Customer Reviews

The Turtles - 20 Greatest Hits

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In the late-seventies, I began to get serious about establishing a serious collection of sixties pop music. [Something I couldn't afford to do as a teenager.] One of the major stumbling blocks was finding anything by the Turtles. Sure, I could find "Happy Together" on countless various artists collections, but nothing else. Rhino Records has changed all that. In fact, Rhino at one time re-released all of the Turtles' albums. Except for the fanatics, this 20-song collection will do nicely.

Although they started out as the Crossfires, a surf band, they quickly found success following in the footsteps of other folk-rock bands of the period like the Byrds. [They even covered the Gene Clark-Roger McGuinn song "You Showed me," the band's last Top 40 hit in 1969.]

The songs are presented chronologically, beginning with their folk-rock version of Dylan's "It Ain't Me Babe." Their follow-up single, "Let Me Be," continued in the same vein. They recorded a second P.F. Sloan tune, "Eve of Destruction," but it lacked the gritty vocal of Barry McGuire's hit version that came out the same year (1965).

Beginning with their next single, "You Baby," the Turtles abandoned their folk sound for the pop-rock sound that became their trademark. This was followed by the group's only million-seller, the No. 1 "Happy Together." The rest of the hits are here as well: "She'd Rather Be with Me," "You Know What I Mean," "She's My Girl" and "Elenore." All feature the lead vocals of Howard Kaylan and harmony singer Mark Volman. [After the break-up of the Turtles, they would perform and record as Flo and Eddie, adding harmony vocals to such acts as Frank Zappa and T. Rex.]

In addition to the hits are failed singles and album tracks that are all worth a listen. "Grim Reaper of Love" has a psychedelic quality to it. "Can I Get To Know You," written by the same Barri-Sloan team that wrote "You Baby," stalled at No. 89. "Outside Chance" is an early Warren Zevon-penned rocker. "Me About You" features a horn section and would show up in a nearly identical arrangement on the Joe Butler-led final album by the Lovin' Spoonful two years later. "Guide for the Married Man" is a fairly inconsequential theme song to a movie of the same name. "Sound Asleep," the band's attempt to produce themselves (and write their own songs), is an interesting song--it even features the sound of cutting a tree down! "The Story of Rock & Roll" is Harry Nillson's update of Chuck Berry's "Rock and Roll Music." The band's last single, "Lady-O," has the distinction of coming from an album produced by the Kinks' Ray Davies.

If you grew up during the sixties, this album is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. RECOMMENDED

This CD is a good set of the Turtles' hits, but it's a low-quality recording (and lower volume than almost any other CD in my collection), and Sundazed (and others) has since released pretty much the full Turtles catalog. The re-released originals, esp. the first five or so albums, will definitely reward multiple listening, contain the hits in their proper context, and provide numerous non-hit gems.

The Turtles were strongly influenced by British groups like the Zombies and Gerry and the Pacemakers (although their appearance was more like the Rolling Stones) but they only had three significant UK hits - Happy together, She'd rather be with me and Elenore. Of course, they had many more hits in their native USA and you can find them all on this excellent collection. Although they began as folk-rockers, their style evolved into mainstream pop rock and bubblegum.

The Turtles began their assault on the American charts with It ain't me babe, a cover of a Bob Dylan classic that made the USA top five. Their three UK hits were all massive USA hits, with Happy together going all the way to number one in America. Other major American hits included Let me be, You baby, You know what I mean and You showed me. Some of the others were only modest hits but 17 of the 20 songs here made the Billboard top 100 with another (Me about you) just failing to make it, bubbling under at 105. One of the two other tracks here, Guide for the married man, was a film title track. Although released as a single, it was never seriously marketed.

The Turtles were one of America's finest rock groups of the sixties. This compilation includes all that most people will ever need of their music but also serves as a great introduction to those that want to explore further.

