The Tokens

[SMiLE Brian]

Such an underrated harmony group.

Check out this cover of DWB. (without the "dated" car lyrics)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59t8mDub1sw

It says it came out in the 1970, could this be one of the "modernized" songs Brian wrote for A&M?

[EgoHanger1966]

I could talk about The Tokens all day, although I'd probably be the only one here....

I've seen Jay Siegel's Tokens live three times. He must be 70 or 71 years old now and he still sings The Lion Sleeps Tonight in the same key as the 1961 originals, and hits all the falsetto notes, too. Quite impressive.

I feel like fans of The Beach Boys would go nuts for some of the Tokens stuff. Great harmony vocals, falsetto, and production.

They were originally founded in New York around 1956 - and one of the founders was Neil Sedaka. He moved on to other things, of course....

1961 was their first hit - Tonight I Fell In Love - classic NY doo wop.

I'm skipping monumental events in their career, but it's not like anyone cares, so....they started their own record company in 1964, BT Puppy, they had total control of their own records and produced others, too.

They had a semi-hit with He's In Town right smack dab in the throws of the British Invasion. I think Brian has mentioned this track at least once, maybe in an interview somewhere. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONPVklwj9mQ

In '67, while still doing their BT Puppy thing, they had a hit with Portrait of My Love - but on a label other than their own - Warner Bros - go figure - the band owns their own label and signs with another one at the same time....the album of the same name shows they were definitely hip to where Brian was heading with the Beach Boys music.

There is a Tokens album called Intercourse. It was barely released in the 60s, I think a couple hundred copies were pressed up, but even I doubt that because I've never even seen an original pop up on Ebay or at Auction. So, it's kind of like their SMiLE. Heavy, heavy Beach Boys influence. Quirky songs and lyrics. Short link tracks. Accapella moments. They weren't just listening to Pet Sounds - they'd been digging Smiley Smile, too. Plus, a heavy NY influence is present on all their records.

No Brian involvement on the DWB cover you posted above - it was on their 1970 Buddah album "Both Sides Now".

They also did a BB medley under a pseudonym in the mid 70s - nothing earth shattering.

There have been numerous cd releases featuring unreleased tracks and such. Their catalog is a mess, it's all over the place. They were on so many different labels at various points in their career.

I'd be happy to turn some people on to The Tokens!

[rn57]

As I mentioned on another thread, through the years Brian has - more than once - expressed his great admiration for The Tokens's "He's In Town." One such example's at

http://www.a-free-guestbook.com/gb/TheTokens/6

I have the feeling that the Spanish guitar that weaves through "Busy Doin' Nothin'" was inspired by a similar production touch on that record.

"He's In Town," as a song, has a pretty Four Seasons feel - I wouldn't be surprised if Gerry Goffin and Carole King listened to "Rag Doll" a bunch of times and pitched their tune initially to Frankie and the guys.  But the production, as always with The Tokens after they took complete control of their sound, is highly interesting and innovative.

For me, the fact that the Vocal Group Hall Of Fame took no less than six years to induct The Tokens is proof enough that few tears should be shed over its apparently going kaput.  And the fact that the Rock and 'Roll Hall Of Fame has never inducted the group - has apparently never given them serious consideration - is one good reason for me not to set foot in it. (That and the Monkees and the Shangri-Las being absent too.)

After all, before the R&R H of F started inducting acts that have nothing to do with rock'n'roll, as has been the case for a while, it should have made a point of making sure the acts that got this music started, and made a sizable contribution to its development, were in there.  And The Tokens eminently qualify on both counts.  They were singing on street corners - back when they still had Neil Sedaka and were called the Linc-Tones - quite a while before Elvis cut "Heartbreak Hotel," so they qualify as founding fathers of rock.

As artists, they helped the foundation for the kind of sound that propelled the Seasons and many other acts to the top of the charts. As record producers, they cut their share of acknowledged classics - "He's So Fine" and "Denise" for starters. "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" has been influencing all kinds of singers and bands for over a half-century. 

[Lowbacca]

Underrated group! Apart from the obvious hits and covers I quite enjoyed Intercourse* and It's Happening World.












* I know, I know... 

[SMiLE Brian]

EgoHanger1966, how should I buy their catalog since its a mess?

[EgoHanger1966]

EgoHanger1966, how should I buy their catalog since its a mess?

