Deliver (also known as The Mamas & the Papas Deliver) is the third studio album by the Mamas & the Papas, released in February 1967 on Dunhill Records. One song, "Creeque Alley", outlines the unique circumstances in which the band met and formed. Other songs on the album are covers of popular hits from years past.
Title The album's title was an in-joke among the group, as recording commenced shortly after Cass Elliot announced that she was pregnant with her daughter, Owen. Given the social stigma of unwed mothers at the time, both the pregnancy and the birth had been kept a closely guarded secret from the public and press, and the LP's name was meant to imply that Elliot and the others had "delivered" a newborn creation.
Release The album debuted on Billboards Top LPs chart on March 18, 1967, and reached its peak position of No. 2 just three weeks later. It spent a total of 55 weeks on the Top LPs chart.
Three of the album's singles reached the Billboard Hot 100 chart: "Look Through My Window" peaked at No. 24 (November 26, 1966), "Dedicated to the One I Love" at No. 2 (March 25, 1967), and "Creeque Alley" at No. 5 (June 3, 1967).
The album was first issued on CD in 1988 (MCAD-31044) and is included in its entirety on All the Leaves Are Brown, a retrospective compilation of the band's first four albums and various singles.
Original track listing All tracks composed by John Phillips except where indicated.
Side one "Dedicated to the One I Love" (Ralph Bass, Lowman Pauling) – 2:56 "My Girl" (Smokey Robinson, Ronald White) – 3:35 "Creeque Alley" (John Phillips, Michelle Phillips) – 3:45 "Sing for Your Supper" (Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers) – 2:46 "Twist and Shout" (Phil Medley, Bert Russell) – 2:54 "Free Advice" (John Phillips, Michelle Phillips) – 3:15
Side two "Look Through My Window" – 3:05 "Boys & Girls Together" – 3:15 "String Man" (John Phillips, Michelle Phillips) – 2:59 "Frustration" (Instrumental) – 2:50 "Did You Ever Want to Cry" – 2:53 "John's Music Box" – 1:00
Personnel Denny Doherty – vocals Cass Elliot – vocals John Phillips – vocals, guitar Michelle Phillips – vocals Jill Gibson – vocals on 11, uncredited Scott McKenzie – 12-string acoustic guitar on 03, guitar on 06 Hal Blaine – drums, percussion Larry Knechtel – keyboards Jim Horn – flute, saxophone Joe Osborn – bass guitar "Doctor" Eric Hord – guitar P.F. Sloan – guitar Tommy Tedesco – guitar on 01, 02, 03, 05, 07, 08, 09 Gary Coleman – percussion, bells, marimba
Chart performance
Weekly charts Chart (1967–68)Peak positionCanada RPM Top 25 LPs1UK Disc and Music Echo Top Ten LPs7UK Melody Maker Top Ten LPs,6UK New Musical Express Britain's Top 15 LPs7UK Record Retailer LPs Chart4US Billboard Top LP's2US Cash Box Top 100 Albums1US Record World 100 Top LP's1West German Musikmarkt LP Hit Parade30
Year-end charts Chart (1967)Peak positionUS Billboard Top LP's24US Cash Box Top 100 Albums14
Certifications
References