The Four Freshmen - Capitol Collectors Series

Four Freshmen | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 1, 1991)
• Original Release Date: 1991
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B00000DRAL
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,434 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Freshmen Roots? This is the one!, September 21, 2000

By 

A. W. Graham III "Old Timer" (Brownsburg, IN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Four Freshmen - Capitol Collectors Series (Audio CD)

If you're new to the classic Four Freshmen sound, start with this CD as the best way to sample the first 25 years of ear candy from the original band.

If you're already hooked on the Freshmen, this is the CD that best illustrates the immense range of this award winning jazz group and their contribution to American music.

Then, bookend it with the current Freshmen's stunning new CD, "Still Fresh", and you'll have a comprehensive example of why this group's 21st century creativity is still getting standing ovations from their concert audiences after 50+ years. And they're back in the studio working on the next one.

As a long-time Freshmen fanatic and Four Freshmen Society member with every CD (including private releases) plus most of the vinyl in their catalog, my enthusiasm for this CD is based on hundreds if not thousands of hours of enjoyable listening to the entire FF book. Thanks, Capitol...Thanks, Freshmen!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible harmonies!, September 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Four Freshmen - Capitol Collectors Series (Audio CD)

If you love the vocal harmonies of groups like Manhattan Transfer, and even pop harmony groups like the Beach Boys, CSN, etc., check out this CD. These guys are tremendous, and their treatment of songs will stay with you after the CD is back on the shelf. Most vocal groups of today cite the Four Freshmen as major influences, and you'll see why on this disc. Great stuff. A highlight is "Their Hearts Were Full of Spring", covered later by the Beach Boys.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Leagues apart (but not generations), March 28, 2008

By 

Samuel Chell (Kenosha,, WI United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Four Freshmen - Capitol Collectors Series (Audio CD)

The trademark sound of The Four Freshmen never wears out--even apart from the insanity of playing proficient instrumental jazz while simultaneously singing harmonies a half step apart, with all four voices tightly synchronized at flame-throwing tempos. Even when the Hi-Lo's burst on the scene, then Manhattan Transfer, and later Take 6, the Freshmen were the pace-setters, if only because of that lush sound, imprinted with the never-equalled fat falsetto of lead tenor Bob Flanigan. They've been doing it for over 60 years now, and though perfection is impossible when attempting this daredevil stunt, the present personnel come as close as any edition, including the 1950s group represented on this sterling collection.

If you dig the Freshmen, be assured they are no period piece. Be sure to check out the latest edition, in person and on record. Instrumentally, the star is the Clifford Brown-inspired trumpeter Curtis Calderon, who is perhaps the strongest instrumentalist the Freshmen have ever included in the ranks. The vocal sound is slightly less full and rich, but never has it been more precise, and all four members have exceedingly pleasant voices.

The tradition lives on. And for my money, I hope it continues to do so, even if barbershop goes out of style (I confess it was never in style for this listener).