Disco de The Mamas & the Papas: “Anthology”

but...the single version of "Creeque Alley," the one with a horn-blowing free-for-all, is NOT in the collection. Thank goodness I still have my scratched-up 45rpm... Other than that, all six albums, except for "A Gathering of Flowers," are wholly-represented. Some dialogue and rehearsal cuts from that two-LP anthology are included, though.

There is an entire disc of rarities and solo cuts from each group member. Unfortunately, the songs representing Cass are the same-old, run-of-the-mill cuts ("It's Getting Better," "Make Your Own Kind of Music" and "New World Coming"). What about "Talkin' To Your Toothbrush," or "You Know Who I Am?" Or even "Burn Your Hatred?" Fortunately, the theme from "Doctors' Wives" is included. I never heard it before. (What we need to hear next is the theme from "L'Amour.") I've heard some, but not all, solo recordings of Michelle, John and Denny, so I was pleased with the cuts representing their work.

I know that the group members and many fans hated "People Like Us," but I have to admit that I always loved that album!! The notes indicate that that recording may have hurt the careers of the individual group members, that they never made the charts on their own accord again. Sorry, but I don't agree. Had Cass lived longer, she would definitely have made the charts again. She was in the process of finding herself as an artist. The other group members did not try to find solo success beyond a limited number of recordings, and each ultimately pursued a different direction.

Summing up, it is amazing that this foursome created such an awesome body of work that was so small, yet so affecting. Their harmonies were amazing! And their material, even the filler and contractually-obligated, is worth listening to today, 40 years after "California Dreamin'" was released.

Great sound, rare material - and disc three is maybe the worst CD ever issued on a major group, grouping the extremely lame contractual obligation album "People Like Us" and the completely unrehearsed and almost entirely embarrassing Monterey concert (John Phillips was the co-producer and had no time to rehearse the group - it sounds like Michelle's microphone is either turned off or she's not singing into it, which did her reputation no good). Though this may be the final word, it still leaves you wanting more - surely there is a tape of a great live Mamas and Papas show or at least a few songs to issue. The complete performances from the Rodgers and Hart television special would have been interesting, if they weren't just the studio versions with applause dubbed in (the one track on the set sounds like it is). The box highlights the sad effect drugs can have on creativity - John Phillips was a genius close to Brian Wilson, but only produced a large handful of songs - nearly every one a gem - in this time, filling out the albums with wonderful covers and toss-offs, when he should have been writing and writing and writing. Enough kvetching - it's priceless. Shamefully, of course, no US issue is planned apparently. Less avid Mamas and Papas fans might look to the US double CD of the four great LPs, though you'll miss a handful of interesting cuts. You will get the rare alternate second album cover there with Michelle's short-lived replacement - Michelle was sleeping with everyone except Cass, which got her tossed. Her forward here is not a completely adequate replacement for that. One peculiarity - no doubt it was Lou Adler's fault, but the instrumental breaks on the first two albums are mostly just out of tune - particularly the flute solo on "California Dreaming", infamous in musician's circles. Perhaps it's just that the Mamas and the Papas are so dead on pitch for pop singers it sticks out by contrast. But with today's technology you could correct what should have been fixed with another take all those years ago.

Of all the compilations of the Mamas and the Papas that have been released, this is, without a doubt, the absolutely best collection of their music from beginning to end. All five of their studio albums are hear along with their live recordings from the Monterey Pop festival along with such rarities like their TV performances of "Nowhere Man" and "Here in My Arms". There are also selected solo material from all four members as well as the background vocals they recorded for Barry McGuire.

And, there are also outtakes from their studio rehearsals of songs like "Once Was a Time I Thought", "I Can't Wait" and "Do You Wanna Dance". There is a nice selection of pictures of the group along with it's history featuring a foreword by Mama Michelle Phillips.

