Johnny Rivers Anthology, 1964-1977 [2-CD Set]

Johnny Rivers | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 26, 1991)
• Original Release Date: March 26, 1991
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Rhino / Wea
• ASIN: B0000032OC
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,723 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Memphis

2. Maybellene

3. Mountain of Love

4. Midnight Special

5. Cupid

6. Seventh Son

7. Parchman Farm

8. Where Have All the Flowers Gone?

9. Under Your Spell Again

10. Secret Agent Man

See all 19 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Summer Rain

2. Look to Your Soul

3. Brother, Where Are You [*]

4. Going Back to Big Sur [*]

5. A Whiter Shade of Pale [*]

6. These Are Not My People

7. City Ways [*]

8. You Better Move On [*]

9. Muddy River

10. Into the Mystic

See all 17 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

This is a 2 CD set with each disc in a single jewel case with art work.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One Of Rock Music's Great Interpreters, July 9, 2000

By 

Steve Vrana (Aurora, NE) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Johnny Rivers Anthology, 1964-1977 [2-CD Set] (Audio CD)

Known more as as interpreter of other artists' songs, JohnnyRivers placed 17 songs in the Top 40 over the 13-year span covered onthis collection. His first two singles (recorded live at LA's Whiskey A Go Go) were covers of Chuck Berry's "Memphis" and "Maybelline." His next single was a cover of Harold Dorman's "Mountain of Love," which Rivers took to No. 9. His string of Sixties hits included "Seventh Son," "Secret Agent Man," "Baby I Need Your Lovin'" and The Tracks of My Tears." Surprisingly, his biggest hit of the Sixties--and his only No. 1--was the only single he had a hand in writing, the lovely "Poor Side of Town." In addition to having a knack for selecting excellent material, Rivers used ace musicians in the studio--frequently using Hal Blaine, Larry Knechtel and James Burton. After 1967's "Summer Rain," Rivers' singles couldn't crack the Top 40 until 1972's "Rockin' Pneumonia - Boogie Woogie Flu." The song's rocking arrangement was reminiscent of his earlier Sixties singles and it became the biggest single of his career, selling over a million copies. He was not as successful with his next two covers--Carl Perkins' "Blue Suede Shoes" and the Beach Boys' "Help Me Rhonda." Even with Brian Wilson on board to provide harmonies, the song stalled at No. 22. in 1975. Just when critics (and most fans) were ready to write him off again, Rivers surprised everyone with his second million-seller, "Swayin' to the Music (Slow Dancin')" in 1977. Two decades later, it's unlikely that Rivers will make a third comeback, but this is an excellent two-disc overview of his classic songs, minor hits and key album tracks. As usual, the folks at Rhino have put together an informative booklet, excellent sound, and a generous sampling of Rivers' peak years. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED END

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Common Name, Uncommon Artist, December 9, 2000

By 

"adang621" (New York United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Johnny Rivers Anthology, 1964-1977 [2-CD Set] (Audio CD)

I loved this CD. Everyone has a favorite Johnny Rivers song. Problem is that, for most people, their particular recollection of one song often ignores the others. For example, when I think Johnny Rivers, I think Secret Agent Man, someone else might think Summer Rain, another might say, Seventh Son, and another sings Mountain of Love, others Midnight Special or Poor Side of Town.

Well they are all his and they are all on this great sounding anthology. Also included are the many covers Rivers has recorded over the years, including Sea Cruise, Do You Want to Dance?, and Sam Cooke's classic, Cupid. And his greatest cover of all, Chuck Berry's, Memphis. And for those musicians out there, Rivers' steel guitar remains his signature on every cut. Pop, rock, blues or country music fan, you'll enjoy this CD; it really does justice to a artist most people can't quite place until they hear the songs and then they become amazed that all those fondly remembered records actually came from the same unassuming guy.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An American Original, January 14, 2003

By 

"jbesanko" (Crofton, MD United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Johnny Rivers Anthology, 1964-1977 [2-CD Set] (Audio CD)

One of the first LPs I ever bought with my own money was a United Artists album entitled The Very Best Of Johnny Rivers, which I must have picked up around 1974 or so--and I have been a Rivers fan ever since. As other reviewers have noted, Johnny Rivers, though essentially a "cover artist," was much more than that--like many great interpreters (Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris come to mind), he had an ability to take most any song and make it his own, regardless of genre. Starting out as a Chuck Berry rock-and-roller with his "a-go-go" sound ("Memphis," "Maybelline") he made forays into folk-rock ("Where Have All The Flowers Gone?"), Motown ("The Tracks Of My Tears," "Baby, I Need Your Lovin'"), blues ("Parchman Farm," "Seventh Son"), R&B ("Sea Cruise," "Rockin' Pneumonia"), country (Buck Owens' "Under Your Spell Again"), pop ("By The Time I get To Phoenix") and even progressive rock ("Whiter Shade Of Pale," "Into The Mystic"). Whatever he did, though, it was undeniably American music, as befits a man who grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

While the hits are all here--and they're all great--some of the real gems in this collection are the ones you may never have heard: "It's Too Late," "These Are Not My People," "City Ways" and "Muddy River" are particular favorites of mine. Overall, an underappreciated artist and an American original. Essential listening.