Customer Reviews

35th Anniversary Hits Collection

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

When I bought this CD for my wife for Christmas, I frankly was not prepared to like it very much. I surprised myself. As it turns out, I love it. Are the songs all remakes of old TDN hits? Yes they are. Do they sound like the originals? Not exactly. OK, so what's the deal? Well, here's why I differ from most of the other reviewers.

If the songs were all clones of the originals, this would be a pretty dull, dry CD. But not so. Each song is similar enough to the original, but with the interpretive differences that happen from 30 years of performing the same material. In fact, what you're hearing here is essentially the arrangements you would hear in a current TDN concert. And that's not a bad thing. This is who they are today. Two of the three original singers, two of the four original musicians, and a lot of great music that has modified slightly, but has remained true enough to the originals to satisfy fans.

Re-recordings with symphony orchestras can be really great or really bad. On balance, I'd rate this better than average. And if you're going to do such a project, the London Symphony Orchestra is who you want at your back. While the preludes get a bit cheesy and sound rather like some old Moody Blues album, I found the songs themselves satisfying.

My personal favorites - "Out in the Country" is particularly pleasing. "Old Fashioned Love Song" really works with orchestra. On "Eli's Coming", Jimmy Greenspoon proves that there's no substitute for an old fashioned Hammond B-3 organ and on "Liar" and Michael Allsup reminds us that he is a first-rate guitarist. But my real favorite - the live version of "Try a Little Tenderness" absolutely rocks. With horns added, it is actually a remarkable tribute to Otis Redding's definitive 60s arrangement, and the audience clearly loves it.

So to buy or not to buy? If you want to remember the old TDN exactly as they were back in 1969, pass this one up. But if you appreciate who TDN is in 2005 - slightly gray but still touring and better than most acts half their age - this CD might just pleasantly surprise you as it did me.

Shame on me for not reading carefully the description. These new versions of classic songs are fine in their own right, but they certainly aren't Three Dog Night. That group had an indelible sound of Chuck, Corey, & Danny. So, why reinvent the wheel here? It's as if they were trying to stick it to Chuck. I'm sorry, but the whole project feels wrong. TDN was my first rock concert ever, back at the Spectrum in Philadelphia. I saw them about a dozen subsequent times, bought all their albums on the day of release, search for cds of all their albums (still no American Pastime, Coming Down Your Way, Around The World, or It's a Jungle. It never felt completely right when they started changing the band, and even though Jay Gruska made an adequate replacement for Danny during one concert tour, the original 7 (well, Skip did bring a certain panache, so 8) to me, and I think many fans, are the only ones who can be called Three Dog Night. I was sad (although I bought it) when the band recorded their S.S. Fools album, because TDN defined a whole generation's coming of age, and this marked the end of the original TDN. It's a shame, because the original recordings were simply wonderful - full of life and energy and musical prowess. It would be nice to hear the original guys together again, giving us a real Three Dog Night concert of classics. So, if you want to re-record the stuff, reconcile & regroup already, and give your loyal fans what we've been waiting for.

As a longtime fan of Three Dog Night, I have followed their career with the devotion of a true aficionado. I have bought their albums, cassettes, CDs, VHS and DVD videos. I even have their lesser-known LPs (It's a Jungle, Coming Down Your Way and An American Pastime). Need I have to say more? So it's a pity that while I am anticipating, along with a legion of other longtime fans for the REAL reunion of the original three singers of this, one of the most famous rock acts of the seventies, I and countless other doggies have to put up with another TWO DOG NIGHT production and yet another GREATEST SAME OLE GREATEST HITS collection, while we're salivating for the real thing. Lighten up, Cory and Danny. You guys have great pipes, but it's time to bury the hatchet and wipe the slate clean. Bring your prodigal son back into the fold, and make that last great album you three wonderful singers are capable of. Sadly, The Beatles lost the chance that you still have.