I read through the reviews on here and one reviewer referred to the Mamas and Papas music as "a blip on the radar screen of rock and roll history". Not only is this statement insulting, it's totally inaccurate. Although the Mamas and the Papas were together for less than three years, they achieved more in that time period than most groups together for 10 years or more never could hope to achieve. The facts speak for themselves:

1. Between January, 1966 and June, 1967 the group sent 6 singles ("California Dreamin'", "Monday, Monday", I Saw Her Again", "Words of Love", "Dedicated to the One I Love" and "Creeque Alley) to the Top 5. Additional singles like "Look Through My Window", "Glad To Be Unhappy", "Twelve Thirty" and "Dream a Little Dream of Me" all made the Top 40.

2. In fact, "Monday, Monday" which went all the way to Number 1 sold 160,000 copies on the first day it was released which for 1966 was amazing. They also won a Grammy Award for this song.

3. Their first 3 albums all went to the Top 5 and were certified gold. Their debut album, "If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears" went to Number 1; their second album hit Number 4 and their third album, "Deliver" hit Number 2.

4. They appeared on every top rated variety show on televsion at the time including "American Bandstand", "Hullaballo", "The Hollywood Palace" and 3 appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show".

5. They performed sold out concerts in the top venues across the country - from the Hollywood Bowl to Carnegie Hall.

6. They organized and were the headliners of the first outdoor rock festival in history - The Monterey Pop Festival in June, 1967.

7. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1998) and the Vocal Hall of Fame (2001)

8. "California Dreamin'" is listed at Number 48 on the Billboard 100 Greatest Hits of Rock and Roll.

9. According to Michelle Phillips, a movie on the life of the group is currently in pre-production and is slated for the big screen in the upcoming future.

10. Any true fan of the group can easily name 10 songs that weren't considered "hits" but easily could have been, such as: "Go Where You Wanna Go", "Straight Shooter", "I Call Your Name", "Trip, Stumble and Fall", "My Heart Stood Still", "Dancing in the Street", "I Can't Wait", "Sing For Your Supper", "Free Advice" and "Did You Ever Want to Cry".

Not bad for being just a "blip on the radar screen of rock and roll" don't you think? In the final analysis, any true fan of rock and roll will admit that the Mamas and the Papas were perhaps the greatest vocal group of all time and, even though their time together was brief, they achieved a permanent place in the history of rock music and in the hearts of every true lover of great music.

I wish all box set collections put out by other musicians and bands were as good as this one! This has my award for one of the most thought out collections ever released!! Fantastic song collection (All of the Mamas And Papas studio album releases are here, along with very rare bonus tracks, single releases, live performances from television and the Monterey Pop Festival, and then to top everything off...Solo recordings by each of the groups members after the band split up. My favorite being the incredible, late Cass Elliot. Miss you Cassie!) The packaging is probably the best I have ever seen! Strong cover and back, Perfect use of A cover photo and readable listings on the back cover (Very easy to look at and read!) Inside, it's very sturdy as well! Cd's hold great, and the incredible book is something every fan of this group should see and read! The set is also slim-lined. Meaning, that it's not bulky like some box sets I have. The sound is mastered perfectly!! Crisp, loud, and no noise. Overall, A hands down winner of one of the greatest collections ever made. This is A MUST HAVE for any fan of the Mamas And Papas!! And that goes for the casual fan as well! The band offered much more than "California Dreamin'", "Monday, Monday", or "I Saw Her Again". It's A real mystery why some of there lesser known tracks never made it into the charts, because some of them are just great! Do yourself A favor and pick up this perfect collection of songs and rare gems before it's long gone. They don't make them like this very often! A+

Mamas & Papas Complete Anthology wins, without any doubt, Box Set of the New Millenium's First Decade, hands down-high five-thumbs up-"10" Stars-you name the highest award. It's been a long time-a-comin'! This VOCAL group remains one of Pop Music's most mysteriously alluring ensembles in modern music history. Music fans seem to never get enough Mamas & Papas product, regardless of the ongoing endless reissues which have appeared since the group's two and half year heyday and ill fated demise. Of all the male-female ensemble groups to ever explode onto the radio/best selling charts - this group easily wins first place as the most impeccably perfect VOCAL musical creators of all time. All good things come to an end, but, some remain forever!...More on this super collection later, as this music lover listens, absorbs, and savors this indefinable collection...stay tuned...