The Trout 1968

1. The Beginning

2. Fresh Water

3. Crazy Billy

4. Carnival Girl

5. Teddy Bears’ Picnic

6. November Song

7. Arizona Two Thoughts: Cuddlin’ Warm/Here Besides You Now

8. Hushabye Wee Bobby

9. Yeah Yeah Yeah

10. Cuddlin’ Warm

11. Worse Day I’ve Been To

12. You Can’t Hang On

13. Understanding Who I Am

14. Sound Off

15. Sunrise Highway

16. The End

HERE

Before the late Tony Romeo made it big writing hit songs for the Partridge Family and Lou Christie, he was a member of a a pop-psychedelic trio called The Trout. He formed the group in the late '60s along with his brother, Frank Romeo, and a classically-trained female singer named Cassandra Morgan. Together, they released this album, which offers a good example of "post-'Sgt. Pepper'" pop. It's got orchestration, a melange of styles, and even some sound effects thrown in.

Romeo penned all of the album's songs. Since he's the guy responsible for the catchy hooks in hits like "I Think I Love You" and "I'm Gonna Make You Mine" (not to mention some great Partridge Family deep cuts), it's no surprise that this LP has some really great tunes. Some of the better ones include “November Song”, “Carnival Girl,” and “Sunrise Highway”. 

Cassandra Morgan’s vocals especially stand out on songs like “Worse (SIC) Day I’ve Ever Been To.” You wish she'd sung a bit more here. Morgan would later record some sides with Tony and along with Frank and sing back-up on some Lou Christie tracks recorded in the early '70s. As for the Trout: It probably fell by the wayside when producer Wes Farrell tapped Tony Romeo to compose hits for the then-new TV show about a musical family.