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Boffalongo -Beyond Your HeadReleased - 1970, on United ArtistsProduced by - Eric Nathanson & Steve Nathanson Larry Hoppen Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Keyboards Dave "Doc" Robinson Vocals, Bass Basil Matychak Vocals, Keyboards Richie Vitagliano Drums |
| Songs 1. $1000 Week (Dave "Doc" Robinson) Doc: Piano, Lead Vocal Larry: Guitars, Bass, Vocal Richie: Drums Sherman: Vocal 2. The Pioneer Song (Basil Matychak) Basil: Piano, Vocals Larry: Guitar Doc: Bass Richie: Drums 3. Beyond Your Head (Larry Hoppen) Larry: Guitars, Organ, Vocal Doc: Bass Basil: Piano Ritchie: Drums 4. Snow White Lady (Dave "Doc" Robinson) Doc: Bass, Lead Vocal Larry: Guitars, Vocal Basil: Piano, Vocal Ritchie: Drums 5. Endless Questions (Larry Hoppen) Larry: Guitars, Organ, Lead Vocal Doc: Bass, Vocal Basil: Piano Ritchie: Drums 6. Galaxy Glide (Dave "Doc" Robinson) Doc: Piano, Organ, Vocal Larry: Bass, Guitar Ritchie: Drums Jeremy Steig: Flute 7. Hard To Keep From Cryin' (Larry Hoppen) Larry: Guitars, Piano, Vocal, Ratchet, Whistle, Screaming Gourd Doc: Bass, Woodblock, Mumbles Basil: Organ, Tambourine Ritchie: Drums, Cowbell 8. Sleepy-Time Guy (Basil Matychak) Basil: Piano, Vocal Larry: Guitar Doc: Bass, Wah Wah Bass Ritchie: Drums 9. Make Your Own World (1st Issue) (Larry Hoppen) Larry: Guitars, Vocals Jeremy Steig: Flute Doc: Bass Ritchie: Drums 9. Dancing In The Moonlight (2nd Issue) (Sherman Kelly) Note: The 1st pressing of the LP did not include this song. Shortly after "Beyond Your Head" was completed Basil Matychak left the band and was replaced by Sherman Kelly, and Boff drummer Ritchie Vitagliano was replaced by Peter Giansante. The "New" Boffalongo lineup recorded "Dancing In The Moonlight" which replaced Larry's song "Make Your Own World" on subsequent pressings of the LP. This is the only official recording by this lineup of the band. Sherman: Leslie Piano, Lead Vocal Larry: Guitars, Vocal David: Bass, Vocal Peter Giansante: Drums Wells Kelly: Timbalia 10. Baby Suite (Larry Hoppen) Larry: Guitars, Organ*, Bass**, Lead Vocal Ritchie: Drums, Vocal Erick: Vocal *Organ on "Cold Town in Winter" by Basil **Bass on "Cold Town in Winter" by Doc Singles Released Dancing In The Moonlight b/w Endless Questions 
History & Interesting Facts 1. Keith Ginsberg left the band after the release of "Boffalongo". The timeframe most likely would've been late 1968 or early 1969. He was replaced by Dave "Doc" Robinson, a friend of Larry's from Ithaca. The addition of Doc on bass allowed Larry to switch from bass to guitar. 2. After the release of "Beyond Your Head" Basil Matychak left the band and was replaced by Sherman Kelly (a friend of Doc's) on Keyboards, and drummer Richie Vitagliano was replaced by Pete Giansante, a former college roommate of Larry's. Although, Sherman does appear on Doc's song "$1000 Week" I don't believe he was an official band member at the time of that recording. Sherman wouldn't become an official member until shortly after the album had been recorded. I believe the album liner notes and credits support that. 3. Sherman's song "Dancing In The Moonlight" was heard, liked and perceived to be a "hit" song by the label. The band lineup which was now Larry (guitars), Doc (bass), Sherman (keyboards), and Pete (drums) recorded the song and it was placed on subsequent releases of "Beyond Your Head". The song wasn't promoted by the record label and failed to do well in the charts. 4. David "Doc" Robinson would leave the band in 1970, move to Paris, France and form King Harvest the band that would go on to have a top 20 hit with "Dancing In The Moonlight". It was Doc that would sing Lead Vocal on the King Harvest version of the song. The rest of 1970 Boffalongo, consisted of Larry, Sherman, most likely Pete on drums, and various bass players. 5. Wells Kelly joined King Harvest in Paris, France in 1971 and left the group by that spring. Shortly after returning to the U.S. Wells would become a member of Boffalongo, along with future Orleans/John Hall Band Alumni Bob Leinbach on Organ and Vocals. So this lineup would consist of Larry (guitars), Sherman (keyboards), Bob (Keyboards), Wells (drums) and various Bass players. This lineup would last until the end of 1971 when Wells left the band to form a new group with John Hall in Woodstock. According to Larry, "Shortly before Christmas, 1971, Wells got a call from John Hall to come to Woodstock, NY and form a band. Wells announced this to all Boff-ians; we realized that our Boff days were over, immediately." 6. In some places it's written that Boffalongo evolved into Orleans, this is inaccurate. At the end of 1971 Wells and John formed a band in Woodstock. Wells played keyboards and John was on guitar. In 1972 when their drummer and bassist quit the band Larry was asked to join, which he did. That band shifted to the trio of Wells (drums), John (guitars), and Larry (bass) although they would often switch instruments during the show. This is the lineup that would exist through 1972 and possibly into early 1973. You can hear early recordings of the trio by subscribing to the Orleans Newsletter here. You can download these songs, as well as, others for FREE. At some point in 1972 or very early 1973, Lance (bass) would join the band and Larry would switch to guitar. It was this lineup that would evolve into Orleans, a name apparently suggested by Wells. 7. The LP "Beyond Your Head" (the version with "Dancing In The Moonlight) can usually be found at gemm.com or EBay for approximately $35.00 USD. I've never come across the version of the LP with "Make Your Own World".  Lyrics and Credits were printed on the sleeve of the LP 
This review is most likely from 1969. It's typed below so it would be more clear. TALLMAN, N.Y. - Boffalongo (unclear), signed (unclear), played (unclear) tight set on Sept 17 here. Host to their sound was a large nondescript club called Joker whose tropical fish decor and distinctly Top 40 atmosphere seemed an inappropriate setting for an underground group. Sporting the regular gamut of rock influence including the Rascals, Led Zeppelin, and Buffalo Springfield. Boffalongo showed musical fluidity and a mastery of the old, but had little new to offer in content or in style. With material that is for the most part, not up to the level of those they emulate the group's image is as yet informed as they tread the line that separates the ordinary from the great. Despite its essentially unspectacular showing. Boffalongo flashed a few bright spots which may indicate a good future. This particularily notable considering the indifferent attitude of the audience who were actually at the club to see a local dance group called the Chessman. The Star of Boffalongo is Larry Hoppen who plays a flashy lead guitar and organ in addition to his lead vocals. Hoppen writes most of the groups material. Drummer Richie Vita was also impressive at times. With time to develop a distinct style and more appropriate surroundings, Boffalongo is likely to carve out both an artistic and commercial niche in the crowded rock arena. - Daniel Goldberg To learn more about Larry and his music visit his Official website at www.Larry Hoppen.com. |
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