The Mamas & the Papas Album: “16 Greatest Hits”

"The Mamas & The Papas: 16 of Their Greatest Hits" is one of those hits collections that pretty much includes all of the best of a particular group. Go ahead and listen to the four albums The Mamas & The Papas put out and dollars to donuts you will end up rather listening to this one. What is always interesting to me is to see what someone's favorite songs are on this album, because once you get past their biggest hits, "Monday, Monday" and "California Dreamin'," everybody seems to pick different songs; my two are "I Call Your Name" and "Twelve-Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming To The Canyon). All of these songs were produced between 1965 and 1968 by Lou Adler and they do indeed represent the very best of the group's unique four-part harmonies. I happen to be deaf in one ear and so when I listen to this album on a head set I switch around the headphones from time to time; this allows me to hear the break down of the harmonies, which is quite interesting. I wish I could explain it musically, but that sort of things is way beyond me, I am afraid. However, Cass Elliot is one of those singers you could listen to all night long, even without the rest of the group. More than the Beach Boys, CSN&Y or the Mike Curb Congregation, it is The Mamas & The Papas who represents the best of pop harmonies in the Sixties.

'The Mamas & The Papas, 16 of Their Greatest Hits' does not have quite the cachet of their 1960s' 'Farewell to the Last Golden Era', but it succeeds in bringing back so many memories anyway.

For some reason, I vividly remember my first encounter with 'The Mamas and the Papas', as it was while I was watching a Dick Clark special televised from Atlantic City, and the group performed 'Monday, Monday'. I believe this was in my relatively unsophisticated pre-infatuation with the Beatles, so I was scornful of a group with such a contrived name and what seemed to be such a saccarine style. I am not quite sure exactly when my perception of 'The Mamas and the Papas' changed, except that it was probably just after they broke up and I started realizing what we lost.

The sense of loss was exasperated when Mama Cass went the way of Janis and Jim and Jimi.

This album has every performance I recall so well from my car radio of the time and every one evokes feelings as strong as the very best of the Beatles and far stronger than any American contemporaries.

This is a great Mamas & Papas compilation, perhaps the best. I always liked the album jacket photos better than the one on the CD release.

Released in 1969 on Dunhill/ABC Records, DS 50064. The album release has a slightly different program and sequencing than the CD.

Side 1: "California Dreamin'," "Dedicated To the One I Love," "I Call Your Name," "Twelve-Thirty," "Creeque Alley," "Dancing In the Street," "For the Love Of Ivy," "Go Where You Wanna Go."

Side 2: "My Girl," "Look Through My Window," "Words of Love," "Twist and Shout," "I Saw Her Again," "Dream a Little Dream Of Me," "Trip, Stumble, and Fall," "Monday, Monday."

Amazing how fresh the music still sounds. Remastering helps, I'm sure, but the purity of the voices and imaginitive arrangements seems current. Only 2-3 songs may be heard on the radio so it's great to get the others.

If I could I would give this album 10 stars. Having just played this album for the second time,

I am very satisfied with the sound and the selection of tunes in this cd.