Customer Reviews

Happenings Greatest Hits

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

 

 

Yes, finally - a Happenings compilation! I was one of those who bought the import CD which was horribly remastered and sounded like it was recorded from a transistor radio. This CD is, by far, superior in both song selection and sound quality. However, it is still missing some wonderful Happenings songs that were both key LP tracks and 45 single releases. (That is why this CD gets only 4 instead of 5 stars - otherwise, a good purchase) Most of the memorable Happenings songs are here and sound better than ever. I was just disappointed that some of their recordings on the Jubilee record label were not included - mainly their 45 release of the Rock Opera "Hair" classic: "Where Do I Go/Be-In (Medley)." Omitting that 45 tune from their 1969 LP "Piece Of Mind" was a serious flaw. Other latter recordings should have also been included on this release such as tracks from their BT Puppy Records LP "Psycle." Perhaps Rhino will get on the stick and release their LPs in their entirety. If you remember and like the music of The Happenings, though, this is a good starter collection until the rest of their music is released on CD.

It finally is available domestically. Wounded Bird Records (out of New York) has released this set, including all the chart singles on the B.T. Puppy label plus a couple of choice b-sides and album cuts. The Happenings were a terrific mid '60s vocal group out of New Jersey that scored big with their versions of "See You in September," "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do," "Why Do Fools Fall In Love," "I Got Rhythm" and "Go Away Little Girl." We even get treated to a couple of originals written by members of the group, like "Girl On A Swing" (a hit for Gerry & the Pacemamkers in '66). Thanks to the folks at Rhino for manufacturing and licensing this material. The sound is alot better than those imports that were previously released. It was worth the wait. Order this one now before it's no longer in print.

I love the songs, I had an 8-track a million years ago. The only thing wrong with the CD is that on some tracks you can't hear the vocals, or some of the instruments can't be heard. It seems the sounds aren't equal. I don't know anything about the conversion to CD, but it lost quite a bit in the translation. I have seen this alot though in some of the older music. Still love the songs, though.

The Happenings Greatest Golden Hits give us all the tracks from two of their record albums entitled The Happenings Greatest Hits and The Happenings Golden Hits. This CD has quite a bit of some very fine music on it; and the sound quality is excellent! I like the artwork, too.

"I Got Rhythm" begins the CD track set with a sweet but strong rockin' hit; they harmonize well and the key modulations couldn't be better! I defy you not to like this number! It's incredible. "Sealed With A Kiss" gets the royal treatment; The Happenings deliver this with panache and lots of heart. They harmonize well again and the false falsetto at one point or two along the way makes the vocals stand out even more!

"Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" has a pop, bubblegum flavor to it even though the percussion and drums have a rockin' beat--interesting combination--and it all holds its own very well. "Go Away Little Girl" also features The Happenings polishing off this number like champs!

"See You In September" was a song we danced to often at school dances when I was much younger; and this tune is one of the very finest hits by The Happenings. "See You In September" has a great beat and the vocals reflect a more innocent time that brings back many fond memories for me. In addition, "Why Do Fools Fall In Love" is a stunning ballad that The Happenings make shine all the brighter as they sing and play this ballad.

"Music Music Music" gives us The Happenings doing a strong cover of this number which was sung by Teresa Brewer; their version reflects sensitivity and good judgment. "Girls On The Go" also has that classic Happenings sound that always makes a song sound wonderful; and the CD ends with "He Thinks He's A Hero." "He Thinks He's A Hero" has good changes in keys and tempos and The Happenings sing this without a superfluous note! Awesome!

Overall, this is one fine CD by The Happenings. I highly recommend this CD for their fans; and casual fans of some of the lighter rock from the `60s will also enjoy this album.

While on a cruise The Happenings were our entertainment. I realized how good music was from my era...and stocked up on their music.

These 16 tracks contain 8 of the Happenings 9 charted hit's, and 2 B-sides.
Here are The Happenings at their best,
with this being the original recordings from two of their original L.P. hit albums.
The Happenings where around for only three years, 1966 to 1969,
but their original styling left some great music to listen to today.
Their charted songs and the 2 B-sides are:
1. "See you in September" b/w "He thinks he's a hero" top 10, 1966.
2. "Go away little girl" top 20, 1966.
3. "Goodnight night my love" just missed the top half of the to 50, 1966.
4. "I got rhythm" b/w "You're in a bad way" top 10, 1967.
5. "My Mammy" top 20, 1967.
6. "Why do fools fall in love" just missed the top 40, 1967.
7. "Music, music, music" top 100, 1968.
8. "Breaking up is hard to do" top 100, 1968.
Missing is "Where do I go/Be-in/Hare Krishna top 100, 1969. From the off-Broadway rock musical Hair.

Their original styling and great harmonies make this an enjoyable listen.
There are no liner notes.
This 2001 compilatiom is from Wounded Bird Records and Rhino Entertainment.
Footnote: Even with the twofer "The Happenings - Psycle" having 24 tracks,
it is still missing 4 charted songs.

Hard to find music from the 60's, this group of a one-hit wonder was what I've searched for a while.

The one song I know is a remake is "Goodnight My Love." I know this because I have it on the original 45 issue and the CD version is an inferior remake. But the others with which I'm familiar - but don't have original vinyl to compare, only memories - seem authentic.

The audio quality is great and certainly superior to some of the CDs you find these days which are only re-recordings of old vinyl or cassettes.

Trying to increase my colelction of older music I enjoyed growing up and this one was a nice colelction of The Happening's tunes from 60's era.

What gets me is so many younger people today only think the Beatles were the only band in those days who made any music, when in fact, so much quality USA-made music and excellent musicians were everywhere and The Happenings are like those who seemed to be forgotten about along the way.

The songs on the CD brought back a lot of good memories. I saw the Happenings in person earlier that month They were great also.