Customer Reviews

Anthology

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It really was quite sad to watch the Lovin' Spoonful FINALLY be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000, and to see that virtually nobody there cared at all about them. Because their music wasn't all that topical, 'serious', or heavy...it's an alarming reality that the songs of the Spoonful are now only used to sell cleaning agents and autos. One listen to this superb selection by John Sebastian and his band clearly illustrates that they are one of the greatest and, dare I say, most overlooked bands of the sixties...and Sebastian is one of the most shamefully ingnored songwriters.

The Lovin' Spoonful was a band that could successfully shift with ease from folk music to pop to jug band to rock and to, yes, even mild psychelia within the span of barely two years. It was their sheer love of 'the song' and their willingness to channel all of these different styles that made them so great and that make these tunes so unbelievably appealing.

Of all the Spoonful collections that are now out there, I'd have to say that the ANTHOLOGY on Rhino is still the must-have. It's a great overview and introduction to a band that needs to be introduced more. Comprehensive liner notes with comments about individual songs from our hero, John Sebastian, gives this one the edge over the other best-of packages. A few good listens to the tracks contained within and just about anyone can see that the songs of John Sebastian are as universal and timeless as those of the great pre-rock composers like Cole Porter or Rodgers and Hart or Irving Berlin. "Darling Be Home Soon" alone is worth the price of admission, and that's one of their lesser hits.

It was welcome news (and about time!) when I read that the Lovin' Spoonful would be among the Class of 2000 inductees into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in March. However, this news is still offset by the fact that all of their original albums (except the two-fer soundtrack set What's Up Tiger Lily/You're a Big Boy Now) are regretably out of print in the U.S. [Hey, Kama Sutra, are you listening! And surely there are unreleased, live and/or alternate take tracks lying in the vaults to be used as bonus tracks.]

In the meantime, this set from Rhino is a good sampling of the infectious, goodtime music that was the trademark of John Sebastion, Zal Yanovsky (for a real treat try to locate his solo "Alive and Well in Argentina"), Steve Boone and Joe Butler. All the hits are here: "Do You Believe in Magic," "Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind," "Daydream, "Summer in the City," along with key album tracks like "Fishin' Blues," "Jug Band Music" and "Lovin' You."

Tracks 1-20 feature the classic Spoonful lineup; 21-24 are with Jerry Yester replacing Zal. This version of the band made some good music, but a lot of the magic left with Zal. Tracks 25 and 26 are essentially Joe Butler solo tracks--but "Never Goin' Back" (NOT "Never Coming Back" as listed!) is a terrific song and blends in well with the Spoonful oeuvre.

Until the Spoonful's first three studio albums (Do You Believe in Magic, Daydream and Hums of the Lovin' Spoonful) are back in print, buy this CD and enjoy one of the most celebrated and talented American pop bands of the mid-Sixties.

Although hardly definitive (how could it be at one disc?), Anthology presents many of the best singles and album tracks recorded by this terrific, underrated 60's band. Many folks seem to forget that the Spoonful were favorably compared to the Beatles, Byrds and their other contemporaries. John Sebastian is, without a doubt, one of the finest song writers to have worked in the rock-pop idiom. The singles are punchy, full of hooks and strong harmonies that rival the best of both the Beatles and Beach Boys.

Rhino has done its usual fine job of remastering the music. Although the linear notes could be a bit more instructive (i.e., it would have been interesting to learn a little more about the recordings from the entire band), they do a fine job of distilling what was going on at the time and inspired Sebastian to write some of the material.

Best of all, this anthology restores some lustre to a band that has been lost in the hoopla and revisionist history by rock critics.

Short & sweet. Thi has all the hits, plus my personal faves "Money", Six O'Clock", She Is Still A Mystery" and "Full Measure". In fact, the only one that's not on here is "Night Owl Blues", a harmonica-based blues that's right up there with Muddy or Howlin' Wolf. I give this 5 stars, just wish it had "NOB" on it.

My dad introduced me to the Lovin' Spoonful's music, and I have loved them ever since. I think they are highly underrated for a band that produced such wonderful songs as Do You Believe in Magic, Day Dream (which I might add influenced Paul McCartney to write Good Day Sunshine), and the almost PERFECT and absolutely GORGEOUS Darlin' Be Home Soon (if you've never heard it you're missing out on something beautiful). This cd covers all the classics and many more songs that are incredibly fun to listen to. All I can say is the Lovin' Spoonful makes me happy, and I'd recommend this cd to anyone.

The Lovin' Spoonful were one of the greatest American rock bands of the 1960s. Their songs, written by singer John Sebastian, were among the cleverest (and sometimes funniest) songs of the era. This CD contains all of their chart hits, plus the best of their album tracks. You get 70 minutes of good time music. I highly recommend this CD. Oh, but I do have one criticism to make. There is some very noticeable distortion at the end of "Younger Generation".

Listening to this CD made me realize how good the Lovin' Spoonful were, and how underrated they truly are. If you are a fan at all, this CD is for you! From their biggest hits "Do You Believe in Magic", "Summer in the City" and "Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind" to my favorites "Younger Girl" and "Six O'Clock, this CD has a great collection of the group's songs. If you are at all interested in recapturing some of the magic of the sixties, this CD is for you!

I was delighted when the Lovin' Spoonful was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. Sadly, they did not get the rave welcoming that I hoped they would. I also hoped this induction would spark an even greater interest in their music. Their music was fun, feel good, gentle and just a pleasant foil to the more "heavy" or intense music of the day dealing with topical and heavily emotional themes. The Lovin' Spoonful are without a doubt one of the best sixties bands and clearly a band to remain unforgotten for time immemorial.

This extraordinary band was skilled at moving from folk to rock to country to psychedlia to rock. They showed a real facility for incorporating different musical styles and creating an original and delightful product.

The ANTHOLOGY is always worth listening to and is in general a must have. Songs from 1966-1968 are included and the different musical styles can be followed in a temporal progression. Head Spoonful John Sebastian's input makes a good thing even better. His liner notes not only add information, but keep that spark of interested ignited and listeners wanting more.

"what a good day for a daydream..."

Tragic that these fellas couldn't stay together longer than a few years. In the mid-60s they produced some of the most thoughtful, original, melodic tunes you'll ever hear. Sadly, when I bring this CD to a party people have no idea who they are until I press "play."

This CD contains all of their classic hits from 1966-1968 by John Sebastian & The Lovin Spoonful. My favorite songs are "Do You Believe In Magic", "Summer In The City", "Coconut Grove", "Daydream" and "Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind". A must have compilation album one-disc for everyone who knows all of these tunes remembered. Spoonful's were compared to as back then Byrds or Mamas & The Papas with a little combined mixed style of music like country, folk & rock/pop.So I recommend getting this piece of history that was an era from the mid sixties to this band who knows a lot influences and folkie legends it's a rockin good old fun dancing right here!