Imma help you out.

Here's how to obtain a nice Tokens collection without going too far overboard. I wouldn't choose to be a completist with this group because I am and it's a pain.

This is a nice overview of the RCA years, in absolutely magnificent sound quality.

http://www.amazon.com/Wimoweh-Best-Tokens/dp/B0012GN3WS/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1367264744&sr=1-1&keywords=tokens

This one covers the BT Puppy years. It's mastered from vinyl but sounds good. They were skimpy a little bit on the tracks, there's more they could have included but this one has the essentials:
http://www.amazon.com/Very-Best-1964-1967-Tokens/dp/B0001JXQDS/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1367264744&sr=1-2&keywords=tokens

This is their lone WB album and corresponding singles:
http://www.amazon.com/Its-Happening-World-Tokens/dp/B007ZIMB0M/ref=sr_1_3?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1367264744&sr=1-3&keywords=tokens


I'd start with those. The latter's bonus tracks has a couple off of the Intercourse album. If you wanted more after that, I'd pick up the Intercourse album, it's stellar. If, after that, you want even more Tokens (and there's plenty more!), just let me know!

[SMiLE Brian]

Thanks man, I worry about which material to buy since 1950s-1960s music is loaded with rerecords and spread over many labels.

Back to the Tokens, I wonder if "the Lion Sleeps tonight" was a big inspiration on Brian's producing since its actually a very complex production. Such a multi-layered work...

[Summertime Blooz]

Underrated group! Apart from the obvious hits and covers I quite enjoyed Intercourse* and It's Happening World.














* I know, I know...  

It's a happening world when you have the token intercourse.

[hypehat]

AYO, can I just break it down right now and give a shoutout for the shimmering beauty of TONIGHT I FELL IN LOVE?

Also, I heard a rumour that The Happenings, who sang I Got Rhythm in harmonic beat group style were pretty much The Tokens. Is this bullshit?

[SMiLE Brian]

The Tokens doing a doo-wop classic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUZrOIZuitA

[EgoHanger1966]

AYO, can I just break it down right now and give a shoutout for the shimmering beauty of TONIGHT I FELL IN LOVE?

Also, I heard a rumour that The Happenings, who sang I Got Rhythm in harmonic beat group style were pretty much The Tokens. Is this bullshit?

Tonight I Fell In Love is a classic. All three times I've seen Jay Siegel's Tokens, they've opened up with it.

Re: The Happenings - The Tokens signed them to their BT Puppy label, produced them, and provided them with songs - but the two groups did not share members at all.

[guitarfool2002]

Cool group, underrated and under-reported in rock history, as too often is the case unless someone like Jann Wenner thinks you're important. Interesting to note that they too have been involved in lawsuits and legal battles regarding who can use the band name "The Tokens", as well as a case involving money they never received from "Lion Sleeps Tonight". Kind of a parallel to the Beach Boys saga, wouldn't you say? 

Consider too, apart from the Tokens' own releases, how many other now-classic records the members produced for other artists. You could make a "greatest hits" comp of just their outside productions and almost a dozen of them are ones you hear constantly on oldies radio playlists and various comps. The Chiffons, the already-mentioned "Happenings", Tony Orlando and Dawn, just classic records. Great AM radio singles that still jump out of any speakers you're hearing them on. Hooks all over the place, like that busy and loud piano break on "One Fine Day", just pure excitement, 60's pop style.

On that tip, they had a hand in one of the better "lost" 60's singles, "Denise" by Randy and the Rainbows. Great record, I know from my small collection of 60's Real Don Steele AM radio airchecks he loved that record and played it often throughout the 60's and beyond. Unless I'm missing it, that's a record you just don't hear being spun as much on oldies formats today, but it's very much worth a listen. Cool stuff.

And let me warn: Avoid any "remakes" of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight". Many hits comps and even searching on YouTube and other online outlets will find the new remake, and it's awful, just strips much of the coolness of the original record out of the grooves. Search for and stick to the original. Classic all around.

[dogear]

You can find a list of their US 45s here http://www.45cat.com/artist/the-tokens/us

[SurfRiderHawaii]

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jUZrOIZuitA&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DjUZrOIZuitA

Whatever vocal effects box they are using for the falsetto? One of my all time favorite songs!

[SMiLE Brian]

Its a shame the BBs didn't do that song in their vocal prime of 1964-1966.