Customer Reviews

Classics IV - Greatest Hits (10 Best Series)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There's not really that much I can add to my review of "Very Best Of The Classics IV," that will expand your knowledge of the group. But this disc of Greatest Hits differs slightly from that one, leaving this question: Which one should you buy? Both discs contain 10 songs, so both are woefully inadequate, as being representative of the group. The six songs in common ("Spooky" "Soul Train" "Traces" "Everyday With You Girl" "Stormy" "Change Of Heart") are definitely the group's best hits. This collection was compiled long after Classics IV broke up, and has their hits from 1969-70 ("Midnight" "The Funniest Thing" "Where Did All The Good Times Go") and a title cut from one of their albums ("Mama's And Papa's"). I personally favor the other tracks on Very Best ("Sunny" "Mary, Mary Row Your Boat" "24 Hours Of Loneliness" "Something I'll Remember"). Totally missing from both sets are "Waves" and "Strange Changes," as well as the group's last big hit, "What Am I Crying For," which was recorded after changing labels from Imperial/Liberty to the MGM/South brand. Price is also a consideration. Greatest Hits is 5 bucks cheaper than Very Best. So, which one should you buy? I bought Very Best first, and I recommend you do the same. Sometimes album cuts are better than songs that get released, and I feel with Classics IV, that was the case. But if you can afford it, buy both. You'd then have all 14 songs that are currently available by this under-rated group.

This 'Best Of...' cd is alot better than the other one offered. Better song selection plus a longer running time help give it 5 stars. We still need to see an Anthology of all the Classic IV's hits. There's so many that you just don't hear on the radio anymore and it's a shame.

Although a couple of its members went on to much better things with the Atlanta Rhythm Section, most of Classics IV's late 60's music falls squarely into the "not really worth the effort" drawer. But... in amongst their catalogue of distinctly MOR white soul there is one quite brilliant track: "Spooky". Featuring a ridiculously catchy organ riff, beautifully atmospheric vocals, a wonderfully gutsy sax break and a chugging bass line that sounds as though it was recorded in the studio's broom cupboard it was, and still is, instantly unforgettable. Straight to No 1 in the USA and lost without trace in the UK it was voted by Brian Wilson no less as the best single ever made in UK's "Mojo" magazine several years ago (modesty itself as he actually holds the title with "Good Vibrations") and fully justifies the cost of this album on its own. Alternatively, hunt it down on one of several 60's compilations. Either way, you won't regret it!

I bought this CD to fill in my collection with some favorite 60's tunes. "Spooky" is their best song and very pleasant to listen to now and then. There are two other cuts I also like to hear: "Stormy" and "Traces". The rest of the material is a cut below - but not offensive. There is a unique quality to the singer's voice that I like. This CD is worth a buy.

All great songs for me personally, because they were the first rock sax solos I transcribed and played in high school (Touch Me, being the greatest). I always loved Dennis Yost's voice. Well, because I could mimic it perfectly. Of course, these songs bring back great memories; which should be the deciding factor in your buying it. This CD includes all the hits that define the Classics IV.

I think this CD is a rare specimen that contains practically all the best songs produced and interpreted by this group, The Classics IV. Since the first time I reviewed the list of songs included in this release I told me: "great!, bingo!, You've found the perfect sample of the music of this group!!"...and bougth the CD and had the pleasure of being transported back to late 60's when I was at High School and got captured for the romantic atmosphere created by these melodies while thinking in taking a walk along the beach down a sky plenty of stars with my girlfriend aside...Well, I recommend to lovers of soft rock and everyone who desire relaxing moments, to buy this product. The price is really a bargain, the sound recorded is the original one and all the songs -I guess- are able to carry us to unforgettable memories. "Spooky", "Stormy", "Traces", "Everyday with you girl" and "The funniest things" are, long ahead, the best of this group but all the others are worth to be appreciated as well.

This band gets a bad rap. Tell your fellow King Crimson or Magma fans that you like to listen to "Stormy" or "Spooky" every now and again, and they are red in the face, laughing at you. You're off buying your 18th Larks Tounges remater, just to reestablish your hippness.

Ok. "Traces" is sappy and ridiculus, but, like the two other hits, there is a nice, bouncy bossa flavor to the song. This stuff has vibraphones, and nice jazzy rythms that you would not hear on a Gary Pucket or Bobby Goldsboro record. Listen to the guitarist: he has a nice, Wes Montgommery comp style, and a lot of this material would not sound out of place on a Jobim LP.

I am not going to take this out once a day, or even once every six months, but as far as 60s AM pop stanards go, this stuff goes down nice and easy.

I am also a fan of 60's music, as that is my 2nd favorite decade for music (especially the last half). Not only do I like the reasonable prices from Amazon, I also like the large variety they have to choose from. A good share of the music cds I get from Amazon cannot be found in the stores, as they just don't have the room. Thanks again for your large variety to choose from.

Compared to todays sampling non creative artist this brings back memories of great songwriting and playing. I really enjoy this CD. Just a few guys singing and playing and having a great time. Buy it.

I have always been a big fan of the Classics IV's biggest hits "Spooky" and "Stormy"(it's hard to get them out of your head once you've heard them!)and this compilation brings together ALL of their major Imperial releases on one CD.The only hit missing would be their last to chart and that was"What am I crying for?" but this was done for another label(MGM),so one wouldn't have expected to get it here.
The group originated from Florida in the very early 60s and was called "The Classics".From that time to the line up of players it had when"Spooky" first hit the charts,the only original member still with them was Walter Eaton on guitar.Dennis Yost came in as the singer/drummer who would later front the group(literally) but who eventually would just concentrate on vocals after another drummer would be hired to do those honours.In 1968 their version of "Spooky" hit the charts big time,followed by "Stormy".In 1969 they would lead off with another big one,the slower but nice "Traces".Also included are their more minor releases:"Everyday With You Girl","Change Of Heart","Midnight"and "The Funniest Thing".
It's all here,all their major and minor hits on Imperial,for the casual and the more intense fan.The sound is quite good and won't disappoint and neither will the price.A bargain at twice the cost!