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39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
True 60's Classic - finally on CD, March 27, 2004
72 reviews (and counting) for what many consider to be a "one hit wonder" kind of group - that should tell you the kind of impact this recording has made on an individual level, regardless of its commercial appeal, especially when almost three quarters of the aforementioned 72 give it a 5-star rating. "You Were On My Mind" is one of the very best folk releases ever, with inspired song selections, creative arranging, but more than anything, the unsurpassed vocals of Bev Bivens, unquestionably the best "unknown" singer of her generation. That the group's second release "Make Someone Happy" is on the same disc is an added bonus, but I would have gladly hocked the farm for just "Mind" and been happy doing it. I have listened to this record since I bought the vinyl version shortly after it's release in late '65, and the music still moves me as much today as it did almost 40 years ago - I have very few recordings that I can say that about. The music here is truely timeless - it is a touchstone repeatedly gone back to over the years - and it is unique in that it is consistently satisfying. If you enjoy Peter, Paul, & Mary, or Pozo Seco, you'll love "You Were On My Mind".
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28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best 13 bucks you'll spend this year..., July 5, 2000
I was fortunate to see We Five in person at Yuba College, CA in 1966. Three weeks later, I shipped out for the Southeast Asian War Games. The sound, depth, and range of Beverly Bivens' voice stayed with me, as well as the group's arrangements featuring the then-new electric "San Francisco Sound". I bought a copy of You Were On My Mind in a PX in Japan, and memorized the entire album. I still have it and regard it as a prized posession, even though it shows the scars of being played hundreds of times on less-than-studio-quality equipment! Make Someone Happy has about four outstanding cuts, the rest are merely wonderful. If you remember the mid-1960's this two-album CD is for you. If you don't remember the mid-60's this is an excellent way to get acquainted with the transition from popular folk to folk-rock. To any We Five members who may be out there: I'll be eternally grateful for your helping me hang on through a very rough time in my life.
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16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Absolute Gem, March 7, 1999
By A Customer
Oldies radio stations never do justice to We Five. While "You Were on My Mind" is a terrific record and gets a fair amount of airplay 34 years after its release, there was much more to this group than a lone top-40 hit. (Actually, We Five had TWO hits, but you'll never hear "Let's Get Together" on the radio these days...)These albums are classics of the folk/pop genre. Mike Stewart's arrangements lend a warmth and depth to We Five's music, especially the pop and show tunes on their first album, and are a perfect accompaniment to Beverly Bivens' soaring vocals. Her voice was unique and gave the group an instantly recognizable sound. I'm lucky enough to own an original copy of the "You Were on My Mind" album, which is one of the most cherished in my collection. If you have plenty of free time to nose around in used record stores looking for a copy, by all means do so; if not, buy the CD and get "Make Someone Happy" as a bonus. You won't be disappointed. (By the way, I've looked all around the Web for biographical and "where are they now" information about We Five, but I've never found any; there is a great opportunity for a fan to create a We Five website. (And if any "We Five" members are reading this, it would be great to hear from you -- please post a message here!)
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