Magic Box (also known by its cover title as The Loved Ones' Magic Box) is the debut and sole studio album from Australian rock band The Loved Ones. Released in Australia in October 1967, it has since become a cult favourite among fans of Australian rock music.
The album received mixed contemporary reviews criticising the production and that the selection of songs did not representing the band's sound: "...50 percent of it harks back to the jazz scene of the 30s, and through it runs a silver thread of genius. Pity."[3]
Since its release the album has acquired a cult following. Though Allmusic gave the album a 4.5 star, writer Richie Unterberger said: "The rest of the material is usually less fearsome and innovative, though much of it still carries an air of subdued menace."
The album was reissued in 1985 on Glenn A. Baker's label Raven Records with a different track order and bouns tracks. However, when the album was remastered only the left hand channel of the stereo master was used. This means some instruments and an intro to 'Sad Dark Eyes' (an electric piano in the right hand channel) are missing on the Raven Records release. The 1995 Karussell compact disc uses the Raven Records master as its source, meaning the true stereo or mono version of Magic Box has never been released on compact disc or reissued to vinyl since 1972. Both CD reissues included a Wild Cherries rehearsal take of 'Without You', which has been incorrectly attributed to the Loved Ones.
1985 Raven reissue[]
No.
Title
Length
1.
"The Loved One"
2.45
2.
"Everlovin' Man"
2:08
3.
"Sad Dark Eyes (missing 7 seconds of the intro)"
2.14
4.
"A Love Like Ours"
2:10
5.
"Love Song"
2:12
6.
"Blueberry Hill"
2.38
7.
"Shake, Rattle & Roll"
3:14
8.
"This Is Love (Bonus track from the "Blueberry Hill" EP)"
2:25
9.
"Magic Box"
1.58
10.
"More Than Love"
2:09
11.
"The Woman I Love"
1:58
12.
"The Loverly Car"
1:56
13.
"I Want You To Love Me"
2:45
14.
"(I'm No Good) Without You (Rehearsal)(this track is actually by the Wild Cherries NOT the Loved Ones)"
3.47
15.
"Everlovin' Man (Live at Festival Hall, Melbourne, April 23, 1967)"
2:08
16.
"Ongo Bongo Man (Gerry & The Joy Band)"
17.
"Rave On (Gerry & The Joy Band)"
18.
"Oh Lonesome Me (Gerry & The Joy Band)"
19.
"My Name Is Earl (Gerry & The Joy Band)"
1995 Karussell reissue[]
No.
Title
Length
1.
"The Loved One"
2.45
2.
"Everlovin' Man"
2:08
3.
"Sad Dark Eyes"
2.14
4.
"A Love Like Ours"
2:10
5.
"Love Song"
2:12
6.
"Blueberry Hill"
2.38
7.
"Shake, Rattle & Roll"
3:14
8.
"This Is Love"
2:25
9.
"Magic Box"
1.58
10.
"More Than Love"
2:09
11.
"The Woman I Love"
1:58
12.
"The Loverly Car"
1:56
13.
"I Want You To Love Me"
2:45
14.
"(I'm No Good) Without You (Rehearsal)(This track is actually The Wild Cherries NOT The Loved Ones)"
3.47
15.
"Everlovin' Man (Live at Festival Hall, Melbourne, April 1967)"
2:08
16.
"Sad Dark Eyes (Live at Festival Hall, Melbourne, April 1967)"
2:25
17.
"The Loved One (Live at Festival Hall, Melbourne, April 1967)"
3:32
Personnel[]
Gerry Humphrys – vocals
Rob Lovett – guitar, bass
Ian Clyne - electric piano, organ
Kim Lynch - bass
Gavin Anderson – drums
Treva Richards – electric piano
Danny DeLacey – guitar
References[]
^"Hot LP Of The Week". Everybody's. Sydney, Australia: Australian Consolidated Press. November 1967.
[2]