Customer Reviews

Dedicated to the One I Love

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is just a lovely album which highlights Cass Elliot's unmistakeable voice and reminds me how much I loved the Mamas and the Papas and, like other reviewers, I still miss Cass.

I didn't know much about her solo material, apart from the singles, but this is full of great two/three minute songs and is a feel-good album of high quality. It is, however, not without the odd surprise - "He's A Runner" for instance.

My only gripe - the title of the album. It's an irrelevance to call it "Dedicated ...." It refers to the Mamas and the Papas, which is unnecessary - Cass was making a name for herself as a solo singer before her untimely death. However, it's a very minor point.

This is probably the best collection of Mama Cass I've seen. It's labeled as an import, but I've seen it in mainstream music/book stores. What an incredible loss, the death of Mama Cass, but what an incredible array of music she left behind! This is a wonderful compilation and one can't help but wonder how far she could have gone with that one-of-a-kind voice! Keep in mind that only her solo work is represented here, not her work with the Mamas and the Papas. Great listen!

This is a collection of (Mama) Cass Elliot Dunhill recordings from 1968-71; so her later RCS and Blue Thumb albums are not represented here! It's a budget-price release with a 4 page booklet featuring a short biography and only sparse information about the tracks. Fortunately the music sounds good - could have been remastered, as several tracks sound better than my old vinyl versions.

Cass Elliot was the biggest voice of the Mamas and Papas and she recorded two albums for Dunhill records in 1968 and 1969 - plus a handfull of fine singles - Her first was recorded and released almost simultaniously with the 4th Mamas and Papas album, and both albums feature the song that has become her signature tune, "Dream a Little Dream of Me".


Her second album "Bubble Gum Lemonade . . " is almost completely represented here with only one track missing.

Obviously a song like "Dream a Little Dream of Me" stand out, great tune, beautifully arranged and Elliot at her very best; but there are several other highlights here, though some songs are a little burdened down by too heavy orchestration. The Mann/Weill songs of which two were hit-singles are probably among those that sound the most like the Mapas and Papas, and they are all great; especially "New World Coming" and "It's Getting Better".

Other stand-outs are the slightly jazzy "Blow Me a Kiss" ( similar mood to "Dream a Little Dream"), "Ain't Nobody Else But You" and the two "good-time" tunes "Move in a Little Close Baby" and "Easy Come, Easy Go"

This CD contains most of the songs from her 2nd solo album in 1969, and the various singles that were compiled on the 1970 " Mama's Big One's " collection. Slanted towards the great pop songs Cass recorded, and missing the more artistic statements & ballads from her solo debut album in 1968. Hence not the best representative collection of her recordings, but good nonetheless as Cass always sang great. Her powerhouse version of the Laura Nyro ballad " HE'S A RUNNER " contains one of the best vocals that Cass ever recorded.

Cass Elliott gave us so much during her all too short lifetime; I enjoy hearing her sing because her voice was always as clear as a bell and her sophisticated phrasing enhanced her singing all the more. This is a terrific album by Cass with great songs that she performed solo; there isn't a dud in the bunch. In addition, the quality of the sound on this CD is excellent and I like that artwork.

"Make Your Own Kind of Music" is a wonderful way to begin this album; Cass sings this with all her heart and soul and just one listen proves it! The music fits in perfectly on this upbeat tune and it all holds its own very well. "Dream a Little Dream of Me" is absolutely beautiful; Cass sings this with great sensitivity and "Dream a Little Dream of Me" leaves nothing to be desired--this music is all THAT good. "It's Getting Better" has some awesome percussion as Cass belts this out; and "Blow Me a Kiss" has a female backup chorus for Cass as she sings this to perfection--and beyond! Cass handles complex tempo and key changes like the pro she always was.

"California Earthquake" is very well done; and "Move In a Little Closer Baby" is easily one of the best Cass Elliott tunes out there. Cass sings "Move In a Little Closer Baby" with panache and I love to hear this over and over again! "Easy Go, Easy Go" has that late `60s/early `70s flavor to it but don't get me wrong--this is still enjoyable today. "Easy Come, Easy Go" has a fine musical interlude, too; it's wonderful in every way. "Talkin' to Your Toothbrush" is a sensitive ballad; and "When I Just Wear My Smile" is a playful tune that Cass aces as effortlessly as if it were mere breathing; that harmonica sounds great with the rest of the arrangement!

"Don't Let the Good Life Pass You By" again features Cass in her natural element although the music could have been toned a bit; and "Lady Love" is a mighty fine tune that has Cass performing at her usual very best. "Sour Grapes" has a country flavor and those guitars work wonders for the number; listen also for Cass Elliott to do "I Can Dream, Can't I?" with her usual excellent diction and genuine feeling.

"New World Coming" is another song Cass sings beautifully; and "He's a Runner" is brilliantly done. The music makes god use of the strings, too. "Good Times Are Coming" charms me with its natural beauty; Cass makes this shine with her gorgeous voice. "Who's To Blame?" has Cass delivering this ballad with heartfelt emotion and the album ends with Cass Elliott performing "Ain't Nobody Else Like You." What a splendid way to end the album!

Cass Elliott possessed a genius that I rarely hear or enjoy; thankfully we have her recordings on albums like this so we can always remember her. Another reviewer notes that this CD has all the songs except one from Cass' album entitled Bubble Gum, Lemonade & Something for Mama; and they are correct. (The song omitted here is "Welcome to the World.") This album is a must-have for fans of Cass Elliott; and it makes a great introductory CD for anyone discovering the magical artistry of the great Cass Elliott.

This Cass Elliot Spectrum CD release, "Dedicated To The One I Love", features eighteen tracks originally recorded for Dunhill Records during the period of 1968-1972.
Three selections are from the debut 1968 LP "Dream A Little Dream": the title track(a #12 chart single); "Talkin' To Your Toothbrush"; and John Hartford's "California Earthquake"(#67).
The second LP release in 1969, "Bubblegum, Lemonade, & Something For Mama"(later reissued as 'Make Your Own Kind Of Music"), is represented by eleven tracks("Welcome To The World" is the only omission). The singles from the LP included here are "It's Getting Better"(#30), "Move In A Little Closer Baby"(#58), and "Make Your Own Kind Of Music"(#36). Highlights from this set are the standard "I Can Dream, Cant I?" and Laura Nyro's lush "He's A Runner".
Finally, from the 1973 compilation, "Mama's Big Ones", are "New World Coming"(#42), "Don't Let the Good Life Pass You By", "Ain't Nobody Else Like You", and "The Good Times Are Coming".
Overall, this CD compilation is a decent budget sampler that features key songs from the Cass Elliot Dunhill catalog.

What a great CD! This is such a great collection of songs by Mama Cass. If you appreciate her voice in the Mama's and Papas you will love this CD. I don't know why they don't play these songs on the radio like they do the Mamas and Papas songs as they are all songs that will make you smile and remember the seventies.

The packaging looks cheap, and the brief liner notes are error-ridden, but the song selection is actually pretty good. Sadly, no tracks from Elliot's RCA recordings, but at least this one does contain the wonderful "He's A Runner," which none of the other collections feature.

This is another one of her great works! I really enjoy listening to all her music but this one has alot of her best on it.

We love the songs by Mama Cass. The service from Amazon was good. We received the CD from the supplier on time