Nick DeCaro's string arrangements are tastefully understated. They complement the existing guitars and voice. I think the best proof of this is on "Gord's Gold". The first LP with GL's remakes have string arrangements by Lee Holdredge. The second LP is mostly DeCaro, with assists from John Sebastian and Bob Thompson. Lee Holdredge was working with John Denver at the time and his soaring string arrangements gave Denver's music a much-needed boost. GL's music doesn't need that kind of boost, and I think the core band and the orchestra were just fighting one another. Another good example of this would be Glen Campbell's recording of "Galveston". Arranger Al deLory made the song sound like Ali vs. Frasier.
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