Frankie Avalon 25 All-Time Greatest Hits CD

Recorded between 1959 & 1963. Includes liner notes by Joseph Lanza.

This package is part of the Varese Sarabande label's general campaign to put out new greatest-hits packages of artists they've already given the best-of treatment to, the chief difference being the inclusion of more tracks the second time around. The company's The Best of Frankie Avalon, issued in 1995, had 18 songs; 25 All-Time Greatest Hits, as is self-evident, has seven more. The biggest hits are on both CDs, but alas it's not an automatic given that 25 All-Time Greatest Hits makes other Avalon anthologies redundant, since it's missing a number 56 chart hit that was on The Best of Frankie Avalon, "The Puppet Song." Granted that tune's not a world-beater, but its inclusion would probably mean something to a lot of fans who bother to select an Avalon best-of off the shelves. That omission aside, this has everything almost anyone would want by Avalon, including a bunch of songs beyond the half-dozen or so that still cling to oldies radio play lists. The best of the obscure tracks are the ones from the 1963 non-charting 45 "Beach Party"/"Don't Stop Now," which are far harder-rocking than most of his output, though they're not memorable. "Beach Party" was written by Gary Usher and Roger Christian, who were involved in composing many a hot rod and surf record, including some for the Beach Boys; "Don't Stop Now," which sounds like it would have fit in well in one of his beach movies, even has some early fuzz guitar. Beyond that, it might be noted that a surprisingly high portion of this has no relation to rock music, being far more in the orchestrated pop balladeer school that rock & roll did so much to close down. ~ Richie Unterberger

With 25 tracks, this CD is the most complete Frankie Avalon compilation ever and features several highly sought after tracks, including two songs from Beach Party, the theme song 'Beach Party' and 'Don't Stop Now' (the first movie in the series that starred Frankie and Annette). Both tracks make their first appearance on CD. 2002.

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

Compilation producers: Cary E. Mansfield, Marty Wesker, Steve Massie.

Liner Note Author: Joseph Lanza.

Arrangers: Don Costa; Peter DeAngelis.

Personnel includes: Frankie Avalon (vocals); Peter DeAngelis, Russell Faith, Jerry Ragavoy, Don Costa (arranger, conductor).

Producers: Bob Marcucci, Peter DeAngelis, Russell Faith.