Danny Hutton

A very, very interesting artifact. Danny Hutton, primarily known for his work a one of the three vocalists in the incredibly successful Three Dog Night, was indeed trying very hard to launch a solo career prior to that band. The results of his numerous MGM sides are here, and there are some gems as well as clinkers. The boy was really trying anything, and the results were spotty. "Roses And Rainbows" was the big (at least regional) hit here, and it's an outstanding performance of a slightly lightweight pop song. Hutton was an amazing lead singer even at this early stage of his career, and that fact was somewhat obscured by the group identity of Three Dog Night. Another great cut is Hutton's reading of Tim Hardin's "Hang On To A Dream," which is a ghostly Baroque waltz, and frames Hutton's anguished performance perfectly. Some other novelty records fill out the disc, such as "Huff 'N Puff," "Home In Pasadena" and "Monster Shindig." It's all pretty forgettable, but Hutton's performances shine on every cut. ~ Matthew Greenwald, Rovi