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 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (171 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #600 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #18 in Music > Pop > Oldies > General
  • #18 in Music > Rock > Folk Rock
  • #18 in Music > Rock > Oldies & Retro

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

The original Mamas & Papas greatest-hits package had no liner notes or photos and sounded several generations (at least!) away from the the original '60s masters. So this new 20-track collection represents a major upgrade; includes California Dreamin'; Monday, Monday; I Call Your Name; Do You Wanna Dance; I Saw Her Again; You Baby; Dancing Bear; Words of Love; Look Through Any Window; Dancing in the Street; Dedicated to the One I Love; Creeque Alley; Glad to Be Unhappy; Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming to the Canyon) , and more.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

136 of 140 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

Format: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.

91 of 96 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

Format: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.

45 of 48 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 TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format: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.

39 of 43 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars What a disappointment! August 9, 1999

By [e-mail]

Format:Audio CD

If you are searching for the definitive M&P collection, keep looking... this is not it.

This compilation boasts that it is digitally remastered. However, the instrumentals are crisp and sadly to the fore, on most tracks the vocals have been muddied and diminished.. Cass would have not been amused.

Regrettably my cassette tape of the M&P purchased in 1969 puts this assemblage to shame.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars The songs are greats and the CD transfer is not. March 24, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Audio CD

I bought this CD with high expectations and was not disappointed with the quality of the music. The songs are great, but the transfer to CD is not. I'd recommend a remastered recording over this, even if it doesn't contain all their greatest.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A harmonic sound all their own May 21, 2006

By Shalom Freedman HALL OF FAMETOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Audio CD

'The Mamas and the Papas' had a sound all their own, a unique kind of Southern California blend, a harmony of at times melancholy beauty. They had one great singer, Mama Cass, whose 'Dream a Little Dream of me' is perhaps the closest thing they ever produced to a really great 'solo'. Their signature song and one of the unforgettable sixties song is 'California Dreaming'. It seemed to express a certain haunting longing , the longing for a place which then represented to many Americans, California, the golden land of escape and new home.

John Phillips who like Mama Cass is no longer with us was the arranger, director who really made the 'Mamas and Papas' into such a great group.

It is strange even then their sound evoked a certain feeling of 'nostalgia' but four decades later the jump of initial joy hearing them brings is truly complemented by the sense of a world long gone.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless Craftmanship January 19, 2007

By Ashley B. Reichmann

Format:Audio CD

There are names in music, that stand amongst the giants of their own. Great songs that eventually become classics, because they are literally a piece of artwork, audio art. The Mamas and Papas are for sure, one of those artists that can claim the title of immortal rock gods, the sweetness of Mama Cass, the wonderful harmonies and haunting lyrics are forever captured here on this greatest hits album. I can honestly say that no matter the music genre, I am a music fan, everything from Blondie-Zeppelin, if it's good, it's that simple. Mamas and the Papas have withstood the test of time and still sound amazing. Monday Monday, Dedicated to the One I love & California Dreaming are just masterpieces in audio art, and I salute them for allowing us to forever enjoy their music with their eternal gift.

Denny Doherty died earlier today, and I'm one proud Canadian, god speed Denny, they dont make them like they used too.