Customer Reviews

Very Best of

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I rated this CD with 3 stars because it missed out some great songs, like 'My first day alone', another great song besides 'Rhythm of the rain', which is composed by Chandler-McKendry (same composing team as 'Last leaf') and 'Dreaming', same one as recorded by Johnny Burnette, but better. I wish record companies should do more research in the reissue of back catalogue of the 50's & 60's as they always missed out some great stuff. Now the only way to have "My first day alone" and "Dreaming" is from the "Collectable" 2004 release of "Rhythm of the Rain" CD. Together with this "Taragon" CD , you almost have all the songs that the Cascades had recorded. (Updated Jan, 2008)

I had always loved "Rhythm of the Rain", and later I got to know "The Last Leaf", but I didn't know whether the Cascades had ever done anything else. On principle, though, I spent years looking for a Cascades album because I felt that I owed it to any group that had produced such a classic song to listen to anything else they had done. Lo and behold, one day I was systematically going through the entire store at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, and there it was. I would have been pleased even if the "new" songs had been mediocre, but at least half a dozen of them are right up there with "Rhythm of the Rain" itself. There are a few songs which I don't consider quite as good, but if you like this kind of music you're sure to find some new favourites on this disc. The only thing that would have made this collection better would have been liner notes written by an outsider, rather than by John Gummoe himself, since he comes across as a little full of himself. Then again, anyone who wrote and performed such classic songs is entitled to some self-esteem.

If you liked Rhythm of the Rain, you will like this entire CD. I was fully prepared to find that the rest of the songs were nowhere near as good, but I liked that one so much I was willing to chance it. I'm very happy I did. The quality of many of the other cuts was a revelation. This group truly deserved more recognition.

I've always loved"rhythm of the rain", the song most closely associated with this southern California vocal group. For most people I suspect, that's where it ends, and that's a shame, because the Cascades body of work, as evidenced in this excellent anthology deserves more credit. Lead singer John Gummoe's high sad voice is well served by the haunting melodies, most notably the aforementioned "Rain", as well as "The last leaf", "shy girl" and the very pretty "little betty falling star".Well worth your time.

This collection, though it only includes a few of the WB hits (the entire "Rhythm of the Rain" cd is like a greatest hits cd); is a fine cd-for it contains all the Cascades' fine, though relatively unknown RCA recordings released after they left WB. With this cd, it's possible to own all of the Cascades significant releases.

I bought this cd not knowing many of he songs on it,but I have there rhythm of the rain original album which contributed some of the albums songs.I absolutely love the cd and the cascades style,I just wish I could get my hands on more of there music.I would recommend this cd highly.I play it so much it has begun to annoy my wife and kids.

The Cascades did manage to put a few other tunes into the lower reaches of the charts in the early 60's but they are essentially relegated to one-hit wonder status, known exclusively for their 1963 international best-selling "Rhythm Of The Rain". The plaintive yet somehow comforting melody and its message still ring true today as evidenced by the six million broadcasts of this staple of classic American early rock and roll.

This CD gathers up, along with "Rhythm...", 18 additional of their other minor chart hits and misses done for Valiant and RCA in the early 60's. Most of the tracks have smooth, soothing, sometimes Lettermenesque - at times tipping over to saccharine - harmonies and melodies. While there are no musical breakthoughs here, and though some tunes may seem borderline sophomoric, the harmonies make the CD listenable overall.

Put together by the independent Taragon Records on Long Island, the production quality is first-rate. All tracks except three and four are in stereo and taken from the original 3-track mixdown masters. Since "Rhythm..." is the highlight here and is fairly widely available on other compilation CD's, this piece is likely more of interest to the completist or collector. Notwithstanding, this collection is still relevant for the casual collector interested in this music genre.

I NEED A COPY OF THE CD MYSELF
COMPUTER SAID IT IS OUT OF STOCK

WHEN IS IT AVAILABLE???

KINDLY LET ME KNOW

MANY THANKS

If you were a fan of the music of the early 60's and if you remember a song called "Rhythm Of The Rain" you will probably enjoy this collection. The Cascades were a little more than "One Hit Wonders" eventhough they had only the one big hit. If you listen to the entire package you'll soon discover that they were a very talented group of young men that met in the Navy. John Gummoe, the lead singer has a very distinctive voice and he leads on almost every cut. This group should have been more popular than they were but for some reason, it wasn't in the cards. By the way, several cuts are in stereo and "Rhythm Of The Rain" is in mono with the thunder effects in stereo.

I used to own an LP album of the Cascades but lost it in time... and knowing that it was their first and last album? Losing the band tragically is quite a big lost in the music industry at that time... I love their music. And through their music we can remember them..