The Mamas & the Papas - 16 Greatest Hits

Track Listings

1. Dedicated to the One I Love

2. Monday, Monday

3. Look Through My Window

4. California Dreamin'

5. I Call Your Name

6. My Girl

7. Dream a Little Dream of Me

8. Go Where You Wanna Go

9. Got a Feelin'

10. I Saw Her Again

11. Words of Love

12. Twelve-Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming to the Canyon)

13. Dancing in the Street

14. Glad to Be Unhappy

15. Creeque Alley

16. Midnight Voyage

Tracks:

California Dreamin'
Go Where You Wanna Go
Monday, Monday
I Call Your Name
Do You Wanna Dance
I Saw Her Again
You Baby
Dancing Bear
Words Of Love
No Salt On Her Tail
Look Through My Window
Dancing In The Street
Dedicated To The One I Love
Creeque Alley
Glad To Be Unhappy
Twist And Shout
Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming To The Canyon)
My Girl
Safe In My Garden
Dream A Little Dream Of Me

Amazon.com

The Mamas and the Papas had a sound that helped define a portion of the 1960s. Their breezy folk classics had a bit of San Francisco psychedelia woven in, and, despite the sweet harmonies, there was also a noticeably dark feel to some of their more popular work. "California Dreamin'" and "Monday, Monday" both utilized enough minors to give them a spooky edge. Greatest Hits is an essential part of any audiophile's collection, especially if they don't have the original recordings that spawned the hits. "Dedicated to the One I Love" is almost ironic for its tenderness, considering the turmoil that rumbled through the band's interrelationships. While John and Michelle Phillips and Denny Doherty were all responsible for the success of the Mamas and the Papas, listening to this collection reveals that the late great Mama Cass was not only the heart but the soul of the band. Greatest Hits closes with her "Dream a Little Dream of Me," and serves as a touching tribute to Cass Elliot's talent. --Steve Gdula

Customer Reviews:

A Must for Any Music Fan!.......2007-06-30

The Mamas & The Papas - who doesn't love their music? This CD is ESSENTIAL. 20 of their best loved hits and album tracks. What harmonies, singing, songwriting & production on these songs. The voices of Cass, Denny, John & Michelle eternally in unison on these amazing songs.

I love the biggest hits, as well as the album tracks & minor hits, like Denny's lead on DANCING BEAR, NO SALT ON HER TAIL, which should have been a single, and SAFE IN MY GARDEN - one of their last singles in 1968. And of course, their anthems CALIFORNIA DREAMIN', MONDAY MONDAY, GO WHERE YOU WANNA GO, and many more. LOOK THROUGH MY WINDOW is just majestic with Denny's lead, Cass & Michelle's backing vocals & the swirling strings. John Phillips wrote it, and it's one of their masterpieces, like MONDAY MONDAY is.

The best single disc Mamas & Papas CD around today.

Best Deal for Mamas and Papas.......2007-05-15

This is the best collection for the money. All their great songs!!

Harmonies and GREAT tunes make this a no-brainer........2007-04-20

The origin of the Mamas & the Papas is an interesting one, and for the most part us fans pretty much care mostly about what made them great: the music. When all is said and done, John Phillips has been regarded as a lot less of a talented songwriter than he truly was. When you can wake up in the middle of the night and force Michelle Phillips to write down the lyrics to a song that's been bouncing around your head for a few hours and it turns out to be "California Dreamin" you can consider yourself an accomplished songwriter (IMHO). That is easily the best song written basically while asleep since "Yesterday" by Paul McCartney.

While "California Dreamin" wasn't their all-time biggest chart topper, it is most assuredly the song that us fans think of most often when we read or hear about this amazingly talented Quartet. Drugs, alcohol and who knows what else very much contributed to a great deal of the problems and in some respects their eventual break-up, but NOBODY can seriously take away the impact that they have had over the years.

Personally I feel that Denny Doherty was one of the most underrated singers of the 60's. His talent on their signature song is unmistakable, and since his passing recently, will be sorely missed. As it stands, we now only have Michelle left of the original four members. All I can say is for the casual fans of the band, this is a great collection to have, and you will be amazed at the selection of songs that you probably haven't heard before that are assembled here. For the true Mamas & the Papas fans, it'll take you on an incredible trip down memory lane the way only great music can. I find that through specific songs I can remember obscure moments of my life that otherwise I honestly would have totally forgotten otherwise. Its an amazing medium and one I am fortunate to work in regularly.

While I didn't hit my teen years in the 60's, I was fortunate to have worked at an Oldies themed radio station for several years which helped me to really learn to love this music in a way I probably never would have in any other way. Give this CD a shot and get ready for hours--if not years of pure enjoyment.

The Mamas & The Papas - Greatst Hits.......2007-04-12

This CD brought back lots of old memories. I really enjoy listening to it.

Groovy People.......2007-04-05

What can you say that has'nt already been said? It's a timeless collection of great harmonies for the ages. You can't go wrong having this CD in your collection--it's really a MUST!

20th Century Masters: The Best Of The Mamas & The Papas (Millennium Collection)

Average customer rating:

ONLY THE BEST!!!
Fantastic!
CD review
Great songs on the disc
A great review!

20th Century Masters: The Best Of The Mamas & The Papas (Millennium Collection)
The Mamas & the Papas
Manufacturer: Mca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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California Dreamin'

ASIN: B00000I8LO
Release Date: 1999-03-23

Tracks:

California Dreamin'
Monday, Monday
Creeque Alley
Dedicated To The One I Love
Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming To The Canyon)
Words Of Love
Look Through My Window
I Saw Her Again Last Night
Dancing Bear
Mama Cass: Make Your Own Kind Of Music
Dream A little Dream Of Me

Amazon.com

The Mamas and the Papas blazed across the '60s folk-rock scene, scoring nine Top 40 hits in less than two years. So bright was their brief run that it earned them a berth in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. This set shows at least some of the reason why--there's the era-defining hit "California Dreamin'," plus other triumphs such as "Monday, Monday," "Words of Love," "Dedicated to the One I Love," and the autobiographical "Creeque Alley." Perplexingly, the 20th Century Masters set substitutes "Dancing Bear" for "Glad to Be Unhappy," which was a bigger hit. Then too, the set is skimpy compared to their previously released Greatest Hits, but it does win points for including two Cass Elliot solo hits, "Make Your Own Kind of Music" and "Dream a Little Dream of Me." --Daniel Durchholz

Customer Reviews:

ONLY THE BEST!!!.......2007-05-07

This is a very nice compilation of one of the best 60's group ever; from their first No. 1 hit, CALIFORNIA DREAMIN' (issued in 1966), Mamas And Papas improved to be an incredible combination of male and female voices (Mama Cass Elliot is simply great); unforgettable beautiful ballads like MONDAY MONDAY, DEDICATED TO THE ONE I LOVE and TWELVE THIRTY, one Mama Cass'number (MAKE YOUR OWN KIND OF MUSIC), and pretty tunes like CREEQUE ALLEY, DANCING BEAR and DREAM A LITTLE DREAM FOR ME...all the songs are precious!!

Fantastic!.......2007-04-10

I thoroughly enjoy this collection of hits from The Mamas and the Papas. Every song is fun and the tunes will stay with you long after you're done listening.

Like other selections from the 20th Century Masters series, this can't be called a complete collection. However, what is included is fantastic and I find myself popping it into my CD player much more often than many other CDs.

My copy of this CD (which I bought new) includes an 8-page folder with two photos of the band (besides the cover photo), a short band biography written by Joseph F. Laredo, and a track listing with song writing and original release credits. Song lyrics are not included. The jewel case is fully transparent with another photo of the band on the inside of the back paper.

As a side note, if you are a fan of the ABC television series "Lost" this CD includes the Mama Cass song "Make Your Own Kind Of Music" that is featured on Desmond's record player in the hatch.

If you're just starting with The Mamas and the Papas, or simply want a brief overview of some of their better known songs, this is a great CD.

For more The Mamas and the Papas, check out Criterion's phenomenal DVD release of Monterey Pop (or the box set The Complete Monterey Pop Festival). This concert DVD is absolutely brilliant, and includes several songs from The Mamas and the Papas.

