychedelia. There’s a busy arrangement with odd mixing choices – it’s one of the more amateur-sounding efforts on Nuggets. I also find Gary Bonner’s gruff lead vocal difficult to connect with. It’s a good song that could have been better presented.

Bonner and drummer Alan Gordon became a successful songwriting team. Their best-known writing credit is for The Turtles’ ‘Happy Together’. They also wrote songs for Helen Reddy and Three Dog Night.

Read More

• Nuggets Song by Song
• 1960s Album Reviews

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