This song has some of the tightest harmonies of all time.

I'm old enough to remember when this was a new song, a big hit on the radio. The Mamas and the Papas were an excellent group, which emphasized harmony singing (and did it exceptionally well). Also, Mama Cass (Cass Elliot) turned out to be one of the most amazing singers in history. You might check out the video of her performing "Dream a Little Dream of Me."

The Mamas and Papas were great and had some of the most beautiful harmonies ever recorded. Mama Cass Elliot had an absolutely amazing voice and was largely responsible for the group’s success IMHO. This was a great choice Van. 🌺✌️

You have discovered one of the greatest groups of the 60s. Enjoy your trip down their rabbit hole, Sir. You won't regret it!

"Monday Monday", "Go Where You Wanna Go", "I Saw Her Again Last Night", & "Creeque Alley" are other fantastic songs by the Mamas and Papas. They sound like the 60s felt.

They recorded the harmonies separately for this album and then combined them all to make it sound like a full chorus. The Chorus is them.

I'm fairly sure all the music was done by studio musicians. The Moms and Pops voices were their instruments. ☺

Footnote: this bathtub photo made the photographer famous. Later he was hired and took the famous campfire photo at Joshua Tree with the Eagle flying above, and The Eagles were born.

It was written while they were on the East coast. Performing on the Ed Sullivan show, the golden ticket for young musicians. Has quite the mood! 💞

Love it when a younger generation hears/sees/witnesses the greatness of the 60's!

Turns out that the name, "The Mamas And The Papas" was appropriate. Their offspring formed the band, "Wilson Phillips" whom you should also check out. They had great harmonies like their parents.

That full sound is Mama Case & Her incredible voice

Mama Cass was amazing. She was even made into a cartoon (as herself) in the New Scooby Doo Mysteries.

This era is one of my favorites because it reminds me of riding the old logging roads with my parents on Friday nights listening to the “oldies”. Some of my best childhood memories

This song was released in 1966.... so I was basically a new born, but I can remember as a young kid hearing this on the radio ❣❣

Michelle Phillips played on Knots Landing years ago and her daughter Mackenzie Phillips played on One Day At A Time with Valerie Bertinelli who was married to the late Eddie Van Halen

I love that you appreciate both vocals and instrumental components. You obviously have some music in your background.

The musicians you hear were called The Wrecking Crew. They Hits they were involved in would blow your mind. There is a very good documentary about them.

I played this at my Dad's funeral. He loved this kind of music. Vietnam Vet. Miss you Dad! Love your show Van!

Bud Shank TUCSON, Ariz. - Bud Shank, a flutist and alto saxophonist who worked with the Mamas and the Papas and other famous acts, has died. He was 82.Apr 7, 2009 The man playing that solo, on an alto flute, is Bud Shank. Jazz fans will know him as an important part of the Cool Jazz movement. He reportedly improvised the solo on the spot, one take, but in the original recording, Barry McGuire played a harmonica.Mar 5, 2013

i was born in LA, and lived there and Palm Springs until I was in my 20's. When this song was popular, I found myself in Leavenworth Kansas. It was worse winter since the 1880's. Snow was 4 feet high and ice cycles were hanging down into the snow. I had never lived in snow. I used to sing this song and tell God, if I could just get back home, I would never complain about the sand in Palm Springs or the smog in LA. Many memories around this song..

Crazy that you chose The Mamas and the Papa’s. I just a few days ago sort of rediscovered them. I hadn’t listened to them in years, and I missed that music. I’m not old enough to have been around when they were big ( I was born in 74 ) but I grew up hearing them from my parents and an uncle.

You would have loved growing up back then. No auto tune, just talent. I had a little portable AM radio. Friends and I would collect bottles for some candy money, then sit at the park and listen to music like this. Great memories.

Flute….Bud Shank

It was their back up band playing the flute. From left to right John Phillips, Cass Eliott (who had a solo career), Denny Doherty, and Michelle Phillips (Johns wife). Michelle and Denny had an affair which eventually caused the demise of the group.

My sister's use to sing this song all the time!! Cass Elliott has a beautiful voice as a stand out. Not sure about the flute but only John Phillips played guitar, they were singers backed by a band.

Funny you say that about them getting freaky in the tub, because this is one of those bands that ended up all sleeping with each other. Michelle Phillips (the blond cutie there) cheated on John Phillips (songwriter, on the left), with Denny Doherty (lead vocalist on this track), who Mama Cass (the heavy girl, a beautiful soul with an incredible voice) was in love with. It was a real soap opera.

1967..we took this song as our Wave anthem in boot camp. Worked in we will miss you Bainbridge (Maryland))... and the friends that we know. Sang it at Graduation . What a trip!

A lot of artists in California back then used studio musicians called The Wrecking Crew as backup. Great documentary about them on KZfaq.

