Frankie Valli & Four Seasons - Very Best of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
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Free Music Notes for Very Best of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
Free Music Review: Who Knew They Had Soul
Hit: 5 Stars
I had heard the name Frankie Valli and of the group the Four Seasons but I never knew what songs Frankie Valli or the Four Seasons had done. Nor did I know that Frankie Valli was even in the group the Four Seasons! I thought the Four Seasons was just another one of those corny, one-hit wonder, old timey groups of the 50s and 60s that just, quite frankly, didn't have any soul. So for me to like anything remotely Frankie Valli or the Four Seasons is rather uncanny. But PBS had a special on music of the 70's in particular Disco music, and since there was nothing edifying on TV, I decided to watch and get a couple of laughs. Not long after watching, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons were introduced, and I'm thinking what are Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons doing on this show-this is a show about disco music--not 50's and 60's oldies music--even though the guys that were performing with Frankie Valli as the "Four Seasons" looked to have been more around my age--singing about 1963 and looking to have been born in 1973 or later. And so, because I didn't know any better, I thought, oh, someone in 70's must have remade one of their old songs from the 50's or 60's into a disco hit and they simply came to perform it, not knowing that they indeed had some disco hits in the 70's. So I watched this cute little old guy come on stage, and he was dancing--well moving--and able to keep up with those young guys, and he actually had SOME soul, so much so, that, well, I was converted. Suffice to say, I fell in love with Frankie Valli, and it propelled me to learn more about the songs the group did, including Frankie Valli's solo projects, and the group's history. As I listen to these old songs I am finding that not only did Frankie Valli have a soulful voice, but the songs actually HAD rhythm! And what can I say--now I'm hooked.
It's unfortunate that my generation (gen-xers) don't really know or aren't familiar with these artists of the past. Sure we sample their music, and remake their songs, but we don't give them any props. Many have had such a profound influence on popular music, and yet they remain relatively forgotten. VH1 used to have shows like Behind the Music and Legends--which was short-lived--that showcased groups and artists of the 50's, 60's and 70's but lately I don't see shows like Legends anymore, which again, is unfortunate.
It's ironic that one editor called their disco stint as misguided--for had it not been for those disco songs I would have never had that chance encounter with Frankie Valli and never would have known that this group was responsible for so many of the classics that have been remade or heard in movies or even in television advertisements.
This is a great CD. And it has the essentials--so whether you've been a Frankie Valli and Four Seasons fan for years or you're a neophyte like me, newly discovering and appreciating this group--you won't be disappointed. And while I still loathe most goldies oldies (or whatever it's called). I make an exception for the Four Seasons. Who knew they had soul!
Free Music Review: very good single CD retrospective
Hit: 5 Stars
The Very Best of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons gives us a good sized collection of hits by Frankie Valli both with The Four Seasons and on his own. I really like that about this CD--you get four tracks by Frankie Valli as a soloist and that's grand.
"Sherry" opens the CD with an early rocking tune that has a doo wop twist to it; this was very popular when it was first released and even all these years later it's not hard to understand why. They sing this to perfection and the beat is excellent. What a great song about a young love! "Big Girls Don't Cry" is a very good number that rocks well and you can easily hear Frankie's voice just above the others. They all sing very well, of course--make no mistake about it. I also really like "Walk Like A Man" about a youthful man who must be strong after his girlfriend dumps him. They harmonize so well, too!
"Dawn (Go Away)" has a great beat and they sing this with panache; the musical arrangement makes great use of the guitars and the percussion. "Bye, Bye, Baby (Baby Goodbye)" is another song about a young love that cannot be because they don't want to cheat on their current girlfriends; and "Opus 17" is a masterpiece with a heavenly melody that impresses me every time I hear it.
Of course, there are those tracks from Frankie Valli as a soloist. Of these I really like "My Eyes Adored You" performed by a more mature Frankie Valli; his tenor voice is excellent and the melody is hauntingly beautiful. "Swearin' To God" is another tune that proves irresistible when Frankie sings it. I love it! Last but certainly not least we also get Frankie singing the theme song to the movie Grease. What a great arrangement!
Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons live on through their great music; and the sound quality on this album doesn't disappoint me. I highly recommend this CD for fans of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.
Free Music Review: Early 60's East Coast Rock At it's Best.
