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Very Best of

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National stardom for The Fleetwoods exactly paralleled my own high school career, 1959-62. The two girls and the guy, Gretchen, Barbara and Gary, started their vocal trio when seniors themselves in '58. It was a more innocent time, at least as concerns teen and young adult love relationships. There was no birth control pill, sex before marriage was risky and firmly discouraged, alcohol and tobacco were the only drugs anyone had experience with. Cohabitation was unheard of, divorce was disreputable, STD's only happened to people you did not care to know. Elvis was the musical "bad boy" of the era, if those born after 1960 can imagine that. The Fleetwoods had two great hits, "Come Softly To Me" and "Mr. Blue". They are ballads of love found and love lost, and all the other 25 or so numbers on this CD fit inbetween them. As a freshman, I liked the two hits, but I spent my music budget on Buddy Holly and the Kingston Trio. Now, rapidly approaching something called retirement age, I can afford to have that Fleetwoods album I almost bought for $2.98 in 1960. I thought it might be too bland even for me, but I discovered that this collection is a great stress-reliever, and holds up well when played repeatedly. The harmonies are wonderful, and some fine songs are included. The trio's version of "Unchained Melody" is done without accompaniment, to powerful effect. "Skylark" and "Tragedy" and "Lavender Blue" and "Gone" were hits for others, and are done well here. "Goodnight My Love" and "What'll I Do" are wonderful. The Fleetwoods were pop balladeers in the golden age of rock 'n roll, but they never lost their youthful attitude toward these mostly mellow works. Listen to the samples on Amazon, and if you like the snippets you'll love the whole shebang. I wouldn't want American recording history to offer nothing but The Fleetwoods anymore than I want the industry to sell nothing but gangsta' rap. There is room for both. This CD is a solid hour of pleasant singing that is great in the background as you drive or dust or whatever.
Before Vietnam, or hippies, or pot, or political assassinations, we had dates, proms, graduations, love that worked and love that failed. The Fleetwoods were worthy of their fame, and if you think they are uncool, your musical taste is just too narrow.

The Fleetwoods' beautiful harmonies didn't stem from country or bluegrass (like the Everlys did) or from the black church (like so many doo-wop groups of the period). Their gentle musical interplay updated what groups like the Pied Pipers did years before, with a touch of folk harmony mixed in. (Listen for proof to "Outside My Window," which the folk-rock Mamas & Papas remade years later as "Look Out My Window.")

The results are beautiful, even more so through excellent CD remastering. The acapella "Unchained Melody" here is the sweetest, least pompous version of that song ever recorded. The hits are here, with lead vocalist Gary Troxal playing Little Boy Blue on "Mr. Blue," "Come Softly To Me," (both #1s), the touching "Tragedy" (which sounded as if it were recorded on a beach at night), fine, whole versions of Ferlin Husky's "Gone" and of two standards, "Skylark" and "What'll I Do." The background music gets louder (and CD weaker) near the end, but still this is THE definitive Fleetwoods collection.

In my review of the group's "Greatest Hits" CD (only10 tracks), I expressed a concern over wearing it out. Fortunately,this new one, "Very Best Of The Fleetwoods," arrived before the destruction was complete. And it was worth the wait! This collection is an absolute MUST for anyone even remotely aroused by the beautiful harmony and lyrics performed by The Fleetwoods. The accompanying booklet is virtually worth the price of the CD alone...I was impressed with the "A Capella" version of Unchained Melody, but I wasn't prepared for the exquisite beauty of Come Softly To Me and Mr. Blue presented here without musical accompanyment. Most fans are not aware that many of the group's hits were recorded "A Capella" in Seattle and instrumentals were laid down over the tracks in Los Angeles at a later date. The "A Capella" track of "Come Softly..." is highlighted by the unobtrusive jingling of Gary's keys, which he jingled in his pockets during the taping in order to maintain the tempo. This is a CD that should reside in the music library of any true fan of The Fleetwoods.