CD review.......2007-03-16

Purchased for a friend as a gift for people in Norway with whom he visited and stayed.
Item was received before he left for Europe and is much appreciated.

Great songs on the disc.......2007-02-23

This disc pretty much has many of the essential Mamas and the Papas songs. Great sound quality. It's a real shame this band ended up breaking up.

A great review!.......2007-01-15

I bought this as a gift for a friend. She loved it and I got to listen to it!!! Classic music from a golden era!

Average customer rating:

I'M A BELIEVER !!!
Metamorpho, Metamorpho...So Good to Me...........
Nothing like it before - EVERYTHING like it since
5 Stars Plus!!!
Their Fabulous Classic First Folk-Rock Album!

If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears
The Mamas & the Papas
Manufacturer: Mca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Mamas & the Papas - Greatest Hits
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California Dreamin'

ASIN: B0000062XR
Release Date: 1998-02-24

Tracks:

Monday, Monday
Straight Shooter
Got A Feelin'
I Call Your Name
Do You Wanna Dance
Go Where You Wanna Go
California Dreamin'
Spanish Harlem
Somebody Groovy
Hey Girl
You Baby
The In Crowd

Amazon.com

As they developed and incorporated more of their own social lives into their music, the Mamas and the Papas became the model for other dysfunctionally self-involved groups like Fleetwood Mac. But none of that is evident on their 1966 debut, If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears; rather, it's the quartet's dreamy vocal interaction that is the highlight here. "California Dreamin'" is a touching honeymoon of a song; and its follow-up, "Monday Monday," is much the same--though it comes this close to overwhelming sappiness. "Spanish Harlem," "In Crowd," and Mama Cass Elliott's lead on the Beatles' "I Call Your Name" are just as enjoyable. Though the accompanying music on this album was not the focus, it's every bit as strong as the vocal arrangements, with Larry Knetchel, Joe Osborne, and Hal Blaine handling the chores here. --Randy Silver

Customer Reviews:

I'M A BELIEVER !!!.......2006-08-15

To me, great debut albums are few and far between. These days, there's just too much hype made about this group and that group; and, even if they are good, so much media overkill and overplay gets done that you're sick of hearing about someone before they've really had a chance? "IF YOU CAN BELIEVE YOUR EYES AND EARS" is one of those great debut albums--almost a "sleeper," if you will--that can't be beat! From start to finish, you want to hear more; and usually do wind up playing it a second (and maybe even a third) time around before walking away and saying, "Wow," to yourself over and over again. I can only compare that to, say, the first Beatles album (take your pick between the first UK or US release), Boston's debut LP, Skynyrd's "PRONOUNCED," or (another "sleeper") "LISTEN UP... IT'S THE ECHOES"--the latter, in some ways, reminding me of The Mamas & The Papas magic and honesty? This group's definitely earned itself a place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. I only wish there were more like them!

Metamorpho, Metamorpho...So Good to Me..................2006-01-05

People, people. I remember a long time ago, when I was a Metamorpho in training, trying to angle my radio in just a certain way to pick up a radio station in Boston to hear the latest. Even though I lived in the suburbs of New Jersey - extremely close to N.Y.C. - they really weren't up on it as far as new music was concerned. So.... there I was... trying to get under just the right cloud formation. And then I heard it (Bless Boston, Massachusetts!), California Dreamin'!!!! Then they announced that it was by The Mamas and the Papas. My teenage brain repeated over and over to me.. "MUST GET THIS".
Of course, I had to wait for New York to catch up, and then I had to wait for the album release. It was well worth the wait! At that time (65-66) I remember how unique they were. I mean. who dressed like that? Not even my beloved Beatles took that chance (Sgt. Pepper was years away). As I knew full well upon first hearing, "California Dreamin'" eventually went to Number 1. And not too long after that, they doubled that gift by releasing "Monday, Monday." Accessible pop done expertly.
This first album has many things to reccommend it. The arrangements, the vocal harmonies, the professional session men who provided the backdrop for these voices. The "definitive" Mamas and the Papas, if you ask Metamorpho.
So many good tunes. That great riff on the pop-rock "Straight Shooter", the carnival take on "I Call Your Name", the great tick-tocking of time on "Got a Feelin'". Wonderful, lush, great mid-sixties pop. Memorable and you always felt better after hearing it.
The Mamas and the Papas were different than anything else at the time. Their legacy lives on because there was quality there. Metamorpho is sad because he no longer discovers great music by transistor radio. He is sad because the times have moved from quality to quantity. To quote Metamorpho in one of his more reflective moods, "The discovery of great music is 50% of the joy upon hearing it." I hope my anecdotes and humor help you to the joy of new discoveries! Bye my people.... Metamorpho

Nothing like it before - EVERYTHING like it since.......2004-08-26

In an era where groups were categorized as 'Vocal', 'Motown', 'Folk', 'Girl Group', 'British Invasion', and 'Rock and Roll', along came The Mama's and the Papa's (at the time, resplendent with their apostrophes). What, exactly, do you call them? Part of the magic of the band was that you couldn't label them with anything that existed at the time - they really did carve their own niche... then immortalized it in the 2 years they were together. Their effect was profound, even leading to a 4/4 time drum beat that's colloquially referred to as 'Mamas and Papas'. The Classics IV would name a song after them; Peter, Paul and Mary would dedicate an entire verse to them in their hit "I Dig Rock and Roll Music"; Donovan would write a song for Cass. The group was as adept at others' material (a full HALF of this album is comprised of tunes by other artists), as they were at their own.

California Dreamin' - an ageless classic which made Rolling Stone's top 100 of the best songs ever recorded, and with good reason. A haunting, minor-chord revelation, the song takes the beachy California confections of the early 1960's and gives them folk's depth and mood. And, by the way, the second verse ends with "you know the preacher LIGHTS the COALS, he knows I'm gonna stay (get it, it's cold outside, the preacher lights a fire for the wandering troubadour who's dreamin' of California - the Beach Boys cover of this song sported a video that illustrates this point with some clarity).

Straight Shooter - Rock and Roll, pure and simple. Driving, groovy, and downright sexy towards the end (listen carefully for Cass's grinding 'half of that belongs to me' at the end of the song).

Got a Feelin' - One of the first four songs the group ever composed, the liner notes of the album refer to the song as 'feathery'. I really can't improve on that.

I Call Your Name - Cass' first showcase on the album, it defines the Mama's and Papa's brilliance (for the most part) at recording other's tunes, and Papa John's ability to rearrange a song and make it completely different. The Beatles' rock and roll standard becomes an almost ragtime love song, if you can believe your ears...

Do You Wanna Dance - another cover tune, late of Bobby Freeman AND the Beach Boys, it is arguably the group's best version of someone else's song - so good, in fact, that Dunhill - the group's record label - would mine it for a single TWO YEARS AFTER THE FACT. The beauty and sincerity of this song is BEGGING to appear on a soundtrack of a romantic comedy. Brilliant beyond words.

Go Where You Wanna Go - simple, cool, four-part-harmony fun. The first single - though preemptively - released from the album, it was quickly pulled in favor of California Dreamin'. The 5th Dimension would later cover the song and send it into the American Top 20, thus launching THEIR career.

Monday, Monday - won the group the Grammy in 1966, and with good reason. It's a symphony. In stereo, the one speaker will produce Cass, John, Michelle, and the strings, while the other will feature Denny's lead, the harpsichord (!) and percussion. It is technically awe-inspiring, simple and complex at the same time. Michelle thought it was pretentious at the time, and potentially career-limiting. Never has an artist been so happy to be so wrong. I can hear this song 1,000 times - and have - and can still find something new to love about it.

Spanish Harlem - on par with Do You Wanna Dance, Denny's vocals are pristine and plaintive, with the girls' harmonies behind him evoking the balcony to which he's singing. A love song lovers' love song.

Somebody Groovy - another of their first four tunes, it - along with the rest of the album - demonstrates the group's ability to be good time rock n' rollers. It's got a great beat, and you can... well, you know.

You, Baby - The Turtles are targeted in this cover, and I'm hard-pressed to decide who's won. The boys do it a little faster; the Mama's and the Papa's do it a little more rock-er. One of the few times the group would take on another artist's tune and match it closely, rather than re-invent it entirely.

