Appletree Theatre -

Appletree Theatre was the American chamber-pop/psych duo of Buffalo-bred musical brothers John and Terence Boylan, who issued the album Playback on Verve Forecast in 1968. Terence became a solo singer/songwriter while John went into production.

Members: John Boylan (vocals), Terence Boylan (vocals)

Background

Brothers John and Terence “Terry” Boylan were born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Buffalo, where their father taught medicine at the State University of New York. During their teenage years, the family spent time in Cambridge, England, where John attended The Leys School, gaining exposure to European musical traditions. John later graduated from Bard College as a theatre arts major.

Both brothers immersed themselves in the Greenwich Village folk scene, forming a short-lived folk-rock duo, the Ginger Men, who played the Night Owl Café alongside acts like the Lovin’ Spoonful and James Taylor’s Flying Machine. After signing with Koppelman-Rubin Associates as staff writers, the Boylans recorded a studio project titled Playback under the name Appletree Theatre.

Playback

Appletree Theatre released their only album, Playback, in March 1968 on Verve Forecast (FTS-3042).

Written and directed by John and Terry Boylan, the album presents a whimsical, surreal concept suite divided into overture, three acts, and an epilogue, with interwoven sketches, ambient effects, and full pop songs.

Supporting musicians include jazz guitarist Larry Coryell, bassist Chuck Rainey, guitarist Eric Gale, and others from the New York studio scene. The arrangements blend sunshine pop, Baroque psych, jazz, and sound collage.

A1. “…In The Beginning…” (0:55) – Biblical spoken intro, setting a cosmic tone.
A2. “Hightower Square” (2:24) – A trippy, Toytown psych-pop single evoking The Association on acid.
A3. “Lullaby” (0:25) – Fragmentary childlike melody.
A4. “Saturday Morning” (1:53) – Folky-jazz tune with a quaint 60s charm.
A5. “Nevertheless It Was Italy” (2:15) – Baroque pop with ornate production.
A6. “I Wonder If Louise Is Home” (2:10) – Beatlesque melody with odd megaphone-filtered vocals.
A7. “Chez Louise” (1:02) – Spoken sketch on hip/straight culture clash.
A8. “E-Train (The Jello Song)” (1:00) – Fragmented, brief melodic interlude.
A9. “Meanwhile” (0:15) – Spoken non-sequitur.
A10. “Brother Speed” (3:15) – Upbeat psych-pop with searing Coryell guitar solo.

B1. “You’re The Biggest Thing In My Life” (3:35) – Lush, harmonic ballad with fuzz guitar.
B2. “Don’t Blame It On Your Wife” (2:50) – Comic country-rock with a dry vocal delivery.
B3. “The Sorry State Of Staying Awake” (3:54) – Radio dial collage with satirical takes on C&W, R&B, and drug culture.
B4. “Barefoot Boy” (2:43) – Slight, folky pop tune.
B5. “Lotus Flower” (2:16) – Backward-tape instrumental with bluesy flair.
B6. “What A Way To Go (Yes)” (2:50) – Tranquil closer with dreamy, pastoral harmonies.

The album was produced by Peter Spargo and recorded at Regent Sound, Mirasound, and Dick Charles Recording in New York. The original Verve release featured psychedelic artwork by Nick Gaetano. It was supported by two singles: “Hightower Square” (b/w “Who Do I Think I Am”) and “What A Way To Go” (b/w “Lotus Flower”). Unreleased demos like “Cowboys and Indians” and “Love Don’t Live Here No More” exist as acetates.

Playback gained a cult following. John Lennon named it a favorite album in a 1968 interview, and BBC DJ John Peel played it on Top Gear, praising its inventive style. Later commentary compared its theatrical whimsy to Firesign Theatre, while celebrating its musicianship and inventive arrangements.

Aftermath

Following Playback, Terry Boylan embarked on a solo career with three singer-songwriter albums released across the 1970s, culminating in his 1977 self-titled LP for Asylum.

John briefly joined the psych-pop group Hamilton Streetcar before transitioning into a successful production career. Moving to Los Angeles, he produced Rick Nelson, the Dillards, the Association, and Linda Ronstadt. While assembling Ronstadt’s touring band in 1971, he introduced Glenn Frey and Don Henley—leading to the formation of the Eagles. John Boylan went on to produce major albums for the Eagles, Ronstadt, Boston, Little River Band, and others during the height of the Asylum Records scene.

Appletree Theatre’s sole album remains a singular work of sunshine pop with experimental ambition, a time-capsule oddity praised by visionary peers and rediscovered by collectors decades later.

Discography: