Search - Association :: Just Right Sound: Anthology

STILL Not Their Entire Catalog, But It's A Wonderful Start

Alan Caylow | USA | 02/22/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a huge, HUGE fan of the Association, and I've already reviewed a few of the Association's other CD's, currently available only as Japanese imports. When closing my review of the band's "Waterbeds In Trinidad" CD, I said that it would be really, really great if some sort of box set or 2-CD anthology retrospective were put out, as I've always been disappointed that most Association fans could only buy the band's "Greatest Hits" CD at their local music stores. Facts are facts: The Association are a fabulous band, having created some of the greatest, most beautiful pop/rock music ever recorded, and yet, most fans only had total access to a mere 13 songs in the band's very impressive catalog of recorded work (seven studio albums worth, in fact, not to mention the "Goodbye Columbus" movie soundtrack, and a double live album). So, it's with great pleasure that I say a hearty THANK YOU to the folks at Warner Bros. & Rhino for this brand-new, 51-song Association anthology set, "Just The Right Sound." Spanning two discs, this set comprises not only the "Greatest Hits" material in it's entirety, with the usual suspects like "Windy," "Cherish," and "Never My Love," but various other amazing tracks from the band's studio albums, as well as rare singles, occasional solo material, and previously unreleased songs, t'boot. Overall, this is a very excellent collection that answers the prayers of many Association fans, myself included.First, the good news--along with all of the hits, "Just The Right Sound" happily contains many songs that I, personally, would've included had *I* had a hand in compiling this set. Disc 1 features their masterful cover of Bob Dylan's "One Too Many Mornings," and other excellent gems like "Standing Still," "Remember," "Pandora's Golden Heebie Jeebies," "Looking Glass," "On A Quiet Night," and "Happiness Is." Right on! Disc 2 features brilliant Association tunes like "Come On In," "Barefoot Gentleman," the breezy theme song to the film "Goodbye Columbus," FIVE songs from the band's self-titled 1969 masterpiece LP, including "Under Branches," "Yes I Will," and "Goodbye Forever," the lovely "Along The Way," and the fine Lovin' Spoonful remake, "Darling Be Home Soon." ALL fantastic songs, ALL greatly appreciated in their inclusion here. (Also, the tracks *sound* great, too, having been digitally remastered.)But there is a disappointment. Naturally, with any anthology set devoted to any one recording act, for every great song included, there's a great song left out. In the case of this Association retrospective, many of the band's greatest tunes are still not represented. My list is too long to mention entirely, but some of the tunes on my Association wish list include "Message Of Our Love," "Angeline," "Wasn't It A Bit like Now," "Rose Petals, Incense & A Kitten," "Toymaker," "So Kind To Me," "Love Affair," "Dubuque Blues," "Funny Kind Of Song," "It's Gotta Be Real," "Midnight Wind," & "Kicking The Gong Around." For these classic Association songs, you can only get them on Japanese import. But DO seek them out, 'cause the CD's these missing songs are contained on are all quite wonderful. Seriously, I don't think these guys *ever* recorded a bad song during their late 60's-early 70's heyday (although their "comeback" material from 1981, as sampled from this set, is certainly listenable, but doesn't quite have that good ol' Association magic of yor).In the meantime, "Just The Right Sound" will do very nicely, indeed. It's not a perfect collection, but all things considered, this is an excellent representation of why this Los Angeles-based group were--and are--so great. If you've been hungry for years for more Association material on CD, now, at last, you've got it. But DO check out those Association CD imports! They're worth every penny, just like this greatly-appreciated anthology set. :-)"

This Rhino Reissue Is Amazing!

Steve Vrana | Aurora, NE | 02/21/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It took more than 30 years, but reissue giant Rhino Records has finally satisfied the demands of millions of fans of The Association by updating 1968's Greatest Hits compilation by expanding that album's meager 13 tracks to a whopping 51 tracks over two CDs. [Note: The single version of "No Fair At All" IS on disc-1 despite its omission in the track listing.] Just the Right Sound boasts every single ever issued beginning with 1965's "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" on the Jubilee label through 1981's reunion single "Dreamer." In addition, a heavy dose of album tracks are included from each of their five albums from the Sixties as well as a handful of tracks from their last two albums: 1971's Stop Your Motor and 1972's Waterbeds in Trinidad. There's also a couple of solo tracks ("It'll Take a Little Time," "Pegasus")and two previously unreleased tracks ("The Machine," "Better Times"). Just to give you an idea of how hard it's been to find anything by the Association, 33 of these tracks are on CD for the first time! Among some of the gems seeing the light of day for the first time since their original release are a cover of the obscure Bob Dylan song "One Too Many Mornings" from 1965, and a tribute to songwriter P.F. Sloan from 1972.For fans who only remember this Southern California band for their lush harmonies on No. 1 hits like "Cherish" and "Windy," this compilation will amaze and astound the listener with the breadth of their sound on mostly original material. If you are a fan of Sixties music, you MUST add this CD to your collection. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"

Cherish this CD!

R. Barnes | Ft. Lauderdale, Florida | 06/16/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tired of spending over 40 bucks for a Japanese CD? From one of the best groups of the 1960's, who were unique and actually made great albums in the 60's. Now if they would only release their album catalog in the U.S.A truly versatile group, producing such classics as "Along Comes Mary", (contraversial song-parents thought it was about marijuana), to "Under Branches". To those who HAVEN'T heard of them, this double CD is the best way to learn about early Power Pop. Producing many hits, they were a mainstay on AM radio from about 1966 to 1970, with classics such as "Cherish", "Windy", "Never My Love", and "Everything That Touches You". ("Never My Love" is the album version..listen to the end fade-out).Even more importantly, this set covers the hard to get B sides and obscure titles, "Requirem For The Masses", "Under Branches", "Goodbye Columbus" and many others illustrate that their albums were not just 10 songs , 2 singles and the rest garbage. Even the album "Birthday" is well represented. With legendary producer "Bones" Howe, this is a set that MUST be in any collectors stash. You cannot have a representitive sample of the 60's without it.So until the individual albums come forth in the U.S., buy this CD set. Its reasonably priced, and contains songs from their entire catalog. I can finally put my "Dreamer" and "Along Comes The Association" albums away. A+ Recommendation."