The Mamas & the Papas - California Dreamin' (Live in Monterey)

Watch The Mamas and the Papas perform their famous single "California Dreamin" live in Monterey, CA (1967)

(C) Dunhill Records

[christopherknott]

Michelle hated lip syncing. For God's sake, she ate a banana once during a lip syncing gig just to protest. Love seeing this sung live. Makes you appreciate Michelle's part when u realize her mic isn't working. Best 4 part harmonizers ever.

[lisamcnelly]

Michelle’s mike is not working but it shows how much the 4 part harmony is important! Many thought she was just a pretty face. Her part is tremendous!

[JoshBright]

One of the most beautiful hippy songs ever written.

[dizie]

Mama Cass sang every part of the harmony. She did tenor when needed, she did alto and soprano at certain points. She knew all the parts. 🙌🏽 She might’ve been a teench high as well so that makes her even more impressive.

[tommurphy]

Its absolutely TRAGIC that michelles mic isn’t working on this recording. She carries the entire song.

[leosunrising]

Mama Cass sure could belt it out. Pay attention to how long she holds that last note. Like WOW, man! Liked reading “High On Arrival” by Mackensie Phillips. Glad she finally recovered from the drugs, at least.

[Davey]

Mama cass has the voice of an angel. RIP beautiful ❤

[rcm]

For anyone wondering why you can't hear Michelle - her mic wasn't broken or muted, it's just the recording mics weren't set up properly to pick up all of the speakers, or at least the whole range of noise coming out of them. At some points you can hear her voice when she's singing louder and higher-pitched, that's because a mic is picking it up that wasn't picking it up before, either because it was set up to avoid recording a certain frequency (so you can't hear the audience or other unwanted noises) or the mic assigned to the speaker with her vocals wasn't working and the increased volume allowed the sound to be picked up by the mic for a different speaker. It's really all down to 60s technology and bad preparation, it was actually quite common.

[theanonymouscat]

That drummer and guitar player went crazy! Great live band.

[morbidart]

They were performing 280 nights a year and this is the only live performance documented??

[Bassman]

At 2:03 you can hear one of the other microphones picking up Michelle's high harmony - and she was belting it out for a faraway microphone to have picked it up.

[mderepository]

How is this the only real live version I can find? It has a completely different personality than the studio version… it’s a shame there isn’t more

[ariel-]

Time sure does fly when you're having fun.

[Allyourbase]

Bands in the 60s and 70s didn’t have anywhere near the recording and audio equipment we do today, and for some reason they all sounded so much better than artists today

[BrianSmith-ljug]

This is timeless.Great live performance.

[baysideinc]

California will always be the best state - regardless of who's invading

[joezullo]

In all their glory, in their prime. Love it!

[lesliezafra]

Gives me the chills when I listen to this beautiful, exotic song!!

[garrettpomelow]

I'm impressed by how the live version of this song actually rocks! It's too bad the mics weren't picking up all the vocals, but still a solid performance.

[heyhey]

My favourite group after bee gees and Beatles