Customer Reviews

Songs of Joy: The Complete C&T Collection

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Each of these six original albums has been remastered, and the sound quality is outstanding. Better than the long out of print Japanese cds from the early 90s. They have corrected a few of the sonic blips, such as the the 'chck' on the last note of 'Love on a Shoestring' (from "Make Your Move"). Sadly there are no bonus tracks.

The sonic clarity on "Love Will Keep Us Together" (1975) is especially noticeable, I'm hearing bits of vocal and music that I've never heard in my thirty years of intense listening to it. That album has always sounded a touch muffled to me, but no longer, and no tape hiss. The acapella opening on "I Write the Songs" is chilling. The piano sounds alone are worth the price of admission. There are several Beach Boys tracks and references, including a cover of "God Only Knows," and Bruce Johnston's brilliant "Disney Girls."

"Song of Joy" (1976) has been mastered again since the 2004 Hip-O release. Every song on this album is killer, from the epic title track, through the hit singles ('Lonely Night', written by Neil Sedaka, the infamous 'Muskrat Love' and the shining jewel of pop perfection, their cover of The Miracles' 'Shop Around') and the powerhouse album cuts "Mind Your Love" and "1954 Boogie Blues." Toni says she loves to sing the blues, and she really cuts loose on these two tracks. The ten piece brass section doesn't hurt, either.

"Come in From the Rain" (1977) also benefits from the remastering. The clarity and subtlety of the rain on the title track made me check to see if I'd left the windows down on my truck. My two favorites from the album are "Easy Evil" which has remarkable percussion, a rare excursion into "dark pop", and their cover of Stevie Wonder's "Happier Than the Morning Sun," which has new life breathed into the Toni's piano performance. Again, nearly every instrument on this album is performed by Daryl Dragon. How can one person be so brilliant?

"Dream" (1978) is my favorite album of theirs. I love their early pop sound, particularly "Song of Joy", but "Dream" has a forward sophistication that still manages to retain the innocence of their early work. It's their first album after they stopped making their tv show, and you can tell they have regained their focus. Toni's smoky, honey velvet voice is at her ultimate peak. "You Never Done it Like That" is brilliant. With the remastering, I'm hearing a snap on the drums I've never heard in over 25 years of listening to it. The echo on Toni's voice gives me chills. The last couple tracks on the album ('Back to the Island' and 'Dream') are simply gorgeous. And the orchestra on 'If There Were Time' is breathtaking. You can feel the strings vibrate. What's even more amazing is that Daryl (the Captain) plays almost every instrument on the album, in addition to producing it. Plus the photos from the Yucca Valley desert are my favorites. Ever.

'How Can You Be So Cold' on "Make Your Move" (1979) has a remarkable depth and power. Amazing drumming, amazing keyboards, amazing vocals. Astounding sound separation on the entire album. Pure pop disco rock that could give Donna Summer a run for her money. They should release this as a single now, with different dance mixes. And throw in an extra extended version of their Arabic flavored cover of the Turtles hit "Happy Together." I can hear it now. Awesome. This album also includes their second biggest hit, "Do That To Me One More Time," the meaning of which Toni finally reveals in the liner notes.

This is the first ever cd release of "Keeping Our Love Warm" (1980), and it's great to hear the strong notes of the classic 'Since I Fell For You' without the distortion of the vinyl. The title track is a great warm pop tune, one of several of Toni's originals on the album, as well as another Stevie Wonder cover, "Until You Come Back to Me" (also recorded by Aretha Franklin). And the remastering has removed the muffle at the halfway point in their new version of "Gentle Stranger," a track that first appeared on their debut album, and in the liner notes, Toni explains why they wanted to remake it.

Each disc has exclusive liner notes written by Toni Tennille, and KOLW has additional track annotation from the original lp's press release. Each cd comes in a slipcase with the original artwork plus rare photos on the back and on the inside, in addition to copies of ads and other memorabilia. When the slipcase is removed, the booklet covers do not represent the original artwork, though. The inside cover of "Keeping Our Love Warm" is a grainy black and white shot (from inside the sauna). The inside cover for "Song of Joy" is the single sleeve for 'Lonely Night', for example.

There are a few minor typographical glitches and the scanning and photoshopping is occasionally errant, but these are small complaints, considering for the last twenty years we fans have been begging A&M, Polygram and Universal to release these amazing albums on cd. Well, better late than never, and well worth the wait.

Each of these albums has some amazing music on it. Thank you to R2 for finally getting them out on cd.

