Thee Midniters Greatest [Original recording remastered]

Midniters | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 28, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Thump Records
• ASIN: B000084TSX
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,408 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Land of a Thousand Dances

2. Whittier Blvd.

3. That's All

4. Empty Heart

5. I Need Someone

6. Giving Up on Love

7. Sad Girl

8. Brother Where Are You?

9. It'll Never Be Over for Me

10. Love Special Delivery

11. Are You Angry?

12. Don't Go Away

13. Everybody Needs Somebody to Love

14. Dreaming Casually

15. Never Knew I Had It So Bad

16. Making Ends Meet

17. Welcome Home Darling

18. The Town I Live In

19. Jump, Jive and Harmonize

20. Chicano Power

Editorial Reviews

CD, featuring Midniters.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 1960s East L.A. Latino rock at its best, March 14, 2003

By 

hyperbolium (Earth, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Thee Midniters Greatest (Audio CD)

As the best of the '60s Latino rock bands, it's amazing that Thee Midniters' original sides are only now debuting on CD. The band's minor 1965 chart success with "Land of a Thousand Dances" (quickly eclipsed by fellow East Los Angelinos, Cannibal & The Headhunters, and replaced in the public consciousness by Wilson Pickett the following year) barely scratched the surface of their talent.

Equally influenced by '50s doo-wop and R&B, and mid-60s rock, soul and jazz, Thee Midniters waxed an impressive array of covers and originals, ranging from ballad standards like "That's All" (famously sung by Nat "King" Cole) to blistering renditions of The Rolling Stones' "Empty Heart" and "2120 South Michigan Avenue" (loosely relocated to "Whittier Blvd.") and socially conscious originals such as "Chicano Power."

The band's mix of guitars, organ and horns was built on a rhythm section that laid down wickedly propulsive bass lines and stomping back beats. Lead vocalist Little Willie G. sang everything from down-tempo covers of Jerry Butler ballads and Philly-sound originals to a punky covers of Solomon Burke and grade-A garage rockers, such as "Love Special Delivery." They also wrote Mitch Ryder styled blues-rock and covered Chicago R&B with equal aplomb.

This twenty track collection of slow-dances and sweat-drenched rave-ups is not only a fine overview of the band's output, it's a stellar party soundtrack, perfect for dancing the East L.A. favorite, The Slauson!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bob Cruz, February 20, 2005

By 

Robert Cruz "Cruzer" (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Thee Midniters Greatest (Audio CD)

For those of you who have not seen this group in concert or heard their music, let me just say, Thee Midniters had the charisma, showmanship and most importantly the sound of great harmony. A distinguish blend of R&B and British rock. Having been there during their heyday, their music was remarkable. Each track on this CD is a combination of love ballads and leisurely dance. That being said, this music is not for everyone, but if you appreciate a unique sound of the 60's from the hottest Chicano group, this CD is one to own. Initially, I was slightly disappointed that some tracks were recorded from vinyl, but then I realized, it was like finding gold in the banks of a river. Why it took so long for this CD to come out I'll never know.

For those fans who know what I'm talking about, you may not have heard, but the lead singer of thee Midniters, Willie Garcia, AKA "Little Wille G", after a long struggle of hardship and trials of life, made an album titled "Little Willie G, Make up for the lost time".. he included the songs "Come back Baby", It'll never be over for me", and "To be with you"... he teamed up with David Hidalgo, (Los Lobos) and developed a great sound... Although Willie has matured as we all do, he still has that great sound and I found his album can still inspire even the young and the old.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Generally regarded as the greatest group in the history of Chicano rock and roll., December 19, 2005

By 

Paul Tognetti "The real world is so much more... (Cranston, RI USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Thee Midniters Greatest (Audio CD)

Prior to sampling this "Greatest Hits" CD my only exposure to the music of Thee Midnighters was their 1965 recording of "Land of A Thousand Dances". I always did prefer Thee Midnighters version to the much more successful Cannibal and the Headhunters recording. At any rate for some reason I never owned this record and it had been more that 30 years since I had even heard this tune. Until tonight. Several weeks ago a friend of mine who does not own a computer asked me if I could locate a copy of "Thee Midniters Greatest Hits" for him on the internet. He had read lots of good things about this group. And lo and behold I discovered this 2002 release from Thump records on Amazon.com. I ordered it for him and tonight I got a chance to hear this material for the very first time. What a revelation!!! Easily qualifies as one of my best finds of 2005!
First of all, since I knew practically nothing about this group, I really did appreciate the thoughtfully done 8 page booklet that accompanies "Greatest Hits". I discovered that Thee Midnighters was a seven man group from East LA that was tremendously popular in Southern California in the mid to late 1960's. Led by vocalist Willie Garcia this group made some incredible music during their rather brief heyday. "Greatest Hits" offers the listener a generous 20 tracks and I think that it is safe to say that you that you will not be disappointed. Much to my surprise, nearly half of the tunes on this disc are ballads. That is not quite what I would have expected but I can assure you that I have no objections. I found myself simply spellbound by tunes like "That's All", "The Town I Live In" and most expecially "Dreaming Casually". For a change of pace enjoy the Midniters rollicking rendition of Solomon Burkes classic "Everybody Needs Someone To Love". If you are someone who enjoys a good instrumental may I recommend "Whittier Blvd"
or better still "Chicano Power". Thee Midniters lineup featured a horn section years before it was fashionable. Finally, I would also recommend to you what is perhaps my favorite tune in this collection "Brother Where Are You?" And I could go on and on. Honestly, there is not a bad track on this disc.
If you are a fans of 1960's music like I am then "Thee Midniters Greatest Hits" should be a welcome addtion to your collection. It is quite apparent to me that this is a group that should have garnered a heck of a lot more attention nationally than they did. Find out for yourself. It is one of those discs you should grab while you have the chance. Highly recommended!!