Instant Party – THE EVERLY BROTHERS***

Step It Up & Go/Theme From Carnival/Jezebel/True Love/Bye Bye Blackbird/When Its Night Time In Italy Its Wednesday Over Here/O My Papa/Trouble In Mind/Autumn Leaves/Long Lost John/The Party’s Over/Ground Hawg

On Instant Party The Everly Brothers start to lose direction. Denied access to their usual songwriters the Bryants, they turned to interpreting oldies, a move not to the liking of many of their fans. (UK:20) “The cover picture of this 1962 collection unwittingly summarises the market reaction to the album. The Everlys are giving their best on stage but the couple in the foreground seem bored with what's going on. If ever Don and Phil sunk to mediocrity in their distinguished career then this was the moment.”

“Their version of Jezebel is OK with soaring vocals reminiscent of the early Cadence days but it's spoilt by a tinny guitar sound and in any case none of the covers match the class and intensity of the originals. A few others like Step It Up & Go and Long Lost John are amiable foot tappers. The Party's Over is pleasant but delivered slightly flat emotionally. Covers of other MOR tunes of the recent past like Autumn Leaves, True Love and Oh My Papa are pointless and excruciating; Bye Bye Blackbird is better but not much. Album wise, one of the great pop acts of all time was slowly going to seed.”

“Surprisingly enjoyable, though no originals and many standards. Side two is very strong.”

“I really like some of the songs on this LP, especially Jezebel. But on the whole, the LP’s material wasn't typical Everly Brothers.”

“As they weren't allowed to record any songs by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant, Don and Phil recorded jazz oldies instead. Unfortunately, the people who enjoyed that kind of music weren't interested in The Everlys, while the traditional Everly fans didn't take to the boys new musical direction.”

“The purity and nuance of the vocal harmonies was what made The Everlys so wonderful. Here the lousy choice of most of the songs and the hokey arrangements sink this LP. I am sure that Don and Phil lament the circumstances that resulted in this recording.”