Category: David Laflamme

David Laflamme – White Bird (1976)

by Record Facts

David LaFlamme (born 4 May 1941 in New Britain, Connecticut) is a US singer and violinist.

LaFlamme’s mother was from a Mormon family in Salt Lake City, and when he was eight years old, the family moved there to be near her family. LaFlamme had been studying violin since moving to Los Angeles at the age of five, and in Salt Lake City he won a competition to perform as soloist with the Utah Symphony Orchestra.

The debut “It’s a Beautiful Day” album ranks high on my list of favorites from the offshoot post-flower children era. The creative force of that group, David LaFlamme, returns on his lonesome with a solo album that could have been considered a continuation of the Beautiful Day saga.
No doubt that LaFlamme is a fine violinist and vocalist who writes some good songs. His return here gives a new episode of his music story while resting on the laurels of his past successes.

Side 1 starts out with the classics from the Beautiful Day debut album “White Bird” and “Hot Summer Day” if you don’t have the original versions these are good versions to own, but they don’t have the feel of those first recordings which I prefer. The new cuts have more production to them so they gain some sound but lose some soul. The closing track is a sweeping instrumental that lives up to its name “Swept Away”.

Side 2 tries for a more updated mid-70’s sound as it gives hints of disco and 80’s arena power ballads. If the performance and production weren’t so well done, this side is where the album could have fallen apart. As it is these tracks are totally listenable but not earthshaking material.
Bottom line is that “It’s a Beautiful Day” fans might be disappointed if they’re not happy to see the new direction that LaFlamme took in this album. Those who are appreciative of LaFlamme’s diverse talents will respect his effort here.

I wish LaFlamme would have tried less for a commercial breakthrough–which is what I think he was shooting for here–I think he would have come up with a better album. But as it is I wouldn’t call “White Bird” a bad album…..By Arlee Bird………..

David LaFlamme (born May 4, 1941, in New Britain, Connecticut) is a virtuoso violinist in both classical and rock music.

David’s mother was from a Mormon family in Salt Lake City, and when he was eight years old, the family moved there to be near her family. David had already been studying music since moving to Los Angeles at the age of five, and eventually he became the violin soloist for the Utah Symphony Orchestra.

After briefly serving in the U.S. Army, he returned to the music scene in San Francisco in 1962. During the 1960s he performed with a wide variety of notable San Francisco acts, such as Jerry Garcia and Janis Joplin. He first formed the band Electric Chamber Orkustra, and later, an early version of Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks. Then, in summer 1967, he formed It’s a Beautiful Day. An eponymous LP was released by Columbia Records in 1969, containing their biggest hit, “White Bird”.

After a few more albums with It’s a Beautiful Day, LaFlamme went on to work in other acts.

He has appeared on the television shows Frasier, Ellen and Wings, as a strolling violinist who stands right at the table in a restaurant, playing loudly or annoyingly…..wiki………..

They were a band that didn’t own their name – never received royalties from their recordings – and had no say in the reissuing of their classic albums from the late 60s and early 70s. The name of the band was “It’s A Beautiful Day,” and the name was inspired by a young girl who was describing the day’s weather. When manager Matthew Katz heard it, he thought it sounded like a great name for a band. While their best known song only charted at 118, “White Bird” became an underground classic.
This band led by David LaFlamme would later come under Matthew Katz’s fold. He christened them “It’s A Beautiful Day” and they joined the likes of Jefferson Airplane and Moby Grape in his stable of artists. Unknown to “It’s A Beautiful Day,” the other two bands were experiencing problems with Katz’s management style and were attempting to get out from under his control. All three were finding it difficult in herding Katz; however, Jefferson Airplane was successful in maneuvering out of their contract with minimum damage. Unfortunately, Moby Grape and It’s A Beautiful Day were not. In the litigation that would follow, Katz landed on his feet.
During the period of the strained relationship, the band began recording their first of six albums for Columbia – one being a live album and the other a compilation. “It’s A Beautiful Day,” now under the management of Bill Graham (of Fillmore West/East fame), began setting their own direction; however, Katz had trademarked the name and sued. The outcome was in Katz’s favor and the band was prohibited from using the name. Soon the Columbia albums quickly went out of print and Katz, being the owner of the band per se gained control of their musical catalog.

During this period, band leader David LaFlamme (on violin) and his wife Linda (keyboards) divorced and the band went through numerous personnel changes until they could perform no longer under the moniker they had used for years. In 1977, David LaFlamme rerecorded “White Bird” on his first solo album under the same name.

 

Tracklist

A1.  White Bird – 4:08
A2.  Hot Summer Day – 7:06
A3.  Swept Away – 5:36

B1.  Easy Woman – 4:09
B2.  This Man – 4:48
B3.  Baby Be Wise – 3:43
B4.  Spirit Of America – 4:15

Companies, etc.

Credits
Alto Saxophone – Lenny Pickett
Banjo – Jeff Dambrau
Baritone Saxophone – Steve Kupka
Bass – Doug Kilmer (tracks: A1, A2, B1, B2), Mitchell Holman (tracks: A3, B3, B4)
Co-producer, Keyboards [Piano, Organ, Clavinet, Arp Synth & String Ensemble] – Mitchell Froom
Design [Album], Photography By – Bruce Steinberg
Drums – Peter Milio (tracks: A1, A2), Tom Marken (tracks: A3, B1 to B4)
Engineer [Assistant] – Eric Schilling, Rich Ehrman, Steve Fontano
Engineer, Mixed By – Bob Edwards
Executive-Producer – Michael Oster
Flugelhorn, Trumpet, Arranged By [Horns] – Greg Adams
Flute – Roger Glenn
Guitar – Jim Ralston
Horns [Baritone], Trumpet, Trombone – Mic Gillette
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Percussion – Carl Tassi
Producer, Violin, Vocals – David LaFlamme
Tenor Saxophone – Emilio Castillo, Lenny Pickett
Vocals – Dominique
 
Notes
Released: 1976
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: USA & Canada
Genre: Rock, Blues
Style: Folk Rock, Prog Rock
Length: 33:58
 
Label – Amherst Records