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- in contrast to the blending of the folk style with harder rock sounds as
in The Byrds, The Mamas & Papas had a softer rock style with clear-sounding
vocal harmonies
- John Phillips - fairly typical path as Greenwich Village folk singer
- Michelle Phillips - vocalist & wife of John Phillips
- Mama Cass Elliot (Ellen Cohen) - folk singer (Mugwumps with husband
James Hendricks, Denny Doherty, & Zal Yanovsky)
- Denny Doherty (Mugwumps)
- recordings exhibited Phillip' talent as a writer/arranger, using high-quality
technical production and top-rate backup musicians
- 1966 to 1967 scored 9 Top 40 singles
California
Dreamin'
Monday,
Monday
Characteristics of The Mamas & the Papas:
- solid vocal harmonies
- blend of folk & rock elements
- soft-core folkniks
- dressed like hippies
- rarely engaged in protest songs (softened even the tones of "Blowin'
in the Wind")
- resulting in a pleasing, commercial version of folk rock
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