The Mamas & the Papas | ||
| Allmusic Biography : The leading California-based vocal group of the 60s, the Mamas & the Papas epitomized the ethos of the mid- to late-60s pop culture: live free, play free, and love free. Their music, built around radiant harmonies and a solid electric folk foundation, was gorgeous on its own terms, but a major part of its appeal lay in the easygoing southern California lifestyle it endorsed. The groups success was as extraordinary as it was brief, and onlookers may well wonder what went wrong with a performing group that seemed to have the world at its feet for all of two years. The irony behind the Mamas & the Papas story is that the same forces that made it possible for them to create extraordinary music together also made it impossible for them to stay together for more than a short time. The groups founder and de facto leader, John Phillips, born in 1935, was actually quite a bit older than most of the figures who emerged as rock stars during the middle and late 1960s. He was more of Elvis Presleys generation, the product of a chaotic home life with a difficult childhood and adolescence, and seemed to be headed for life as a low-level delinquent until he was scared straight, and then had been headed for the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD. In the background, however, was music, the guitar, and the sounds of Elvis Presley, the Platters, Teresa Brewer, and everyone else charting records in the mid-50s. He eventually entered music professionally, while his first marriage produced two children (one of them future actress MacKenzie Phillips). Phillips first music forays moved from pop to soft jazz and finally into folk music, through groups such as the Smoothies and the Journeymen. The latter group, a trio with Dick Weissman and Scott McKenzie, was one of the most promising small ensembles of the early-60s folk music boom, but it never connected with the public despite being signed to Capitol Records -- in fairness, the label already had the Kingston Trio, and Phillips group was perhaps just a little behind the curve of where public taste and radio programming were heading. Ultimately, Phillips first marriage ended, as did the Journeymen, but his attempts at musical success continued. Phillips formed the New Journeymen with future screenwriter Marshall Brickman and a young model and singer named Michelle Gilliam; they didnt succeed any better, but Phillips and Gilliam married and they also started to write songs. One that they composed jointly during this period was a catchy tune with some potential that expressed an idealized vision. Meanwhile, working in a different realm of the musical spectrum was a Baltimore-born singer named Cassandra Elliot, who had become a big fish in a small pond -- though Cass Elliot would have been the first to say that she was a pretty big fish in any pond -- as part of New Yorks off-Broadway theater scene, and had made some noise in touring productions of The Music Man. Shes moved into folk music in partnership with Tim Rose -- himself an ex-associate of the Smoothies. They worked as two-thirds of a trio called the Triumverate, whose third spot was subsequently filled by Nebraska-born folksinger James Hendricks. This group eventually became the Big 3 and hit it big at New Yorks Bitter End, and from there went on to a brief flurry of recording activity that yielded two LPs, a handful of singles, and a brace of television commercials. Eventually, the Big 3 evolved into the Mugwumps, whose ranks included Elliot, Hendricks, Zal Yanovsky, John Sebastian, and Denny Doherty, a veteran of the Colonials in the early 60s, who later rechristened themselves the Halifax Three -- Doherty and Elliot, who were pretty impressive on their own, made a dazzling pair of voices together. The Mugwumps seemed to be on the edge of a new sound, mixing electric instruments played with ever more emphasis on folk-based material -- this was concurrent with the West Coast activities of Roger McGuinn, Gene Clark, and David Crosby in the Byrds -- but could never quite put together a sound that sold, even to the record labels, much less the public. They were foundering when Phillips decided to reactivate his trio as the New Journeymen and, with Brickman gone, recruited Doherty to sing some shows down in Washington, D.C. All of the pieces were almost all together in the closing days of 1964. Meanwhile, Cass Elliot was paying her bills by singing jazz, in Washington, D.C., no less. The New Journeymen might have gone it alone, except that Doherty brought his fellow members to see her perform. The quartet fell into place despite some resistance from John Phillips over Elliots sheer size as well as her strong personality and (supposedly) her voice. Following a few ups and downs in personalities, a trip to the Caribbean (as immortalized later by the song "Creeque Alley"), an accident that suddenly had Elliot hitting what Phillips said were the right notes, and some acid use and drug experimentation along the way, they all headed west in search of success. The group headed to California late in 1965 and was turned down by ex-Kingston Trio manager Frank Werber, whose group the We Five -- with a vaguely similar sound to Phillips and company -- was scoring big with its version of Sylvia Frickers "You Were on My Mind." At the suggestion of Barry McGuire, late of the