Customer Reviews

Capitol Collectors Series: The Four Preps

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Probably because they took on an early repuation as a novelty group, the richly talented Four Preps made some terrific,but often overlooked music for their time. Their collective sense of humor and brilliant mimicry of the acts of the late 50's and early 60's enhanced what some might describe as a mediocre success record. I dare anyone of any generation to listen to "26 Miles", "Big Man", "Cinderella," or several others on this well-packaged collection and not wake up singing their tunes. One more thing: As a lover of the ORIGINAL Kingston Trio, I laugh every time I listen to "More Money..." Their impression of the Trio's Bob Shane coughing during the song would miss most folks....but I loved it! Unfortunately, The Preps' later material departed from the original sound so much in an attempt to salvage some radio air time,so the quality suffered.But,still well worth the money and "More Money..." for this Preps fan.

It's interesting the way that Capitol made these incredible Collector's Series CDs on so many of their classic artists but then let them go out of print. It's nice that Collectables Music has been picking some of them up and reissuing them. I haven't seen others in the series that Collectables has put out, but one interesting thing about this is that the color photo spread in the Capitol book is replicated in the Collectables book in black and white. But then again, the music is the important thing and if you're a fan of the Preps, you will find this CD is very comprehensive with it's generous 20 track selection. The stand out track is their classic parody of popular vocal groups called More Money For You And Me. It's still funny after all these years, is a great showcase of the Preps' vocal talents and is full length on this CD (restoring the opening dialogue about President Kennedy and the chorus of Worried Man that were edited for single release.) All of the Preps other hits are here as well including classics like 26 Miles and Big Man and not so classics like A Letter To The Beatles. Overall, Collectables should be commended for not letting this stay out of print.

From the point of view of their hit singles, the producers had a good thing going here for a while as they provided each of their hits in the same order (would that other CDs follow the same format) that they appeared on the charts. Tracks 1 to 9 are their hits from January 1957 [Dreamy Eyes - # 56 Billboard Pop Top 100] to 1960's Got A Girl [# 24 Hot 100], including the double-sided 1958 hit Lazy Summer Night (# 21 Top 100 from the film Andy Hardy Comes Home) b/w Summertime Lies (regarded as a "follow-along" hit).

Tracks 10, 12 and 14 then pick up their 11th, 12th and 13th hit singles. The rest are either failed singles or LP cuts. But where is the one missing hit, Calcutta? Admittedly a minor offering [it only made it to # 96 Hot 100 in 1961] at least it WAS a hit unlike, say, Charmaine.

For a completist collector this is agonizingly irritating as I doubt very much there's room for a second volume of Four Preps tunes. Unless they'd like to give us the B-sides, none of which [except for the above-mentioned two-sided hit] are included.

A product of the Hollywood High School Choir, the quartet consisted of lead tenors Bruce Belland and Marvin Ingraham, baritone Glen Larson, and bass Ed Cobb. They made their stage début with Ricky Nelson at Hamilton High School in L.A., and are often cited as one of the main influences on The Beach Boys.

Incidentally, the majority of their hits were backed by The Lincoln Mayorga Orchestra [except their first which included The Van Alexander Orchestra, I Ain't Never, backed by Morty Cobb & His Orchestra, and A Letter To The Beatles - Ray Pohlman's Orchestra]. In fact, on Big Man, that's Mayorga on piano. Two of their hits, 26 Miles and Big Man, even crossed over to the R&B charts in 1958, going to # 6 and # 9 respectively.

They were funny, wickedly irreverent, and possessed of one of the tightest harmonies of any group from that era. Significantly, when looking at their final hit, they were among the many North American artists shoved aside by the British Invasion in general, and The Beatles in particular. Obviously, with the song reaching a lowly # 85 in April 1964, Beatles' fans were not amused.

It's a good CD. I liked almost all of the songs. This is the first time I have heard many of them. They did great impersonations on More Money For You And Me, and The Big Draft medleys.

