Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Smart shoppers will choose this one, July 18, 2007
Being a Youngbloods fan since the late '60s (and a Jesse Colin Young "solo" fan from the 1970s on), I've never been completely satisfied with his former band's CDs. The sound (that is, the mastering/remastering) was usually lifeless and, in the case of the various "hits" compilations, one or more of my favorite tracks would often miss the final cut.
This 2-disc set from BGO, which presents the band's first three albums in their entirety, solves both problems. The sound has as much punch as the single-disc 2002 comp, "Get Together: The Essential Youngbloods" on RCA/BMG Heritage. Plus, because this 2-disc set covers three full albums, I get several of my favorite tracks that were omitted from that other disc ("Smug" and "Tears Are Falling" to name just two). This 2-disc set also sounds much better than the 1999 release from One Way/BMG Special Products that piggybacked their first album (alternately called "The Youngbloods" or "Get Together") and "Elephant Mountain" on one disc.
The Youngbloods' albums for Warner Brothers in the early 1970s had their moments, but in retrospect the band's best work and strongest songs were on the three RCA albums presented here on these two discs. I agree with the one reviewer who said if "Get Together" is all you desire, then get a less expensive disc to get your one song. (Personally, I don't even think that's their best song, though it remains their best-known one; I'd rate "Darkness, Darkness" a notch or two above it. But I also think their version of "Get Together" is far better than anyone else's.)
John Tobler, a prolific and highly respected pop music historian/writer for several decades now, provides the liner notes.
So here's the upshot of my review: If you're an older fan who listens to the Youngbloods at least periodically and you want an upgrade, this is the CD you want. If you're a younger fan who's at least familiar with "Get Together" and/or "Darkness, Darkness" and you want to delve deeper into their canon, this CD is all you'll need.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Baby Boomers Memories, May 12, 2007
"Darkness Darkness" is one of the all time great songs, and has been playing in my head for 30 years. So when I went looking for it on Amazon and found this RE-Mastered version of the Youngbloods three albums, I was ecstatic. Listen to the samples and you will be hooked.
I rated it a 4 star because obviously you don't get the full benefit of the old stereo mixing, but they did a good job on the remix. I would have given it a 5-star for content and nostalgia and talent alone. Re-mixes are so much better than just Album-to-CD recordings, but still can't quite get the essence and nuances. Priced under $25.00, I'd say you need this for your Memory Lane.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Finally, Out with the Vinyl!, March 17, 2007
To those who knew their LPs when they were first released, and knew then that they were better than many of their contemporaries in so-called "folk-rock" -- including the overrated, bloated, boring "does this song ever end!?" "Grateful Dead" -- this is exactly that for which you've been waiting: their first three LPs, complete.
'Nuff said.
And the mastering is excellent.
Though I'll miss their full-sized covers, out goes the worn out vinyl!
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