Love tword the end when Momma cass stretches out dree-ee-maaan

Cass Elliot had one of the most beautiful voices . Check out her solo music

Must check out The official video version of Bobby Caldwell “What You Won’t Do For Love” it’s a super soulful song!

Adore the harmonies and arrangements in this song. It was a decade old when I got to sing it in my junior high jazz choir. Ahhh, the old days when there were artistic elective classes! Thanks for sharing! 😽💋🎶

The Mamas & The Papas were a great goup who had a lot of big hits, but I think this one has become their defining song. It was recorded in 1966. Related to the Mamas & Papas was a group called Wilson Phillips with Carnie & Wendy Wilson, daughters of Brian Wilson from the Beach Boys, and Chyna Phillips, the daugter of John & Michelle Phillips from the Mamas & Papas. They had 5 hit singles including 3 number ones off their debut album.

This song I always remember my mother listening to when I was a kid. Always makes me smile. I miss you mom💙

Music was played by the Wrecking Crew. They were the most requested musicians in L.A. in the 60’s. They performed the music for so many artist like The Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra, The Monkeys, The Righteous Brothers and so many more. There is a great documentary about them called The Wrecking Crew. It’s a great movie if you love the music of the 60,s.

I always loved the melodies in this song. It was way before my time but I grew up listening to it through my parents.

Great reaction to wake up to. Enjoy the mamas and papas my man

I first heard the Mama and Papas when I was in the hospital for three weeks with a serious concussion while in 8th grade, FB injury, 1967. They have GREAT songs!

Thanks for posting...yeah, it does sound like a lot more than 4 people singing here. Bud Shank played the alto flute on this song and later on, he was on a lot of smooth jazz recordings.

The singing group that featured the couple (John & Michelle Phillips) who gave the world Chynna Phillips, who would become one-third of the 80s/90s female signing trio Wilson Phillips.

I love them. Harmonies r soooo good.

There's something about certain songs of the 60s that just seem to transport you back in time. This is definitely one of those.

The flute was improvised by Bud Shank.

This song was written when they were living in NYC and they were "California Dreamin'". When the LP first came out there was a sticker placed to cover the toilet so that it didn't show. I got tosee them in concert and they were every bit as good live as they were on the record.

FOLK MUSIC late 60's They were the best at it!!!

Thanks for the million dollar smile and keeping great music alive!

Such beautiful voices & harmonies! Oh man , the music of my youth ❤️

This song brings back memories walking in California Adventure. I wish the park would go back to the old songs...

I think this song here came out in the year I was born (1966) they were and still are a great band with many hit songs - I saw her again last night, Dream a little dream of me,...and many more. I don't know how many of them are still living but, I know the heavyset woman with the wonderful voice died suddenly at a young age. Mama Cass - ( Cass Elliott ) - I also think the tall man (John Philipps ) may have passed years later.

I was 7 in the UK when this come out and I loved singing along to it😍

Written by the late John Phillips. He was the Papa. Michelle Phillips is the only surviving member. She is 1 of the Mamas. The members were in 2 bands in my hometown San Francisco before forming. After the break up of the marriage and the band, Michelle became an actress. Family tree . In short, The Mamas and The Papas are related to The Beach Boys, Wilson Phillips, the jailed Danny Masterson, Billy Baldwin and his son-in-law Justin Bieber. The Mamas and Papas also lead to Van Halen. Suggested videos : 1 Wilson Phillips sing You're in Love live in Manila. 2 The Beach Boys perform Don't Worry Baby. 3 Van Halen performs I'll Wait live in Montreal, in 1984.

These are the songs I grew up with! Best music!

I truly miss the days when we had songs like this!

Another of those great groups of the sixties and seventies destroyed by drugs and internal clashes. Thank goodness we still have their music.

There are 2 female members the mama`s, and 2 male members the papa`s. Simple.

This song has a very interesting history. A singer named Barry McGuire had a huge hit with a protest song called "The Eve of Destruction" back in mid 1965. The writer of the song was PF Sloan. In late 1965 he was recording an album called "This Precious Time" which was mostly covers of popular songs. The album was for Dunhill records and the producer was Lou Adler. During the sessions the Mamas and the Papas were in town, who were friends of Barry's. Barry invited them to come and audition for Lou Adler, who had them sing all the backup vocals on the album. Barry McGuire even recorded John and Michelle Phillips' song "California Dreaming". Lou Adler was so impressed he not only offered them a contract, but he took the recording of "California Dreaming" and erased Barry McGuire's vocal track and replaced it with Denny Doherty singing and released it as the Mamas and the Papas first single. As other have mentioned the wrecking crew did most of the instrumental backup, although PF Sloan played the guitar intro and the flute player was Bud Shank, better known for his work in jazz. And if you listen closely you can hear where Barry McGuire's vocal wasn't completely erased and his voice can be heard faintly in the left channel at the beginning of the song!

Check out some Mama Cass singing "Dream a Little Dream". She has a beautiful voice on her own as well.