I get the sense that The Fleetwoods'body of recorded work isn't given the respect it deserves. Over the course of their career, the trio recorded thirteen albums and yet this collection, as good as it is, is pretty much all that's out there on cd, save for a few other compilations that cover much of the same ground. Rock and roll has always had a soft side and it's in this area that the Fleetwoods really shine. Their cover of Thomas Wayne's "Tragedy" is an evocative slice of 1961 teen angst-I can't put it any other way. Maybe that's the reason why the Fleetwoods are given short shrift today: they're the perfect embodiment of a (then)nascent teen culture's soft and gentle side.This collection features all of their hits, some well chosen album tracks and the original pre-overdub version of "Come softly to me". If you like this recording, try looking for their original lps. (My personal favourite is the 1963 "Goodnight my Love" album.)

Like so many, I grew up listening to the Fleetwoods. They are unique--no mistaking these harmonies for anyone else. For most of us these are familiar songs, so I'll focus on the CD. First, sound quality is as perfect as I'd want. I'm a car listener and this collection sounds so very good there. However, at least as stellar is the liner notes. The photo shown covers a quite comprehensive bio of the group covering many pages.

Additionally, it's fun to get the 'a capella' versions of 'Come Softly' and 'Mr. Blue' as well as a radio plug for a DJ.

This CD is a bargain and a keeper for all Fleetwoods fans.

I leave the critic of the music to the other posters, and I agree that the music is excellent. I don't five stars idly, and only for the best of the best. But this is a solid 4 star CD.

But the liner notes are incredible. This is a small book with all their songs and albums listed, dated, with composers, and the album it was on with pictures of the records. Wow.

I bought this disc just for copies of "Mr. Blue" and "Come Softly". which I remember from my elementary school days. This disc contains many songs which turn out to be gems and have become more enjoyable with each listening. The vocal harmonies on these songs are nothing short of phenomenal. It's a shame that groups like the "Fleetwoods" have gone so under appreciated after all these years.

THE FLEETWOODS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF MY FAVORITE GROUPS.THEY PRODUCE GREAT HARMONYS,TOGETHER.THEIR SONGS COME SOFTLY TO ME THE IMPOSTER,AND MR.BLUE AMOUNG THEIR MANY HITS,ARE FOREVER,ON CANVESS,A GREAT PORTRAIT IN MUSIC HISORY ROCK ON. I OWN THIS DISC.

A few truly great songs, but these guys really needed better material to work with in order to keep going. Looks like they never found it. If you're over sixty, it just doesn't matter. This is a "must have" CD if you're into the '60s. Too bad CDs don't come with album notes like the old long-play records did (remember 33 1/3?) because the Fleetwoods had an interesting history on how they got started and ended up with a male lead. As soon as I can dig up my old LPs from wherever I stored them when my turntable died, I'll update this review with the story.

While I had some familiarity with the Fleetwoods I really had no idea just how talented this group really was. The fact of the matter is that I don't think I have ever heard any group express teen angst better than The Fleetwoods. "Come Softly To Me: The Very Best of The Fleetwoods" is a marvelous collection of the music of this unique group from the early days of rock and roll. I enjoyed each and every track. For all intents and purposes there is no lead singer in the Fleetwoods. Gary Troxel is flanked by group members Gretchen Christopher and Barbara Ellis to create a sound unlike anything else I have ever heard. To this day, The Fleetwoods remain the only mixed gender trio to have multiple #1 hits!
"Come Softly To Me: The Very Best of The Fleetwoods" contains all of the groups dozen or so charted records including those two # hits "Come Softly To Me" and "Mr. Blue" both from 1959. Speaking of teenage angst check out their Top Ten tune "Tragedy". You'll see what I mean! In addition, there is a marvelous acapella version of "Unchained Melody" as well as superb covers of Sonny Knights "Confidential" and the Three Chuckles "Runaround". The Fleetwoods appearance several years ago on a PBS doo wop special prompted me to take another look at them. The music in this collection is terrific and the price is right as well. In addition there is a marvelous 12 page booklet featuring group photos and information on the history of The Fleetwoods. If you are a fan of group harmony I can assure you that you will not be disappointed with "Come Softly To Me: The Very Best of the Fleetwoods". Highly recommended!