Customer Reviews

Vol. 1-Chartbusters USA

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

 

 

Using the blueprint from their enormously successful Golden Age of American Rock 'n' Roll (1954-1963) series, ACE Records now turns its attention to the second half of the Sixties (1964-1969) with the first installment of their Chartbusters series. You get a 20-page full-color booklet filled with info on the bands and their songs, original hit versions taken from the best source tapes possible (most in stereo), and a whopping 30 songs and 79 minutes of mostly Top 20 music. [Exceptions: The Soul Sisters' "I Can't Stand It" barely cracked the Hot 100 and the Seeds' garage classic "Pushin' Too Hard" stalled at No. 36.]

As would be expected of any comprehensive overview, there are numerous music styles represented. You get the Tex-Mex sound of the Sir Douglas Quintet (with the late Doug Sahm and keyboardist Augie Meyers) on "She's About a Mover." The goodtime sound of the Lovin' Spoonful's first hit "Do You Believe in Magic." The blue-eyed soul of Mitch Ryder's "Jenny Take a Ride!" The lush harmony vocals on the Mamas and the Papas' "California Dreamin'." The baroque stylings of the Left Banke's "Walk Away Renee." The California sound of Ronny & the Daytonas' "G.T.O." Barry McGuire's protest anthem "Eve of Destruction." Paul Revere & the Raiders' anti-drug song, "Kicks." The funk of Sly & the Family Stone's "Dance to the Music." And the hits just keep on coming. There is not a bad track on this album. [Here's the rest: "Brown-Eyed Girl," "Wooly Bully," "I Fought the Law," "Games People Play," "Gimme Little Sign," "Elusive Butterfly," "Working in the Coalmine," "Hi Heel Sneakers," "Treat Her Right," "Hawaii Five-0," "Green Tambourine," "On the Road Again," "Psychotic Reaction," "Let It Out (Let It All Hang Out)," "Soul Deep," "Remember (Walkin' in the Sand)," "The 'In' Crowd," "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" and "Expressway to Your Heart."]

ACE has certainly raised the bar when it comes to reissues. [I'm not aware that Rhino has ever put more than 20 songs on a single disc.] If you love Sixties music, you have got to own this CD. All I can say is, when can I get volume 2? HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Another winner from the ACE label of the UK. This time, they have turned their attention to Top 100 American-originated Rock and Roll/Soul/Pop from the years 64-69. This contains 30, rpt 30, songs, nothing terribly obscure (maybe the Soul Sisters "I Cant Stand It") All classic (though I could do without "Eve of Destruction"). For the price, you cant really do better to get the mood for your Party! Other Standouts: Sir Douglas Quintet's "She's About a Mover", Bobby Fuller Four's "I Fought the Law", Lee Dorsey's "Working in a Coalmine", and I could go on. Outstanding sound, and copious and informative notes! Well, what are you waiting for?

This CD is great! Sometimes when you buy a CD you get stuck with newer re-recordings or the sound quality is bad. NOT SO with this collection. I love every song (except that song by the soul sisters - where did that one come from). Most of the songs are in stereo. And heard in stereo for the first time. Love the stereo mix on The Raider's "Kicks" and Shagralas "Remember walking in the sand"

This CD brings back some great memories of my first transistor radio with the ear bud and staying up late to dial in the local Top 40 AM station CFUN. The first part of a great three disc collection.

It is an excellent CD, My husband and I remember our parents playing these songs on the radio and singing. Enjoyable!

This album is one of your best choices for a fine single CD retrospective of music from the years 1964 to 1969. It also makes a fine initial volume of the 3 CD set of this series along with yet another CD entitled Chartbusters USA: Sunshine Pop. There are different styles of music on this album under the categories of rock/soul/pop; and that's very good. These tunes bring back fond memories for me and the quality of the sound is excellent. We get a whopping 30 tracks on this CD; and that's a lot! The artwork is nicely done, too.

There are so many good songs here that it's almost impossible to know where to turn first! The album opens with The Sir Douglas Quintet doing their terrific "She's About a Mover;" the percussion helps the musical arrangement and this tune flows nicely into the next track, "Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison. "Brown Eyed Girl" still sounds fresh; I could never tire of this tune.

Other wonderful hits include "Do You Believe in Magic?" by The Lovin' Spoonful; Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs' "Wooly Bully;" "I Fought the Law;" and Joe South's excellent "Games People Play." "Games People Play" has Joe squarely front and center which is right where he belongs--I love it! Brent Wood's "Gimme Little Sign" is very easy on the ear; it's a 60's classic without a doubt.

"Elusive Butterfly" by Bob Lind is terrific; he sings this faultlessly and the music perfectly complements his vocals. The Mamas & The Papas score a huge goal in my book with their "California Dreamin';" and ""Walk Away Renee" by The Left Banke has an arrangement that strikes me with its natural beauty. "G.T.O." is yet another highlight of this CD. Roy Head's groovy "Treat Her Right" is infectious and catchy; and there's the rebellious sounding "Eve of Destruction" by Barry McGuire which remains a masterpiece to this day.

"Kicks" by Paul Revere & The Raiders was one of their biggest hits; and listen for The Lemon Pipers to do a great job with their hit "Green Tambourine." The Shangri-Las perform "Remember (Walking In the Sand)" with a lot of genuine sensitivity; and Dobie Grey's "The In Crowd" is another favorite of mine. The CD ends with "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" by Hugo Montenegro; "Expressway to Your Heart" by The Soul Survivors and "Dance to the Music." Awesome!

Chartbusters USA, Volume 1 is not to be missed if you enjoy rock, pop and more styles of music from 1964 and 1969. If you like this, get volumes 2 and 3 of this CD series--as well as the album Chartbusters USA: Sunshine Pop. This is also a great starter CD for people just discovering the incredible music from the mid to late 1960s.

There is only one song on this CD that ranked higher than #40. Most are ranked #20 or lower. This is a very good collection of top songs between 1964 - 1969. But I really bought it because it is the only oldies mix CD that I found at the time with She's About A Mover, by the Sir Douglas Quintet on it. I looked for a long time but grabbed this one when I found that song. I ended up liking the whole CD just as much.