Jim Morrison, the lead singer of The Doors, contributed to the mystique of Laurel Canyon by penning “Love Street” while residing behind the Laurel Canyon Country Store. The allure of the canyon also touched the lives of Michelle Phillips and John Phillips, members of the Mamas and the Papas, who lived on Lookout Mountain in 1965 during the height of their musical success.
The inception of the Laurel Canyon music scene is often attributed to the arrival of Frank Zappa, who took residence at the intersection of Lookout Mountain and Laurel Canyon Boulevard in the late 1960s. According to former Byrds bassist Chris Hillman, the creative energy of Laurel Canyon was already palpable in 1966 when he wrote the iconic song “So You Want to Be a Rock ‘n’ Roll Star” at his house on a steep winding street, the name of which has faded from memory.
The cultural significance of Laurel Canyon has been immortalized in various books and documentaries, which have both mythologized and romanticized this sylvan retreat nestled discreetly behind Sunset Boulevard in the Hollywood Hills. The tales of artistic inspiration, collaborative synergy, and bohemian lifestyles that unfolded within the wooded confines of Laurel Canyon continue to captivate the imagination of music enthusiasts and cultural historians alike.
Ask anyone in America where the craziest people live and they’ll tell you California. Ask anyone in California where the craziest people live and they’ll say Los Angeles. Ask anyone in Los Angeles where the craziest people live and they’ll tell you Hollywood. Ask anyone in Hollywood where the craziest people live and they’ll say Laurel Canyon. And ask anyone in Laurel Canyon where the craziest people live and they’ll say Lookout Mountain. So I bought a house on Lookout Mountain. —Joni Mitchell
Red Cherry Records/Grapefruit has captivated my admiration with its meticulously curated music collections, which stand out as some of the finest assortments in the musical landscape. An exemplary representation of their distinctive curation is evident in the release of “I See You Live On Love Street – Music From Laurel Canyon 1967-1975, 3CD Box Set.” Once again, Red Cherry Records has left its indelible mark by showcasing a unique selection of music, skillfully arranged around the captivating theme of Laurel Canyon.
This compilation takes listeners on a journey through the enchanting period of music spanning from 1967 to 1975, a time when Laurel Canyon was a hotbed of artistic creativity. The 3CD Box Set expertly captures the essence of that magical era with a blend of classic and unconventional songs, all of which remain relevant and compelling even by today’s musical standards.
Red Cherry Records not only assembles a collection but also crafts an experience, weaving together a tapestry of melodies that not only pays homage to the past but resonates with contemporary sensibilities. The meticulous attention to detail and the discerning eye for selecting tracks that encapsulate the spirit of Laurel Canyon make this compilation a testament to Red Cherry Records’ commitment to preserving and celebrating the richness of musical history.
By the end of the 60s, the international music world’s nexus had shifted from previous hotspots like Liverpool, London and San Francisco to Laurel Canyon, a rural oasis amid the bustle of Los Angeles.
I see you live on Love Street
There’s this store where the creatures meet
I wonder what they do in there -The Doors
Just minutes from Hollywood, the Sunset Strip and the LA record companies/studios, Laurel Canyon became home to a folk, country, rock and pop hybrid that encompassed everyone from early players The Byrds and Buffalo Springfield to The Doors, Frank Zappa, Glen Campbell and manufactured pop kingpins The Monkees.
The canyon’s rustic charms and the proximity of leading folk den The Troubadour attracted a phalanx of singer/songwriters while also giving birth to the country-rock movement, kickstarted by various Byrds/Springfield spin-offs (Dillard & Clark, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Poco) and former teen idol Ricky Nelson.
Highly incestuous, the Laurel Canyon family featured some unlikely bedfellows: The Monkees worked with Frank Zappa, The Turtles sponsored Judee Sill and hung out with The Doors, Kim Fowley collaborated with both Steppenwolf and Warren Zevon, and the individual members of CSNY appeared on each other’s solo records as well as everyone else’s.
Four-hour, 72-track anthology of the Laurel Canyon music community that became a dominant worldwide force in the late 60s/early 70s.
A follow-up to Grapefruit’s acclaimed 2022 compilation ‘Heroes & Villains: The Sound of Los Angeles 1965-1968’, the painstakingly assembled ‘I See You Live On Love Street: Music From Laurel Canyon 1967-1975’ charts the scene’s birth and gradual development until a revitalized, relocated Fleetwood Mac spearheaded a new, sleeker Laurel Canyon sound to go stratospheric in the mid-70s.
