Creeque Alley: History of [Import]

Mamas & Papas | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 15, 2007)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• ASIN: B000026E1U
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #403,128 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ultimate Collection From This Classic Vocal Group, January 29, 2000

By 

Steve Vrana (Aurora, NE) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Creeque Alley: The History Of The Mamas & The Papas (Audio CD)

I was barely a teenager when I first heard the gorgeous vocal harmonies on their first single "California Dreamin'" in 1966. And although the band's inner turmoil throughout its brief three-year history was the stuff of tell-all books (in fact, John and Michelle Phillips each wrote books after the break-up), it didn't stop them from producing some of the most memorable pop music of the sixties.

In addition to "California Dreamin'," they scored big hits with "Monday, Monday" (their only No. 1), "I Saw Her Again," "Words of Love," "Dedicated to the One I Love" and "Creeque Alley." All of these hits are here, plus "Dream a Little Dream of Me," which was actually released as Mama Cass with The Mamas and the Papas.

This collection also features some pre-Mamas and Papas songs. Two by the Big Three (with Cass Elliot), two by the Mugwumps (with Cass Elliot, Denny Doherty and future Lovin' Spoonful member Zal Yanovsky) and one by Barry "Eve of Destruction" McGuire with The Mamas and Papas on background vocals.

In addition, the set also includes at least one post-group song from each member, including John Phillips' lone top 40 single from 1970, "Mississippi."

From beginning to end, this is a delightful artifact of the folk-rock era. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars FOR COMPLETIST'S ONLY: OLD AUDIO, December 15, 2004

By 

BOB (LOS ANGELES, CA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Creeque Alley: The History Of The Mamas & The Papas (Audio CD)

This set will indeed take you back in time, but, unfortunately, not due to the music: It sounds like it's coming out of an AM radio, as it was released fifteen years ago, and has never been remastered.

If you are seeking the best reproduction of the TM&P's sound, serious consideration should be given to the remastered, 2001 2-disc set All the Leaves Are Brown: The Golden Era Collection.

"Era" contains the complete first four TM&P's LP's, plus the non-LP single, "Glad To Be Unhappy" in excellent remastered sound. "Era" is also superior in sound to the MCA "Greatest Hits" single disc CD released in 1998.

This disc should only be purchased if the more obscure tracks and studio dialog justifies the expense of this additional set.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars These are my favorite two CDs in my entire collection., July 1, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Greenville, SC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Creeque Alley: The History Of The Mamas & The Papas (Audio CD)

This is the most amazing Mamas and the Papas collection, and it is certainly the most comprehensive, with bits of dialogue in addition to the very best of some of the very best songs ever written or performed. These are the classic performances, with even songs included from before the group existed and after its demise, when the members attempted to pursue solo careers. In addition, the liner notes provide photographs and a full history of the group, a story that is even more incredible than the number of hits the Mamas and the Papas had. This is essential for any Mamas and Papas fan, and will certainly not disappoint any music lover. If I could only own one set of CDs, these are the two I would choose, as I could listen to the complex melodies and rich harmonies every day for a lifetime.