Hey Girl - A great answer-back pop tune that should've appeared on more of the millions of compilations than it has. An early showcase for the girls' voices.

The In-Crowd - Watch Cass take a soul tune and make it her own. The other side of the coin from I Call Your Name, here Cass is finally unleashed on a song, her barreling contralto owning every note.

I still cannot imagine, after all the greatest hits re-do's, that California Dreamin' and Monday, Monday actually appeared on the same album together ORIGINALLY. Universal in its acceptance, If You Can Believe is to the Mama's and the Papa's what Pet Sounds is to the Beach Boys, and Sgt. Peppers is to the Beatles.

Yes, there was Abba, the Carpenters, the Sunshine Company... but FIRST, there was The Mama's and the Papa's.

Buy this album. Right now.

5 Stars Plus!!!.......2002-10-09

This is great makeout music! On Do You Wanna Dance, Monday, Monday and Spanish Harlem, Denny Doherty is a singer par excellence!!! Cass is super on Somebody Groovy and In Crowd!!!

Come back John and write some more songs! You left us too soon!

Their Fabulous Classic First Folk-Rock Album!.......2002-05-15

No single group flashed faster to the top nor created more hype than the fabled the Mamas and the Papas. From their initial burst onto the scene with "California Dreaming" to their final efforts with "For The Love Of Ivy", they created a new, exciting, and melodramatic form of vocal harmonies into the folk-rock mainstream. The album featured here was their freshman effort, and it is indeed a classic, containing wall to wall hits with "Monday Monday", "I Call Your Name", "Go Where You Wanna Go", and of course, "California Dreaming".

Tracks:

Monday, Monday
Straight Shooter
Got A Feelin'
I Call Your Name
Do You Wanna Dance
Go Where You Wanna Go
California Dreamin'
Somebody Groovy
You Baby
The In Crowd
No Salt On Her Tail
Dancing Bear
Words Of Love
My Heart Stood Still
Dancing In The Street
I Saw Her Again
Once Was A Time I Thought

Tracks:

Dedicated To The One I Love
My Girl
Creeque Alley
Sing For Your Supper
Twist And Shout
Free Advice
Look Through My Window
Glad To Be Unhappy
The Right Somebody To Love
Safe In My Garden
Dream A Little Dream Of Me
Nothing's Too Good For My Little Girl
Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming To The Canyon)
Midnight Voyage
Step Out

Customer Reviews:

Mamas & The Papas - 'Gold' (Geffen).......2006-07-07

Total of 32 tracks.Decent 2-CD compilation,specially for the price.Sound could be better.There are tunes here that I certainly don't remember.But,who could forget the hits?Most notable cuts include "Monday,Monday","Straight Shooter","I Call Your Name","California Dreamin'","Creeque Alley",the B-side "Look Through Any Window","The Right Somebody To Love" among others.Personally,I liked their box set 'Singles,Plus' better(see my review).Good for either the completist of any new fan.

The Mamas & Papas Gold.......2006-07-01

Sounded great and brought back a lot of old memories. Any
fan of the group will love this CD.

Okay.......2006-05-18

It's probably a great anthology. But for the occasional listener who doesn't know too much about the band, or wasn't really alive yet to appreciate, I'd suggest a shorter compilation. Personally, I think that this is a great collection, but I'd suggest the soundtrack to "Beautiful Thing" over this, with its plethora Mama Cass solo tracks.

NICE, NOT GOOD ENOUGH.......2006-05-11

I KNOW THIS "GOLD" MAMAS & PAPAS COMPILATION IT`S SUPOSED TO HAVE THE BEST SOUND EVER `COUSE THEY SAID THIS WAS A REMASTER, BUT THE SOUND DOESN`T SURPRISED ME AT ALL, THERE ARE IN THE MARKET BETTER SOUNDING COMPILATIONS BY M&P, DON`T GET ME WRONG IS GOOD, BUT IF YOU`RE THINKING IN BUYING IT FOR ITS SOUND LIKE ME, YOU BETTER WAIT FOR A REAL RE-REMASTERED ONE.

The Ultimate Mama's and Papa's.......2006-03-09

I've had a lot of these tunes on vinyl, cassette,(gasp) 8 track and cd over the years and the sound quality was always atrocious. Finally we can hear these as they were meant to be heard. Great remastering job. Mama Cass shines with her powerful voice if she was front and centre or background. Denny Doherty also had/has a very good voice. Many tracks were written by John Phillips. Michelle Phillips sounds soft and blends in so well with her 3 peers. Some of these 32 tracks you may not have heard before but each one is worth a listen. Great buy. Good liner notes also.

All the Leaves Are Brown: The Golden Era Collection

Average customer rating:

An aural revelation
For a digital remaster, I've heard better sound quality...
Beautiful Music From A Forgotten Band
BEYOND COMPARE
A Window To The True Spirit of the 60's

All the Leaves Are Brown: The Golden Era Collection
The Mamas & the Papas
Manufacturer: Mca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00005NHLA
Release Date: 2001-08-28

Tracks:

Monday, Monday
Straight Shooter
Got A Feelin'
I Call Your Name
Do You Wanna Dance
Go Where You Wanna Go
California Dreamin'
Spanish Harlem
Somebody Groovy
Hey Girl
You Baby
The In Crowd
no Salt On Her Tail
Trip, Stumble & Fall
Dancing Bear
Words Of Love
My Heart Stood Still
Dancing In The Street
I Saw Her Again
Strange Young Girls
I Can't Wait
Even If I Could
That Kind Of Girl
Once Was A Time I Thought
Dedicated To The One I Love
My Girl
Creeque Alley

Tracks:

Sing For Your Supper
Twist And Shout
Free Advice
Look Through My Window
Boys And Girls Together
String Man
Frustration
Did You Ever Want To Cry
John's Music Box
Glad To Be Happy
The Right Somebody To Love
Safe In My Garden
Meditation Mama (Transcendental Woman Travels)
For The Love Of Ivy
Dream A Little Dream Of Me
Mansions
Gemini Childe
Nothing's Too Good For My Love
Too Late
Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming To The Canyon)
Rooms
Midnight Valley
I Saw Her Again (mono)
Words Of Love (mono)
Creeque Alley (mono)

Customer Reviews:

An aural revelation.......2006-10-28

I've loved The Mamas & The Papas music for nearly 40 years and never got tired of hearing their songs on the radio or putting an a greatest hits compilation and just chilling out to the wonderful melodies and harmonies. A couple of years ago I heard this compilation. The first track I played was my favorite, 'Safe in My Garden' followed by 'Look Through My Window'. I couldn't believe what I was hearing; it was like I was hearing these wonderful songs for the first time. I am no audiophile and what I know about the technicalities of remastering you could write on the back of a postage stamp, in a font size of 72; all I know is that this collection makes every other M&TPs release seem like the music is being filtered through a bunch of dirty old socks. Yes, the remastering may not have removed every single audio artifact but it just sounds.....fantastic! if you love the music of The Mamas & The Papas but have not heard this collection, do yourself a favor and try and track down a copy, you won't regret it.

For a digital remaster, I've heard better sound quality..........2006-03-06

I was peripherally aware of the release of this collection, and was finally moved to purchase by the news that it might disappear as MCA is replacing it with a more scale-down release with fewer tracks. What finally convinced me, though, were the glowing reports of the superb sound quality.

I own all of the original albums in their original, "from analog sources"-disclaimered CD releases, as well as the Creeque Alley collection. I now sit with those, as well as the Golden Era Collection, and am comparing the audio side by side.

While there is no question in my mind that this release has the best sound quality, it simply does not deserve the glowing reports heaped upon it here - not enough for the average listener who owns previous issues to dump them in favor it this one.

Yes, the original analog-mastered releases are sonically awful. Creeque Alley which, by the way, says "transferred to digital" in its liner, is not much of an improvement. But compared to a contemporary remaster, such as (a semi-random choice) the recent Japanese reissues of the Spanky and Our Gang original albums, this Mamas and Papas collection is still woefully inadequate. Just listen to the opening of Monday, Monday, for instance, and hear the abundant tape noise and other artifacts in the background. Perhaps the original source material was not available for this project, or perhaps they were damaged so as to limit what could be salvaged, but in any case ... I expected more.