New Christy Minstrels and an old friend of Elliots, who was just coming off of his biggest hit, "Eve of Destruction" on Dunhill Records, the quartet auditioned for Lou Adler, the head of the label -- their audition consisted of "California Dreamin," "Monday, Monday," and many of the other songs that ended up comprising their debut album. Adler signed them on the spot and their debut single, "California Dreamin," was out by the start of 1966 and shooting up the charts, with their album If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears coming up behind it. That album was one of the finest examples of what later became known as "sunshine pop," and its still one of the best harmony vocal showcases in 1960s music. In addition to the two hit singles, "California Dreamin" and "Monday, Monday," listeners could luxuriate in the radiant splendors of "Go Where You Wanna Go," "Got a Feeling," and eight more unabashed gems, and they reciprocated by lofting it to the number one spot on the charts and keeping it among the top-selling albums in the country for months. Sadly, this would also mark the Mamas & the Papas high watermark as an album act; they would never again release any long-player quite as consistent in terms of quality and inventiveness. Even before it was recorded, the unity of the group and its sound, and the foursomes reasons for working as group (which had been cultivated for a year) were jeopardized by the overlapping romantic attractions between the members -- John and Michelle Phillips were married, but that didnt stop Doherty, whod already been the object of Elliots affections, from pairing off with Michelle Phillips and, in the process, engendering stress and distrust all around. Stresses also arose as Michelle Phillips became involved for a time with Gene Clark, the principal composer, co-founder, and lead singer with the Byrds -- worse yet, she ended up being accused of disloyalty to the group for her public displays of attraction to Clark and was finally, at one point, fired. There was an attempt to replace her with Jill Gibson during the recording of their self-titled second album during the summer of 1966, and to this day the actual personnel on various songs from that album remains a matter of conjecture. Ironically, even as their internal lineup was disrupted for a time -- Michelle Phillips was back in the ranks by the time of the albums release -- the groups studio sound was honed to a fine point. The first album had used a brace of top session people, including Glen Campbell and P.F. Sloan on guitars and Bud Shank on flute, but by the spring of 1966 it had solidified around guitarist Eric Hord and the established Los Angeles session players Larry Knechtel on keyboards, Joe Osborne on bass, and Hal Blaine on drums (usually referred to as "the Wrecking Crew"), all being coordinated by John Phillips, engineer Bones Howe, and label chief Lou Adler. Both the bands tracks and the quartets vocals were meticulously worked out separately and merged in the final mix, which could go as deep as 16 tracks, unheard of in pop recording in 1966. The mix of hands didnt conflict at all -- rather, on the Mamas & the Papas recordings, they resulted in the illusion of a self-contained group that was playing as well as singing. Their records held up unbelievably well, on the radio or heard at home, and they seemed to move from triumph to triumph, the first two singles giving way to "I Saw Her Again" and "Words of Love," then "Dedicated to the One I Love," "Creeque Alley," and "Look Through My Window," all of which turned up on their third album, Deliver, which was sort of an "in" joke in its title, coinciding with the birth of Cass Elliots daughter. Good as their second and third albums were, however, things were never quite the same for the group after that bout of disunity in the first half of 1966. Theyd arrived in Los Angeles in relative innocence, essentially four happy people who were happy just to be singing together, but the intermingling of affections tainted that; although resolving the initial problems had allowed them to keep working together, the motivation soon became a matter of protecting the success they were enjoying -- in essence, they were in it for the money, the prestige, and the stardom, as much as and perhaps more than the sheer joy of the singing and of seeing what they could accomplish. This was understandable as, for the first time, they were all making huge amounts of money from their music and were at the center of the musicians colony in L.A., as well as nearly as well-known nationally as the Beatles. Indeed, their appeal was remarkably similar to that of the Liverpool quartet, in that both groups involved four distinct and well-known personalities. John Phillips was the pop guru, the main if not exclusive songwriter and producer and architect of their sound, and had the kind of persona that younger female listeners looked to almost as a fatherly figure (with, admittedly, some incestuous overtones in that context) or, in the context of the times, a romantic professorial figure, a guru who evoked libidinal urges. Denny Doherty was the alluring male voice that made womens hearts flutter and looked the part of hippie/romantic, playing the same role in the Mamas & the Papas that Gene Clark played vocally and Michael Clark played visually in the original Byrds. Michelle Phillips