Jan's take on "Save For a Rainy Day"

[positivemusic]

I just watched Deadman's Curve: The Jan & Dean Story which includes Jan's initial reaction to Save For A Rainy Day.

I'm just curious if, over time, Jan warmed up at all to the record. Does anyone know if he every grew to at least appreciate it?

[Mark A. Moore]

I think Jan's initial negative reaction to SFARD and "Yellow Balloon" had a lot to do with (1) Jan's frustration with not producing, and (2) Dean using the J&D name illegally.

But with the counteroffer that was made by Jan's representatives for a deal with Columbia, it's clear that Jan was willing to have SFARD released under the J&D name.

[positivemusic]

Those reasons would make sense. Especially that Jan not only didn't produce the record, but wasn't involved in it at all, not even the cover photo.

Its interesting that in that counter-offer Jan was willing to have the record released. It must show that Jan might have actually like the music or at least had some appreciation for Dean trying to keep the duo's name alive.

[Ban n Bean]

I certainly don't have all the details but just an opinion:

Dean, with good intentions, recorded a quite acceptable album at little cost to keep the Jan & Dean name active in a very volatile marketplace.  In an era where artists were expected (perhaps contractually obligated?) to release two or more albums per year, a year out of the market was an *eternity*.  Jan, used to calling the shots for many years, hears an album vastly different to the familiar Jan & Dean sound.  It's not surprising Jan's original reaction is to reject the album.

Listen to Jan's initial recordings post accident -- it's the familiar Jan & Dean sound with some current updates (sitar, lyrics).  Later the songs were quite different both lyrically and sound-wise, reflecting the pop sounds of the day.   Finally, the recordings take on a nostalgic flavor, reflecting the "roots" revival going on in the late sixties and bringing back a little bit of the Jan & Dean sound.

In a way, "Carnival Of Sound"  is a microcosm of what happened to pop music during the years 66-68.  I'm sure that Warner's decision was based, in part:  this album is too schizophrenic for today's (68-69) market.

Today (2010) such notions are put aside and we can fully appreciate "Carnival Of Sound".

[Kentucky Surfer]

I disagree with Ban & Bean that Save For A Rainy Day is different than the familiar J&D sound.  I think "Yellow Balloon", "Taste of Rain", and "Like A Summer Rain" all sound very J&D-like.   Any one of the ballds, sung by Dean, would have fit a J&D album.  There are just a lot of them on Save For A Rainy Day.  It kind of reflects Dean's mood in 1966. 

I think Mark is right on with saying that Jan's initial reaction would have been rage due to his frustration at not being able to make music.  Perhaps, in a calmer moment, Jan realized that Dean learned a lot from one of the best producers/arrangers around--Jan Berry. 

I think the legal angle would have been a secondary concern, perhaps voiced a little more strongly by Jan's family in the interest of ensuring Jan'spiece of the pie to pay medical bills.


Again, as stated in a separate post, it seems there were just too many people involved in these discussions.  Perhaps if Jan & Dean themselves had been able to have a calm discussion in late 1966, things would have evolved diffeently.

[1Jay1]

I love the sfard lp,when i first heard about jan and dean i didn t know who produced it,i just saw the jan and dean name on the lp,

It wasn t until the release on cd years later i found out a lot more info about the lp,i read somewhere that dean did offer jan production and arrangments for the lp,

just think what could have happened if jan signed and there was an offer for the carnival to be released as a follow up to sfard,i m sure carnival would have been a huge hit,

This lp is one of my fav jan and dean lps,