Beautiful Music From A Forgotten Band.......2006-01-05

Now when I say forgotten band, I don't mean that nobody knows the Mama's and the Papa's; every body loves their hits. Beautiful arrangments and melodies mixed with the best vocal arrangments this side of the Beach Boys with simple, yet often heart wrenching lyrics. These four albums (the first two perfect, the second two merely wonderful) make a strong case for the Mama's and the Papa's as one of the greatest bands of all time. The quality of these albums are high; there is nary a filler track. I would say with the last album, the Papa's and the Mama's, there is a small amount of filler. It's obvious John Phillips was running low on steam due to many reasons; drugs, depression etc. The problem with the album is that they tried to break out of their well established style, and into more "hard core" psychadelic sounds. Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn't. The songs that do work are wonderful.

The other three albums, I can't even explain. It's beauty in music personified. Besides the music, this is an amazing collection as it's a) cheap. I found this for less than 20 bucks I think. Four albums for less than 20 bucks is incomparable. b) the sound is amazing. I have no idea who remastered these, but they sound like they were recorded yesterday. c) Its hard to find. I've only seen this thing in a store once, when I snatched it up. Don't pass this by if you love 60's pop music, and haven't quite experienced the band yet.

BEYOND COMPARE.......2005-12-11

James Dewitt's review is perfect so there is not much more to say - but since I have a big mouth I have to say something.

These four individuals came together and created that sound - I think they called it "Herman" - the "creation" when they all sang together. It's THERE and HERE on this remastered masterpiece. There have been great vocal groups - none compare to the quality and sharpness of these four artists.

Their final album of their 60's recordings, "The Papas And The Mamas" is one of the most underrated records of all time. Even Mamas and Papas fans slag it off - which makes me think they need a good carton of Q-tips. Especially on this edition - you can hear how intrinsically John was producing the sound in his studio. Even high as hell they were geniuses. This recording is as important as IF YOU CAN BELIEVE YOUR EYES AND EARS - if not even more so.

ADD TO CART

A Window To The True Spirit of the 60's.......2004-12-17

Those who are looking for a "favorable, but.." review or more crass and cruel jokes about ham sandwiches, look elsewhere.

For us hippies in the 1960's, there were two songs that made us realize that moment when we looked up when everyone else looked down: If You're Going To San Francisco and California Dreamin'. We realized that it had nothing to do with actually GOING to San Francisco or LIVING in California - it was the idea that things would be approached differently from then on.

John Philips wrote both songs. We knew he understood something deeper about a vibe that was in the country but had not been codified - and he wasn't even a hippie himself. Funny about that.

What he did was to select the finest voices he could find among the end of the popular folk music era and bring them together to perform a new kind of music. People who mistakenly lump his work in with The Association have ears of tin (though I like their work). This is instead the crossroads of The Hi-lo's, the Weavers and a kind of unabashedly romantic soft rock (before that was a pejorative term)that has not been performed since.

This collection comprises some of the finest pure SINGING of the decade of the Sixties, and that was my revelation from it. I had not properly remembered just how good a singer Cass Elliott was. Her voice is just magnificent. Denny Doherty, as one of the two great classic voices to come out of California in the Sixties ( the other being Marty Balin) is just breathtaking in both his approach and his mastery of the material. John's backup singing and his incredible vocal arrangements just lead me to wonder what he could have done with a modern studio with 128 vocal tracks. And as for Michelle, aside from being the absoulute pinnacle of attractive female rock singers then or now, I only wish the interior relationships would have permitted her to sing more leads. The great thing about this collection though is that you can hear EACH VOICE in EACH SONG to the extent that you can follow just John's voice in I Saw Her Again or just Denny in Stumble and Fall. Every lyric in every song can be clearly heard. Imagine that today!

There is more to this collection than just music - it contains artistry. If you like SINGING, even if you aren't sure about the material, BUY THIS SET. If you like the Mamas and Papas, YOU NEED THIS SET. If you want a quick Cliff's Notes on what late 60's music was really supposed to be all about YOU WANT THIS SET.
PS: Make absolutely sure you listen to the "studio chat" piece on the end of Disc 2...it'll clean your ears.

And by the way, speaking as a hippie - Cass died from a heart attack, not from a ham sandwich. Please don't defame her memory any longer with that sad-a**ed urban legend..

Average customer rating:

Definitely their greatest hits
Totally Evocative of our Youth.
The "soundtrack" of a generation
The only Mamas & Papas album you will ever need to own
dont get me wrong!

16 of their Greatest Hits
The Mamas & the Papas
Manufacturer: Mca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002O2K
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Dedicated to the One I Love
Monday, Monday
Look Through My Window
California Dreamin'
I Call Your Name
My Girl
Dream a Little Dream of Me
Go Where You Wanna Go
Got a Feelin'
I Saw Her Again
Words of Love
Twelve-Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming to the Canyon)
Dancing in the Street
Glad to Be Unhappy
Creeque Alley
Midnight Voyage

Customer Reviews:

Definitely their greatest hits.......2007-05-08

Had all the hit tunes I was looking for. Only a couple of ones I wasn't thrilled with but for the price I paid, well worth the money for the rest.
(and without "For the Love Of Ivy" which I personally think is one of their worst songs!)

Totally Evocative of our Youth........2006-02-18

'The Mamas & The Papas, 16 of Their Greatest Hits' does not have quite the cachet of their 1960s' 'Farewell to the Last Golden Era', but it succeeds in bringing back so many memories anyway.

For some reason, I vividly remember my first encounter with 'The Mamas and the Papas', as it was while I was watching a Dick Clark special televised from Atlantic City, and the group performed 'Monday, Monday'. I believe this was in my relatively unsophisticated pre-infatuation with the Beatles, so I was scornful of a group with such a contrived name and what seemed to be such a saccarine style. I am not quite sure exactly when my perception of 'The Mamas and the Papas' changed, except that it was probably just after they broke up and I started realizing what we lost.

The sense of loss was exasperated when Mama Cass went the way of Janis and Jim and Jimi.

This album has every performance I recall so well from my car radio of the time and every one evokes feelings as strong as the very best of the Beatles and far stronger than any American contemporaries.

The "soundtrack" of a generation.......2002-04-07

As I sat at work on another "MONDAY, MONDAY," I started to "LOOK THROUGH MY WINDOW, thinking about how "I SAW HER AGAIN LAST NIGHT." I decided to compose a little poem "DEDICATED TO THE ONE I LOVE." It was easy to create "WORDS OF LOVE" as I told the pen to "GO WHERE YOU WANNA GO."

I sent it special delivery to "MY GIRL" who began to "TWIST AND SHOUT" with glee upon receipt of the testimony to our love. She hurried to my apartment without making a single "TRIP, STUMBLE, & FALL."
So elated were we that we decided to go "DANCING IN THE STREET."

Then I awoke from my slumbers, looked over at her to which she responded, "Did you "DREAM A LITTLE DREAM OF ME"?

So, I didn't use all sixteen. Buy the CD and enjoy the songs and the memories.

The only Mamas & Papas album you will ever need to own.......2002-01-28

"The Mamas & The Papas: 16 of Their Greatest Hits" is one of those hits collections that pretty much includes all of the best of a particular group. Go ahead and listen to the four albums The Mamas & The Papas put out and dollars to donuts you will end up rather listening to this one. What is always interesting to me is to see what someone's favorite songs are on this album, because once you get past their biggest hits, "Monday, Monday" and "California Dreamin'," everybody seems to pick different songs; my two are "I Call Your Name" and "Twelve-Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming To The Canyon). All of these songs were produced between 1965 and 1968 by Lou Adler and they do indeed represent the very best of the group's unique four-part harmonies. I happen to be deaf in one ear and so when I listen to this album on a head set I switch around the headphones from time to time; this allows me to hear the break down of the harmonies, which is quite interesting. I wish I could explain it musically, but that sort of things is way beyond me, I am afraid. However, Cass Elliot is one of those singers you could listen to all night long, even without the rest of the group. More than the Beach Boys, CSN&Y or the Mike Curb Congregation, it is The Mamas & The Papas who represents the best of pop harmonies in the Sixties.

dont get me wrong!.......2001-07-18

This particular compilation is the reason that The Mamas and the Papas 2nd album has never been released on C.D! The Mamas and the Papas released 4 albums originally (not including "Live at Monterey Pop" or "people Like Us"). They were>(1) "If you can belive your eyes and ears"(2)"Cass,John,Dennie,Michelle-A.k.A self titled"(3)"Deliver"(4)"The Papas and The Mamas". Now, their 2nd album Cass,John,Etc. (self titled) was never released on cd because the picture on this compilation was originally the picture of their 2nd album except on the top border of the original their names appear in red letters and it doesn't say "20 greatest hits" on it. MCA made a bad call and decided to use the cover picture of the original second for a compilation probably never thinking that the original albums were ever going to be released on cd. the other 3 are on cd, have been for years, Live at monterey and people like us are also on cd.

