Bubble Gum, Lemonade &.... Something for Mama

Because of her weight and the rumors concerning the cause of her death, Mama Cass Elliot endures as little more than a punch line, which is a real shame; not only was her voice the linchpin of the Mamas & the Papas' most memorable hits, but her solo records were engaging and unique, capturing the unlikely confluence of bubblegum and the blues. Bubble Gum, Lemonade & Something for Mama, Cass' second solo effort, showcases her brassy, exuberant voice couched in a variety of settings, from the girl groupish "It's Getting Better" to "Blow Me a Kiss," an ersatz Tin Pan Alley pop number in the mold of her hit "Dream a Little Dream of Me." The highlight is the closing "Make Your Own Kind of Music," later covered by Paul Westerberg. Really.