Customer Reviews

The Best of the Sunshine Company

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am giving this C.D 5 stars because I really like the group. They had a ton of talent however the odds were stacked against them. Just like The Peanut Butter Conspiracy of the same time, they were warriors in the San Francisco Vs. L.A. sound (both aforemetioned groups from L.A). Unfortunatly at that particular time there was a flood of girl/guy folk rock harmony groups, just think, The Mojo Men,The vejatables,The Great Society,WE 5, The Neighborhood Childr'en,The Stone Poneys,Eternitys Children, Smith,Spanky And Our Gang, not to mention The Mamas and The Papas and The Jefferson Airplane. Where was there room for any more? Well, all of these groups really did have their own sounds but the genre was a bit crowded. Like The Peanut Butter Conspiracy, The Sunshine Company suffered from lack of promotion from their record companies, it wasn't that these groups lacked talent, what they lacked was exposer. Double that with the countless number others groups doing the same thing, theres only one thing left to say: "One or two hit wonders."

Now Collectors choice music (the company who issued this C.D) have their hearts in the right place, however...When Collectables (a different music company) reissued a Peanut Butter Conspiracy C.D, they cleaned up the recordings as best as possible AND they released BOTH of the PBCs'first two albums on a "two-fer" C.D. The Sunshine Company originally released 3 albums, why oh why couldn't they release all 3 of their albums instead of a best of? This C.D. is missing some of the "best of" The Sunshine Company. Their version (actually recorded BEFORE the 5th dimensions') of "UP,UP,and Away" was disgracefully omitted. Also left out was their cover of Curt Boettchers' song "I just want to be your friend" (originally recorded by The Milleneium) also forgotten was "rain" and "love is a happy thing." Further more the sound quality isn't that great at all, The whole C.D sounds dreadfully MUDDY and the volume flutters from time to time. On the upside the linear notes are excellently informative. There is another Sunshine Company C.D. listed here on amazon. Its an import of their first (and most well known) album "Happy is.....The Sunshine Company it is selling for... I would (still) HAPPILY pay that price for that C.D. if it were only in stock!! HINT..HINT..HINT

Remember: The Peanut Butter Conspiracy is spreading and The Sunshine Company is Rising!!!!!!!

The Sunshine Company should have gone farther - should have been better known - should have made more music. But their story is familiar: creative differences with their label over material and the general chaotic state of marketing in the business at the time. They had a different, fresh sound and struck a chord in my teenage heart at the time. I was only slightly disappointed that the collection didn't include "Willie Jean" and their version of "Up, Up and Away".

VERY '60's and memories of a sweet, utopian vision we once all shared.

This CD is incredible. I recommend playing this CD in its entirety only on one occasion. Then listen to it again a few days later only one moment in time - from start to finish. Repeat the process one more time about a day or two later and you will be forever hooked. Each track is remarkably written and performed. It is understatedly sophisticated, which may require repeated listening, but once you do...you know what I mean. So many past albums have affected me this way that I've grown to love them and have NEVER tired from repeated listening. Like most, I was enthralled with the Beatles and the like throughout the 60's, overlooking this gem when I was a kid. The Sunshine Co. falls squarely between the Association and the Mamas and Papas. Wait a minute...that's not fair. Maybe it's the other way around - the Association and Mamas and Papas are a spin-off of the Sunshine Co. What a gifted group performing well crafted songs with unique melodies and a savvy sensibility. Their verse/chorus arrangements do not equate to tedious or mind-numbing material. They find a way to deliver without sounding extremely dated or dull. The Sunshine Co. approach their material with cleverly constructed arrangements that are not as improvisational or experimental, yet still hold my attention well. Our young daughters love this group and prefer it over many of their chosen contemporary Disney artists. Some of the earlier tracks were not recorded as well, but the quality improves on subsequent tracks. A must have - you will not be disappointed!

