365 Days #69 - 3 Albums by The Hi Hopes (mp3s)

The Hi Hopes, like alot of "outsider" music, always brings up a dilemma with me. Do I like them more because of who they are, or what they sound like? I think I'd have to say that I definitely like them more for what they sound like, because I'd enjoy these renditions just the same even if they were performed by members of MENSA. Heck, I'd probably like them more. Not quite sure what that means.

The previous edition of 365 Days included a song by the Hi Hopes, but I thought it'd be worthwhile to make the 3 albums I have available in their entirety. Visit the Hi Hopes at: www.hopeu.com/hihopes/

See, Hear and Discover... after the jump!

MP3: Hi Hopes - Ability:
01 Ability (2:52)
02 Labels (2:30)
03 Have You Ever Seen The Rain (2:32)
04 Just Give Us A Chance (1:29)
05 Who'll Stop The Rain (2:17)
06 Day-O (3:00)
07 Springtime (2:23)
08 Proud Mary (2:39)
09 Travelin' Band (2:14)
10 Wipe Out (2:23)

MP3: Hi Hopes - Hi Hopes:
01 Everything Is Beautiful (2:44)
02 Welcome To My World (2:36)
03 Label (2:13)
04 King Of The Road (2:45)
05 La Cucaracha (2:05)
06 More (3:34)
07 Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head (1:25)
08 Some Day (3:52)
09 Candy Man (2:58)
10 Ability (2:43)
11 Miracle (2:32)

MP3: Hi Hopes - Journey:
01 Need To Be (4:37)
02 Fly, Robin, Fly (3:44)
03 Smoke Gets In Your Eyes (4:14)
04 God Bless America (1:50)
05 If I Ruled The World (3:20)
06 This Land Is Your Land (4:11)
07 Tie A Yellow Ribbon (2:43)
08 Keep On Singing (2:26)
09 Just Like You, Just Like Me (2:41)
10 Grand Old Flag Square Dance (4:37)

- Contributed by: Pea Hix

Images: Ability: Front Cover, Back Cover, Hi Hopes
Images: Hi Hopes: Front Cover, Back Cover, Hi Hopes
Images: Journey: Front Cover, Back Cover, Hi Hopes

Ability
Media: LP
Album: Ability
Label: Band N' Vocal
Catalog: BVRS 1200
Credits: Hi Hopes, directed by Doris Walker, featuring Paul Kuehn, drummer & soloist
Date: Early 1970s

Hi Hopes
Media: LP
Album: Hi Hopes
Label: Activity Records
Catalog: AR 696
Credits: Hi Hopes, directed by Doris Walker, featuring Paul Kuehn, drummer & soloist
Date: Early-Mid 1970s

Journey
Media: LP
Album: Journey
Label: Hi Hopes Records
Catalog: HH 1002
Credits: Hi Hopes, directed by Doris Walker, featuring Paul Kuehn, drummer & soloist, with ringers John Higgins, Bud & Richard Johnson, & Steve Jacobs
Date: 1976

Comments

[Dale Hazelton]

This is rich! Anybody notice how the guy lower center on the back cover of "Journey" looks EXACTLY like the guy who plays the lead on "My Name is Earl"?

[Dan]

Hey thanks for the abundant post! BTW, the link to the front cover for the "Ability" album doesn't seem to work like the other links.

[Holland Oats]

ha - i initially read the name as 'Hi Popes'...

[johnny rankin]

good stuff! a few months ago one of the albums came up on ebay, i was winning the album, but someone out bid me at the last moment.....i won the wildman fischer album, but the guy took my money and never sent the album, he also left ebay....but paypal paid me back my 20 bucks. now..how about some jimmy mitchell!

[Zenman]

I had the opportunity back in the 80's to present the Hi Hopes and run sound for them on four different dates. I am a musician myself and was amazed at what these people could accomplish given their difficulties. Plus the music that came out was so weird I loved it. I am gonna dig out my board tapes and see is any of them are worth sending....

[Dixie Dunbar]

Where were they when Andy Kaufman was playing Carnegie Hall for cripes sake?

[Ed Special]

I'm just writing because of my name.
It's just what one would expect me to do.

[Shelley RuggThorp]

What an amazing surprise to discover this post about the Hi Hopes! I work at the school where the band members rehearse 3 days a week. Paul Kuehn and Rich Groves are still current band members, and they have produced numerous CD's since the albums shown in this post. There is also a really cool documentary that was made about the band a couple of years ago. Please feel free to contact me if you want to know more. Our website is not currently up to speed, but we have a new blog that people might want to check out: www.hopeuniversity.blogspot.com
The Hi Hopes are going to be thrilled to learn that their music was played on the radio in New York, but they won't know until later today because they are at a gig!

[Mark Betcher]

I found another Hi Hopes 1975 LP titled Play & Sing. This LP apparently wasn't made available in quantity. This album has a hand made cover and contains song sheets and other material. I've posted the LP for those interested on my blog and pasted the link to the page in the url field below. Or you can do a search for Hi Hopes Play & Sing and look for the artworkbymanicmark blog. Thanks for sharing these other great albums!