Rod Reynolds
Los Angeles, CA 2005

As a kid in the 70s, Captain & Tennille were one of my favorite treasured groups. I loved the albums, the TV specials, and one very special, memorable concert in 1979 where Toni shook my hand and spoke to me from the stage.

As a Producer today, I'm very comfortable saying they are still one of my favorite treasured groups. The music has held up incredibly well, and I still feel the same charge and excitement listening to the CDs today.

Whether you choose to buy the box or the albums individually, the mastering is wonderful. The liner notes by Toni, detailed annotations, photographs and memorabilia are nice bonuses.

For those critics of the musical content or skeptical readers, take note: the songs are very well produced and arranged. Daryl Dragon is an exceptional Producer. Toni Tennille is an exceptional vocalist. Their biggest critics couldn't argue with either point. Perhaps they didn't like the material? Pop music is often criticized for being too fluffy. Perhaps they didn't like the unorthodox sounds Daryl created? If C&T aren't your "thing," that's understandable, but within their musical genre, how can you argue the music?

A colleague of mine and I pitched C&T projects to Polgram/Universal for years only to get let down, so to finally see these appear on CD in the US, I can't be happier. Well, yes I can. Like other reviewers, I too would have loved to see bonus tracks. But a compilation of Rare & Unreleased C&T would make a great future collection, so there's no complaint about the 61 tracks in this collection.

What else would we like to see in the future? The appearance of their Spanish material. The unreleased Live At The Greek from 1977.

As I wrap it up, for those who are on the fence: Buy this collection. It's amazing. Not because I'm a fan, but because I can tell you that there is some very strong music in this collection that deserves your attention.

One final note to Toni & Daryl. Thank you for all you've given us with your music and your message. We know how you hate to tour, but it's my final request to see you both out on stage together for the final tour we've been waiting for. "Baby You've Still Got It," and we'd like to see it. "Smile For Me One More Time," and "Keep on singing the good songs." We're waiting, and a whole new generation needs to experience the same magic we fell in love with in the beginning. We're ready and waiting, "do that to us one more time."

The Captain and Tennille were the first concert I ever went to (CA Mid-State Fair, 1977), and they have remained among my favorite groups ever since. I don't have much to add that hasn't already been said by the other reviewers, but numbers count, so here is my take:

THE GROUP - C&T are wonderful musicians. Toni's voice fills the room with sonorant beauty and is capable of great subtlety and great passion. Daryl's arrangements run the entire gamut of musical genre, and are wildly energetic when needed, as well as tender and subtle when appropriate. Any musician will take note of his arranging, playing and producing skills, but his instrumentation never takes center stage away from Toni's amazing vocals.

One thing I love about this couple is their "geek" factor. They are not afraid to sing about happy things. "Love is Spreading All Over the World" is a prime example of a great song with a positive message - yes, a little bit "Up with People," but also just great music. There's a tendency for me to think that anything I loved as a teenager isn't as sophisticated as my current tastes, but C&T are different. They exude innocence and positivity, but with a great deal of musical sophistication - just as refreshing to listen to today as they were exciting to listen to 30 years ago.

THE COLLECTION - Wow! I have never heard better mastering on a collection of material. I have had their Greatest Hits CD for years. An A-B comparison of "Come In From The Rain" from the Greatest Hits CD and this collection is no contest. So far I've just listened through my Harman Kardon computer speakers, but the stereo imaging on the new song, and the lush EQ, and presence, are dramatically improved. In fact the sound quality is so excellent that it actually draws attention to itself. This is one amazing release.

THE PROS - The sound quality, the first 3 albums, C&T themselves, the comprehensiveness of the collection, the honest and self-effacing booklet notes written by Toni

THE CONS - I haven't really warmed up to the two later albums, "Make Your Move" and "Keeping Our Love Warm". Also, many of the synth sounds are fairly dated. The box design is weird, with the album cover art on the sleeves, rather than the CD booklets, and the back cover of every booklet is an ad for the DVD.

THE END - The world needs more of Captain and Tennille. Do your part. GET THIS COLLECTION!

