On the Record: Lovin’ Spoonful’s Complete Recordings, plus Joey Quinones and JP Soars with Anne Harris

The Lovin’ Spoonful, whose origins the Mamas and the Papas chronicle in their hit “Creeque Alley,” ranks among the most notable products of New York’s Greenwich Village folk explosion. Combining elements of that genre with blues, pop, rock and roll, and jug band music, the group scored seven consecutive Top 10 hits—five in 1966 alone—including some of the most lovable singles of the late 1960s. Co-founded and led by the gifted singer/songwriter John Sebastian, the band originally also featured guitarist Zal Yanovsky, bassist Steve Boone, and drummer Joe Butler. Jerry Yester, who played on some of its early records, …