Customer Reviews

Don't Call Me Mama Anymore

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is an amazing re-issue! It has unbelievable clarity and realism, projecting the listener into the intimate atmosphere of the nightclub in which most of it was recorded in a way the original vinyl could not. And Cass' stage talents really shine, her warm voice caressing the audience during the patter and sparkling in the songs. The new liner notes give a glimpse of the backstage work that went into this outstanding performance. The three bonus tracks are the icing on the cake, consisting of wonderful material that has been almost impossible to find since its original issue. One of the added songs is the studio version of "I Think A Lot About You", which makes for an interesting comparison with Cass' handling of the same song on stage as recorded for the original live album. That one and "L'Amour" show off Cass' way with a love song to perfection. By way of contrast, "Listen to the World" displays both her strong social consciousness (which was genuine) and her ability to belt a rock number -- in case anyone forgot that she could do that, too. It's a spirited and fitting close to Cass' most upbeat album. Her first RCA album, "Cass Elliot", is still her best and my favorite, but I find myself listening to this one over and over.

I have listened to this CD many times and like many reviewers I am still struck by the quality of the sound. I will swear that I am in the same room with Cass Elliott as she belts out these tunes! Cass is truly in control of her performance and she seems able to lead her audience in any direction she wishes. Indeed, her rapport with her audience is excellent; this CD includes two "raps" (times when she speaks) with the audience. She talks about a recent knee injury, making light of her having to temporarily use a cane to share something of her personal life with her fans. She also reminisces about the clubs called "basket houses" in which she sang early on in her career--it was considered a "big night" if she made six dollars. Ha!

The CD is actually a live recording of Cass's performance at a Chicago nightclub called Mister Kelly's. There is also a studio recording of Cass singing "I Think A Lot About You." I agree with fellow reviewers who write that it's so tragic that Cass seems to be just hitting her stride when she passed away from a very untimely death.

There are GREAT songs on this CD that demand our attention. In particular, Cass sings the song entitled "My Love" written by Paul McCartney and his late wife Linda; while "Don't Call Me Mama Anymore" is very personal and well as beautifully arranged. "The Night Before" is awesome. She sings "I'll Be Seeing You" and "I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues" written by Harold Arlen (who wrote "Over The Rainbow") and Koehler-Warner. The "Theme From L'Amour" is both catchy and playful, too.

The liner notes by Richard Barton Campbell are extensive and very informative. Between the song set and the liner notes a person can really get to know a lot about Cass Elliott--as well as what she wanted to do with her life had she lived longer. Campbell writes how Cass quit high school just two weeks before graduation to rush to New York to seriously pursue a show business career; how Cass actually despised being called "Mama" Cass; and to support what he writes Richard Campbell peppers his liner notes with Cass' own words. A clever writer! The liner notes include photos of Cass including a picture of an 8 track tape of this performance. Ooooh, an 8 track tape of a Cass Elliott performance--nostalgia!

In short, the song set from this concert reflects an optimistic, emotionally healthier Cass ready to reach new heights in her career and her relationships, too. Yes, maybe Cass didn't live too long after this album was released; but I somehow get the feeling that she still managed to accomplish a type of self-fulfillment than some people ever experience in their entire "normal life-spans." We are all better off for Cass Elliott being amongst us in the 1960s and the early 1970s. Bravo, Cass Elliott! She went out a winner and with songs like "Listen To The World" she taught us much.

I recommend this CD for fans of The Mamas and The Papas, pop music, and people who want to get better acquainted with Cass Elliott's talent.

As her number one fan, I was thrilled to purchase this fantastic rerelease of Cass Elliot's final album!!! Cass has never sounded more beautiful, the material is perfect, the orchestration flawless, and Cass' banter is completely charming!!! This is Cass at her very best!!! Thanks to all involved in bringing us this fabulous rerelease!!! Please release the rest of Cass' catalogue!!! It's all worth having in such stunning audio quality!!! And the aditional bonus tracks are the icing on the cake!!! Buy this album, it's a little piece of Heaven!!! We love you Cass!!!

