California Dreamin' for the Millenium Folks

Oh, this one will take you back to those sunny summer days, sitting outside on the grass on campus, wearing a long granny dress and wire-rimmed spectacles (hey, those are back in style!) and sipping some wine while listening to the Mamas and the Papas on the transistor. Funny, though, this music is still appealing though nothing like it is being played today.

The smooth harmonizing of the group, highlighted by the clear, flexible and gorgeous voice of the late Mama Cass is surprisingly cheerful even today. The laid-back tone is great for weekend play, whilst cleaning the house or writing checks to pay bills. It makes me nostalgic--I guess I still love the same music I played in the 60's. Sigh.

one of the most overrated bands from the sixties

I recived this cd as a gift. I was never a big fan of this group and after giving this cd a listen, i know why, because I feel that their music really wasn't that good. For the most part they were part of the drug culture of the sixties, but their music fails to express the true essence of the era. The doors, traffic, the turtles, the animals and/or the zombies were much better bands whose music captures the culture of the time. Dylan and Melanie were also part of the folk scene but were much more creative than this band. I don't understand why so many people liked this group, i think they were avarage at best. In my opinion, this is not a CD worth owning and they do not deserve to be part of the 20th century masters collection.

Totally Original

For the Mamas and the Papas to have only been together for 2 years, they certianly produced some wonderful tunes. "California Dreamin'" and "Monday, Monday" are the two standards most ppl identify, but "Creeque Alley" and "Make your own Kind of Music" are very personal songs from the band and Mama Cass. I've never been a big fan of this band, but I felt the urge to order this cd for a "101" perspective. I can not find any similarities in their vocals, chord progressions, or harmonizations to any other band before them. One would think the Beatles influenced most acts in the late 60's, but this isn't the case with the Mamas and Papas. However, I believe they influenced a great deal of artists in the 70's. Bette Midler, for example. In the song "Dream a Little Dream of Me" Mama Cass's voice sounds exactly like Bette's. I also believe Billy Joel was subconsciously influenced by their lyrics. I also believe the album "Double Fantasy" from John and Yoko owes alot of gratitude to the Mamas and the Papas.

Since these are the original recordings remastered, you don't get a lot of bass. But the soaring vocals, ornaments, and guitar riffs in the treble register more than make you "feel" the musical idea! :-)