Customer Reviews

Have a Nice Day 7

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Volume 7 had, for me, more pleasant surprises than any of the other discs in this series. I'm pleased to say I was too young to notice when some of these songs first came out. Or not pleased, because I'm sure I would have liked flat-out rockers "Hallelujah" and "White Lies, Blue Eyes" from the start. But they don't quite match the spooky-swampy "Witch Queen Of New Orleans" by Redbone, better known for "Come And Get Your Love" (on Vol. 12). Along with Lee Michaels' "Do You Know What I Mean" and Jonathan Edwards' "Sunshine", there's a punchy consistency to this disc the others seem to lack. Even though it missed the top 40, Giorgio (Moroder)'s "Son Of My Father" is an interesting preview of the sound he would eventually perfect with Donna Summer. "Precious And Few" is a true lost classic, and I am one of those four people you were wondering about who enjoy "One Tin Soldier." The lady singing on that song is a goddess, wherever she is today. Ironically, my least favorite song is the only #1 on the CD, Melanie's irritating "Brand New Key." How does she know my key will fit her roller skates? It just doesn't make sense...

You have to keep reminding yourself that the function of Rhino's Have a Nice Day series is not to present the biggest hits of the decade. If it were, you'd have to include songs like "Maggie May," "American Pie" and "Family Affair," all No. 1 hits in 1971-72 (the period covered by vol. 7). Instead, what Rhino offers is some of the more obscure songs along with a few recognizable hits to give the listener a more accurate picture of the decade.

Admittedly, they sometimes go to the extreme. For example, "Son of My Father" didn't even dent the Top 40. [Who the heck is Giorgio?!!] But it's nice to have Lee Michael's classic "Do You Know What I Mean." And what teenage boy didn't have a crush on Melanie? Her childlike vocals on the million-seller "Brand New Key" still gives me a rush. [Note: This is the only No. 1 song on vol. 7.] In addition it's nice to hear Redbone's earlier hit "Witch Queen of New Orleans." [See? They weren't a one-hit wonder!] Although more than half of these artists hit the Top 40 only once: Sweathog's "Hallelujah" and Coven's "One Tin Soldier" among them. But like I said, all this does is give the listener a broader perspective of the musical tastes (good and bad) of the Seventies. If you were a teenager during this period, many of this songs will bring back fond memories. Enjoy in moderation.

I purchased this CD because it has the original recording of One Tin Soldier by Coven, a song I could not find on iTunes or anywhere else.

Thanks to another reviewer I knew that this was the album with the "right" version. Outstanding...just as I remembered it when it originally came out. Purchased from Beaches Entertainment. Excellent service. Arrived in a few days. Amazon should contract with Rhino for the entire series on their MP3 digital download service.

Some absolutely strong stuff on this volume. It is so cool to have Melanie's novelty classic "Brand New Key", "Sunshine" by Jonathan Edwards, "Joy" thankfully the full version, unlike the 45 version on the greatest hits collection of Apollo 100, "One Tin Soldier" by Coven (Coven has some Satan worshiping music. Check out some of their albums. It's pretty scary), and last but not least, "Precious and Few" by Climax.

As for me, a missing classic has resurfaced in my heart with this volume. How could I have ever let myself forget Beverly Bremers "Don't Say You Don't Remember?" This song re-reminded me of an older teenage girl (a friend of my aunt who was about 4 years older than me) that I had a crush on. I never had her, and she never knew how I felt, but I loved her and I couldn't stop thinking about her. I associate that unrequited love interest with her to this song by Beverly Bremers.

"Do You Know What I Mean" by Lee Micheals has all the charm of Todd Rundgren, Steely Dan, and Dr. Hook. It's hard to believe this is a one hit wonder when it sounds like he could have done so much more. A great song here is "The Witch Queen of New Orleans" by Redbone, but unfortunately it is the 45 version. The album version wasn't much longer, but it had a cooler opening and closing for the song. "Son of My Father" by Giorgio (Moroder) didn't get much airplay in my world. It's not very clear if Giorgio Moroder wrote this song or copied it immediately from a British group called Chicory Tip. During the same month of March 1972, both artists charted with this song but Chicory Tip only charted as high as #91. But, Giorgio Moroder moved on to bigger and better things, as he's the founder of Donna Summer and Irene Cara. Not to mention producing other successful singles from Blondie, Berlin, and various other 80's artists.

The least interesting tracks to me here are "Softly Whispering I Love You" by The English Congregation, "Hallelujah" by Sweathog (a name that got used in an up and coming television comedy starring Gabe Kaplan and John Travolta), and "White Lies, Blue Eyes" by Bullet. But, they are one hit wonders so they do justify being in this "Have a Nice Day" collection. There are lots of weaknesses here, but I will be kind for Beverly Bremers sake, and only take away two stars.

Probably the 3 biggest songs here in terms of recognition will be Melanie's chart-topping novelty "Brand New Key" (most recently featured in the soundtrack to the movie BOOGIE NIGHTS), snappy midtempo strutter "Do You Know What I Mean?" and wedding ballad "Precious and Few".

Beyond those are 5 other delights most of whom may not be familiar to more than 70s pop diehards but are worth the listen. Sweathog turns in a surging rocker with "Hallelujah", a zippy acoustic guitar propels Jonathan Edwards' "Sunshine", and "Joy" is a nice Mooged out version of the classical "Ode to Joy". Most people know Redbone as a one hit wonder for the pleasant "Come and Get Your Love" but didn't know about the spooky swamp-pop "Witch Queen of New Orleans". You'll be glad to find it. Moog plays a key role in 1 other track, the bouncy "Son of my Father". Disco svengali Giorgio Moroder is the artist (as simply "Giorgio") using a Jew's harp sounding tone and phased drums to create one of the catchier "near misses" of 70s pop.


BOTTOM LINE:
Ignore those pooh-poohing this release and listen to the samples. This is a great collection of undersong 70s pop.

This is a great collection of songs. These are songs that I grew up listening to and I really enjoy this CD. Delevery was very fast and the CD was in perfect condition.

This series brings together not only great songs,but great memories of a wonderful era in music. This particular cd contains some favorites of mine,including"Precious & Few" by Climax. If you are a fan of 70s music,this series is for you.

The track listing says the song "White Lies, Blue Eyes" was performed by "Flax", which is incorrect, the group that did it was "Bullet".

I bought this because of one song. I'm happy to find it after 30
years!