Everyone else who reviewed this is right on the money - she is just amazing and the sound quality just knocks me out for a recording that was done so many years ago.

Cass Elliot NEVER misses a note - she is in tune more than ANYONE I have heard live. It's absolutely astonishing. Her "I'll Be Seeing You" is just to die for and the other song that was written for her "I'm Coming to the Best Part of my Life" is just unmatched. What a joy it is to hear newly released vintage songs from this great singer. I'm with the other guys - PLEASE RE-RELEASE MORE CASS ELLIOT ALBUMS ON CD!!! I'M DYING TO HAVE THEM!!!

This Cass Elliot reissue of her last album is THE way all CD's should be done. Not only does it boast superb sound quality, but it also has the appeal of expertly written liner notes, and is filled with photos from this period of Cass' career. But that is not all. For you also get 3 rare bonus songs. There is the A Side of her last single , I THINK A LOT ABOUT YOU [ which is also here in the album's concert version ], it's equally as great B Side LISTEN TO THE WORLD, and a film soundtrack song from a little known film, THEME FROM L'AMOUR. They did a magnificent job of giving us the best sounding, most complete version of Cass' last recordings from 1973. You get true quality for both your eyes and ears.

thank you to oneway for releasing this cd with bonus tracks that many fans have been trying to get for years. also thanks to rbc soup -richard for keeping cass's spirit alive. i hope that oneway keep up the good work and follow this with the road is no place for a lady and cass's other back catalogue. their is plenty more and all good.hope that cass's many friends ,family and fans have many happy hours of listening with this long overdue release. pufnstuf@ntlworld.com. a long cass elliot fan

This was recorded 30 years ago.. but feels like it's new. I was 6 at the time.
Cass Elliot was a one of kind woman. She was in a category all her own. She made her own kind of music. It's a tragedy that her life was moving into such success and achievement at the time of her premature death in 1974, a year after this album.. Cass was and is "Entertainment"!!!
She hosted the Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson a number of times.. and I hope they will release those appearances in their entirety. This album was also the name of her CBS televison Special.. and I hope they will give us that tv concert on DVD. Cass was bigger than life.
Her love of life was contagious.. She enjoyed making others happy. Her music is still making us happy!
Cass is timeless.

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST REISSUES THAT I HAVE EVER HEARD. THE SOUND QUALITY SOUND SUPERB AND THE PICTURES ARE A COLLECTORS DREAM COME TRUE. CASS'S VOICE REALLY SHINES ON THESE RECORDINGS AND THERE ARE ADDITONAL THREE BONUS SONGS WHICH MANY FANS WILL NOT HAVE HEARD BEFORE. THANKS TO ALL INVOLVED. GREAT JOB "ONE-WAY" RECORDS! PLEASE CONSIDER RELEASING HER OTHER LP'S ON CD - THERE ARE SO MANY OF HER WONDERFUL SONGS THAT DESERVE HEARING ON CD.

This is one of the few re-issues I've experienced that lives up to my expecations. The liner notes are extensive, the pictures are great, and the music and sound quality are both exceptional. I am beyond pleased!

Three bonus tracks have been added as well. "Theme from L'Amour" is a really cool surprise! Mucho credit to OneWay Records, Richard Campbell, and everyone who made this cd possible!

A consummate performer with a beguiling, melodic voice, Cass Elliot's personality is alive in every song. Highlights are, "I'm Coming to the Best Part of My Life," written for her by Roger Nichols and John Bettis, "Don't Call Me Mama Anymore," by Earl Brown, "The Torch Song Medley," a wonderful Blues medley showcasing her stunning flair for that genre. She is fabulous while singing "Extraordinary," which perfectly describes herself. She sings it to open the show which was taped live at Mr. Kelley's in Chicago in 1972. How good it is that we have this record of her Extraordinary Talent.