Customer Reviews

The Very Best of the Everly Brothers

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

 

 

Unless you're actually looking for the 1964 Warner Bros. re-recordings of the 1950's Cadence tracks, you can pass on this one. As re-recordings go, these are excellent, but most folks would rather have the original hit versions. For the best domestic single-disc compilation, pick up Rhino's "All Time Original Hits" from 1999. "Original Hits" features the original versions of the Everly's biggest hits, including classics like "Let It Be Me" and "When Will I Be Loved" that are conspicuously absent from Warner's old "Very Best Of" album. My only knock on "All Time Original Hits" is that there was plenty of room for lesser gems like "Claudette", "Gone, Gone, Gone" and "Bowling Green" that seldom appear on Everly "Best Of" discs.

I have this collection on vinyl and I'd like to tell you not to buy this collection all of the hits that they originally recorded on Cadence are remakes and not the original Cadence recordings. For the original versions, they are on CD's issued by Rhino, Ace, Bear Family and other labels (one of the notable CD's is Rhino's "Cadence Classics: 20 Greatest Hits"). The tracks that were not on Cadence are available on other collections that Warner Bros. has issued such as the "Walk Right Back" 2 CD set and the "Golden Hits of The Everly Brothers" so buy those collections instead of this collection.

This is the one and ONLY re-recorded hits package I have ever liked or would recommend to anyone. Normally I hate albums with phony re-recorded versions of original songs. But the re-recorded songs on this album are something special, actually IMPROVING on the originals! Don and Phil took special pains to insure that these songs would remain absolutely faithful to the originals, recruiting many of the original session musicians along with song writer Boudleaux Bryant and producer Wesley Rose on hand in the studio. Together they remade 6 classics from the Cadence era (the 6 other songs featured here from their Warner years are the original versions). The Everly's still had those magic vocals and the musicians were well-rehearsed and up to the task. What's so great about these remakes is that they've managed to maintain the soul of the originals while making vast improvements to the overall sound quality. The music is full, rich, and blends beautifully with those awesome Everly Brothers 2-part harmonies. All the songs included here are in true stereo except "Ebony Eyes" which is rechanneled. Are they 100% indistinguishable from the originals? Well, no. So I can't recommend this to someone who just wants the originals. For those folks, I recommend picking up "All-Time Original Hits" instead. But for those who want to hear a little something more from the Everly's, this is a great choice. I only wish they included a few more of their early Cadence hits since these are without a doubt the best remakes I have ever heard. Like I said, the exception to the rule.

What the cover doesn't tell you is that for the most part these are not the original Everlys hits, but a new recording session from the 60s. While some people may prefer these versions because they are stereo, I remain a devotee of the original versions, and was very disappointed when I first put this CD on. That said, having listened to it a couple of times since, the versions really are pretty good, with fine harmonizing and guitar playing. Still, for a one disc compilation, I recommend the 16 Original Hits.

All right, it's true, the Cadence songs on this CD are NOT the recordings that were done in the 50s that were the big hits.

BUT, these recordings are in beautiful stereo, cut with the same recording team that had scored big with Cathy's Clown. So, though these ARE remakes, they were done when the Everly Brothers were still flying high, with a crack band and great production. Are you telling me that the world can't handle, doesn't want, a mono AND a stereo version of "All I Have to Do is Dream"?

As far as I know, this is the only place you can get these really great stereo remakes of the Cadence classics. It's not the place to start with the Everlys, true enough. But if you love these guys and want a little further ear candy, want to hear those Cadence classics done with the same breathtaking production that you heard from the early Warner Brothers material, then you will be bowled over by this CD. I was.

I have been listening to this album since I was a little girl and it still moves me every time. The two-part harmonies are absolutely cosmic, and singing along is the only thing better than listening. This album goes from lovesick to joyful to hearbroken in 12 tracks. I know some people complain that these are not the original hits, but these are the ones I love, and I would recommend them highly to anyone. Get it! You'll love it too.

This is an album from 1964, when the Everly Brothers were on the Warner label. The label wanted to capitalize on the Everly's Cadence past, and the result was a Best Of LP that featured Don and Phil re-making 6 Cadence classics, paired with 6 early great Warner Brothers recordings.

The 6 re-makes are 'Wake Up Little Suzie,' 'Bye Bye Love,' 'Bird Dog,' '(Til) I Kissed You,' 'All I Have To Do Is Dream,' and 'Devoted to You.' As already noted by an earlier reviewer, these are remarkably good remakes. I cannot claim that any is better than the original, but each is very good, and 2 or 3 of them are as good as the originals. If you are a big fan of the Everlys and already own the original Cadence recordings, you still will want this CD to hear the Everlys recasting a handful of their early hits just before the British Invasion wiped almost everybody else off the American charts. And if you want a 1 disc best of the Everlys, this may be better for you than the 1 disc Cadence Classics because you get 'Cathy's Clown,' which remains my favorite Everly Brothers song.

This is the Everly Brothers re-recording their hits. The CD is good but it should indicate on product pages that these are not original recordings. "Til I Kissed You" is always a good song, but again if you want originals pass on this CD.

If you are a fan of the 50's and 60's music this is a must buy. A lot of guys heard ebony eyes shortly before the trip across the pond. Roy Orbison, Everly Brothers, Elvis, Statler Brothers and so many others that sang our country though a troubling time. A little rock, a little soul and a whole lot of heart. Nice to hear the boys again. - The Ogre

I actually bought this for my wife. My musical tastes often run a bit to the hard side of rock for her. I love it when I can find a CD we both love. Thsi falls into that category. It's easy to forget how mellow these guys sound after all the years. They were fantastic in their day.