Iron Butterfly “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida”

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#473 in the Series) is Iron Butterfly, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida

I told this story originally as part of the Sergio Mendes and Brazil 66 write up. It needs to be here as well.

I know I’ve mentioned many times in these parts how much of a part my two older sisters (Tina and Judy) played in getting me started on listening to good music. Tina was the older one; she always made sure that she had on “Where The Action Is” or “Shindig” in the afternoons.  She added the first albums to the family record collection that were not my father’s stuff like Al Martino, Mario Lanza or Robertino “The Young Italian Singing Sensation.”  Judy was a little younger and took over from there. She bought me my first album, Iron Butterfly’s “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.”  I remember the day she bought it. We were at Roseland Music Shop on Michigan Avenue. I was with her. I saw her buy a disc.  She told me it was an Ed Ames album for our mother as a Christmas present.  When she got it home she wrapped the heck out of it. She made sure that the title was well covered.

Christmas arrived and as the youngest, I sat under the tree passing out gifts.  I grabbed the covered disc and handed it to mom, excited for her to see the Ed Ames album. “No, Judy said, that’s for you!” Little did I know!  I quickly ripped off her opaque coverings and saw my first album, Iron Butterfly!!!

I just read that this album ended up selling 25 million units. It was Atlantic Records best selling album until it was overtaken by Led Zeppelin IV.

I was pretty much a kid when I got this. You know how kids are, they can listen to the same thing over and over.  Well, let me prove that point.   For as many times as I played this, I don’t think I ever played side one, not even once.  I actually can’t tell you the first thing about it!

I did know that title track though!! I could play Ron Bushy’s drum solo with my hands on the table better than any one else.

— Larry Carta

Track listing

All songs written by Doug Ingle, except where noted.

Side one

1. “Most Anything You Want” – 3:44
2. “Flowers and Beads” – 3:09
3. “My Mirage” – 4:55
4. “Termination” (Erik Brann, Lee Dorman) – 2:53
5. “Are You Happy” – 4:31

Side two

1. “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” – 17:05

Personnel

• Doug Ingle: organ, lead vocals (except on “Termination”)
• Erik Brann: guitars, backing vocals, lead vocal on “Termination”
• Lee Dorman: bass guitar, backing vocals
• Ron Bushy: drums, percussion

Links