I am a sixteen year old male, not the typical Turtles listener no doubt, however I find the songs presented on this compilation (I actually have this on vinyl, not handed down from my parents, but purchased in a Scottish record store. The vinyl also has a better cover with two Turtles getting it on.) Songs like Elenore, She'd Rather Be With Me, and of course So Happy Together, are classics and although they did seem to age a little bit, the use of the word swell, they still hold up pretty well in contrast to today's music. The Turtles are great for the reason that their songs are light hearted pop that is pleasent to listen to and this compilation delivers this charecteristic in an undiluted yet concise collection.

This 20 track collection features every chart song that The Turtles ever recorded. It's perfect for those who don't want to spring for the two disc Solid Zinc anthology. The two disc set gets deeper into the catalogue, for those who want more of The Turtles, but this single disc is great for the casual listener.

The Turtles were one of many sunshine pop/pop rock bands from the 60's, and like many they do not disappoint. "20 Greatest Hits" has all your favorite Turtles hits ("It Ain't Me Babe", "Happy Together", etc...) as well as some very good ones that you probably haven't heard before. What's great about these hits is that they were genuinely great songs - they are indeed (arguably lesser) timeless classics. The singers are pretty universally appealing - I'm pretty sure most people will like them. Musically it's pretty standard 60's pop rock, but it's all so well done that you won't mind. They are indeed great musicians and pretty good songwriters, too - every song is memorable and the lyrics are usually pretty well-worth your time to carefully pay attention to. The only complaint one could give about this collection is the audio quality which could certainly use a good remastering. Most people will love this collection, although some *may* not like the audio quality. All in all this is highly recommended!

Highlights include:
the entire collection!

I've had the good fortune of seeing The Turtles twice in concert-The first time was in 1993 at an outdoor show in Norwalk,Connecticut-The other was this past November at a "Legends Of Rock & Roll" show in Wallingford,Connecticut-These guys are superb-Mark Volman & Howard Kaylan are talented musicians & have a great sense of humor-During their performance,they told the audience some of the people they've worked with including Bruce Springsteen,Frank Zappa,& T.Rex-This CD is great-You get all the big hits (ie:"Happy Together","Elenore","She'd Rather Be With Me") & the lesser known tunes,such as "Let Me Be","She's My Girl",& "Can I Get To Know You Better"-This is 60's rock at its best.

For fans of sixties music, especially that with a California harmonies sound, this is a real treat. The Turtles were one of the best bands of the era but sadly underrated. This CD will lay to rest any questions about The Turtles' contribution to rock and roll. All of the hits are here and sound terrific. Never ones to take themselves too seriously, The Turtles could still hang in there with any of the more praised bands. I highly recommend this CD for anyone that not only wants to relive the time but also for anyone that wants to just hear some truly great music by a great band.

Like another reviewer mentioned, ths was one of my first CD's, and is one of the best. For the price - its GREAT. The music -MOST EXCELLENT. Everything required is pretty much covered. Flo and Eddie continue to dazzle crowds, (I just saw thim with Tommy James last week - people stood the entire time!.

No need to relive the classics - such as Dylans "It Ain't Me Babe" followed my othe great top 40 such as "You Baby" and "Let Me Be". "Happy Together" is here as is "You Showed Me" and many others. This is the ultimate Rag Top Day CD. Turn up the volume and let 'er rip! A required 60's compilation for any person who likes 60's music.

Its hard to believe these are the same guys who played with ZAPPA and MARC BOLAN/T REX for so long. BANG A GONG!

Great CD . Worth the price.

With 20 selections of Primo Turtle Greatness, this CD tells the tale without some of the lesser quality material that filled the bands LP's.

With the hits: "Happy Together", "Elenore", "You Showed Me", "You Baby" & "She'd Rather Be With Me", you have all the Groups big chart singles right here in one nice package. Other great Turtle tunes fit in well here: "Grim Reaper Of Love", "Outside Chance" {penned by Warren Zevon} and "You Don't Have To Walk In The Rain".

The Turtles were one of the better American groups to come out of the 1960's. This is the collection of their best songs of Pop Rockish Folk.
The vocal work of these guys {later to evolve into: "Flo & Eddie"} is very excellent. This CD is as great as it's title suggests.
Four Stars !!!