The Mamas & the Papas - Greatest Hits [Original recording remastered]

Mamas & Papas | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 10, 1998)
• Original Release Date: 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Mca
• ASIN: B0000062XS
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (119 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #440 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #7 in Music > Rock > Oldies & Retro
  • #11 in Music > Music Deals > Box Sets at 30% Off
  • #12 in Music > Pop > Oldies > General

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The Mamas and the Papas had a sound that helped define a portion of the 1960s. Their breezy folk classics had a bit of San Francisco psychedelia woven in, and, despite the sweet harmonies, there was also a noticeably dark feel to some of their more popular work. "California Dreamin'" and "Monday, Monday" both utilized enough minors to give them a spooky edge. Greatest Hits is an essential part of any audiophile's collection, especially if they don't have the original recordings that spawned the hits. "Dedicated to the One I Love" is almost ironic for its tenderness, considering the turmoil that rumbled through the band's interrelationships. While John and Michelle Phillips and Denny Doherty were all responsible for the success of the Mamas and the Papas, listening to this collection reveals that the late great Mama Cass was not only the heart but the soul of the band. Greatest Hits closes with her "Dream a Little Dream of Me," and serves as a touching tribute to Cass Elliot's talent. --Steve Gdula

Product Description

Newly remastered with new liner notes and rare photos, this collection is a marked improvement over the original Greatest Hits package released more than a decade ago. Includes \California Dreamin'

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

123 of 125 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An incredible blast from the past, January 31, 1999

By 

Jay L. Rudko (Pembroke Pines, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Mamas & the Papas - Greatest Hits (Audio CD)

Anyone who listened to top-40 radio in the 60's has to remember the first time they heard "California Dreamin'". The haunting lyrics and the tight, clear harmonies had a folkish sound that was clearly ahead of its time. When their music finally became available on CD, the textures became more apparent and the true artistic content was more clearly defined. On this disc, which was carefully remastered from the original analog tapes, the Mamas and the Papas are finally heard at their best. While there was clearly not enough room for all their great songs, all of their major hits are included, including my favorite, "I Saw Her Again"... complete with Denny's goof that became a feature of the song. The voices are clearer and lyrics more understandable, and the instrumental backup, which was somewhat unconventional in itself, is clearer as well. Being the fan that I was since the first hearing, I have to rate this 5 stars... a real winner in both music and technical quality.

83 of 88 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brings a lump to the throat, April 30, 2001

By 

David E. Levine (Peekskill , NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Mamas & the Papas - Greatest Hits (Audio CD)

I remember that when music changed from the 60s sound to disco, I heard the song "Monday Monday" being played on a radio station and I became teary eyed. Mama Cass was still alive so, it wasn't as though I was grieving for a band that could never be reassembled. Rather, I was grieving for a contemporary music style that would never be recaptured. In the sixties, there was the San Francisco sound and then, there was the more laid back sound from Southern California exemplfied by the Mamas & the Papas. Monday Monday was so evocative to me because that song epitomised this sound which was now relegated to the status of "oldies but goodies." Of course, "Monday Monday" and the equally laid back "California Dreaming" sre included on this cd, as well as the lively "Go Where You Wanna Go" (My favorite song on the cd). Another Favorite is the beautiful arrangement of the Shirelles standard "Dedicated to the One I Love" (Gosh!! weren't the Shirelles great too!!??). All in all, there are 20 well selected hits and I think you will love this collection. Now that a second band member, John Phillips, has died, it is time to revisit this group of my fond memories.

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars FOR LATEST REMASTERING, BUY "GOLDEN ERA COLLECTION" INSTEAD, December 15, 2004

By 

BOB (LOS ANGELES, CA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Mamas & the Papas - Greatest Hits (Audio CD)

This is an OK compilation, but if you are looking for the most up-to-date mastering of these classic hits, spend the extra dollars and purchase the 2001 2-disc All the Leaves Are Brown: The Golden Era Collection over this 1998 single-disc package.

The vocals are much more up-front in that edition (although this disc is a big improvement over "Creeque Alley", which sounds like an old AM radio).

"GOLDEN ERA" also delivers the complete content of TM&TP's first four LP's, plus the non-LP single "Glad To Be Unhappy".

2/06 UPDATE: Universal, in their infinite wisdom, has killed the 52-track "ERA" set and replaced it with a 2CD, 33-track "Gold"-series disc. The audio masters are the same, they just whacked out almost half the songs.

Try to find a used "Era" disc, either here on Amazon or on ebay: It's worth the search to have the complete M&P catalog.

It's also worth not buying the "Gold" set, and lining Universal's pockets, for a sub-standard version.