Anthology: 1965-1975

Grass Roots

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 2, 1991)
• Original Release Date: July 2, 1991
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Rhino / Wea
• ASIN: B0000032MQ
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #144,728 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Mr. Jones (Ballad of a Thin Man)

2. You're a Lonely Girl

3. Where Were You When I Needed You

4. Only When You're Lonely

5. This Is What I Was Made For

6. Lollipop Train (You Never Had It So Good)

7. Tip of My Tongue

8. Let's Live for Today

9. Things I Should Have Said

10. Out of Touch

See all 18 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Lovin' Things

2. River Is Wide

3. City Women [*]

4. I Can't Help But Wonder, Elisabeth [*]

5. I'd Wait a Million Years

6. Heaven Knows

7. Out of This World [*]

8. Walking Through the Country [*]

9. Baby Hold On

10. Come on and Say It

See all 18 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The Grass Roots shared similarities with fellow West Coast studio concoctions the Monkees and Three Dog Night--including a run of pop-savvy chart hits. Initially the studio conceit of writing/producing team P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri, a duo who'd also scored hits by cloning everything from surf (the Fantastic Baggys) to folk-rock (Barry McGuire's "Eve of Destruction"), the Roots' evolution had strange origins, encompassing two hired, then renamed, bands. But it was the second (the former 13th Floor) that prospered, mirroring their mentors' rapidly diverging tastes, from Sloan's folkie-lite ("Where Were You When I Needed You," the reworked Italian pop hit "Let's Live for Today") to Barri's hook-heavy, Motown-inspired pop ("Midnight Confessions," "Sooner or Later," "Temptation Eyes"). This double-disc overview includes all their major hits and a well-chosen sampling of album cuts, most fueled by the familiar polished urgency of vocalist Rob Grill. Ironically, while Barri's career would gravitate toward bubblegum (including more hit-mongering with Tommy Roe and Bo Donaldson & the Heywoods), the Grass Roots' own hits would go on to influence a generation of new wavers taken by their well-honed craftsmanship and economy of purpose. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Probably the finest Anthology CD out there, August 2, 1999

By A Customer

The Grass Roots are one of the finest and most prolific pop recording acts of the late 60s and early 70s. Despite this, most know little of the band's extensive body of work beyond, perhaps, a few top ten hit singles which they frequently hear on oldies radio stations. This lack of exposure is difficult to comprehend and has done the band a great disservice. What this double CD does is offer 36 of their finest recordings, including not only all 21 of their Billboard Hot 100 hits...but also some fabulous album tracks, more obscure singles and B-sides. Although one of their best ("I Can Turn Off the Rain") is not included (this is on their 16 Greatest Hits album), these selections still capture the essence of the band, which evolved and grew out of several structural and personnel changes throughout its life. The listener can hear the band's gradual evolution from its "grassroots" rebellious folk-rock of the mid and late 60s with tunes like "Where Were You When I Needed You", "Lollipop Train" and "Let's Live For Today" to its late 60s/early 70s exciting, brassy adult-styled pop-rock beginning with "Midnight Confessions", and culminating with such powerful gems as "Lovin' Things", "I'd Wait A Million Years", "Baby Hold On" and the "Runway". The Grass Roots' tremendous versatility is further demonstrated with the lovely slow ballad "I Can't Help But Wonder, Elisabeth". Fine song writing coupled with great vocals and group harmonizing helped to create the powerful, climactic sound that is all their own. The Grassroots (as their name was originally spelled) obviously had some influence on other popular high-quality artists (like Chicago). Although much of their material was written by others, they made it their own in how they arranged, played and sang it. The music remains timeless...still as fresh and exciting as when it was new. You certainly get your money's worth with this CD collection as there isn't a song on it that isn't great! Having not heard all of the Grass Roots' music, one gets the strong impression that they are one of those very rare bands that never recorded a bad song. They continue to be my second all-time favorite pop group, behind only The Beatles! My only wish is that all of the Grass Roots' original LP releases would be reissued. This double CD is a "must-have" collection for both young listeners learning about the music from this era, and for those wanting to recapture the exciting and powerful dynamic sounds of the Grass Roots.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Almost perfect!!!!, September 6, 2001

By	Rick Holly "Rick Holly" (Lafayette, NJ. USA) - See all my reviews

The GRASS ROOTS have always been one of my favoirite bands of the 60's. I have seen them live many times going back to the late 60's. I have all their vinyl albums and an almost complete set of singles.(Complete as far as I know). When their stuff came out on CD in the 80's I bought the DUNHILL Records CD's :Greatest Hits Volume one and Volume two. They were very good (At least I thought so at the time.)This set is much much better. Not only is it much more inclusive but the sound quality is far better. More open sounding, cleaner.
I looked in my BILLBOARD book of top 40 hits. The Grass Roots hit the top 40 fouteen times, and all the hits are here.I recommend this set to any Grass Roots fan or anyone who really wants to hear what 60's pop beyond the Beatles was all about.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I NEVER KNEW WHAT I WAS MISSING!, April 10, 2000

By	cindy harvey (Romeoville, Illinois) - See all my reviews

This set is very comprehensive, very enjoyable and very good.

I never knew that The Grass Roots were so prolific! Every time there was a new song, I said "Hey! I know that song!", with a great big smile on my face.

The titles are foolers. Most people are familiar with "TempTation Eyes" and "Sooner Or Later"- but songs like "The River Is Wide" and "Wait A Million years"- I didn't know I knew them intil I heard them again. Very hook-heavy! I sang myself hoarse singing along with this compilation!

This stuff is great. A little bit folk, a little bit rock, a little bit pop.

The anthology is worth the price just for the inclusion of "Mamacita"- one song I HADN'T heard vefore, but haven't stopped playing since.

This is the most played compilation in my collection!