Great CD. Trivia: did you know that prolific 70s & 80s and Knight Rider producer/creator/writer of such shows as Battlestar Galactica was one of the group's founding members in the 50s? It's true!

The Four Preps had an incredible sound; I love to listen to their music! These guys could harmonize and sing perfectly, making it all look so simple every time. Bruce Belland and Glen Larson wrote songs, too, including ""26 Miles (Santa Catalina)" and "Big Man" which are both on this disc. Of course, we know it really wasn't all that simple--their talents carried them through. Sure, it might have been nice to have "Calcutta" on this disc, but what we do get is nothing but very high quality control music. In addition, the quality of the sound on this CD is excellent and I like that artwork, too.

The album begins with great music and that continues all the way through to the end! "Dreamy Eyes," a relatively early chart hit from 1957, has The Four Preps singing wonderfully; the music fits in perfectly with their singing and "Dreamy Eyes" leaves nothing to be desired--this music is all THAT good. "26 Miles (Santa Catalina)," their first million-seller from 1958, is certainly easy on the ears; that percussion, guitar and the whistling in the background help make this a terrific tune. "Big Man" is awesome; and The Four Preps sing a very romantic rendition of "Lazy Summer Night" from the MGM movie entitled "Andy Hardy Comes Home." "Summertime Lies" has a beautiful musical arrangement and I really like "Cinderella" from the film "Gidget."

"I Ain't Never" has even more fine harmonizing and a fine musical beat; and there's another fine gem in "Down by the Station (Early in the Morning)." Listen also for The Four Preps to do a great job on "Got a Girl," too. The "More Money for You and Me" live medley is comical; although those lyrics are not too friendly toward some others it was really just in fun.

"Seine" has The Four Preps harmonizing faultlessly; they sound so good I can't imagine them ever sounding better! There's also the "Big Draft" playful medley that brings a smile to my face; and I really like "Charmaine." "Charmaine" has beautiful tempo and key changes to make this a real standout; and there's yet another awesome tune, "Letter to the Beatles." I love it!

"I've Known You All My Life" is a charmer that I could listen to over and over again; the musical accompaniment is just right--wisely, the music never tries to steal the show away from The Four Preps' vocals--their singing is right there in the spotlight. "I'll Never Be the Same" has fine piano playing and with that percussion and drums this is very special; and "Girl in the Shade of the Striped Umbrella" has that '60s easy listening flavor to it with The Four Preps singing this without ever letting go of a superfluous note! "Let's Call It a Day Girl" is another tune with a strong, terrific beat; and "Love of the Common People" features The Four Preps at their usual very best. The album ends with The Four Preps performing "Draft Dodger Rag;" this tune makes a statement with some comedy and it has a beat so infectious you won't forget it anytime soon!

The Four Preps gave us so much to enjoy even to this day. This album is a must-have for their fans and anyone discovering The Four Preps would do well to get this album, too.

Capitol Collectors Series: The Four Prepsjust as I remembered it. great tunes and memories

The entire Capitol collectors series is incredible! This re-license by Coolectables
is exact replica of Capitol product [oop]. The Four Preps couldn't sound better
than this! Great selection of hits, first time stereo on some songs. Furmanek,
dug deep to find first generation tapes for entire series. Couldn't ask for more!
Except rumor that twenty-six miles was recorded on two or three track and just
mixed down. Real good buy for all their remarkable hits

When the Four Preps were popular I was just beginning to appreciate music. My two favorite songs by the Four Preps are 26 Miles to Santa Catalina and Big Man. I am also a Beachboys fan and you can hear the harmony that the Four Preps were noted for in the Beachboys' sound too. It is quite evident that Brian Wilson was really influenced by the Four Preps. This is a superb album and the super clean cut appearance and clear sounds of groups of the late fifties and early sixties is greatly appreciated by me. This album is refreshing and good for just relaxing and un-winding after a busy day at work. Anyone who appreciates easy listening harmonious vocalization of the fifties should buy this album.

Bought this for only one or two songs and have found about 10 that I really like. If you like music from that period, this is a good buy.