Customer Reviews

The Complete Solo Collection: 1968-1971

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

 

 

Cass Elliot's first two albums are rereleased here along with some B-sides and previously unreleased material such as "Darling, Be Home Soon," "Sisotowbell Lane," and "For As Long As You Need Me." "Different" and "All For Me'" are released on this CD also, and to my knowledge this is the only CD that they have ever been released on. My main complaint is the price. Even though I paid for it for the unreleased songs, it is obvious that the record companies are trying to "stick it" to the consumer. Most people aren't going to pay $50.00 for one CD. The unreleased material is so-so at best. It is up to you whether or not you want to spend the money on this CD. I won't even bother asking why they won't release the entire "The Road Is No Place For A Lady" on CD yet.

This limited edition release by Universal/Hip-O Select collects all Cass Elliot's solo material between the years 1968-71 and includes a beautifully produced booklet with full discography. If you're a big fan of Cass's music this 38-tracker is a must, but there is little new here for either the fan or casual listener: most of the tracks have previously been compiled on many other collections. The 3 previously unreleased tracks are fine but certainly inessential, while "Different" is also now available on the recently released "Pufnstuf" soundtrack. I'd recommend the recent "Dream A Little Dream Of Me: The Music of Mama Cass Elliot" anthology as a better overview; it includes the fantastic "(If You're Gonna) Break Another Heart" (a superb lost classic penned by Lee Hazlewood) and the otherwise-unavailable "East Of The Sun (And West Of The Moon)", as well as an hilarious trilogy of radio jingles.

As of this date, this item, while one of the limited edition products from Hip-O Select, is still in print and available from the Hip-O Select site directly at $39.98 plus shipping and sales tax in some states. Even with the additional charges, it is far cheaper than the unjustifiable (and downright ridiculous) prices being charged by some vendors in the Amazon marketplace. If you're considering purchase, be sure to visit the Hip-O Select site first and save yourself some (possibly considerable) money.

A superb 2 CD package containing the great Cass Elliot's complete recordings for Dunhill from 1968 - 1971, with stellar expertly written liner notes & rare photos. If that wasn't enough to entice you, there are 3 completely unreleased songs too. Truly a labor of love & well researched, this is essential for every Cass and Mamas and Papas fan.

Both the 1968 solo debut album & the 1969 album were only on CD in Japan. The 1968 album contains some of Cass' best solo work, and the 2nd solo album has strong songs too. Cass excelled at ballads and there are plenty on this release. Cass' performances on Leonard Cohen's YOU KNOW WHO I AM, her sister's Leah Kunkel's great songs WHAT WAS I THINKING OF, and WHO'S TO BLAME, the truly haunting epic SWEET BELIEVER, and Cass' powerhouse version of Laura Nyro's HE'S A RUNNER that will make you forget any other version are ALL musts to hear & revel at. Cass sings up a storm on these tracks, and many others. To hear the essence Cass Elliot, you've got to hear here on these songs. They help define her as one of the era's best vocalists. For those who know Cass' more popular hits like IT'S GETTING BETTER, MAKE YOUR OWN KIND OF MUSIC and NEW WORLD COMING, you must hear Cass pour her heart and soul into the deep ballads that are among the most compelling performances that she ever gave.

I also love her version of John Sebastian's DARLING BE HOME SOON, recorded in 1968 and the other 2 unreleased tunes are great too: Joni Mitchell's SISOTOWBELL LANE , from 1968 also and the beautiful FOR AS LONG AS YOU NEED ME from 1970. DARLING BE HOME SOON is very fitting as Cass & John Sebastian were long-time friends. It's a revelation to hear her voice on these brand new songs. Other rarities on Disc 2 are the obscure theme to the 1971 film " Doctor's Wives " entitled THE COSTUME BALL , a very lovely piece that Cass breezily sings, and the song that was a showcase for her in the only film that she acted in , 1970s' " Pufnstuf " with the tailor made for her DIFFERENT. This track was only available on the soundtrack LP on Capitol, so to license it from another source is a big addition to this set. Plus, Cass' one solo song, HERE WE GO AGAIN, from the one album that she did with Dave Mason is handily included as well.

This is a definitive & astounding set of Cass' crystal clear voice & powerful personality shines through all these memorable songs. This set was a long time waiting for, but the effort put into it clearly shows.

Very good selection, high quality recording. I bought this mainly for "Diffferent", which I've been looking for in CD or Mp3 for a while. Very happy with the 2-disc CD. If you don't have Cass Elliot CDs already, this is a good start.

I have always admired the sweet, melancholy voice of Cass Elliott, and I was, as all music fans were, devastated when she died in 1974. Some time in the early 70's I heard her masterful "Costume Ball" on the radio and, because there was no Amazon or internet in those days, I looked for this and never found it. Each track on this music CD is a treasure!

I am a huge life long fan Mama Cass, but not of greatest hits collections and such. I'd much rather buy the albums in their original form. But as in the case of Cass, you cannot find those albums unless it is on vinyl so I settled with this CD and also the collection called "Dedicated To The One I Love". Stick with the latter, this one has the same songs with a few strange ones thrown in with the mix. Maybe this is why CD sales are dropping but vinyl records are making a small comeback?