Average customer rating:

Required for any true M&P fan
I'd love to leave a five-star review...
Ultimately Irresistable - Long Overdue
VOICES LIKE THEIRS
101 SONGS? You've got to be kidding!

Complete Anthology
The Mamas & the Papas
Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0002QFFNE
Release Date: 2004-09-20

Tracks:

Monday, Monday
Straight Shooter
Got a Feelin'
I Call Your Name
Do You Wanna Dance
Go Where You Wanna Go
California Dreamin'
Spanish Harlem
Somebody Groovy
Hey Girl
You Baby
In Crowd
No Salt on Her Tail
Trip, Stumble & Fall
Dancing Bear
Words of Love
My Heart Stood Still
Dancing in the Street
I Saw Her Again
Strange Young Girls
I Can't Wait
Even If I Could
That Kind of Girl
Once Was a Time I Thought
Glad to Be Unhappy [*]
Creeque Alley [Mono Single Version][*]
Words of Love [Mono Single Version][*]

Tracks:

Dedicated to the One I Love
My Girl
Creeque Alley
Sing for Your Supper
Twist and Shout
Free Advice
Look Through My Window
Boys and Girls Together
String Man
Frustration
Did You Ever Want to Cry
John's Music Box
Right Somebody to Love
Safe in My Garden
Meditation Mama (Transcendental Woman Travels)
For the Love of Ivy
Dream a Little Dream of Me
Mansions
Gemini Childe
Nothing's Too Good for My Little Girl
Too Late
Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming to the Canyon)
Rooms
Midnight Voyage
Once Was a Time I Thought [Rehearsal & Studio Chatter][*]
Studio Chatter [*]
I Can't Wait [Studio Chatter & Rehearsal][*]

Tracks:

People Like Us
Pacific Coast Highway
Snowqueen of Texas
Shooting Star
Step Out
Lady Genevieve
No Dough
European Blueboy
Pearl
I Wanna Be a Star
Grasshopper
Blueberries for Breakfast
Straight Shooter [Live]
Got a Feelin' [Live]
California Dreamin' [Live]
Spanish Harlem [Live]
Somebody Groovy [Live]
I Call Your Name [Live]
Monday, Monday [Live]
Dancing in the Street [Live]
John Phillips Dialogue [Commentary][*]
Cass Elliot Diologue [Commentary][*]

Tracks:

Nowhere Man [From Hullabaloo][#]
Here in My Arms [From Rodgers & Hart Today][#]
It's Getting Better - Cass Elliot
Make Your Own Kind of Music - Cass Elliot
New World Coming - Cass Elliot
Costume Ball [From Doctor's Wives] - Cass Elliot
Something to Make You Happy - Cass Elliot,
Mississippi
Revolution on Vacation
Cup of Tea
Gathering the Words - Denny Doherty
To Claudia on Thursday - Denny Doherty, Jimmie Haskell
Indian Girl - Denny Doherty
Baby Catch the Moon - Denny Doherty
Aloha Louie - Michelle Phillips
There She Goes - Michelle Phillips
No Love Today [Mother, Jugs & Speed] - Michelle Phillips
Aching King - Michelle Phillips
This Precious Time - The Mamas & the Papas, Barry McGuire
Do You Believe in Magic - The Mamas & the Papas, Barry McGuire
Yesterday - The Mamas & the Papas, Barry McGuire
You've Got to Hide Your Love Away - The Mamas & the Papas, Barry McGuire
Let Me Be - The Mamas & the Papas, Barry McGuire
Hang on Sloopy - The Mamas & the Papas, Barry McGuire
California Dreamin' - The Mamas & the Papas, Barry McGuire

Album Description

For the first time - the definitive Mamas and Papas career anthology, presented in a 4CD digibook set. The anthology features all the Mamas and Papas complete studio albums - "If You Can Believe Your Eyes And Ears", " The Mamas and the Papas", "The Mamas and The Papas Deliver", "International Monterey Pop Festival" (live), "People Like Us", alongside the corresponding single releases, rare tracks and studio /rehearsal takes. Disc four is a disc of rarities & previously unissued ecordings, including live performances from US television, solo tracks from each of the band and tracks from the 'Barry McGuire with The Mamas & Papas' album, which features many early versions of tracks that would later be hits for the group in their own right. Compiled by US expert Jim Pierson and with detailed liner notes by journalist Paul Grein, this set features lavish 72 page full colour booklet with over 100 photos, previously unseen material, a full discography, track annotations and foreword from 'Mama' Michelle Phillips. The Anthology provides not only a must-have set for existing fans but a superb exploration of the bands music for those more recently drawn to their timeless blend of honeyed west-coast harmonies, fusing pop rock and folk matched by few in their wake. Island. 2004. * No US release is scheduled.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered Comprehensive Four CD Mamas and Papas Career Anthology Presented in a Digibook Set. Includes all of their Complete Studio Albums "if You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears", "The Mamas and the Papas", "The Mamas and the Papas Deliver", "People Like Us" as Well as their Live Performance at the Monterey Pop Festival and Single Releases, Rare Tracks and Studio/Rehearsal Takes. Disc Four features Rarities and Previously Unissued Recordings. The Set was Compiled by Us Expert Jim Pierson and with Detailed Liner Notes by Journaist Paul Grein in a Lavish 72 Page Full Color Booklet with Over 100 Photos, Previously Unseen Material, a Full Discography, Track Annotations and Foreward from "Mama" Michelle Phillips.

Customer Reviews:

Required for any true M&P fan.......2006-02-06

Wonderful collection, when you are used to the hits though you have to appreciate the not so well known hits. At any rate John wrote most of them and it give us a chance to learn more about him through his songs. A+. If you are thinking about buying it..DO it!!!

I'd love to leave a five-star review..........2005-11-27

but...the single version of "Creeque Alley," the one with a horn-blowing free-for-all, is NOT in the collection. Thank goodness I still have my scratched-up 45rpm... Other than that, all six albums, except for "A Gathering of Flowers," are wholly-represented. Some dialogue and rehearsal cuts from that two-LP anthology are included, though.

There is an entire disc of rarities and solo cuts from each group member. Unfortunately, the songs representing Cass are the same-old, run-of-the-mill cuts ("It's Getting Better," "Make Your Own Kind of Music" and "New World Coming"). What about "Talkin' To Your Toothbrush," or "You Know Who I Am?" Or even "Burn Your Hatred?" Fortunately, the theme from "Doctors' Wives" is included. I never heard it before. (What we need to hear next is the theme from "L'Amour.") I've heard some, but not all, solo recordings of Michelle, John and Denny, so I was pleased with the cuts representing their work.

I know that the group members and many fans hated "People Like Us," but I have to admit that I always loved that album!! The notes indicate that that recording may have hurt the careers of the individual group members, that they never made the charts on their own accord again. Sorry, but I don't agree. Had Cass lived longer, she would definitely have made the charts again. She was in the process of finding herself as an artist. The other group members did not try to find solo success beyond a limited number of recordings, and each ultimately pursued a different direction.

Summing up, it is amazing that this foursome created such an awesome body of work that was so small, yet so affecting. Their harmonies were amazing! And their material, even the filler and contractually-obligated, is worth listening to today, 40 years after "California Dreamin'" was released.

