A word of caution. If you buy this album, make sure it's the original release. The re-issue did not include track B1, 'Alexander Beetle' and others replaced it with 'Close to it All'.
Basing the album title and opening songs on her experience at Woodstock, 'Candles in the Rain' and 'Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)' really set the scene for Melanie's style and range. I recently found this album again over 50 years after buying it for the first time. Her voice can sound odd at times. Her arrangements can sound odd at times. The album can feel odd at times - but I love every inch of it. Her covers of James Taylor's 'Carolina on my Mind' and Jagger/Richards 'Ruby Tuesday' are distinctively different and fresh in their own way and her original compositions are consistently good. For me, 'The Good Guys' and 'Lovin Baby Girl' are the cream of the crop. You also get 'What Have They Done to my Song, Ma' .. always a winner.
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