“I Love My Dog” (1969) – Lynne Randell * Written by Cat Stevens * Produced by Everett Rickett * 45: “I Love My Dog” / “Mind Excursion” * Label: Capitol
For his 1967 debut album Matthew and Son, Cat Stevens recorded a song for his Dachsund who, disappointingly, was not named Dog Stevens, but Pepe. In 1969 a singer named Lynne Randell, who was like an Australian Petula Clark, recorded the gorgeous version I’m presenting to you here. Who was this Everett Rickett that’s listed as producer with only this one record to his credit? Perhaps it was a pseudonymous Nooney Rickett, a Shindig era LA scenester whose real last name happened to be Everett. It seems unlikely, though, with this track sounding as seasoned and elegant as it does. (Who are the players, for that matter?)
Randell’s biggest hit in Australia was her version of “Ciao Baby,” and it’s sad to realize that “I Love My Dog” would be her very last single, a pinnacle at the end of the road. While touring with the Monkees, Jimi Hendrix, and others, Randell developed an addiction to methamphetine, which she’d battle for the rest of her days. She nonetheless kept herself in close proximity to the music business, marrying the head of Swan Song Records and working as Seymour Stein’s personal assistant at Sire. She passed away at age 57 in 2007.