It's nice to be able to hear these songs again. My vinyl copies of their albums are at this point only marginally listenable. This has most of the best but as with all compillation albums there is going to be a few omissions & everybody has their own opinions as to what constitutes "best". For me, I'm just happy to have it. Bring to mide those days of incesne & acid. As good as their records were, where they really shined was live. My favorite performance was at the Sacramento Pop Festival October 1967, on the bill with Captain Beefheart, Spirit, Strawberry Alam Clock, Nitty Gritty dirt Band, Hour Glass, New Breed, Hamilton Streetcar & the Jefferson Airplane who they blew off the stage.

I love this CD. I use to listen in my teens, to the Sunshine Company years ago. I think in the 70's was when I first introduced to the music by my brother. This was the only place where I could fine their music. I nice mix of music.

I always loved the "Sunshine Pop" sound in general, and of all the bands The Sunshine Company was the best. Aside from being tight and imaginative, the quality of their material was way superior to their competitors. This is also a well chosen collection. I think I saw a different collection that didn't have "Warm in my heart", which is a terrific albut cut. "A year of Jainie time" is a first rank B side. Their version of "Happy" is the best of the three I've heard. And "Back on the street again" is in my all-time top 20, that's how much I love it.

This group had many similarities to The Association and The Mamas and Papas. They had great vocal harmonies and the songs had wonderful melodies. Yes, they were the apex of the sunshine pop movement. My favorite songs are "Happy is", "Back on the street again", and "Darcy Farrow." This album is terrific, and I highly advise you to add this to your collection.

I bought several Sunshine Company LPs back in the 60s & play them periodically. The beautiful harmonies remind me of The Association. This CD has some of their more remembered tunes such as "Happy" and Steve Gillette's "Back on the Street Again." George Harrison's "I Need You" has a lovely folk sound tinged with psychedelic guitars, chimes & percussion that sounds quite different from the Beatles, "Said you had a thing or two to tell me, How was I to know it would upset me? I didn't realize as I looked in your eyes, you told me that you didn't want my lovin' any more." "Four in the Mornin'" has some peeling electric guitar complete with handclap percussion, "Nothin' to drink & the sun ain't gonna shine, I left my baby cause she just wouldn't stop lyin'." "Look, Here Comes the Sun" first came to my attention on Gary Lewis & the Playboys' 1967 LP "Listen." Gregg Allman lived in the same apartment complex according to the liner notes. Allman's "Sunday Brought the Rain" is a beautiful track. "If You Only Knew" has a pretty melody, "There's a brighter day waiting tomorrow; there's a special somewhere near to now." Ian & Sylvia also recorded Steve Gillette's "Darcy Farrow." The Sunshine Company version boasts tight vocal harmonies. "Wingate Square" was always one of the most haunting of the Company's tracks with its unique melody, clip-clop percussion & its tale of unrequited love, "I know it's just a kind of courtesy, she doesn't really think of me, she rides for tea at three through the park; I'll wait for her till dark, just a stable boy at Wingate." "Springtime Meadows" likewise has an expansive folk arrangement that paints a picture & floats you away to a different era. "I Hate Pigeons" is one of the silliest little novelty songs that constantly had me lifting the needle to listen one more time. I find the sound quality on this 2001 Collectors Choice release to be excellent. Enjoy!

This contains tracks from the first two Sunshine Company albums, the second being the slightly better. Parts are more rock oritented than the first.

Still, this band went to far into out and out soft pop, which is a shame because they are pretty good when in the middle of the road. But neither of these albums have the zip of the Association or the jazz talent of Free Design.

It beats a Letterman album, but that is not is not saying much.

With all due respect to the grins and warm yummy feelings that others fawn over this CD, it remains a nice testament to '66 '67 and the last bliss that these recordings kiss. Others have written quite rightly, perceptively of the Mamas/Papas /Association / nudge. I'd add Pozo-Seco and Stone Ponys. This CD has both minor hits, "Happy" ( on my top 40 station, Sunshine Co. barely beat out Blades of Grass version) and the fine "Back on the Streets Again" The rest of the CD sounds like attempts and misses. Mostly misses.