Search - Various Artists :: Billboard Top Hits: 1962-66

Awesome '60s rock

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 02/18/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Billboard Top Rock & Roll Hits: 1962-1966 is a five CD box set that has some of the best rock tunes released between 1962 and 1966. This is a must-have box set for fans of `60s rock.



The first CD has hits from 1962. Booker T. & The MG's begin with "Green Onions." The electric guitars rock and the percussion is awesome. Gene Chandler turns in a rock song with a dash of doo wop on "Duke Of Earl;" this romantic number features Gene singing perfectly and the backup harmonizing is flawless. I really like the musical arrangement, too.



Joey Dee & The Starliters do their electric "Peppermint Twist;" this tune still sounds fresh today! Little Eva's energetic "The Loco-motion" shows her heart and soul, too. Neil Sedaka does a great rendition of "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" that reflects a certain innocence because of the beautiful arrangement; and the CD ends with Freddy Cannon doing a rockin' ballad, "Palisades Park."



The second CD has tunes from 1963. Jimmy Gilmer & The Fireballs start with what sounds like a bubblegum pop hit entitled "Sugar Shack." Jimmy's excellent diction bolsters his performance. Jan & Dean weigh in with "Surf City;" the awesome beat and the background harmonizing shine! The Chiffons sing their hearts out on "He's So Fine." The Chiffons sing sweetly of the men they love.



Nino Tempo & April Stevens perform my favorite song on the second CD, "Deep Purple." "Deep Purple" has brilliant major and minor modulations and I love that percussion on "Deep Purple." The Beach Boys end the album with "Surfin' U.S.A." They harmonize and sing this flawlessly. The arrangement uses the guitars, drums and percussion very well.



The third CD gives us terrific numbers from 1964. The Drifters do "Under The Boardwalk;" and the arrangement uses the percussion to great advantage. The Beach Boys weigh in with "I Get Around;" their sound is incredible and this excellent ballad celebrates the freedom young men enjoy as they have fun and meet women.



Jan & Dean give us their "Little Old Lady (From Pasadena);" this great Beach Boys sounding tune works and Jan & Dean do this right! The background vocalists harmonize well. For a noticeable change of pace, there's The Dixie Cups singing "Chapel Of Love." The Dixie Cups sing this beautifully as they dream of marrying their special men. The Dixie Cups are an excellent example of a `60s girl group.



The Zombies have a strong one with "She's Not There;" and The Shangri-Las end the album with a hit from 1964, "Leader Of The Pack."



The fourth CD, with its 1965 hits, has Shirley Ellis doing her bouncy tune "The Name Game." When Shirley sings you truly believe she loves this playful song. The electric guitars and drums sound very good. The Toys do "A Lover's Concerto" to perfection; this beautiful ballad is a favorite of mine. The piano, brass and percussion sound awesome and they sing and harmonize like pros! Gary Lewis & The Playboys also do "This Diamond Ring;" they never miss a beat!



"Help Me Rhonda" by The Beach Boys has that awesome, unmistakable Beach Boys sound; I love the lyrics and The Beach Boys perform this flawlessly.



"1-2-3" by Len Barry is a great early rock song; this tune uses brass, drums, percussion, piano and more! Len Barry's voice is clear and strong. Sonny & Cher do one of their greatest with "I Got You Babe." The percussion enhances the arrangement; and Sonny & Cher sing passionately.



The fifth CD has hits from 1966. The Monkees begin with "I'm A Believer." This sounds like pop but it rocks rather well. The Lovin' Spoonful continues with "Summer In The City;" this gritty rock tune still sounds good today. I like the musical arrangement with the drums and percussion.



Tommy James And The Shondells sing "Hanky Panky." Tommy James And The Shondells perform with energy and the modulations between major and minor keys sound great on "Hanky Panky." Percy Sledge also sings "When A Man Loves A Woman;" Percy sings with great sensitivity. The arrangement uses the drums, guitars and percussion really well. The Mamas & The Papas also do their hit "Monday, Monday." "Monday, Monday" features their incredible ability to sing, harmonize and make great music effortlessly.



The Beach Boys perform their timeless number called "Good Vibrations." I especially like the middle of the song but it all works very well and "Good Vibrations" is one of the best rock songs ever written. Mitch Rider & The Detroit Wheelers also have a hit with their electric delivery of "Devil With A Blue Dress On & Good Golly Miss Molly."



Overall, this incredible five CD box set has great hits from 1962 all the way through 1966. I highly recommend it to people who love `60s rock.

"

These Songs Are Blazing!

Vinny | 10/02/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The 60's is the best decade of the 20th century"

It's okay

Donna Di Giacomo | Philadelphia, PA | 07/08/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I'm really disappointed with Billboard's music collections. You'd think that one of the most respected music publications out there would put together compilations better than the ones they're offering.



I wasn't born until the mid-70's but I deeply appreciate the music of the 60's, which defined culture then and still does to this day. I recognize the vast majority of the hits in their collections but some selections just scream, "Filler!"



If you want good compliations, Entertainment Weekly offers excellent ones. There are more songs and they include hits that were lower on the charts but that people, nonetheless, still love.



BTW: On the back of the disc to the 1964 collection there is a note saying that because of licensing restrictions, The Beatles songs were not included. Otherwise, that year would have been entirely them (or at least a good 7 of the 10 songs)."