The Mamas & the Papas Album: “Singles+”

'The Singles +' 2-CD box set was a real treat for me...allowing me to hear the ORIGINAL versions of the band's hit singles. Tunes that I haven't heard in years. You know how sometimes the record companies or the producer will alter the speed or the tempo of a song to make it more acceptable with the changing times? BR Music is basically known for releasing CD's of artists from the '60's-'70's with the original sound intact. I thoroughly enjoyed "California Dreamin'", "I Saw Her Again", one of my all time oldie favorites "Monday Monday", "Look Through My Window", their cover of the soul classic "Dancing In The Streets", "Crequee Alley" and "Dedicated To The One I Love". There's NO doubt about it, the late Mama Cass has to be one of the best female vocalists of the era. Speaking of which, on disc two there are some solo Cass material that I sort of remember, like "Dream A Little Dream" and "It's Getting Better" as well as some solo cuts by also the late Papa John Phillips. Comes with a nice 16-page booklet with all the proper credits and a chart telling when and where the band had their hit in the USA, UK, Germany, France, etc. Would make a great gift.

This compilation contains all essential American, British and European hits of the Mamas and Papas, plus individual hits by the various members after they went their separate ways. Of course, Mama Cass was by far the best singer and most of the solo tracks are hers. The Mamas and Papas were formed after the break-up of a little-known short-lived group called the Mugwumps. Other members of that group formed the Lovin' spoonful.

The classic Mamas and Papas songs are all here including California Dreaming, Go where you wanna go, Monday Monday, I saw her again, Words of love and Creeque alley. These are classic slices of sixties folk-rock, some of which at least you must be already familiar with.

Also in this collection are their great covers including I call your name (Beatles), Dancing in the street (Martha Reeves and the Vandellas), Dedicated to the one I love (Shirelles) and My girl (Temptations). Do you wanna dance was originally an American hit for Bobby Freeman but later became a British hit for Cliff Richard and an American hit for the Beach Boys. Dream a little dream of me was over forty years old when the Mamas and Papas recorded it - this song was actually the first Mama Cass solo recording though the group was still united at this stage. Some of these covers were also hits for the Mamas and Papas.

Of the solo tracks recorded after the group broke up, the most important is It's getting better, a top ten UK hit for Mama Cass, whose many other noteworthy solos here include Make your own kind of music and Disney girls.

This is the strongest hits collection available as I write this review. If you enjoy the music of the Beach boys and the Lovin' spoonful, you will surely enjoy listening to the Mamas and the Papas.

This item is a Beautiful FACTORY SEALED 2CD from Holland of the great MAMAS & THE PAPAS "The Singles+ the very best of". For the first time ever ALL the great MAMA'S & THE PAPA'S tunes both as a group and SOLO can be found in one definitive 42 track collection! THE BEST GREATEST HITS COLLECTION EVER!!!

Checkout this amazing song selection; Disc: 1 1. California Dreamin' 2. Somebody Groovy 3. Go Where You Wanna Go 4. Monday Monday 5. Got A Feelin' 6. I Saw Her Again 7. Look Through My Window 8. Words Of Love 9. Dancin' In The Streets 10. Dedicated To The One I Love 11. Crequee Alley 12. I Call Your Name 13. Twelve Thirty 14. Straight Shooter 15. Hey Girl 16. Glad To Be Unhappy 17. Dancing Bear 18. Safe In My Garden 19. Dream A Little Dream Of Me 20. Midnight Voyage 21. For The Love Of Ivy 22. California Earthquake - Mama Cass Disc: 2 1. Do You Wanna Dance 2. My Girl 3. Move In A Little Closer Baby - Mama Cass 4. It's Getting Better - Mama Cass 5. Make Your Own Kind Of Music - Mama Cass Elliot 6. New World Coming - Mama Cass Elliot 7. Mississippi - John Phillips 8. Song That Never Comes, A - Mama Cass Elliot 9. The Good Times Are Coming - Mama Cass Elliot 10. Don't Let The Good Life Pass You By - Mama Cass Elliot 11. One Way Ticket - Mama Cass Elliot 12. Easy Come Easy Go - Mama Cass Elliot 13. Something To Make You Happy - Dave Mason/Mama Cass Elliot 14. Walking To The Point - Dave Mason/Mama Cass Elliot 15. Step Out 16. Shooting Star 17. Disney Girls - Mama Cass Elliot 18. There She Goes - Michelle Phillips 19. No Love Today - Michelle Phillips 20. The Aching Kind - Michelle Phillips