Triangle (The Beau Brummels album)

In July 1966, the Beau Brummels released their third album, and first with Warner Bros. Records. Titled ''Beau Brummels '66, the album was a collection of cover songs and was a commercial disappointment. These recordings eventually appeared on the 2005 compilation album San Fran Sessions''. Drummer John Petersen quit to join pop rock band Harpers Bizarre. According to Elliott, "Lenny Waronker wanted to do something creative, and I was up for that." During the album's recording sessions, Meagher left the group when he was called to active duty in the Army Reserves. {{Cite book ==Composition==

Valentino said Triangle was partially inspired by several day trips he took to the California Palace of the Legion of Honor, a fine art museum in San Francisco. He admired the collection of 17th century Flemish portraits and landscape paintings at the museum, from which dark yet incandescent hues emanated. and dream-like characters, such as the gypsy in "Only Dreaming Now", the "Painter of Women", "The Keeper of Time", and "The Wolf of Velvet Fortune", as well as the destination of "Magic Hollow". Having regained artistic freedom in the studio, and with the band no longer touring, Elliott and Valentino focused on creating an album of songs which were written and recorded specifically for that purpose. The resulting sessions for Triangle saw Elliott and Valentino collaborate as songwriters for the first time. Four of the album's tracks were written by Elliott with frequent collaborator Bob Durand. The album also contained the Randy Newman composition "Old Kentucky Home" and a cover version of Merle Travis's "Nine Pound Hammer", both of which hinted at the country rock direction explored more heavily by the band on their 1968 album, ''Bradley's Barn''. Session musicians included guitarist James Burton, drummer Jim Gordon, bassist Carol Kaye, and Van Dyke Parks, who played harpsichord on "Magic Hollow", adding to the album's psychedelic musical style. {{cite web Elliott returned the favor, playing guitar on Parks' 1968 debut album, Song Cycle. Triangle also features strings, brass, accordion, woodwinds, and numerous types of percussion. ==Release and reception==

Released in July 1967, Triangle spent two weeks on the Billboard 200 albums chart, peaking at number 197. ==Chart performance==

Side one Side two ==Personnel==

• Ron Elliott – guitar, arranger, vocals • Ron Meagher – bass, guitar, vocals • Sal Valentino – vocals, vocal arranger • Van Dyke Parks – harpsichord, keyboards • Carol Kaye – bass • James Burton – guitar • Donnie Lanier – guitar • Jim Gordon – drums • The Blossoms – backing vocals • Gene Garf – accordion • Lou Klass – violin • Shari Zippert – violin • David Duke – French horn • George Hyde – French horn • Gale Robinson – French horn • Jesse Ehrlich – cello • Raymond Kelley – cello • Dick Hyde – trombone ==References==