20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Mary Wells CD

20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Mary Wells songs Though they've been critically feted, the Zombies are not usually elevated to the upper reaches of the British Invasion pantheon alongside the Beatles, Kinks, et al. This could not be more unjust, as they crafted some of the finest UK pop of the 1960s. The concise ABSOLUTELY THE BEST compilation makes the case succinctly by focusing on the band's hit singles and most accessible material. Colin Blunstone's breathy, fragile vocals and Rod Argent's colorful, slightly jazzy keyboards are the signature elements of the Zombies sound, but without the stellar tunes of Argent and bassist Chris White, it would be all for naught. The insinuating, slightly ominous "Time of the Season," the Motown-inflected "Is This the Dream," and the poignant, hymn-like "The Way I Feel Inside" (the latter memorably featured in the 2004 film THE LIFE AQUATIC WITH STEVE ZISSOU) are all prime examples of the sophisticated popcraft that made the Zombies engine run in such an unforgettable fashion. Includes liner notes by Ed Johnsson-Ott. The Zombies include: Colin Bluntstone (vocals); Rod Argent (piano, organ). Compilation ...

20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Mary Wells buy CD music Digitally remastered by Elliott Federman (SAJE Sound, New York, New York). Includes liner notes by Tony Sachs. Recording information: 05/11/1963-02/04/1967. The Millennium Collection: The Best of Lesley Gore gathers a dozen of Gore's hits, including the two-part soap opera of "It's My Party" and "Judy's Turn to Cry," the sweeping, melodramatic "You Don't Own Me," and lighthearted "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows." Though it's nowhere near as extensive as collections like It's My Party: The Mercury Anthology or Sunshine, Lollipops & Rainbows: The Best of Lesley Gore, The Millennium Collection does include slightly obscure tracks such as "The Look of Love," "My Town, My Guy and Me," and "California Nights," her last Top 20 hit from 1967. A good collection for casual fans, even at just 12 songs long, The Millennium Collection showcases Gore's distinctive and surprisingly versatile sound. ~ Heather Phares Producers: Quincy Jones, Bob Crewe. Compilation producer: Mike Ragogna.

20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Mary Wells album for sale Recorded between 1963 and 1968. Includes liner notes by Joseph F. Laredo. Digitally remastered by Erick Labson (Universal Mastering Studios-West, North Hollywood, California). The omission of Stewart's heartfelt "How Nice It Is," one of his seven best singles, is the only sore spot. Compilers always overlook the tension-filled ballad on these short collections (11 songs). Stewart's six other gems -- "Strange Feeling," "I Do Love You," "Sitting in the Park," "Cross My Heart," "Summertime," and "Secret Love" -- sparkle like diamonds with their digitally remastered makeovers. Also solid are "Everyday I Have the Blues," with vocal accompaniment by the Dells, and "Reap What You Sow," featuring the Jewels. ~ Andrew Hamilton 20th Century Masters Personnel: Gerald Sims, Bryce Roberson, Pete Cosey (guitar); Bunky Green (alto saxophone); Bob Neely, Johnny Board (tenor saxophone); Rubin Cooper (baritone saxophone); Burgess Gardner, Paul Serrano, Arthur Hoyle (trumpet); John Avant, Morris Ellis, Julian Priester (trombone); Leonard Caston, Sonny Thompson (piano); Louis Satterfield (electric bass); Maurice White, Morris Jennings (drums). Recording information: Chicago, IL (01/1962-??/1968). Arranger: Phil Wright.

20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Mary Wells CD music Recorded between 1967 & 1969. Includes liner notes by Stu Hackel. Digitally remastered by Suha Gur (Universal Mastering Studios East). Glorious late '60s and early '70s soul by one of the true masters. This one disc best-of (for a more expansive look at Jerry Butler's career, check the two disc box set ICEMAN) covers Butler's tenure at Mercury Records (1966-73) after an earlier stay at Vee Jay, and thus necessarily stints on classics like "He Will Break Your Heart." Just about everything included here is memorable, though, whether it be crossover pop smashes like " "Hey, Mr. Western Union Man," and "Only the Strong Survive," or lesser-known tracks like the electric-sitar drenched ballad "Ain't Understanding Mellow" (a duet with the charmingly-named Brenda Lee Eager). Arrangers: James Mack; Joe Renzetti ; Robert Bowles; Bobby Martin ; Jimmy Wisner; Thom Bell. Producers: Gamble & Huff, Jerry Ross, Robert Bowles, Gerald Simms, Jerry Butler. Compliation producer: Harry Weinger.

20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Mary Wells buy CD music Digitally remastered by Suha Gur (Universal Mastering Studios East). This is part of MCA's 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection series. A brief 11-song CD that contains the hits and only the hits from the Marvelettes; these are all A-sides that did some damage on the charts, and no B-sides or album cuts are included. Everything from the early, raucous five-lady "Please Mr. Postman" to "My Baby Must Be a Magician," which featured Wanda Young-Rogers, session singers, and Melvin Franklin's bass intro. This front-runner special includes the conga-driven "Too Many Fish in the Sea," "I'll Keep Holding On" (cut in New York City by Mickey Stevenson), and Smokey's "Don't Mess With Bill," all digitally remastered and enhanced. ~ Andrew Hamilton Recorded between 1961 and 1967. Includes liner notes by Ben Edmonds. Personnel: Melvin Franklin (vocals). Liner Note Author: Ben Edmonds. The Marvelettes: Wanda Young, Gladys Horton, Georgeanna Tillman, Katherine Anderson, Ann Bogan.

20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Mary Wells songs Digitally remastered by Suha Gur (Universal Music Studios East). This is part of MCA's 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection series. Like any record company worth their salt, MCA knows a good gimmick when they see it, and when the millennium came around, the 20th Century Masters -- The Millennium Collection wasn't too far behind. Supposedly, the millennium is a momentous occasion, but it's hard to feel that way when it's used as another excuse to turn out a budget-line series. But apart from the presumptuous title, 20th Century Masters -- The Millennium Collection turns out to be a very good budget-line series. True, it's impossible for any of these brief collections to be definitive, but they're nevertheless solid samplers and don't feature a bad song in the bunch. For example, take Martha Reeves & the Vandellas' 20th Century volume -- it's an irresistible budget-priced summary of their prime Motown recordings. There may be a couple of noteworthy songs missing, but many of their best-known songs are here, including "Nowhere to Run," "Heatwave," "Jimmy Mack," and "Dancing in the Street." Serious fans will want something more extensive, but this is an excellent introduction for neophytes and a great sampler for casual fans, considering its length and price. That doesn't erase the ridiculousness of the series title, but the silliness is excusable when the music and the collections are good. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine Includes liner notes by Ruth Adkins Robinson. Producers include: William "Mickey" Stevenson, Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Ivy Jo Hunter, Richard Morris. Compilation producer: Harry Weinger.