Customer Reviews

Golden Classics Edition

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ramblin' was the first of many NCM albums I listened to in the early 60s. It captures the early "folk" influences that we heard on the TV show Hootenany; I consider it the quintessential NCM album.

Today, on the other hand , shows the later (and final) years of NCM. As the folk scene evolved NCM moved further away from "folkie" type stuff to more refined - mainstream music (such as a movie score). While NCM could not compete with the likes of Tom Paxton, Phil Ochs, and Joan Baez in the realm of topical folk music, this album contained many excellent songs and of course the beautiful "Today" later recorded by John Denver.

Within a few years of this album NCM entered a rapid decline - I saw them in concert on 1967 and not one member of the original group remained (the concert was lousy).

However, for historical, musical, and sentimental value - this CD is well worth it.

When I was growing up in the early 60's I was a little too young to choose my own music to listen to so I heard whatever my sister played. Thank goodness she had the good taste to pick out both "Ramblin'" and "Today". These two albums, along with the Kingston Trio's album "#16" comprise the best of the best of those years. These albums are like a soundtrack to my life in the early 60's and bring back so many good memories. I still have the old scratchy LP's but can't hardly make out the words now! I can't believe that they put both of my favorite New Christy Minstrel albums on one CD! I'm going to get this one myself and relive those wonderful memories again!

I bought "Ramblin'" as a scratched LP back in the late 60's and have loved it ever since. After all these years it is pure magic to hear it as it was originally recorded. The New Christy Minstrels went beyond just being a folk group; they combined extraordinary musical talents and strong personalities such as Barry McGuire putting together songs of beauty, power, nostalgia and pure fun. Add to the experience the album "Today" (the soundtrack from the Glenn Ford film "Company of Cowards") and you have a truly enjoyable album, with the title track one of the most hauntingly beautiful songs of all time. I only hope now that other NCM albums, such as "Land of Giants" and "In Person" are also going to be made available very soon.

I became a NCM admirer when I was in 5th-6th grade. RAMBLIN' was the only album I ever owned until now. I loved the humor of the NCM back then, but I also enjoyed being taken back into the earlier history of our country with songs like "The Drinkin'Gourd" and the "Wagoner's Song". This CD has been true a joy to listen to. In addition to the warmly familiar songs of the RAMBLIN' album and the tender long-remembered song, "Today", I have now found many new favorites among the songs on TODAY album. If you enjoy music that stirs a sense of love for our great country and its remarkable rugged history, you're bound to be captivated by the NCM's TODAY/RAMBLIN' CD. Just wish I could find this on cassette tapes to listen to in my car!

If a person can fall in love with a CD, this is the CD to do it with. One of the best purchases I have ever made! The combination of musical diversity on this recording is great! Everything from "Whistling Dixie" and "Brackenby's Music Box" to "Today" and "Anything Love Can Buy". You won't just find one or two songs to love here, you will love them all!

Today and Ramblin' combine the best of this wonderful folk group's contribution to folk music. While Today and Green Green are NCM trademarks, This Ol'Riverboat, Wistlin' Dixie and other wonderful civil war theme songs from the Today album combined with NCM special approach to folk music from the Ramblin' album make this a must for folk music collectors.

When I was a small boy in the 1950s, my dad used to bring young sailors home with him sometimes. He or my mom would give them a home-cooked meal and an opportunity to visit with their kids (my siblings and me). In return, sometimes, they would provide engaging conversation and/or musical entertainment. So it was with a couple of young doughboys who would later wow audiences across America and around the world: Dean Jones and Randy Sparks.

While Dean went on to become an actor in the Disney stable and star of such classic films as 'The Love Bug' and 'Beethoven', Randy formed a band and 'sparked' (pun intended!) the Folk Music fad that swept like a wave around the world in the mid-1960s. Named for the Christy Minstrels who rambled from town to dusty town in the Old West entertaining far-flung American settlers, Randy Sparks and the New Christy Minstrels traveled around the world and fanned the cooling embers of our rich folk heritage to a bright, new flame.

Songs like 'Green, Green', 'Ramblin'' and 'Today' as well as many made popular by such other folk artists as Peter, Paul and Mary and the Kingston Trio, were often written and first performed by the Christies. Many of Randy's troupe, such as lead singer Barry Maguire, went on to have great solo careers in the music business.

Randy Sparks and Dean Jones may not remember us, but my dad, Frank King, never tires of reminiscing about entertaining them in our San Diego family home 'way back when.

Both albums on one CD...what a bargin! A nice touch for the NCM fans!

I am so happy NCM have come out on CD. I have almost every NCM album (yes, vinyl) they made. My father taught me to love good music, no matter what the genre. NCM were my favorites growing up, because they so heavily relied on the voices, rather than a show or the instruments. It is a simple form of performance music, but when you look into the combinations of harmony and the talents that sprang into other areas from this group - it is one of the foundations of today's music.

I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the CD. Given that there are two albums on the CD, it is a good value if this is your type of music.