Colossus, 1970.
vinyl condition: VG
Listen to the song.
CAROLINA IN MY MIND charted twice in 1970; the original version by James Taylor which peaked at #67, and this cover version which got as high as #73.
| The Crystal Mansion's relatively short story is that of a white R&B band in the ‘60s moving towards groovy psyche rock in the '70s.
Initially called The Secrets and initially a cover band, the group included drummer Rick Morley and guitarist Ronnie Gentile. Later singer Johnny Caswell and organist Sal Rota were recruited. In 1968, The Secrets changed their name to The Crystal Mansion and released THE THOUGHT OF LOVING YOU, on Capitol Records, written and co-produced by Dave White, their first single to get national airplay.
THE THOUGHT OF LOVING YOU reached number one in LA and was covered by The Manhattan Transfer, Cher, Spiral Starecase, Lou Christy, Astrud Gilberto and Wayne Newton. Capitol showed interest and financed an album for the band.
In 1970 their single CAROLINA ON MY MIND was released, and reached number 44 on the national charts and hinted at a shift towards pop/ psyche rock.
Percussionist Mario Sanchez and keyboardist Pete Iannetti were added in 1971 and in 1972 the band moved to Motown’s label Rare Earth.