John Sebastian Albums Ranked

John Benson Sebastian (born March 17, 1944) is an American singer/songwriter, guitarist, harmonicist, and autoharpist. He is best known as a founder of The Lovin’ Spoonful, as well as for his impromptu appearance at the Woodstock festival in 1969 and a US No. 1 hit in 1976, “Welcome Back”. In the early 1960s, Sebastian developed an interest in blues music and in playing harmonica in a blues style, rather than the classical style of his father. Through his father’s connections, he met and was influenced by blues musicians Sonny Terry and Lightnin’ Hopkins (for whom Sebastian served as “unofficial tour guide and valet” when Hopkins was in New York City). Sebastian became part of the folk and blues scene that was developing in Greenwich Village, which in part later gave rise to folk-rock. The Lovin’ Spoonful was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. Here are all of John Sebastian’s albums ranked.

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4. The Four Of Us, 1971

“Side A is a bit bluesier and rougher than his previous records. Nothing wrong with that, but the sound/production is quite annoying. Side B is the story of Sebastian and friends going on holiday, put in jail for smoking weed and so on. It’s several tunes put together in one, mainly sweet acoustics + a bit rough blues-rock. Enjoyable.”

3. Tarzana Kid, 1974

“Some decent playing on this one. It’s pretty hilarious to hear this guy doing a Jimmy Cliff song though. However, Face of Appalachia with Lowell George from Little Feat is an absolutely amazing song, hands down.”

2. John B. Sebastian, 1970

“For all those that picked up on Sebastian because of “Welcome Back Kotter”, this is the album they should have listened to. An extension of his songs for the Lovin’ Spoonful—lyrical innocence (back when there was innocence), hopes, dreams, happiness and just plain fun. Hippie mush for some folks, but you can’t help but smile and feel good in hearing this stuff…”

1. Welcome Back, 1976

“Because of the studio’s eagerness to get the album on the market, it was recorded quickly and Sebastian has lamented his opportunity to “give that album the kind of diversity that the other albums had.” All ten tracks are Sebastian originals, and there are some terrific songs here. “Hideaway” is a lively number propelled by a Farfisa organ that was released as a follow-up single, but only made it to No. 95 (the last time Sebastian would hit the Hot 100). “She’s Funny” is a typically wonderful ballad featuring Sebastian’s soulful harmonica playing. He also revisits a couple of Spoonful tunes, “Didn’t Wanna Have To Do It” and “Warm Baby.” But the gem is the countryish “Song a Day in Nashville” with Jeff “Skunk” Baxter (Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers) on pedal steel. [It’s also worth pointing out that that noted session men David Hungate (bass) and Jeff Porcaro (drums) were used on much of the album who two years later would be founding members of Toto.]”