Ultimately Irresistable - Long Overdue.......2005-11-04

Mamas & Papas Complete Anthology wins, without any doubt, Box Set of the New Millenium's First Decade, hand down-high five-thumbs up-"10" Stars-you name the highest award. It's been a long time-a-comin'! This VOCAL group remains one of Pop Music's most mysteriously alluring ensembles in modern music history. Music fans seem to never get enough Mamas & Papas product, regardless of the ongoing endless reissues which have appeared since the group's two and half year heyday and ill fated demise. Of all the male-female ensemble groups to ever explode onto the radio/best selling charts - this group easily wins first place as the most impeccably perfect VOCAL musical creators of all time. All good things come to an end, but, some remain forever!...More on this super collection later, as this music lover listens, absorbs, and savors this indefinable collection...stay tuned...

VOICES LIKE THEIRS .......2005-09-13

Once again, a reason to despair for the questionable state of affairs known as the American music industry of today and it's quest for youthful, talentless hacks who need to be filtered, edited, vocodered, sampled, sweetened, fixed. Why, oh why, did this unparalled, marvelous set have to be compiled & released in the U.K.? The British arm of Universal is even willing to give so much room & accuracy to the American chart & release histories, not only of the band in it's regrettably all too brief period of existence, but of the subsequent individual careers of Cass, Michelle, Denny & John. Many kudos to them.

The effortless, seemingly pure harmonies, let alone the individual talents have had an unrivalled, eternally lasting, effect on anyone who loves, or even remotely gives a hoot, about what vocal music can be. The beautiful remastering of EVERYTING included in the lavish set is beyond reproach. Yes, even "People Like Us." The long ridiculed, yet not at all out of step with the period it was recorded sounds exemplary in this set. Frankly, if anything is out of step with this collection it is the Barry McGuire tracks that finish off the forth disc, but with the unmistakable vocals that back him, it is easy to forgive their inclusion.

The book is equally incredible. Previously unseen photos & artwork abound, recording & release details. Unlike so many "so-called" anthologies of more than a decade, the "digipack/book" concept is meant to be accessed, read, poured over. No threat of the book falling apart over time from poor binding, or getting lost if not put back in a jewel case immediately.

As a personal recommendation, it would be well worth any effort to follow this with the recent releases of the respective solo works from Hip-O of both Cass & Michelle. Hopefully, someday, the same will happen for the long ignored solo works of Denny & John, not to mention the difficult to find RCA releases of Cass.

101 SONGS? You've got to be kidding!.......2005-06-29

The Mamas and The Papas were nothing more than a blip on the radar screen of rock n roll history. They had a few decent hits.
Some communties sentence you to listen to this set in its entirety as community service punishment. I defy any of you to name 10 Mamas And The Papas songs off the top of your head that were NOT hits.
OK GO! I knew it, you can't do it. The best of CD's are more than enough.

Average customer rating:

CD review
CALIFORNIA DREAMIN
California Dreamin'
Horrid recording!!
Cheap price, 2 big hits, but caveat emptor

California Dreamin'
The Mamas & the Papas
Manufacturer: Mca Special Products
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Gold

ASIN: B000002QUF
Release Date: 1995-01-01

Tracks:

California Dreamin'
Spanish Harlem
Glad To Be Unhappy
Go Where You Wanna Go
Monday, Monday
My Girl
No Salt On Her Tail
Sing For Your Supper
Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming To The Canyon)
Words Of Love

Customer Reviews:

CD review.......2007-03-16

Item purchased for a friend who gave it to friends or relatives in Norway.

The CD received before his trip to Europe which was much appreciated.

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN.......2007-01-12

This CD put out by any other band except the Mamas & the Papas, would be considered a BEST OF CD.

California Dreamin'.......2005-09-30

What a wonderful CD! I had the tape years ago and finally have the CD and I love the quality and it was shipped quickly to boot!

Horrid recording!!.......2004-02-24

While I only paid $5.99, that was still WAY too much for such a horrible recording! All the songs sound tinny and like they were recorded in a can. Even the "transfered from analog tape" disclaimer doesn't excuse the poor quality. I'd take it back if I could. My advice is find the vinyl and make your own CD!!!

Cheap price, 2 big hits, but caveat emptor.......2003-05-29

The Mamas & The Papas are probably the most overrated pop band from the 1960's. They are renown for two flawless pop classics, both included here("California Dreamin'" and "Monday Monday"). Their two best smaller hits were "Go Where You Wanna Go"(also here)and "I Saw Her Again"(not here). What's left on this CD is filler: hollow nostalgia(cutesy for the '60's)and poor cover versions. Bypass this and get "Greatest Hits" with the live shot on the front. It has 20 songs, is remastered, and gives you a broader overview of the band's talents. They're still overrated, but at least on the other CD you get "I Saw Her Again" and their pretty version of "Dedicated to the One I Love". C+

Creeque Alley: The History Of The Mamas & The Papas

Average customer rating:

FOR COMPLETIST'S ONLY: OUT-OF-DATE AUDIO QUALITY!
Chillin' with John, Denny, Michelle, & Cass
Solid history of excellent group
Creeque Alley
An Overlooked Icon from the Musical Sixties

Creeque Alley: The History Of The Mamas & The Papas
The Mamas & the Papas
Manufacturer: Mca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002OFR
Release Date: 1991-03-12

Tracks:

Wild Women - The Big Three
Winken', Blinken And Nod - The Big Three
I'll Remember Tonight - The Mugwumps
I Don't Wanna Know - The Mugwumps
This Precious Time - Barry McGuire
John Phillips Dialog From 'A Gathering Of Flowers-The Anthology of The Mamas And The Papas'
California Dreamin'
Go Where You Wanna Go
Monday, Monday
You Baby
Do You Wanna Dance
I Call Your Name
Spanish Harlem
Straight Shooter
Got A Feelin'
I Saw Her Again
Look Through My Window
Words Of Love
Dancing In The Street
Mama Cass Dialog From 'A Gathering Of Flowers-The Anthology Of The Mamas And The Papas'
Once Was A Time I Thought (With False Start And Studio Chatter)
No Salt On Her Tail

Tracks:

Trip, Stumble & Fall
Dancing Bear
Dedicated To The One I Love
Creegue Alley
My Girl
Twist And Shout
I Call Your Name (Live)
Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming To The Canyon)
Glad To Be Unhappy
For The Love Of Ivy
Safe In My Garden
Midnight Voyage
Dream A Little Dream Of Me
California Earthquake - Mama Cass
It's Getting Better - Mama Cass
Make Your Own Kind Of Music - Mama Cass
Mississippi - John Phillips
Whatcha Gonna Do - Denny Doherty
Mama Cass Dialog From 'A Gathering Of Flowers-The Anthology Of The Mamas And The Papas'
Step Out
The Achin' Kind - Michelle Phillips

Amazon.com

Is there another song like "Creeque Alley"? It's not unique as band autobiography ("The Legend of Paul Revere") nor even in that it was a hit single ("The Ballad of John & Yoko"). But has there ever been another such song that announced that a group's members had come to hate each other and would be breaking up soon? These two CDs are filled with the Mamas and the Papas' distinctive combination of the folk rock of their peers (many of whom also appear in "Creeque Alley": Roger McGuinn and Barry McGuire, and the Lovin' Spoonful's Zally Yanovsky), love for pre-Beatle rock (their beautiful version of the Shirelles' "Dedicated to the One I Love"), and inimitable group vocals. --David Wolf

Customer Reviews:

FOR COMPLETIST'S ONLY: OUT-OF-DATE AUDIO QUALITY!.......2004-12-16

This set will indeed take you back in time, but, unfortunately, not due to the music: It sounds like it's coming out of an AM radio because it was released fifteen years ago and has never been remastered.

If you are seeking the best reproduction of the TM&P's sound, serious consideration should be given to the remastered, 2001 2-disc set "ALL THE LEAVES ARE BROWN: THE GOLDEN ERA COLLECTION".

"ERA' contains the complete first four TM&P's LP's, plus the non-LP single, "Glad To Be Unhappy" in glorious remastered sound.

"ERA" is also superior in sound to the MCA "GREATEST HITS" single disc CD released in 1998.

"CREEQUE ALLEY" should only be purchased if you desire to explore the more obscure tracks and dialog bits included here.

