Mystery to Me 50th Anniversary

[aleuzzi]

It was the last of the 1970-74 albums I bought. Not sure why I waited, especially since I was familiar with Hypnotized from the Bob Welch and friends, which I saw on MTV in 1982. I also knew it would be a Welch-dominated album, which caused me some dread. (I initially thought Heroes was too murky and weird.)

But when I listened to it, I was amazed at how bright, warm, and accessible it was. I didn’t dig the engineering (music too close to the speakers, not enough reverb)—a disappointing contrast to the sound of Penguin. But the actual songs and arrangements were really good. My favorites emerged almost instantly: Emerald Eyes, Hypnotized, Keep On Going, Miles Away, and Why. I still feel this way.