Album of the Day

For their seventh studio set, named ALBUM 1700 after its Warner Bros. catalog number, Peter, Paul and Mary took some cues from pop culture, starting with a Bonnie and Clyde-inspired cover pose. The music was also in keeping with 1967, featuring fuller folk-rock arrangements with backing musicians (including Paul Butterfield) and a Top Ten single, “I Dig Rock And Roll Music,” that name-checks several contemporary hitmakers. As on the group's earlier releases, magnificent harmonies take center stage, and there's an interesting take on Dylan (“Bob Dylan's Dream”), though the collection's most famous track spotlighted then unknown songwriter John Denver – whose “Leaving On A Jet Plane” would give PP&M their only No.1 hit. Of course the politically aware trio also included some social commentary on ALBUM 1700, making it a good one to spin on a local election day.