My advice: Carefully examine the track lists for both "ERA" and "CREEQUE" to determine if the more obscure content justifies the expense of this additional set.

Link to the All the Leaves Are Brown: The Golden Era Collection.

Chillin' with John, Denny, Michelle, & Cass.......2004-02-24

Yeah, these discs really take me back to when girlfriends Cass and Michelle, and my men Denny and John, were so much a part of my life. I remember their gig (on the portable record player) at my dad's party the day he made journeyman electrician at Fords . And I remember kicking it with them in my room, using Crayolas to stand in for their physical selves.

But mostly I remember standing over our console stereo, enthralled by the melodies coming out as the "Dunhill" label spun around and around. At four and five, I preferred "Dancing Bear", the song about a kid dreaming of far away places and animals, to "Monday Monday", But I did like the harmonies.

On this collection, it's easy to appreciate the beauty, and in some cases complication, of the Mamas & the Papas' harmonies . One of my favorites musically is "Once Was a Time I Thought"; especially since you hear the group put the final touches on the recording. It seems they haven't overdubbed this accapella full of fifths and sixths, yet it sounds like a whole choir full of people is singing, not just four. Other arrangements on songs like "No Salt On Her Tail" are often unpredictable and refreshing.

Hearing the voices of the band and the history from the Big Three and Mugwumps is delightful, with one caveat. These folks wear their hearts on their sleeves, as anyone who has heard "I Saw Her Again" can attest to. They court each other, warn each other, build each other up, and finally, in Creeque Alley, vilify each other in song. I for one can't listen to the line "No one's getting fat except Mama Cass" without squirming. Still, I would highly recommend this collection of songs. They provide some beautiful melodies, and the history of one of the most important American pop bands of the '60s.

I should know. They lived on our stereo.

Solid history of excellent group.......2004-02-06

This compilation was released in the early nineties, since when other compilations have been released with improved sound quality. Nevertheless, this compilation includes tracks that pre-date the formation of the group as well as solo tracks recorded later, so there are tracks here that will be of interest to die-hard fans, which might not be easy to find elsewhere.

Mama Cass began her career in the Big three, which evolved into the Mugwumps. Two tracks from each of these groups begin this collection. As the Mugwumps, they recorded one album before splitting up. One member of the Mugwumps (Zal Yanovsky) went on to form the Lovin' Spoonful with John Sebastian, who had been a sideman on the Mugwumps' album. These four tracks are followed by a Barry McGuire solo track featuring the Mamas and Papas on backing vocals. The sixth track is a dialog by John Phillips. The remaining sixteen tracks on the first CD and the first thirteen tracks are by the Mamas and the Papas. The set closes with tracks recorded after the group broke up - three Mama Cass solos, a Mama Cass dialog, one solo song by each of the other three and one more Mamas and Papas track from a reunion made to fulfil contractual obligations.

The classic Mamas and Papas songs are all here including California Dreaming, Go where you wanna go, Monday Monday, I saw her again, Words of love and Creeque alley. These are classic slices of sixties folk-rock, some of which at least you must be already familiar with.

Also in this collection are their great covers including I call your name (Beatles), You baby (Turtles), Spanish Harlem (Ben E King), Dancing in the street (Martha Reeves and the Vandellas), Dedicated to the one I love (Shirelles), My girl (Temptations) and Twist and shout (Isley brothers). Do you wanna dance was originally an American hit for Bobby Freeman but later became a British hit for Cliff Richard and an American hit for the Beach Boys. Dream a little dream of me was over forty years old when the Mamas and Papas recorded it - this song was actually the first Mama Cass solo recording though the group was still united at this stage. Some of these covers were also hits for the Mamas and Papas.

Of the solo tracks recorded after the group broke up, the most important is It's getting better, a top ten UK hit for Mama Cass.

This is a fine collection but unless you are particularly interested in the rare Big three and Mugwumps recordings, you might be better to buy one of the more recent compilations. Some of these contain the later solo recordings and some don't, but the Mama Cass solos are available separately.

Creeque Alley.......2001-07-01

This cd was a great representation of the history of the group. It had the songs in chronological order including songs from before and after the Mamas and Papas. On the first cd it had songs from the Big Three, Mugwumps, and early Mamas and Papas songs. On the second cd it had later songs and at the end, songs from the solo albums of the group's members. This is a great box set for Mamas and Papas fans.

An Overlooked Icon from the Musical Sixties.......2001-05-29

All that I expected to hear was there, and it brings back some fond memories. But much more than that, the music was excellent! It is heard to advantage here in one of the most beautifully mastered CDs I have ever heard. Nice context is provided by the inclusion of music both pre-M&Ps and after the group's break-up. What is great about this compilation is that you don't have to be familiar with the group to appreciate their talent. Some of the masterpieces here have more than simply held up. 35 years later the music sounds as if it had been created today.The liner notes are fascinating, too...

Average customer rating:

"Amelia Earhardt, we have your luggage."
A personal recollection of Spanky
Where to begin?
Superb fusion of Jazz, Blues, Pop, Rock, and Folk!

The Complete Mercury Recordings
Spanky & Our Gang
Manufacturer: Hip-O Select
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

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Complete Anthology
Great Balls of Fire/Dolly, Dolly, Dolly
All I Can Do/New Harvest...First Gathering
The Studio Albums 1967-1968

ASIN: B000BPL328
Release Date: 2006-11-13

Tracks:

Lazy Day
(It Ain't Necessarily) Byrd Avenue
Ya Got Trouble (In River City)
Sunday Will Never Be the Same
Commercial
If You Could Only Be Me
Makin' Every Minute Count
5 Definitions of Love
Brother Can You Spare a Dime
Distance
Leaving on a Jet Plane
Come and Open Your Eyes (Take a Look)
Swingin' Gate
Prescription for the Blues
Three Ways from Tomorrow
My Bill
Sunday Mornin'
Echoes (Everybody's Talkin')
Suzanne
Stuperflabbergasted
Like to Get to Know You
Chick-A-Ding-Ding
Stardust
Coda (Like to Get to Know You)

Tracks:

Anything You Choose
And She's Mine
Yesterday's Rain
Hong Kong Blues
Nowhere to Go
Give a Damn
Leopard Skin Phones
But Back Then [Spoken]
Mecca Flat Blues
Without Rhyme or Reason
1-3-5-8 (Pedagogal Round #2)
Jane
Since You've Gone
Sunday Will Never Be the Same
Makin' Every Minute Count
Lazy Day
Commercial
It Ain't Necessarily Byrd Avenue
Everybody's Talkin'
Sunday Mornin'
Like to Get to Know You
Give a Damn
Three Ways from Tomorrow
And She's Mine
Yesterday's Rain

Tracks:

Nagasaki
Amelia Earhart's Last Flight
Waltzing Matilda
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime
Steel Rail Blues
Oh Daddy
Dirty Old Man
Klan
That's What You Get for Lovin' Me
Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives to Me
Wasn't It You?
You Got Trouble [From The Music Man]
Crying [#]
Chick-A-Ding-Ding [Mono Mix][#]
Give a Damn [Stereo Single Mix][#]
Yesterday's Rain [Stereo Single Mix][#]
Anything You Choose [Stereo Single Mix][#]
Everybody's Talkin' (Echoes) [Stereo Single Mix][#]
Give a Damn [Public Service Announcement][#]

Tracks:

And Your Bird Can Sing
Sealed With a Kiss
Sunday Will Never Be the Same
Distance
Making Every Minute Count
If You Could Only Be Me
Lazy Day
(It Ain't Necessarily) Byrd Avenue
Sunday Morning
Everybody's Talkin' (Echoes)
Like to Get to Know You
Three Ways from Tomorrow
Give a Damn
Swinging Gate
Yesterday's Rain
Without Rhyme or Reason
Anything You Chose
Mecca Flat Blues
And She's Mine
Leopard Skin Phones
Echoes (Everybody's Talkin')

Product Description

Spanky And Our Gang are a complete trip down the psychedelically-tinged sunshine days of the late Sixties. With harmonies unrivalled by almost any other band save The Mamas And The Papas, and a songbook that included Broadway classics (The Music Mans Trouble), Tin Pan Alley standards (Brother, Can You Spare A Dime) and socially-conscious anthems (Give A Damn), Spanky And Our Gang hold a unique place in pop history. Led by Elaine Spanky MacFarlane, the group embodied the eclectic, artistic, and free-spirited feeling of the era; but with roots in folk, jazz, and blues, and with sometimes as many as six members, their sound took on a complex and multi-layered character. Their collective persona was zany and theatrical and extraordinarily popular. This set, completely remastered by Ellen Fitton at Universal Mastering Studios East and produced by Grammy-winning producer Bill Levenson, includes all of the studio albums released by the band, seven previously-unreleased rarities, and an entire disc of the mono mixes of the bands singles. It also includes extensive liner notes by Richard Barton Campbell and rare photos of the band. Spanky herself was involved throughout the course of the development of the set, and is almost as excited as we are well, maybe even more to see this out on CD, as much for the bands legion of fans as for herself. Sunday will never be the same.

