California - 'I Could Make It Last Forever'
"I Could Make It Last Forever" was a tune originally written and recorded back in 1972 for a project Les Fradkin was working on for the Left Banke, but was left unreleased for decades. In 2006, Les released it on his solo album Goin' Back, using the original recording with overdubbed Mellotron and Brass.
With new modern recording methods and tech, Les and his wife/creative partner have added new vocals and a new mix and master for their 2023 release as California!
With the new mix, "I Could Make It Last Forever" has been revived with a crisper, more detailed sound than before. While the first thing to catch your ear may be how the lead vocals have a more pronounced presence in the mix, the arrangement has also become more nuanced in it's tonal balance.
Although the song has a dense, harmonic-rich arrangement, each instrument plays a key part in creating an uplifting atmosphere for Les to share his love story. Layers of brass and strings make for a romantic atmosphere while the drums, bass, and guitar fuel the record with tight grooves and embellishments that give this song a classic pop-rock sound you hear in groups like the Beatles and the Beach Boys.
"I Could Make It" last forever is a grippingly coherent listening experience from start to finish. From the high-energy choruses with thick vocal harmonies to mellower, swooning verses and a sweet, melodic instrumental break led by violin, listeners are led on a dynamic musical journey that is captivating.
Credits:
Les Fradkin - Lead Vocals, Electric 12 String Guitar, Mellotron
Loretta Pieper Fradkin - Lead & Background Vocals Michael Brown- Piano Tom Finn - Bass, Background Vocals Steve Martin Caro - Guitar, Background Vocals George Cameron - Drums, Background Vocals Harry Lookofsky (Mike's father) - Violins Recorded at A-1 Sound Studios, NYC (1972)
New Overdubs at RRO Studios, Colorado (2023)
About California
The group California, featuring Les Fradkin (Vocals, Piano, Mellotron, Guitars, Bass, Producer, and Songwriter) as it’s founding Original Member (and still leading the group to this day), were Laurie Records recording Artists in the 1970’s and 1980’s. California had several hit singles during that time period including “See You In September”, “Jeans On”, “Summer Fun Medley” and “He’s Almost You”. Other California highlights included an appearance on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand TV show singing “Summer Fun Medley” as well as a Top 50 UK Chart placing for “He’s Almost You”. In fact, in 2020, a California B-Side “Paris (1945)” roared to the top of the Dutch and EU Charts.
Now, California thunders back at RRO Entertainment with all new material. California returns with Les Fradkin - Vocals, Mellotron, Piano, Bass, Guitars, Ztar, Songwriter and Co-Production and Loretta Pieper Fradkin - Vocals, Songwriter and Co-Production. Les and Loretta have co-authored numerous hits during 2022, including 8 consecutive #1 UK Indie Radio Chart hits for Les Fradkin as a Solo Artist, several #1 hits on Los Angeles, California Indie Radio as well as “Under The Covers” placing at #50 in the Media Base CHR Activator Chart. For 2022 release, California presents its brand new Original Hit Single “I Could Make It last Forever”! and latest album, “California Loves You”. For more great music from California, visit Reverbnation.
#California #LesFradkin #LorettaPieperFradkin #ICouldMakeItLastForever