Information/Write-up
In Wonderland stands as one of the most elusive and fully realized statements of Canadian sunshine pop and orchestral jazz of the late 1960s. Issued at the height of Toronto’s studio-driven creative peak, the album captures a brief but extraordinary convergence of arranger-led pop sophistication, broadcast-level musicianship, and collective vocal warmth that has never been fully replicated in Canadian recording.
Recorded at Hallmark Studios in Toronto and jointly presented by Nimbus 9 Productions and CBC Radio Canada, In Wonderland occupies a unique position between commercial pop, radio culture, and orchestral studio craft. Two original pressings were issued: a standard Nimbus 9 commercial release and a far rarer CBC Radio Canada yellow-label pressing distributed in limited quantities to CBC stations nationwide. The CBC copies, never intended for retail circulation, now rank among the most sought-after Canadian pop LPs of the era.
Musically, In Wonderland is neither a band album nor a conventional vocal pop record. Instead, it functions as a tightly unified studio project, shaped by the architectural arrangements and musical direction of Ben McPeek, whose role here is foundational rather than decorative. McPeek’s orchestrations give the record its distinctive lift: bright brass figures, buoyant rhythm sections, and flowing harmonic transitions that borrow equally from jazz, easy pop, and television scoring without ever sounding anonymous or generic.
The instrumental core — including McPeek, Jerry Toth, and Jimmy Dale — provides a flexible, expressive framework over which the vocals float rather than dominate. That vocal presence comes from the Laurie Bower Singers, whose contributions are central to the album’s identity. Led by Laurie Bower, the group’s harmonies are warm, playful, and precise, evoking American sunshine pop while retaining a distinctly Canadian restraint and clarity.
Rather than leaning on novelty or overt sentimentality, In Wonderland sustains its mood through pacing and texture. Originals sit comfortably alongside reinterpreted material, unified by a sense of optimism and studio elegance that reflects its era without becoming dated. The album’s sound is polished but never sterile, joyful without tipping into kitsch — a balance that few Canadian productions of the period managed to achieve.
Production duties were shared by Jack Richardson and Dave Bird, with engineering by Phil Sheridan, whose clean, spacious mixes allow both vocals and orchestration to breathe. The result is a recording that feels intentional at every level, from arrangement to sequencing to sonic presentation.
The Mutual Understanding would later record Christmas with Rick Wilkins and the Mutual Understanding for CBC Radio Canada in 1970, and issue two rare non-LP singles — including the highly prized CBC 7-inch pairing Show Me Your Laughter and Summer of ’42. In 2005, In Wonderland was reissued by the Korean Beatball label, confirming its international reputation among collectors and sunshine pop enthusiasts.
Today, In Wonderland is widely regarded as the Canadian holy grail of sunshine pop jazz: not because of hype or scarcity alone, but because it captures a fleeting, fully realized moment when arrangement, performance, and production aligned perfectly.
-Robert Williston
Laurie Bower
Ben McPeek
Jimmy Dale
Jerry Toth
The Laurie Bower Singers
Tommy Ambrose
Kathy Collier
Vern Kennedy
Patty Van Evera
Songwriting
‘Wonderland’ written by Ben McPeek and Woodman
‘Look Around’ written by Jimmy Dale and Sherman
‘Everybody Loves My Baby’ written by Palmer and Williams
‘I’m Old Fashioned’ written by Johnny Mercer and Jerome Kern
‘Little Girl Blue’ written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart
‘San Jose’ written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David
‘Pretty People’ written by Ben McPeek and Hine
‘You Fascinate Me So’ written by Coleman and Leigh
‘Rain Rain Go Away’ written by Claman and Morris
‘Always True to You, Darling, in My Fashion’ written by Cole Porter
‘When the World Was Young’ written by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini
‘Out of This World’ written by Johnny Mercer and Harold Arlen
Production
Musical Director: Ben McPeek
Vocal Leader/Director: Laurie Bower
Produced by Dave Bird and Jack Richardson
Engineered by Phil Sheridan
Recorded at Hallmark Studios, Toronto, Ontario
Artwork
Cover design by Nick Speke
Notes
Presented jointly by Nimbus 9 Productions Limited and CBC Radio Canada
Issued in two pressings, including a limited CBC Radio Canada transcription edition distributed to CBC radio stations
Part of the CBC Transcription Radio Canada series
Liner notes
Welcome to Wonderland—momentary abode of the Mutual Understanding—a happy moment in time where all can share in the magic of a mighty and cheerful sound.
And meet the Mutual Understanding—as you listen, you will join the understanding and be drawn under their spell—a simple and wonderful sorcery where mystery melts into comprehension and moods leave behind depression for the joy and excitement of being a part of this moment.
Wonderland is today and new; yesterday and friendly.
Wonderland is Laurie Bower, Ben McPeek, Jimmy Dale and Jerry Toth.
Wonderland is a new dimension of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Wonderland is the sound studios of Hallmark, the hands of Phil Sheridan.
Wonderland is the desire of Dave Bird and the discipline of Jack Richardson.
Wonderland is a sharing and enjoying and a happiness.
Welcome to Wonderland.
This recording is presented jointly by Nimbus 9 Productions Limited and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
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