Customer Reviews

Two Classic Album from The Kingston Trio: Close-Up/College Concert

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Having heard the Kingston Trio close to a dozen times in concert, I first saw/heard the Stewart configuration of the Trio in 1967. College Concert is a genuine experience of how engaging the Trio really was in concert. Laughter was almost as much a part of the experience as the music itself, as they were fabulous showmen, and College Concert is an example of the concert experience. Musically, even though John Stewart was just months into the group, the music was tight, balanced, and infectious. I have heard the "Concert" album literally hundreds of times, and it never grows old. Hearing it on CD is even better than vinyl as the sound is more accurate and lifelike. What I find really remarkable is the sound they managed to produce with but one microphone for voices AND instruments alike. This album is the real deal if you want to relive the Trio in concert, or experience them for the first time.

Close-up is the first of the albums with John Stewart. As with most Trio albums, there is/are one or two songs that don't "grab me", but the vast majority of the album is another example of the Trio as masters of their style of music. They have different international flavors included among the repertoire-- again typically Trio--and their voices/harmonies/instruments are well rehearsed, finely tuned, and wonderfully exhibited here. Their version of Reuben James, arguably, might be the very best of any recording they put on record.

If you had to choose one of their double album CD's to sample the Trio, this would be one of two I would recommend for starters. Should folk music be something that beckons you, the music will be engaging as promised, and you'll be wondering which CD to purchase next.

The Kingston Trio are arguably the defining group of the American folk revival. Woody Guthrie was the grandfather and Pete Seeger and the Weavers would pass the tradition down to a new generation for which Bob Dylan would be the poet laureate. But when you talk about who made folk music popular you are talking about the Kingston Trio. From 1957 to 1963 (in other words in the period before the Beatles) they were the most popular music group around. This CD from 2000 pairs up a couple of classic albums from the Kingston Trio that both represent the second stage of the group's storied history.

By the start of the 1960s Dave Guard finally made good on his desire to leave the group and in 1961 for the first time in their history the group failed to have a single make the charts. "Close-Up" came out that same year a month after John Stewart of the Cumberland Three had joined Nick Reynolds and Bob Shane, and made it to #3 on the Billboard album charts. Having a new songwriter in the group clearly made a difference, especially since Guard's encyclopedic knowledge of folk music from around the world accounted for a lot of the trio's songs. Stewart wrote the best track on the album, "When My Love Was Here" along with the first track, "Coming from the Mountains," but there are also some traditional standards, the best of which is their cover of "Reuben James." This is not a great Kingston Trio album, but given the concerns their fans had about the group's future there was no doubt they were going to be just fine.

"College Concert" could be the Kingston Trio's best live album. Released in 1962 (it was recorded December 6-7, 1961 at U.C.L.A.), the attraction here is that the versions of "M.T.A." and "Where Have All the Flowers Gone" done live are arguably superior to the better known studio versions. Equally impressive are their beautiful version of "500 Miles" and the high energy of "Young Roddy M'Corley." In terms of original material, the trio wrote "Coplas Revisited" and Stewart co-wrote "Chilly Winds" and "Oh, Miss Mary" with John Phillpis, all of which appear early (on Side 1) in an apparent effort to get them out of the way. But then it was pretty clear that the group's strength was always in arranging the material of others than in writing their own, although that is where their sense of humor would often come into play (along with their introductions to songs in concert). The album also made it to #3 on the Billboard charts. Fans of the Kingston Trio are never going to get tired of listening to them sing and with these double-album CDs you can pretty much find anything all of their stuff from the folk revival period.

Like most of you, if you've even heard of The Kingston Trio, you've probably only heard their most famous songs "Tom Dooley" or "M.T.A." (that was the case for me too). I bought these albums because my dad LOVED The Kingston Trio when he was a young boy (he still has most of their vinyl records), and boy was I in for a surprise when I heard this! There are three great things about this group: the singers (Nick Reynolds, Bob Shane & John Stewart) are great, every song is catchy and interesting, and the albums are very funny! This last thing especially caught me by surprise. I always thought that the Trio was a serious folk group, but, especially on College Concert, they crack several jokes which are definitely not dated at all (this album came out a long time ago). If you're looking for a good folk album with a lot of heart, you can't go wrong with The Kingston Trio (or at least this collection). Having two albums in one makes it twice as better! Highly recommended!

