Mr. Jones (Ballad of a Thin Man) - The Grass Roots, Dylan, Bob
You're a Lonely Girl - The Grass Roots, Barri, Steve
Where Were You When I Needed You - The Grass Roots, Grass Roots
Only When You're Lonely - The Grass Roots, Barri, Steve
This Is What I Was Made For - The Grass Roots, Barri, Steve
Lollipop Train (You Never Had It So Good) - The Grass Roots, Barri, Steve
Tip of My Tongue - The Grass Roots, Barri, Steve
Let's Live for Today - The Grass Roots, Julien, Michael
Things I Should Have Said - The Grass Roots, Grass Roots
Out of Touch - The Grass Roots, Barri, Steve
Is It Any Wonder [*] - The Grass Roots, Barri, Steve
Wake Up, Wake Up - The Grass Roots, Barri, Steve
Melody for You - The Grass Roots, Sloan, P.F.
Feelings - The Grass Roots, Coonce, Rick
Here's Where You Belong - The Grass Roots, Barri
Midnight Confessions - The Grass Roots, Grass Roots
Bella Linda - The Grass Roots, Barri, Steve
Lady Pleasure [*] - The Grass Roots,
Track Listings (18) - Disc #2
Lovin' Things - The Grass Roots, Loring, Jet
The River Is Wide - The Grass Roots, Admire, Billy
City Women [*] - The Grass Roots, Sloan, P.F.
I Can't Help But Wonder, Elisabeth [*] - The Grass Roots, Sloan, P.F.
I'd Wait a Million Years - The Grass Roots, Bottler, Mitchell
Heaven Knows - The Grass Roots, Price, Harvey
Out of This World [*] - The Grass Roots, Lambert, D.
Walking Through the Country [*] - The Grass Roots, Provisor, Dennis
Baby Hold On - The Grass Roots, Price, Harvey
Come on and Say It - The Grass Roots, Entner, Warren
Temptation Eyes - The Grass Roots, Price, Harvey
Sooner or Later - The Grass Roots, Bottler, Mitchell
Two Divided by Love - The Grass Roots, Lambert, Dennis
Glory Bound - The Grass Roots, Barri, Steve
The Runway - The Grass Roots, Lambert, Dennis
Any Way the Wind Blows - The Grass Roots,
Love Is What You Make It - The Grass Roots,
Mamacita - The Grass Roots, Mann, Barry
The Grass Roots shared similarities with fellow West Coast studio concoctions the Monkees and Three Dog Night--including a run of pop-savvy chart hits. Initially the studio conceit of writing/producing team P.F. Sloan and... more » Steve Barri, a duo who'd also scored hits by cloning everything from surf (the Fantastic Baggys) to folk-rock (Barry McGuire's "Eve of Destruction"), the Roots' evolution had strange origins, encompassing two hired, then renamed, bands. But it was the second (the former 13th Floor) that prospered, mirroring their mentors' rapidly diverging tastes, from Sloan's folkie-lite ("Where Were You When I Needed You," the reworked Italian pop hit "Let's Live for Today") to Barri's hook-heavy, Motown-inspired pop ("Midnight Confessions," "Sooner or Later," "Temptation Eyes"). This double-disc overview includes all their major hits and a well-chosen sampling of album cuts, most fueled by the familiar polished urgency of vocalist Rob Grill. Ironically, while Barri's career would gravitate toward bubblegum (including more hit-mongering with Tommy Roe and Bo Donaldson & the Heywoods), the Grass Roots' own hits would go on to influence a generation of new wavers taken by their well-honed craftsmanship and economy of purpose. --Jerry McCulley« less
The Grass Roots shared similarities with fellow West Coast studio concoctions the Monkees and Three Dog Night--including a run of pop-savvy chart hits. Initially the studio conceit of writing/producing team P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri, a duo who'd also scored hits by cloning everything from surf (the Fantastic Baggys) to folk-rock (Barry McGuire's "Eve of Destruction"), the Roots' evolution had strange origins, encompassing two hired, then renamed, bands. But it was the second (the former 13th Floor) that prospered, mirroring their mentors' rapidly diverging tastes, from Sloan's folkie-lite ("Where Were You When I Needed You," the reworked Italian pop hit "Let's Live for Today") to Barri's hook-heavy, Motown-inspired pop ("Midnight Confessions," "Sooner or Later," "Temptation Eyes"). This double-disc overview includes all their major hits and a well-chosen sampling of album cuts, most fueled by the familiar polished urgency of vocalist Rob Grill. Ironically, while Barri's career would gravitate toward bubblegum (including more hit-mongering with Tommy Roe and Bo Donaldson & the Heywoods), the Grass Roots' own hits would go on to influence a generation of new wavers taken by their well-honed craftsmanship and economy of purpose. --Jerry McCulley
CD Reviews
Probably the finest Anthology CD out there
