Brewer & Shipley DOWN IN L.A.

Brewer & Shipley's first album was gentle late-'60s folk-rock with touches of pop and country, with Jim Messina and Leon Russell among the session support. It's pleasant but on the bland side, bearing some superficial resemblances to early Simon & Garfunkel in the duo's vocal harmonies. Of all the many folkys to make a transition to electric folk-rock in the 1960s, Brewer & Shipley retained more of the wholesome, strident qualities of early-'60s folk revival harmonizing than almost anyone. It's given an up-to-date (by 1968 standards) production, though, with a full rhythm section and some light orchestration. They get a little more soulful and earthy than usual on "Time & Changes," but for the most part it's placid and breezy stuff, bridging the folk era and the mellower folk-rock to come in the early '70s. "Mass for M'Lady" is an exception to the general mood with its mournful tune and gothic, keyboard-centered arrangement, and is for that reason a standout. ~ Richie Unterberger

• Format: CD
• Genre: Pop