Customer Reviews

Best Of The Four Preps, The

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Like many of the vocal ensembles of the late 50s/early 60s, the Four Preps put a somewhat modernized twist on many old standards. Sometimes it didn't work but, when it did, it was pure magic.

The Four Preps stand apart from their contemporaries (the Four Aces, the Four Lads, the Four Freshman) by having a more spontaneous, less polished sound. The result is a cross between barber shop quartet and schoolboy hijinx that will delight listeners.

This collection includes their biggest hits; 26 Miles (Santa Catalina), Big Man and Down by the Station, alongwith the hilarious rock sendup More Money for Me and You.

I prefer this disc to other Four Prep compilations because of a lovely rendition of Lollipops and Roses and an equally interesting interpretation of My Special Angel.

The mastering on the disc is a bit muddy, but more than adequate for even high end stereos.

If you want to take a trip back to the days of malt shops, ivy-covered walls and letterman jackets, spend an evening listening to The Best of the Four Preps.

The previous reviewer must be young if he thinks the Four Preps were obscure--they were an extremely popular group in the late 50s and early 60s. They had many hit records and did TV, radio, and personal appearances all over the country. I only wish more of their music was available on CD.They were very talented singers and writers. This is proven by the many awards they have won since the 60s and the fact that they are still working.

I remember the Four Preps when they were on The Ozzie & Harriet Show back in the '60s. Not only did they sing, but they also starred as Rick's fraternity brothers! This CD is a really nice flash back to those happy days. One or two tracks are a tad too "Lawrence Welk-y", but it's easy to gloss over them in favor of the really nice, nostalgiac tracks found here. I would very much recommend this CD for those who remember those days and wish for simpler times again.

This is an outstanding value for the price,only 10 songs on here but very pleasant to listen to and remember.Their original songs are what is expected(very nice, no disappointment here), but I must comment on the other songs that were not theirs originally,they are unexpectadly well done and a pleasure to hear done by these guys.

The Four Preps had exactly one big chart hit, "26 Miles (Santa Catalina)," back in the 1950s. It was followed up by a couple of other not-so-big hits, "Big Man" and "Down by the Station." Those three were actually written by two of the members of the group, which in those days was not usual. And all three are included on this CD. But then, after that, how do you fill up a "Best of" CD? Well in this case, apparently, you add a couple of even smaller hits, and a few performances of well-known 1950s songs that this group never got onto the charts. The total collection is actually pretty nice to listen to. Their version of "Pretend" isn't as great as Nat Cole's, but still pleasant. Their version of "My Special Angel" is better than Bobby Helms' version, though I prefer the later incarnation of the song done by the Vogues above all. And their version of "Lollipops and Roses" isn't bad at all either.

I am absolutely rapt with the service from Amazon. As a first time buyer I was surprised and impressed by the speed which the item was sent and received. Definitely recommend Amazon and will purchase again in the future. This is an old favourite album so was great to receive it as new and in perfect condition.

I have received several CD's of "Oldies" recently. I loved every one of them.

An admittedly obscure and underappreciated group working on the cusp between crooning and early rock. The best song on this album is Big Man which has a GREAT piano riff much like the then contemporary Jerry Lee Lewis' rock piano --- I wouldn't want to be these guy's piano tuner.