Customer Reviews

Once Upon a Time

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

 

 

The Kingston Trio's "Once Upon a Time" was released in 1969 on Bill Cosby's record label (Tetragamatron). coming out on two (2) vinyl disks. It was the original Trio's last record release, last live recording (they had 2 "live in concert" albums in '59, one in '62, one in '64.)

Like the others, this one charted, but only barely, landing at #193 on the Top 200. The record came out three years after being recorded at the Sahara Tahoe, by then a memorial to a group that had disbanded in 1967, victims of a disastrous record-label change from powerhouse Capitol to weak-kneed Decca in 1964.

Though the group's hits stopped after switching record companies, its energy in concert and rapport with audiences never flagged. Listen to "From the Hungry i", "Stereo Concert" ('59), "College Concert" ('62), or "Back in Town" ('64), the showmanship and ability to sell new songs or old hits is a constant throughout.

"Once Upon a Time" was a fine summing up after the Trio's disbandment. It offered new songs ("Colors," "One Too Many Mornings") various hits ("MTA," "Where Have All the Flowers Gone") and a catalogue of Trio oldies ("Hard Travelin'", "Getaway John"). Unlike its companion disk "Twice Upon a Time", many of the songs here are overdubbed (voices double-tracked) replicating their Capitol studio albums. But the humor and high-spirits are quite alike.

If you're inclined to sample the premiere American singing group of the late fifties/early sixties, you won't do any better than listening to this CD. It'll provide you a ringside seat to an evening in 1966 when the Kingston Trio -- sort of a "rat pack" with banjoes and guitars -- held forth at the main showroom of the Sahara Tahoe.

Thought I had all their albums till I found this! It arrived quickly and in perfect condition. Love the CD
Would definitely use this seller again.

CD was very enjoyable. At times its a little hard to hear all the bantering going on but it does take you back to a time when music could be enjoyed.

I owned this way back when and it was one of my treasured albums. A roommate, in a cleaning frenzy actually broke a huge chip out of one of the records. My favorite one, naturally.

When I saw this in cd format it was a no-brainer. Had to have it. The Kingston Trio at the top of their game. Some of the patter between songs is a little difficult to hear but as I recall it was the same way on the original album.

All in all, if you are a fan of the Kingston Trio or just like the music from the good old days, this is a good pick for you. I gave it five stars because, come on, they were just the best of the best.

I bought this album about 30 years ago on vinyl (still have it, in fact), and thought it would be nice to have on CD (something I would do with the MP3 downloads once they were on my computer). It's really a great collection of songs put out by the Kingston Trio - their last and best as far as I'm concerned. Most of their old standards are included as well as some renditions included of Bob Dylan's and even one of Donovan's (Colours). The problem with the MP3 downloads is that there is about a 1 second gap of silence between the intro to each song, when the Trio performs some type of stand-up routine, and the song itself. On the album, the song follows smoothly right after the intro, with no gap of silence at all.

I have since purchased the CD, and it was, as I assumed, like the album, without the gaps. I bought the full MP3 album because it was cheaper than all the rest of the offerings, and there was no S&H. If you are a true aficionado of the Kingston Trio, and since the CD is like the vinyl album in its smooth transitions from intro to song, then I strongly suggest you buy that instead of the MP3 downloads, because I really think that, other than the downloads being a disappointing outlet for this particular album, this album is really worth owning and listening to.

Last live concert for the Kingston Trio. Has the greatest version of Greenback Dollar. Now that Nick, Bob and John have all passed away to play in Heaven, this is a must have CD for any Trio fan. Received on time, well packaged and priced right. Recorded live and the crowds reaction to all the songs is terrific.