Search - Classics IV :: Classics IV - Greatest Hits (10 Best Series)

Which One Should You Buy?

David Wayne | Santee, CA United States | 05/15/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"There's not really that much I can add to my review of "Very Best Of The Classics IV," that will expand your knowledge of the group. But this disc of Greatest Hits differs slightly from that one, leaving this question: Which one should you buy? Both discs contain 10 songs, so both are woefully inadequate, as being representative of the group. The six songs in common ("Spooky" "Soul Train" "Traces" "Everyday With You Girl" "Stormy" "Change Of Heart") are definitely the group's best hits. This collection was compiled long after Classics IV broke up, and has their hits from 1969-70 ("Midnight" "The Funniest Thing" "Where Did All The Good Times Go") and a title cut from one of their albums ("Mama's And Papa's"). I personally favor the other tracks on Very Best ("Sunny" "Mary, Mary Row Your Boat" "24 Hours Of Loneliness" "Something I'll Remember"). Totally missing from both sets are "Waves" and "Strange Changes," as well as the group's last big hit, "What Am I Crying For," which was recorded after changing labels from Imperial/Liberty to the MGM/South brand. Price is also a consideration. Greatest Hits is 5 bucks cheaper than Very Best. So, which one should you buy? I bought Very Best first, and I recommend you do the same. Sometimes album cuts are better than songs that get released, and I feel with Classics IV, that was the case. But if you can afford it, buy both. You'd then have all 14 songs that are currently available by this under-rated group."

One track... but what a track!

nicjaytee | London | 02/06/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Although a couple of its members went on to much better things with the Atlanta Rhythm Section, most of Classics IV's late 60's music falls squarely into the "not really worth the effort" drawer. But... in amongst their catalogue of distinctly MOR white soul there is one quite brilliant track: "Spooky". Featuring a ridiculously catchy organ riff, beautifully atmospheric vocals, a wonderfully gutsy sax break and a chugging bass line that sounds as though it was recorded in the studio's broom cupboard it was, and still is, instantly unforgettable. Straight to No 1 in the USA and lost without trace in the UK it was voted by Brian Wilson no less as the best single ever made in UK's "Mojo" magazine several years ago (modesty itself as he actually holds the title with "Good Vibrations") and fully justifies the cost of this album on its own. Alternatively, hunt it down on one of several 60's compilations. Either way, you won't regret it!"

Classics IV

jmstrawn | USQ | 06/17/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 'Best Of...' cd is alot better than the other one offered. Better song selection plus a longer running time help give it 5 stars. We still need to see an Anthology of all the Classic IV's hits. There's so many that you just don't hear on the radio anymore and it's a shame."