Customer Reviews

Gold

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

 

 

The Mamas & The Papas first greatest hits album in 1967 was aptly entitled FAREWELL TO THE FIRST GOLDEN ERA. Unfortunately there was no second act. They only had one more top 40 hit after that ("Dream a Little Dream of Me") in the summer of 1968 and by that time the group had already split up. [Three years later they attempt a reunion to complete a contractual obligation album for Dunhill, but it garnered little attention and the single "Step Out" peaked at No. 81.]

In 2001, MCA released the definitive anthology, ALL THE LEAVES ARE BROWN, featuring remastered editions of their first four studio albums on two discs. But that has been allowed to go out of print.

To fill that gap, Geffen has released what is (by default)the most complete two-disc set of this landmark vocal group. It rightfully focuses on the first four albums (only "Step Out" is included from 1971's PEOPLE LIKE US]. Of course, all the big hits are here--"California Dreamin'," "Monday Monday," "Dedicated to the One I Love"--but at only 32 songs, they left out songs that should have been included: "Spanish Harlem" and "Trip, Stumble & Fall" among them. But unless you want to spring for the 2005 box set COMPLETE ANTHOLOGY, this two-disc package contains everything you really need. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

If you just missed their "All The Leaves Are Brown" compilation, this is the one for you. It contains their first four albums but not completed, that's not the problem. The important thing is that the sound quality is even better than their "All The Leaves Are Brown" compilation, extremely warm. So if you are looking for the sound quality, just go for it and you won't be disappointed!

What a collection of threads of pure spun "magic gold"! . . . Thirty-two tracks spanning the recording incarnation of the orinal Mamas & Papas re-present the miracle sixties sound of "ahead of their time" harmonies and melodic-lyrical poetry in sound.

I first heard of John Phillips on an RCA LP back in 1964 by a trio named "The Journeymen" . . . it was slightly progressive folk with those great harmonies.

When i was in high-school, on the radio came these simply majestic up-beat melodies and soul stimulating harmonies . . . and lyrics: Monday Monday . . . California Dreamin' . . . and there he was again: John Phillips . . . knee deep in the flowers of the hippie sixties! -- accompanied by Michelle Phillips, Denny Doherty, and the vocal smile presence of Cass Elliot aka "Mama Cass": the qaurtet was complete . . . and it was complete musical rhapsody.

This 2005 issued collection has truly "the best" and reproduced in the best sound: "I Call Your Name" . . . "Do You Wanna Dance" . . . "You Baby" . . . Words Of Love" . . . "Dedicated To The One I Love" . . . "Dream A Little Dream Of Me" . . . "Twelve-Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming To The Canyon)" . . . and so many more. . .

If you grew up with them and remember this music, this is the collection to have! If you are too young to remember this music "on the radio", get it now! This music will remind you of just what great talent is and what kind of musical artistry that talent can produce and leave behind for future generations to discover.

Thanks to all four Mamas & Papas . . . You have all made a major contribution to our happiness and to our heritage. You can all be more than proud of what You have accomplished and what You pass on to so many who weren't yet born when You worked this magic.

I've had a lot of these tunes on vinyl, cassette,(gasp) 8 track and cd over the years and the sound quality was always atrocious. Finally we can hear these as they were meant to be heard. Great remastering job. Mama Cass shines with her powerful voice if she was front and centre or background. Denny Doherty also had/has a very good voice. Many tracks were written by John Phillips. Michelle Phillips sounds soft and blends in so well with her 3 peers. Some of these 32 tracks you may not have heard before but each one is worth a listen. Great buy. Good liner notes also.

Total of 32 tracks.Decent 2-CD compilation,specially for the price.Sound could be better.There are tunes here that I certainly don't remember.But,who could forget the hits?Most notable cuts include "Monday,Monday","Straight Shooter","I Call Your Name","California Dreamin'","Creeque Alley",the B-side "Look Through Any Window","The Right Somebody To Love" among others.Personally,I liked their box set 'Singles,Plus' better(see my review).Good for either the completist of any new fan.

Sounded great and brought back a lot of old memories. Any
fan of the group will love this CD.

Just when you thought Universal couldn't get any lower, they pull this one:

In 2001, Universal/MCA released the excellent, FIFTY-TWO track "All The Leaves Are Brown: The Golden Era Collection", which contained the best-audio, complete M&P four album collection (with extras!).

So what did Universal do? They pulled "Era" off the market, took the same audio master, whacked out a third of the material and substituted this THIRTY-THREE track release in its place.

There are still used copies of "Era' floating around on this site, eBay & Half. My advice: Track down one of those sets and get the complete M&P recordings.

Although a great 2 CD collection the sound quality suffers from a bad remaster job. This became evident after comparing this CD to an older best of CD that I bought a number of years ago called "16 of Their Greatest Hits." The Gold recordings have the life sucked out them, no warmth and a harsh sound compared to the other compilation. Too bad because this has more depth in song selection.

The Mamas & The Papas certainly sounded much, much better than just any old 1960s group. They sang with their hearts and souls and their roots in folk rock produced a rock and roll sound that was smooth and easy on the ears while sending out a message. This two CD set gives us most, if not all, of the very best of The Mamas & The Papas; and true fans will want this in their collections.

The first CD has plenty of classic hits. "Monday, Monday" is a stream of consciousness type ballad that works very well; and the group harmonizes and uses the percussion really nicely. "Straight Shooter" features the band at their very best; and I really like this song. "California Dreamin'" inspired so many young people to flock to California to find peace, harmony, a better life and love. "California Dreamin'" has a sound to it that is absolutely majestic; this is a masterpiece by The Mamas & The Papas.

"The `In' Crowd" continues the hits with a good beat and awesome guitar and percussion; and "Dancing Bear" is a story about a chimney sweep that John sings so sweetly. "Dancing Bear" gets even more strength from subtle key and tempo changes. "Words Of Love" features Mama Cass singing while the group backs her up with vocals and instruments. "Dancing In The Street" is a wonderful number that The Mamas & The Papas deliver flawlessly; this number really makes you want to jump up and dance wherever you are!

The second CD continues the hits. "Dedicated To The One I Love" offers Michelle the chance to do some solo singing and the group joins in at just the right times to bolster the number. "Dedicated To The One I Love" has an awesome musical arrangement, too. "Creeque Alley," is, of course, a ballad that tells the story of how they formed a group and the people they knew or with whom they worked before they became The Mamas & The Papas. Great beat on "Creeque Alley," too!

"Twist And Shout" gets quite a slow tempo as The Mamas & The Papas put their own stamp on this tune; and listen for Cass Elliott to deliver "Dream A Little Dream Of Me" with great sensitivity. Cass could sure belt them out; but she knew to sing this one with just the right amount of subdued passion for a romantic effect.

"Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming To The Canyon)" features more great harmonizing and instrument playing; and the second CD ends with "Step Out." "Step Out" has a great sound to it; I predict that you will like this song very much.

The liner notes and the artwork are great!

The Mamas & The Papas remain a fixture in the worlds of`60s American folk rock and mainstream rock music. Their sound was unique and singularly beautiful. I highly recommend this two CD set but I also tip my hat to the CD set entitled All The Leaves Are Brown: The Golden Era Collection.

Thank you, guys! We will never forget you!

This 2 CD set is a great collection of The Mamas and The Papas' music, including many songs that are rarely, if ever, heard. The CDs have good sound quality and the liner notes give interesting information about the history of the group. If you are a fan of The Mamas and The Papas, you will enjoy "Gold".