Search - Johnny Rivers :: Rewind/Realization

Terrific Vintage 60s Work By The Incredible Johnny Rivers!

Barron Laycock | Temple, New Hampshire United States | 04/05/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"No one has ever created better covers of other artist's songs more consistently than sixties superstar Johnny Rivers, and here in this double re-release of two of his best 1960s work, "Rewind/Realization" are found some of the finest cover efforts he has ever made. From "Baby, I Need Your Loving" to "The Tracks Of My Tears", from "Positively Fourth Street" to "A Whiter Shade Of Pale", Johnny turns in a truly stellar performance here. Several of my favorites, though, are works written by other artists but originally recorded and released by Rivers, such as the smash hit "Summer Rain", "Something Strange", and "Look To Your Soul", all written by James Hendricks (not Jimi Hendrix). All of these wonderful songs carry the signature Johnny Rivers vocal style and are also beautifully arranged and accompanied. Also excellent are "What's the Difference?", a sixties counter-cultural anthem by Scott MacKenzie (of "San Francisco" fame) and a pair of relatively rare Johnny Rivers compositions, "The Way We Live", and "Going Back To Big Sur". I also like the treatment Rivers uses to cover "For Emily , Wherever I May Find Her", and for "It'll Never Happen Again". Few other sixties artists were as bold or as forthright about delivering stirring and accomplished covers of other artists work, and Rivers has long been under-appreciated as a master for delivering blue-eyed soul with conviction and believability. He is also a consummate professional, and I am glad to see this new compilation which makes the material on these two great albums available again. Enjoy!"

Great Double Album!

tac0210 | Essex Fells, NJ United States | 05/19/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this double album for "Realization". I have the LP, but have been unable to play it the past 30 yrs because I don't have
a record player...remember them? I saw it was available on CD, and I jumped on it! a great album by a terific artist. Johnny Rivers never got the credit due him as an artist, in the same vein as Rick Nelson. Both made great contributions to Rock and Roll, and it was good to hear this album again after 30 years. I can't stop playing it in my car. I see "Realization" is available in a single album now, you don't have to purchase "Rewind" with it. Realization is a must album for all collections, if there was your era of music, or even today. Rewind is a good album, also. Thanks Johnny, for the memories! TC"

One of Johnny Rivers' Best Albums Ever!

tac0210 | 12/08/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I was stationed in Viet Nam, I practically wore out my Realization album ... listening to it helped to temporarily block the sights and sounds of the war. This is a great CD with some rare tracks that had not be reissued until now."