Housed in a clamshell box that includes a heavily annotated and illustrated 48-page booklet, ‘I See You Live On Love Street’ features many of the biggest names in the canyon community alongside acts who failed to succeed at the time but achieved cult status.
TRACK LISTING
DISC ONE
Young Girls Are Coming To The Canyon (1967-1968)
1 COME ON IN – The Association
2 TIGHTER – Paul Revere & The Raiders
3 THE GOOD HUMOR MAN, HE SEES EVERYTHING LIKE THIS – Love
4 AS WE GO ALONG – The Monkees
5 HOLDING – The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
6 SMILE, LET YOUR LIFE BEGIN – The Factory
7 OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM – The Gentle Soul
8 I’VE GOT TO KNOW -The Stone Poneys
9 LOVE STREET – The Doors
10 HOW MANY NIGHTS HAVE PASSED – Clear Light
11 FLOATING DREAM – The Peanut Butter Conspiracy
12 MONTAGE MIRROR – Smokey Roberds with Roger Nichols Trio
13 HALFWAY THERE – Ruthann Friedman
14 WILDFLOWERS – The Holy Mackerel
15 SECRET SAUCER MAN – Barry McGuire
16 MANSIONS – The Mamas & The Papas
17 I NEED YOU – The Sunshine Company
18 THELVE THIRTY – Scott McKenzie
19 A CHILD’S CLAIM TO FAME – Buffalo Springfield
20 TRAIN LEAVES HERE THIS MORNIN’ – Dillard & Clark
21 BLIGHT – The Millennium
22 CALL ON ME – Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
23 TWILIGHT SANCTUARY – The Leaves
24 YOU DON’T MISS YOUR WATER – The Byrds
25 I HAD A DREAM LAST NIGHT – The M.F.Q. (Modern Folk Quartet)
26 SHADOW DREAM SONG – Steve Noonan
27 HELLO, HOORAY – Judy Collins
DISC TWO
Going Home To California (1969-1971)
1 LOVE THE ONE YOU’RE WITH – Stephen Stills
2 PICKIN’ UP THE PIECES – Poco
3 BUZZIN’ FLY – Tim Buckley
4 KINGSWOOD HILLS – Hoyt Axton
5 CHRISTINE’S TUNE – The Flying Burrito Brothers
6 MAMA TOLD ME (NOT TO COME) – Three Dog Night
7 LADY-O – The Turtles
8 CALIFORNIA – Rick Nelson & The Stone Canyon Band
9 P. F. SLOAN – Jimmy Webb
10 WHERE’S THE PLAYGROUND SUSIE – Glen Campbell
11 BLUEBIRD – Susan Carter
12 I STILL WONDER – Love
13 LET’S WORK TOGETHER – Canned Heat
14 IT’S NEVER TOO LATE – Steppenwolf
15 PEACHES EN REGALIA – Frank Zappa
16 WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE – Warren Zevon
17 BORN TO MAKE YOU CRY – Kim Fowley
18 I AM THE BREEZE – Essra Mohawk
19 WHITE LIGHT – Gene Clark
20 TRACTION IN THE RAIN – David Crosby
21 BROTHER SPEED – Russ Giguere
22 OUTLAW – Grin
23 TOO MUCH TRUTH, TOO MUCH LOVE – Dave Mason & Cass Elliot
DISC THREE
Postcards From Hollywood (1971-1975)
1 SOME PEOPLE CALL IT MUSIC – J. D. Souther
2 EASY TO SLIP – Little Feat
3 BIRDS – Linda Ronstadt
4 CRAYON ANGELS – Judee Sill
5 DRIVING ALONG – Nilsson
6 WE HAVE NO SECRET – Carly Simon
7 I DON’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT – Crazy Horse
8 BACK ON THE STREET AGAIN – Jo Mama
9 DANNY’S SONG – Kenny Loggins with Jim Messina
10 HOW MUCH I’VE LIED – Gram Parsons
11 FLYING TO MORNING – Rosebud
12 JOURNEY THRU THE PAST – Rita Coolidge
13 I THINK HE’S HIDING – Cyrus Faryar
14 PAPER TO WRITE ON – Crabby Appleton
15 TIGHT ROPE – Leon Russell
16 ANYWAY I LOVE YOU – Dan Fogelberg
17 POSTCARDS FROM HOLLYWOOD – Ned Doheny
18 OUTLAW MAN – David Blue
19 FOR FREE – Morning
20 FALLIN’ IN LOVE – Souther Hillman Furay Band
21 COOK WITH HONEY – Howdy Moon
22 SAY YOU LOVE ME – Fleetwood Mac
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