Customer Reviews:

"Amelia Earhardt, we have your luggage.".......2007-06-02

I had all three of the Japanese imports, but still ordered this set. Why? Because the LIVE album was there. As mentioned in another review, this set showcases the amazing vocals and outstanding comedy of the group. "Waltzing Mathilda" has some of the finest harmonies you ever heard. Some of the songs are NOT p.c. (Join the Klan for one...), and I'm glad no one said "We can't re-issue this, somebody might be offended!" There is one lp missing, "CHANGE", on Epic in 1975. This is worth finding in the garage sales. If you are a fan of Spanky and Our Gang, this is one you'll want for your collection.

A personal recollection of Spanky.......2007-03-08

This review, unlike most that I write, is highly personal.

I am the world's biggest SPANKY & OUR GANG fan, unabashedly so. All the group's albums and 45s (picture sleeves, mostly) were treasures in my youth. Fifteen years after they disbanded (following the untimely death of Malcolm Hale), I would invariably reach for an Our Gang album to play, even though surrounded by thousands of options in my record store. This group was that compelling for me.
In the early 90s, I met Spanky McFarlane briefly, after a South Florida New Mamas & Papas concert. She was a pretty little thing, and had the BIGGEST singing voice imaginable. When we spoke of the loss of Malcolm, you could actually feel her pain. Spanky is a real person, and a true star.

As for THE COMPLETE MERCURY RECORDINGS--
DESIGN:
This is a compact, nicely organized collection. All four Our Gang albums have been sonically spruced up and given a clarity the original vinyl never had. Song order and mixes remain intact. The Limited Edition book-styled set is made of sturdy paper and has 24-pages of liner notes and data. Several group photos are included, but since there's no captions to match faces to names, those less-familiar with group members will be left to guess who (besides Spanky) is who.

MUSIC:
My favorite is still the posthumous LIVE album. Without overdubs and orchestrations, you can clearly hear what made S&OG so special: their superb voices, personalities and humor. Highlights include the intricate four-part acappella harmony on "Waltzing Matilda," and a version of Gordon Lightfoot's "Steel Rail Blues" that may be the ultimate interpretation of that fine song. Spanky wails away in perfect Chicago blues style on "Oh Daddy" while the guys cut up behind her. The live recording is an album full of smiles.
WITHOUT RHYME OR REASON B/W ANYTHING YOU CHOOSE, their last recorded LP, is simply put: a masterpiece-- one of THE finest issues of 1969 (see my review of it for details). After hearing this thoughtfully put-together and lovely album, one is left wanting more and wishing that Malcolm's loss in late '68 hadn't hastened the group's dissolution.
LIKE TO GET TO KNOW YOU, with it's Roaring 20's nostalgia cover, contains the very first (and in my opinion BEST) version of Fred Neil's "Echoes Of My Mind." A year or so later, Harry Nilsson (and MIDNIGHT COWBOY) would score big with the same song, retitled "Everybody's Talking." The Gang's take on Leonard Cohen's "Suzanne," with their changing moods and rhythms is another album highlight, as is the opener, "The Swinging Gate." The five-part harmonied "Sunday Mornin'" is still, IMO, this group's very best single.
SPANKY & OUR GANG, their first release, contains the most charting singles (three), but also has the first-ever version of "Leaving On A Jet Plane." "Commercial" is still quite funny, and "Distance" is an overlooked gem.
SPANKY'S GREATEST HIT(S), with cover shot of new-mom Spanky, offers remixes of top sellers. The original extended-length "Sunday Mornin'" is here, as well. Spanky comments on the LP in this compilation's liner notes.
PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED RARITIES includes "Crying," which is a song from the Gang's first recording session, in 1966.
THE MONO SINGLE MIXES features the Gang's first 45, "And Your Bird Can Sing/Sealed With A Kiss." This one missed the mark in 1966, but only by a little.

SPANKY & OUR GANG * THE COMPLETE MERCURY RECORDINGS presents two years worth of remarkably varied music. Buy this one with confidence, for it is GREAT GREAT stuff! Listen, and you too just may end up "Stuperflabbergasted."

P.S. to Spanky: Somebody in Florida (besides Nigel) loves yah!

TOTAL RUNNING TIMES --
DISC ONE - Spanky & Our Gang - Like To Get To Know You -- 68:08
DISC TWO - Anything You Choose (etc.) - Spanky's Greatest Hit(S) -- 75:19
DISC THREE - Spanky & Our Gang Live - Previously Unreleased Rarities -- 60:32
DISC FOUR - The Mono Single Mixes -- 58:33

Where to begin?.......2006-11-05

Having waited years for somebody to remaster the Spanky and Our Gang albums, along comes this four CD boxed set to remind me why I was so enthusiastic about what they were doing in the late 60's and also chart their rise, success and eventual demise.It's possible to argue that this is for completists only, but to listen to them remastered and as is pointed out in another review, having shelled out $30+ for a single unmastered Japanese CD puts the price you have to pay into perspective. Undoubtedly the relative familiarity (if you're that old!) with the material on disks one and two makes them the obvious plce to start, but the other two disks have some 'buried treasure" to yield. That said I always though the vocal mix on the "live!" album was strange, and it remains so, because that's how it was recorded!The rarities (Tracks 13 to 19 on Disk 3) have stereo mixes of tracks which were considered for single release. Disk 4 has all the mono single including the ultra rare (in Britain anyway) of the first two single sides, followed in chronological order by the rest. If you missed out on the band first time around this is an excellent investment, and although it appears to be 'a limited' edition there's no indication on my boxed set what that actually means.One gripe and then the exhortation to purchase. Someone, in remastering the second album has missed out nearly all the spoken exchange about the slipper in "like to get to know you"; why? This collection ought to be a 'must have' for anyone remotely interest in the quality music that was being produced in the U.S. at the end of the sixties. As I said in the title of the review, 'where to begin?' to which the answer might be buy this set.

Superb fusion of Jazz, Blues, Pop, Rock, and Folk!.......2006-01-04

About 25 years ago a good friend introduced me to a Spanky and Our Gang LP, Without Rhyme Or Reason. For a person with eclectic tastes, such as myself, it was a delight! Socially conscious lyrics and humor, an occasional blues and even a cover of a 1940's composition (Hong Kong Blues; also covered by George Harrison). The CD versions of the original S&OG LPs had been only offered in Japan and the price (about $30. each) seemed prohibitive. When I heard that Hippo-select remastered EVERYTHING S&OG had recorded I broke my rule of only buying used and immediately ordered this. It has been wonderful to discover many new S&OG tracks, both original and covers (so well done). These recordings drip with the essence of all the positive vibes we associate with the 1960's. Enjoy this wonderful compilation. Only one small issue; the packaging is all cardboard, so it needs to be taken care of. This remaster package was limited to 5000 pressings, although not numbered, I believe it will be certainly a difficult item to own as the years pass.

Music Review:

Music Review

Music Review

1. Dedicated to the One I Love
2. Monday, Monday
3. Look Through My Window
4. California Dreamin'
5. I Call Your Name
6. My Girl
7. Dream a Little Dream of Me
8. Go Where You Wanna Go
9. Got a Feelin'
10. I Saw Her Again
11. Words of Love
12. Twelve-Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming to the Canyon)
13. Dancing in the Street
14. Glad to Be Unhappy
15. Creeque Alley
16. Midnight Voyage