I won't review each individual album of this 6-disc set. In general, Captain & Tennille are very enjoyable. I was a fan at age 10 with the LOVE WILL KEEP US TOGETHER album. Hearing it 30 years later was a treat. As an adult I was struck by how hopelessly romantic C&T's music is ... and that's a good thing! Toni Tennille can sing a ballad or love song like nobody's business! I was less familiar with the later albums (DREAM, MAKE YOUR MOVE, and KEEPING OUR LOVE WARM), but there are "songs of joy" on them that the average listener will discover for the first time. Some of Daryl Dragon's arrangements can get too "synthesized" and do not hold up all these years later. But that's a minor quibble. Most of the songs are pop magic. I had forgotten what a soulful, bluesy singer Tennille can be. Some of my favorite tracks are straight-up blues tunes ("Mind Your Love" and the fantastic "Never Make A Move Too Soon"). Deep cuts which I recommend are: "Disney Girls" (brilliant!) ... "Love Me Like A Baby" (by Tennille ... gorgeous!) ... "Ladybug" (lyrics are a bit obvious, but Tennille's gentle vocal is supreme) ... "Happy Together" (an Arabian sound adventure - it's so OVER THE TOP that it's a guilty pleasure).

Lastly, I just wanted to comment about how much joy this CD set has brought me. The big duo from the 70s that seems to get all the attention is The Carpenters. And while Karen Carpenters voice was fantastic, I believe Captain and Tennille are usually the brunt of jokes, rather than respected artists. After listening to the entire set of their albums, I believe they are true pop song-smiths ... Tennille is one of our best pop singers -- right up there with Carpenter, Olivia Newton-John, and Streisand.

I agree with the other reviews posted so far... it's great to have C&T's albums available on CD at last, and the remastering is incredible. My only real nit-pick is that there are NO bonus tracks, and almost no mention of the Spanish version of the "Love Will Keep Us Together" album. "Love Will..." clocks in just shy of 38 minutes. Delete the repeat of the instrumental "Broddy Bounce" and they could just about have fit the entire "Por Amor Viviremos" album on here as a bonus. At the very least, they could have included "Por Amor Viviremos" and "Como Yo Quiero Sentirte" as bonus tracks.
Otherwise, very nicely done, and a nice surprise when I found it at my local CD store.

...you must admit: C&T had some really NICE stuff. Sure, the first album is a little scattershot (No, Broddy. DON'T speak.), but by album #2, the sound had been found. "Mind Your Love" remains the perfect track to turn non-believers into apostles. "D Keyboard Blues" rocks. And "Happy Together (A Fantasy)" makes me giggle every time. The remastering works wonders. How wonderful to have all six albums available in one attractive set! Interesting liner notes by La Tennille, to boot. Buy this.

... and it sounds better than ever! I had 'Song Of Joy" and "Come In From The Rain" on A&M cassettes in the 70's, "Make Your Move" on a CD-R from used Casablanca vinyl and "Love Will Keep Us Together" on a Rebound/A&M CD in the 90's. That being said, the sound on this remastered collection is breathtaking! Toni has such an incredible voice and Daryl's keyboards and production are second-to-none. Toni's liner notes are short but there are several reproductions of 45 RPM picture sleeves and Billboard chart clippings for added interest. As other reviewers have noted, the CD booklets don't always use the orignal LP cover artwork but there are many pictures that appear to be outtakes from the photo shoots for those covers. A great bargain and many hours of listening pleasure!

Great compilation of their first 6 albums remastered for CD. All songs are as excellent and clear sounding as the day they were first recorded. However it's a mistake to label this as the "Complete" Captain & Tennille Collection. In addition to the 6 original albums, they've also recorded spanish versions of a couple of their albums "Love Will Keep Us Together, Make Your Move" as well as compilations of "Greatest Hits" and "Scrapbook" and the 1982 australia-only album "More Than Dancing" not to mention their two newest Christmas CDs "Saving Up Christmas" and "The Secret of Christmas" -- None of these were included in this so called "Complete" collection. A true C&T collector would like all their albums included, not just their 6 earliest.

This set contains all of Captain And Tenille's six studio albums and each album is remastered to perfection and makes one cry for bonus tracks. Much better than any compilation including Hippo's "Ultimate Collection" there isn't enough space here to describe the listening experience. Just do yourself a favor and buy this set. Really.

Well what Can I say? My sister Margaret and I were raised on the corny cheesy variety shows of the 70's. We love the captain and tennille. We wore out the record and I later bought all the additonal albums at a drug store clearance bin. It is fun to return to great pop songs and fantastic writing that still holds up today. The shole Cd collection is fun and Toni soars on all the ballads as well. most of the backing vocals are Toni's 3 other sisters. But sorry to say I no longer want to wear the captain hat! They also released a new Holiday Cd which is cute and fun. Bubble gum never tasted so sweet as on this complete set of all thier Ablums!