A song from the hippie era, the Vietnam war era and the 1960’s. Songs written and sung from the heart. And sometimes LSD.

Yes, it's a flute, but it's an alto flute, which is bigger and has a deeper sound. I loved these old songs not afraid to put those kinds of instruments into their music.

Next should be Monday Monday.

Fantastic song in the 60s

I have developed a liking for music from the 60's , my mom would listen to all these different musicians.. I didn't get anything of hers when she passed , memories of her favorite music is all I have of her ..

The Wrecking Crew was group of studio musicians that played lots of the music for songs recorded in Los Angeles in the 60s & 70s

They were so good! My favorite song by them.

The incredible musicianship in this iconic song was supplied by the famous LA studio musicians known as the Wrecking Crew. They played on literally hundreds of hits in the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s.

One of the great songs of the 60's.

Momma cass foot work is legendary

Van -- You're so cool! Great reaction. The solo part is an alto flute, I think, played by a studio musician named Bud Short (not one of the 4 vocalists who make up The Mamas and The Papas). The group had a band besides the 4 singers. Known for superior harmonies. Kind of part of California folkie acoustic rock in the 1960s. Worth listening! Try their "I Saw Her Again" or Mama Cass lead singing in "Dream a Little Dream of Me." What fun!

1ST GUY IN THE TUB WROTE THE SONGS AND PLATED THE FLUTE.

the 4 in the tub sang harmony. John Phillips played guitar, but they had a back up band play the rest.

Mama's & Papa's/Dream A Little Dream Of Me studio version

was watching another reaction of this song when lady said on flute solo, 'oh they got out the trumpet!'....LOL STOPPED right there and found u.

This is from the hippie era! The cover of the album is supposed to highlight the free and easy spirit of the mid-sixties. I was only in kindergarten but remember this playing on the radio quite a bit.

Hi Van that was Awsome thank you !!!!!

This song is absolutely timeless

You can hear Mama Cass' powerful volume and control carrying the whole harmonies (she was a big woman, like an opera singer... powerful voice.) They were all perfectly matched... Denny Doherty, Michelle Philips and John Philips.

Freaky? Well from the stories of their lives ....Their harmonies are epic.

Great song! Glad you enjoyed it!

Stay in the spell dude! Watching you makes me feel like i am hearing it for the 1st time!!!!!!!! ☮️💟

Good catch…one of the groups that used the Wrecking Crew in the studio. But almost everyone did! 🤣🤣🤣 great harmonies though! I miss that…

Dedicated to the one I love. 😊

If you want to hear some more great mid '60s folk rock with harmonies, check out "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "Turn! Turn! Turn!", both by The Byrds.

It is 4 people. Manas and paoas bone thugs n harmony!!!!! I love it!!!!!!!!

They recorded over each of their voices twice and combined them so it sounds like 8 people singing I read.

The Mamas and the Papas were one of a kind, the music holds up because it didn't sound like anything else. The Guy Webster photo was spur of the moment more or less, but there was some cheating going on with Denny and Michelle, John, her husband is at the foot end of the tub, so likely some symbolism. The Wrecking Crew were the LA based session musicians and for the most part, The Mamas and the Papas didn't play the instruments on the track. Joe Osborne was the bass player and I had the pleasure to meet him in the studio this was recorded! Bud Shank played the flute, he also played sax. PF Sloan was the opening guitar, he was a singer/songwriter, probably most famous for writing 'Secret Agent Man'. For context, the Wrecking Crew were the Funk Brothers of LA and some of the Funk Brothers did come to LA after the sale of Motown, to work as part of the Wrecking Crew.

I just realized the similarities between this song and Nights in White Satin. It's uncanny how similar they are.. The middle passage as well.

The way you enjoyed this makes me smile!

It is supposed to be haunting. You were looking at their album cover. They were folk singers before they got into popular rock n roll music so their vocald ertr very folk insoired. Their hits are iconic now.

Ahhh...California...love you with all its problems.

Love this song man! You should look up the Bobby Womack version

💯 Nice headband Bruh. Love you 😚

Yes it's a flute. You'd like the live version of this too.

This was seriously your first time hearing this song? We are around the same age, I'm guessing, I was born in 83. I was exposed to this song because my parents were a bit hippy and had old records. Fell in love with this song!

EXCELENT analysis "mama bone and papa bone" hahah

The cover picture, represents a cool album cover, probably from a photoshoot they had. I don't think there's any meaning behind it. Also if you like this you should listen to "Monday Monday" by the mamas and the papas, or for something smooth by another band, The Lovin' Spoonful "Daydream" Also I might be wrong, but that sounds kinda like a mellotron(a precursor to the synth but with tapes instead of digital) rather than a real flute

Ground breaking harmonies for the sixties, along with CSN........and if you want to check them out ....Peter ,Paul and Mary.

The 60s gave us some of our best music.Still sounds great today.

Jazzman Bud Shank was on the flute.

We understand man, no apologies needed,my friend.