Choral Rock with an edge

The Mamas and the Papas posessed four of the most beautiful voices of all time and looking back, it is hard to believe they were only around for a few short years. This anthology endorssed by Michelle Phillips hereself, contains everything the group ever recorded, plus selected highlights from all their solo careers. Some of these songs have been staples of the radio ever since the sixties, some are true gems to be discovered along the way. My personal favorite is "Look Thru My Window" not one of their biggest hits but certainly a most compelling one. Check out the line "Where nothing's quite as sure as change" So true and yet John Phillips said it first. If you are a lover of four part harmonies drenched in gentle warm breezes This group will truely knock you out. The Mamas and the Papas had many imitators during their short time, but really no equals. Unique and lovely.

Everything is here!

For all of you M & P fans out there, here is a collection worthy to be called an anthology. Finally "Nowhere Man" and "Here in my Arms" has been released on CD. Also, the M & P's background vocals with Barry McGuire are all here, too. Loads of solo material by each of the performers is also included (as well as alternate and "chatter" versions of certain songs). "The Right Somebody To Love" (the extremely rare alternate version) is a track that is hidden at the beginning of the song "Gemini Childe" for a listener's surprise. The liner notes and pictures are spectacular. It even has a foreward by Michelle Phillips herself. You cannot go wrong with this box set! Enjoy!

The Classic Box Set Of 2005!

You need no other CD by the "Mamas and the Papas" if you own this 4 CD set of 101 songs. It is ALL inclusive. Not one song is missed in their history. Some of the studio clatter can be annoying, but the big fans won't mind it. It is the equivalent to the sixties type version of `ABBA's" box set, "Thanks You For The Music" in its inclusiveness.



Some of the highlights are the Beatles covers as well as the `live' versions on the "Ed Sullivan Show" and the "Monterrey Music Festival" (completely arranged and invented by John Phillips!).



Don't freak out - all songs have been digitally remastered and the sound is fantastic! Mind you, even in the sixties, their production team made an extra effort to accentuate the stereo sound (try listening to "California Dreamin'" with jus the left channel and then just the right channel). It's like two different songs, which should not be a surprise, as John Phillips was a master at vocal arraignments. I only wish they had recorded John Philips song "San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Some Flowers In Your Hair)".



The 74-page booklet and 100 photos is a wonderful addition in a time when box sets can be terribly short on information. This is the box set of the year. Enjoy!