08/02/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Grass Roots are one of the finest and most prolific pop recording acts of the late 60s and early 70s. Despite this, most know little of the band's extensive body of work beyond, perhaps, a few top ten hit singles which they frequently hear on oldies radio stations. This lack of exposure is difficult to comprehend and has done the band a great disservice. What this double CD does is offer 36 of their finest recordings, including not only all 21 of their Billboard Hot 100 hits...but also some fabulous album tracks, more obscure singles and B-sides. Although one of their best ("I Can Turn Off the Rain") is not included (this is on their 16 Greatest Hits album), these selections still capture the essence of the band, which evolved and grew out of several structural and personnel changes throughout its life. The listener can hear the band's gradual evolution from its "grassroots" rebellious folk-rock of the mid and late 60s with tunes like "Where Were You When I Needed You", "Lollipop Train" and "Let's Live For Today" to its late 60s/early 70s exciting, brassy adult-styled pop-rock beginning with "Midnight Confessions", and culminating with such powerful gems as "Lovin' Things", "I'd Wait A Million Years", "Baby Hold On" and the "Runway". The Grass Roots' tremendous versatility is further demonstrated with the lovely slow ballad "I Can't Help But Wonder, Elisabeth". Fine song writing coupled with great vocals and group harmonizing helped to create the powerful, climactic sound that is all their own. The Grassroots (as their name was originally spelled) obviously had some influence on other popular high-quality artists (like Chicago). Although much of their material was written by others, they made it their own in how they arranged, played and sang it. The music remains timeless...still as fresh and exciting as when it was new. You certainly get your money's worth with this CD collection as there isn't a song on it that isn't great! Having not heard all of the Grass Roots' music, one gets the strong impression that they are one of those very rare bands that never recorded a bad song. They continue to be my second all-time favorite pop group, behind only The Beatles! My only wish is that all of the Grass Roots' original LP releases would be reissued. This double CD is a "must-have" collection for both young listeners learning about the music from this era, and for those wanting to recapture the exciting and powerful dynamic sounds of the Grass Roots."
I NEVER KNEW WHAT I WAS MISSING!
cindy harvey | 04/10/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This set is very comprehensive, very enjoyable and very good.I never knew that The Grass Roots were so prolific! Every time there was a new song, I said "Hey! I know that song!", with a great big smile on my face.The titles are foolers. Most people are familiar with "TempTation Eyes" and "Sooner Or Later"- but songs like "The River Is Wide" and "Wait A Million years"- I didn't know I knew them intil I heard them again. Very hook-heavy! I sang myself hoarse singing along with this compilation!This stuff is great. A little bit folk, a little bit rock, a little bit pop.The anthology is worth the price just for the inclusion of "Mamacita"- one song I HADN'T heard vefore, but haven't stopped playing since.This is the most played compilation in my collection!"
Almost perfect!!!!
Rick Holly | Lafayette, NJ. USA | 09/06/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The GRASS ROOTS have always been one of my favoirite bands of the 60's. I have seen them live many times going back to the late 60's. I have all their vinyl albums and an almost complete set of singles.(Complete as far as I know). When their stuff came out on CD in the 80's I bought the DUNHILL Records CD's :Greatest Hits Volume one and Volume two. They were very good (At least I thought so at the time.)This set is much much better. Not only is it much more inclusive but the sound quality is far better. More open sounding, cleaner.
I looked in my BILLBOARD book of top 40 hits. The Grass Roots hit the top 40 fouteen times, and all the hits are here.I recommend this set to any Grass Roots fan or anyone who really wants to hear what 60's pop beyond the Beatles was all about."
A Superior Anthology
Robert Alan Bryan | Waldorf, Maryland USA | 06/06/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I don't think The Grass Roots get the credit or respect for being a very good pop band. They turned out hits and respectable album tracks for nearly a decade.
They survived the Beatles, The Summer of Love, Altamont, and The time of 'the TV-Bands' (Archies, Partridges, et.al.).
Yes, their time finally did fade but this pricey 2 CD Rhino set is worth the money. I still keep it around for long trips.
The wife enjoys it because she recalls their hits.
There are 2 booklets with this set; one covering early Roots history and the second telling later Roots history in the nicest way possible. [Each booklet has the same cover. Don't think one is an extra. The 2nd booklet is a keeper for the track listings.]
The Grass Roots had 3 lead guitarists and a few keyboard players in their time. Rob Grill is the lone constant.
In The 2nd Booklet there is an informative track listing/history of each song.
The set is chronological. Disc 1 is 1965-1968. Disc 2 is 1969-1975.
The music speaks for itself. All the hits are here and if you don't recognize a song title don't worry---you will recall that song eventually.
Go back to 1968 or 1972. Enjoy"
One of the 60's greatest bands
M. Presley | Chattanooga, TN United States | 06/11/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The grass roots are timeless. they had some of the neatest songs of the 60's era. Plus the fact that they were also seriously underated as musicians. Rob Grill and Warren Entner had super voices and made the music that still sounds fresh over 30 years later. A great buy."
Track Listings (18) - Disc #1