Customer Reviews

The Very Best of The Classics IV

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Even though they had only a few hits, the Clasics IV made their impression in 60's pop with unforgettable songs, and Dennis Yost's distinctive voice. For content, this collection gets 5 stars. My Amazon 4 star review is for the flat uninteresting sound. These songs sound better on my vinyl copy of the same collection. E.M.I. has given better treatment to lesser artists..I hope they will give these worthy gems the T.L.C. they deserve in a future re-issue...E.M.I...are you listening?

I hoped beyond hope that, somehow, I'd come across an obscure collection on Classics IV in the import section. Of course, with only 2 selections available, I didn't find that. This group, with its patented sound, radio-friendly singles and under-rated lead singer (Dennis Yost), made a strong mark. They weren't together that long, but they produced some hits ("Stormy," "Spooky," "Traces") that are staples of oldies radio. This disc is a re-issue of an album of the same title, which itself was an abridged version of "Golden Greats," the group's original hits package. Why, with all the extra room on the CD (48 minutes of it), "Waves" and "Strange Changes" were left off, I can't explain. There are also 4 songs on Greatest Hits that are not here. But 4 of the songs here are not on that disc, which brings us to the bigger problem: As most of the group's output was limited to 2 minutes of heaven (or less) at a time, it would seem really simple to put everything good they ever recorded onto one comprehensive anthology. Why it hasn't been done, I can't say. For now, we must be satisfied with these simple expressions of young yearning, like "Change Of Heart," "Every Day With You," and "Something I'll Remember." This much talent had to go somewhere, and in the case of Classics IV, the fragments of the group turned into Atlanta Rhythm Section. And like that group, Classics IV really blurred the line between Pop- flavored Soul, and Soul-flavored Pop.

I agree with the previous reviewers in that there's no reason why all of the Classics IV material shouldn't be here. Also, you would think that EMI would add them to their fine Legendary Artists Series. I have Ricky Nelson's and Gary Lewis's EMI/LAS CDs and they are superior in sound quality to this one. That brings me to my complaint about this collection. This CD is in drastic need of a good remastering job! This CD is inexcusable for an artist of this caliber. The drums sound like they were recorded in a cave when you can hear them at all. Hopefully EMI will give this great group the same treatment that they have given to some of their other great artists.

This CD took me back in time. The past is not always better, but I can say that the music then was much better than it is now. "Faded photographs..." Find the words to a song from today to match these words. Get the CD if you want to know the truth.

These songs are great, though a lot of them do follow the same sort of pattern, both in song name -- Sunny, Stormy, Spooky -- and in the underlying riff, which goes "Dah dit-dah, dit-dah, dah." They recycle that "Spooky" riff over and over again, but somehow it doesn't matter. Their other songs are still very cool. A four-star album all the way.

The 60's -- what an incredible era for music. These guys were great. Even though they only had about three hits, all of their stuff is much better than about 99.9% of what you hear on the radio these days.

I agree with the previous reviewer: We need a complete anthology.

I agree with much has already been said. There are only 3 or 4 songs that made the charts. However, they are really great songs that are still being played today when lots of other songs have disappeared. These are well written songs that people can relate to. My favorite one is "Traces" which I have always liked. It is a very meloncholy song about an old love. There have been a number of songs like this one but it still remains one of my favorites even after all of these years.

I was upset when I bought the LP reissue on the newer 'Liberty' records under EMI. It was "an abridged album previously issued under the same title". I wrote Capitol/EMI a scathing letter then. They gave me some BS about royalties, etc. Bunch of crap. Several other labels reissue without cutting songs off. They did this with Johnny Rivers, Don McLean, etc. One would think they would reissue on CD with all the songs from the original album. NOT. Shame on EMI for this. Bring on the full greatest hits album, not a reissue of an abridged LP version. (For some reason EMI re-released Don McLean's American Pie fully on CD, why not the Classics IV?

Really wonderful, fine melodies, songs that refresh our hearts talking about love in teen's age and some years later. I give only four stars, cause songs like "Free", "Midnight", "Our day will come" and some others could never be forgotten in this "BEST" selection. We still waiting for a Complete Anthology, we deserve.

I love this music and will never get tired of it. Sounds just as fresh today as ever. I wish this group was still proforming.

Buy , close your eyes and enjoy:))