Customer Reviews

Greatest Hits

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

 

 

In my opinion 'The New Christy Minstrels' had a sound like no other group, and I could listen to them for hours. And if you feel the same then you'll be sadly disappointed with this CD. Not that the music isn't great, it's just that there isn't enough of it. How can it be called their 'greatest hits' when it leaves out songs such as; 'Whistlin' Dixie', 'Way Down in Arkansas', 'Company of Cowards', and my favorite; 'This Ol' Riverboat'? No, this CD should have been entitled: 'A few of The New Christy Minstrels Greatest Hits.

The New Christy Minstrels were a fantastic 1960s group. I loved their music and had this CD in album form, nearly wearing it out I played it so much. It had one drawback even in the 60s; the sound was somewhat tinny, for lack of a better word. Now it's the year 2000 and we expect a much clearer sound from our music, especially from CDs. When I bought this CD I had high hopes that the tinny sound would be gone but it isn't and it bothers me even more in this format. If that one problem could be corrected this CD would rate 5 stars from me but not until.

This is suppose to be "The Greatest Hits" CD, yet a lot of the "great hits" by the group were omitted. It is more of a Sid Garris (NCM owner)production and only had Green Green and Today because they were chart-busters, otherwise he would have not included them!

I like this CD except for the version of "We'll Sing in the Sunshine" which is not the version I remember from 30 years ago that was a hit. All the other songs are as I remember them which is my reason for buying "Greatest Hits". I would recommend this CD

This re-release of a 1966 vinyl LP is typical of early CDs - questionable sound quality and a dearth of tracks. However, in keeping with the trend to re-release these early CDs with added tracks and better sound [e.g., Sarah Vaughan, Donovan, and Elvis Presley CDs), this is a good candidate.

The large group founded by Randy Sparks boasted some notable talent during their time [Barry McGuire, Gene Clarke of The Byrds, Kenny Rogers in 1966, and Kim Carnes in the late 1960s], and from 1962 to 1965 they put six singles onto the Billboard Pop Hot 100, three of which also made the Adult Contemporary (AC) charts and one more that scored only on the AC charts.

Here you get just four of them: Green Green (# 3 AC/# 14 Hot 100 in summer 1963 and their best, with McGuire on lead vocal and b/wThe Banjo); Saturday Night (# 29 Hot 100 in November 1963 b/w The Wheeler Dealers); Today (# 4 AC/# 17 Hot 100 in June 1964 from the film Advance To The Rear and b/w Miss Katy Cruel); and Chim, Chim Cheree (# 20 AC/# 81 Hot 100 in May 1965 from the film Mary Poppins b/w They Gotta Quit Kickin' My Dog Around).

Missing are their first hit, Woody Guthrie's This Land Is Your Land, which reached # 93 Hot 100 in December 1962 b/w a Randy Sparks solo, Don't Cry, Suzanne, Silly Ol' Summertime, a # 92 Hot 100 in August 1964 b/w The Far Side Of The Hill, and their last hit single, Brother, which came in 1971 for the Gregar label, peaking at # 36 AC b/w I Still Do. None of the B-sides are included either,

With these added, improved sound quality, and some informative liner notes, some enterprising outfut like Ace of London could turn out a welcome 5-star multi-track CD. Meanwhile, it doesn't seem right to have one of the seminal large folk-country groups of that era [along with The Rooftop Singers, Randy's other group The Backporch Majority, the Serendipity Singers, Shacklefords, and Greenwood County Singers) treated so shabbily.

There are a lot of us out here waiting for some quality releases.

New Christy Minstrels had a wry name, they took it from the original Christy Minstrels, . The Folk movement so popular in the last yelps of the 1950's gave Top 40 creedence to grandfather Weavers and sons red and white striped shirted Kingston Trio. During the wave of 1958's Elvis' goodbye at the US Army train through the boy wonder/Fabian/girl group jump at making hits, and into the early '60's, the Folk movement stayed true. College kids rebelling against the button-down gray fannel suit and parents still listening to Frank and Tony and good gad! they were so old and not viable, unhip and like totally squaresville.

New Christy Minstrels bridged what was newly called "The Generation Gap". New Christy Minstrels were definately folk based, but sweeter and non-political. Kids home for the weekend or for the summer could put the Lps on the Hi-Fi and for the next 30 minutes be kind to each other. Each thinking "well at least they like this". Heck, ya even have a Hootenanny! and all would be well. Just don't bring that commie new guy Dylan.

New Christy Minstrels biggest hits are here; " Green Green" ( a terrific sing-a-long song ) "Today", a sentimental ballad that still evokes a time and place mostly due to the clear tenor, and still probably wrongly presented as best Grammy song, "Chim Chim Cher -EE" from "Mary Poppins" I like to think it was not their fault that they won for such a sweeping maudlin piece of ash.

New Christy Minstrels released several LPs during their hayday. This CD is only a part of their fine vocal harmonies. A box set should be offered..but today while the blossoms still cling to the vine
it's all we got

This product was shipped in a padded envelope and arrived in wonderful condition. The quality of this product is excellent.

The delivery did not take long even considering the season. It was gift and very much enjoyed thank you!!