Hit: 5 Stars
The youth of America had a musical divide in the early sixties. While the west coast soft beach harmonies of the Beach Boys were in full swing, the youth of the east coast was stomping to the harder edged harmonies of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Frankie along with Bob Guadio, Tommy Devito and the late Nick Massi, hailed from Newark New Jersey and went on to become one of the most important vocal groups in history. Between 1962 to 1966, the Seasons charted 23 times, making them the most popular group in that states history[sorry Springsteen fans]. Their influence can be heard every time you hear a 1970's Bee Gees tune or Billy Joel singing "Uptown girl". Frankie Valli's trademark falsetto voice is as unmistakable as Dylan's whine or Joe Cocker's growl. This collection is a must for anyone who does not own a Four Seasons cd. It contains 16 of the their highest charting hits from 62-68, like "Lets Hang On", "Sherry", "Big Girls Don't Cry", "C'mon Marianne", "Opus 17" and 'Rag Doll" to name a few. Also 1970's Seasons hits like "December 1963 Oh What A Night" and "Who Loves You" are here as well. Making this set essential is the inclusion of all of Frankie Valli's top solo hits, like "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You", "My Eyes Adored You", "Swearin To God" and "Grease", making this the only single disc available to include all of his solo hits. This is as perfect as a single hits disc can get and I highly recommend this to anyone young or old, who would like to relive their past or experience a ledendary vocal group for the first time, that was second to none during their hey-day. For a more detailed overview of their career "In Season" the two disc Anthology is recommended. This review is dedicated to the late Nick Massi, whose bass playing and vocal arrangements will always be in season.Free Music Review: A Sherry starter, topped with Grease
Hit: 5 Stars
Among 60s supergroups, The Four Seasons were something of an anomaly, their sound being very much of the 50s, clearly influenced by The Four Freshmen. In fact, Valli had been singing for a decade by the time of their first hit, in 1962, and he and his backing lineup had already gone though a number of name changes. There had also been changes of personnel and it was the arrival of Bob Gaudio in that year that changed everything. He penned Sherry, their breakthrough hit, and was writer or co-writer of most of the subsequent hits. In that youth-obsessed age, promoters were nervous of the fact that Valli was 28 (married with two kids, to boot) and the other Seasons were in their mid-thirties. So they lopped a few years off. The insert notes in this CD repeat the official line that Valli was born in 1937. It was actually 1934. In those days, it mattered. Watch a Stones concert today and marvel at how things have changed.
In the late 60s and into the 70s, their style changed, taking on R&B and disco elements, and Valli dropping his trademark falsetto. This is the best period, with 1975's Oh, What a Night as their classic.
The Anthology double CD has more tracks and is great value, but this album of remastered tracks of their biggest hits sounds better and will suit most listeners. Its span is just right, starting with Sherry and ending with Grease, and it includes 4 of Valli's solo efforts.
In giving this album 5 stars I'm not saying I think it's musically excellent - there are too many notes not quite hit and too many lyrics that are a bit too cutesy for that - but I am saying it's a solid, good value, 'Best of' collection of a definitive 60s and 70s group.
Free Music Review: A Few Omissions But An Excellent Collection
Hit: 5 Stars
From September of 1962 to February of 1964, no group was bigger than Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. With their fine harmonies and good looks, they were certainly the American equivelant of The Beatles, and even after The Beatles overpowered them, they still managed to crank out hit after hit, even scoring two huge smashes in the mid 1970s'.
"The Very Best Of Frankie Valli And The Four Seasons" collects 20 of the groups biggest hits, including "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Sherry", "Rag Doll", "Dawn (Go Away)", "Let's Hang On" and "December 1963 (Oh What A Night)". All of these songs have been remstered the finest possible sound that can be achieved in today's modern world. Just listen to how fresh and vibrant Frankie Valli's world - renowned falsetto sounds. I mean, you can't believe some of this stuff is 40 years old.
There are a few songs that I wish were included that would elevate this from an ordinary 5 - star album to perfection. For starters, they left one top 10 hit, 1967's "Tell It To The Rain", which at one point was my all time favorite Four Seasons song (currently it's "Opus 17 (Don't You Worry 'Bout Me)). Also, there are a few covers of other people's songs ("Stay", "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow", Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice" (recorded under the name the Wonder Who)) that I would have loved to be kept. And last but not least, the 1967 top 20 hit "Beggin'" could've been included.
Other than thse minor omissions, this is an excellent cd. The booklet features a great essay by Pat Sierchio as well as numerous photos and information on each track (writers, release dates, albums, chart positions). Truly a great collection.