I had my reservations about this one until I saw them "Live" a few weeks ago and this is almost a soundtrack to their show. I see reviews it is "not" the real Three Dog Night but get over it! how many bands stay original, some bandmates get booted, some die, that's life, anyway, I recommend this one because it is pretty good. Standout tracks are Liar, Out In The Country, Sault Ste Marie & One. Also includes some "Live" versions at end of the CD. So really, if you liked the band from the beginning, try the newer version, they sound pretty good. If you want the original members, buy a best of because these tracks are newly recorded in 2004 and sound great.
Check out my site at "Judemac Forever" Google it say "Hi".

How could you not rate this great new 35th Anniversary Hits Collection as a five (5) star CD? These Band classics are re-recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra. The incredible sound of the strings thrust these classic hits into a world of their own. This CD also features two new songs.

The founding members Cory Wells and Danny Hutton never fail to pour on the vocal powers assimilating other Band members into a harmony that is well know to all of us. After all, one of their songs "Joy To The World" is a social phenomena, and who can forget Cory's rendition of Redding's "Try A Little Tenderness".

One of the original members is deceased. The other original member (Chuck) has not been with the group for over twenty years. Paul Kingery and Pat Bautz, both talented and powerful players, easily complete the tight arrangements of this hitmaking rock n roll band. Age has improved this sexy group of musicians..vocally they can't get any better! Three Dog Night, with 21 consecutive top hits and twenty-one (21) straight gold albums, is one of the world's most popular bands.
T.D. (From San Antonio, Texas)

I have followed TDN for most of my life, starting as a teenager, went through all the personnel changes, all their history, etc. This CD is very flattering and compliments all in the band. The history with Chuck is that, history, put it away and move on. The integrity and caliber of this band shows in the CD and their concerts. I only appreciate TDN more than I ever did just for bringing their historic and legendary music to their fans who really appreciate them. Cory and Danny have much stronger voices and I recommend this CD to anyone. Its a new Three Dog Night now, new CD as the new Three Dog Night and not a thing missing, Yes, Chuck was there 35 years ago but the new TDN is still bringing the fans the legendary TDN songs in a most entertaining sense and its hard to beat. Not only does this CD reflect their awesome talent, they aren't carrying any baggage from the past. They can't please everybody but if you go to their concerts I think you would see the magic they still have. And for the fans who think they re=record, this CD represents the new TDN WITHOUT CHUCK, with a new style and they are still enduring and strong.

For any of you who are not getting it...this may be an album of mostly classic Three Dog Night hits, but they have been re-recorded in a very classy way, and with the addition of the also-classy London Symphony Orchestra. It is NOT the same-old same-old. It is refreshing to hear new treatments of their beloved super hits...there is nothing lost here. The two newer songs..."Sault Ste. Marie" and "Overground"...have a haunting quality to them that fits very well with where the band is now. Any Three Dog Night fan who buys this collection will be able to sense the subtle transition that has been made by them over time...without losing any of the remarkable talent. For four original members to still be together after 35 years...that is really saying something. I understand those who miss the original lineup, but even the Rolling Stones have had personnel changes over the years. You either move on or die...Three Dog Night has chosen to move on. We, the fans, are the beneficiaries!

Having been a fan of this band from the very beginning, I have always loved their songs. I've been lucky to see them in concert many times and have always been highly entertained. I've never tired of their songs over the years and listen to them regularly, but when this CD came out, I was amazed that they were able to update them and make them fresh and new. This CD is wonderful! I can't stop listening to it and I highly recommend that you buy it. These guys have not only still "got it", but they're better than ever! If you have the chance to see them live, GO!

OK, Cory, we all Know you can sing "one", and Danny you can sing "Easy to be hard". Hell, Chuck can sing all of your leads with no problem. The point is while the perfomances are good, there is no magic. Steve Augeri sings with Journey. It's a Great band, good singer, no magic. It's not just Chuck. It could be any combination. Chuck and Cory or Chuck and Danny. Without the original three (plus Floyd Sneed), you guys are treading water. All of you still have great voices. The real TDN fans are waiting. Let's put the past hard feelings behind. Make new music, Make new fans, Make mo' money.

PS. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? What are you waiting for?

A superb album, the boys never sounded better. Get the DVD of them with the Tennessee Orchestra. Cory and Danny have only gotten better and more refined over the years. Cory in particular is such a pro, he is almost inspirational. The guys are in their sixties, for goodness sakes. Bravo, TDN !