Highlights include:
the entire album!

No question "Live from the Hungry i" is a superb album. You'll be amazed to find however, that the College Concert is every bit it's equal. Plenty of humor, great songs and better sound than the Hungry i, it is a solid album all the way through. "Close Up", is I believe, John Stewart debut album with the trio. They didn't miss a step in replacing Dave Guard. The KT sound with Stewart is different than with Guard, but no less satisfying. They write a lot of their own material on this one and the songs are well executed. You'll enjoy having this in your collection. Also, you can't beat getting two albums for the price of one!!

KT fans will immediately recognize these two albums released following the departure of Dave Guard and his replacement by John Stewart in 1961. Close-Up (1961) departed from previous KT albums with only one novelty cut and introduced John as a writer of more reflective songs for the Trio. It produced no singles that charted, but it is underrated in the quality of these studio performances, and its release certainly kept KT fans happy. College Concert (1963) is true classic KT. Recorded live at UCLA, the concert includes a haunting version of Pete Seeger's "Where Have All The Flowers Gone," as well as a mix of songs and repartee that demonstrates why this group was so popular during the contemporary folk era. This CD is faithful to the original vinyl recordings and in stereo as well; remember monaural? The liner reproduces the back covers of both albums, but nothing more.

Not a KT fan already? If you're over 50, these albums should bring back some pleasant memories even if you didn't follow the group. However, you might be more familiar with some of the earlier KT albums with Dave Guard available as double CDs through Collector's Choice, particularly At Large/Here We Go Again!, or Capitol's Collectors Series CD - The Kingston Trio with all 17 KT singles that charted. If you're under 50, these guys reflect a more innocent time in popular music, and they could really sing and play. These two albums could make you a KT fan!

This is another great 2fer from Collector's Choice. I like both of them very much, with a special nod going to College Concert. Recorded in 1962, it shows the Trio sounded pretty much the same as they did in the studio. Their energy is incredible, and the sincerity is unsurpassed. They could kick Green Day's butt anyday. The version of MTA is better than the studio cut, Little Light is wonderful, and I really like The Ballad of the Shape of Things. It's a really funny, unique song, with some very subtle comedy. There's a ton of really genuine, funny dialogue between the boys that doesn't seem forced. Close Up is pretty damn good, too. It was John Stewart's first album with the Trio (you can see him nowadays on The Daily Show on Comedy Central), and it is filled with great songs. Coming from the Mountain, Don't You Weep Mary, Reuben James, Karu, ah, hell, they're all fantastic! Every song is magnificent. Buy this one along with New Frontier/Time to Think, and everything else by the Trio.

"College Concert" was a major seller for the Trio. It was their second release after the departure of the immensely gifted Dave Guard and the arrival of the equally gifted John Stewart. Here, it is paired with that first Stewart-era recording. The results are mixed. The performances on "College Concert" are still superb, though the humor and banter now seem dated and unnecessary. The "Close up" recording is really, really good early 60s folk music, but often remind me how much Dave Guard's contribution was missed. All in all, though, it is a worthwhile purchase for the KT fan.

The Kingston Trio was a bit before my time, but my older brother was a fan and I would overhear the music when he'd have it playing on the record player. Then one Christmas I received my first two albums. One was "West Side Story Soundtrack" and the other "The Kingston Trio College Concert". To this day I love them both, and own them in CD format. The Kingston Trio had a combination of musicianship and humor that is so lacking in today's music, and this combination of two albums provides an 'in studio' album (Close-Up) and the live 'College Concert'. They held a close rapport with the audience from the moment they ran out on stage, and their variety of songs makes the experience delightful. This album and the earlier work "...from the 'Hungry i'" are excellent examples of the Kingston Trio's abilities in performing art that will provide an excellent listening experience for all ages throughout the ages.

I had these albums as a teenager and somehow they didn't survive all of my moves.They were Ibelieve the first two albums of the post Dave Guard/ early John Stewart era of the Kingston Trio.John brought something different to the trio , his own writing and vocal skills. My eigthteen year old son has picked up on this music and put it on his laptop and taken it to college with him. Not bad for forty something year old stuff.

I had the College Concert on 33 1/3 LP when in High School in the 60's but somehow managed to loose it. Was so glad to see it available on CD. Excellent concert.