was the raving beauty, capable of stopping air traffic with just the hint of a smile or a glimmer of libidinal interest in her eyes, who most girls over 13 wanted to be like and most guys over 16, in John Phillips own words, "wanted to do." And Cass Elliot was the hippie Earth Mother with a heart of gold and a glorious voice. Psychically and in terms of image, they were the ready-made core of a hippie commune on any turntable. The irony was that Phillips was a member of Elvis Presleys generation and had been in music longer than many of the groups younger listeners had been alive -- ten years earlier, he couldve been an aspiring member of the Four Freshmen. Hed reinvented himself with a few changes in visual style and his songwriting, and enjoyed his moment in the sun a decade later than his contemporaries such as Presley, Dion, Bobby Darin, et al. And for all of the idealism of their songs, there was a lot of hedonism present -- Phillips and Doherty (whose voice and looks drew women like moths to a flame) enjoyed access to every fleshly pleasure there was to be had in late-60s California; Michelle Phillips was no slouch in that pursuit herself, as well as being one of those fleshly pleasures herself, while Cass Elliot loved the role of Earth Mother and hippie Queen of Hearts, surrounded by admirers. She may have played as powerful an indirect role on American music as John Phillips, helping facilitate the birth of Crosby, Stills & Nash by bringing that trio together under one roof -- it was a long way from The Music Man or The Boy Friend, stock and touring performances, or her fathers delicatessen. In the late spring of 1967, John Phillips influence on popular culture reached its zenith when he and Lou Adler, with Michelle Phillips, Al Kooper, and a lot of others assisting, organized the Monterey International Pop Festival. The first and most renowned (musically) of all the rock festivals of the 1960s, the event launched the careers of dozens of mostly San Francisco-based acts nationally and beyond, including those of Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, the Electric Flag, and Phillips old friend and Journeymen bandmate Scott McKenzie. In honor of the festival, Phillips had written a song called "San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair)," which he gave to McKenzie to record as his solo debut on Adlers new Ode Records label; precisely why he didnt give it to his own group, except perhaps for the fact that they werent recording or even working at the time, has never been clear, but McKenzie enjoyed a Top Five hit and was suddenly in almost as much demand as the Mamas & the Papas. By that time, the group even had a rival of sorts, at least in the public perception, in the guise of Spanky & Our Gang, a Chicago-based outfit with folk roots and impeccable vocals built around a powerful female singer, though they were a little wider-ranging in their repertory and placed more emphasis on comedy and a certain theatricality in their presentation. Monterey marked the last great hurrah for Phillips and the Mamas & the Papas as musical influences. The group had closed the festival, Doherty barely arriving in time for the performance, which was later released as the sole official example of their live performances; even the groups appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show had involved extensive lip-syncing to existing tracks, and in all honesty their studio sound, because of the way it was built up in two separate, perfect layers that were merged, was very difficult to re-create on stage. At the same time, theyd run through the best part of their repertory on those three LPs and 36 songs, and most of their enthusiasm was spent as well. John and Michelle Phillips built a studio of their own where their fourth album, The Papas & the Mamas, was recorded, and although there were some new sounds embodied in the work and some hits included (most notably the radiant, sadness-tinged "Twelve-Thirty"), the groups days were numbered; precisely how numbered they were was revealed by the release of the single "Dream a Little Dream of Me" as a Cass Elliot solo single. The world had also changed in the two and a half years since the group emerged. By 1968, assassinations, the dragging on of the Vietnam War, and the festering political wounds that the war engendered (and the underfunding of Lyndon Johnsons concurrent "War on Poverty" due to the United States ongoing Vietnam involvement) were eating into the fabric of society at every level; things were getting ugly, or at least serious, and John Phillips Pied Piper-like presence, beckoning people to California and an idealized quasi-hippie lifestyle, seemed increasingly out of touch with older teenagers and college students sympathies. They were magnificent songs, to be sure -- "Twelve-Thirty" was a stunning, bittersweet ode to Californias beauty, both natural and in the guise of "young girls coming to the canyon," though as gorgeous as the groups version was, Scott McKenzies solo rendition offered a poignancy that gives the song some unexpectedly serious overtones, at least in mood, while "Creeque Alley" is one of the funniest and catchiest autobiographical songs of the 1960s. By 1969, the Mamas & the Papas were history, victims of changing times, emotional exhaustion, and an excess of sexual, chemical, and alcoholic pleasures. Cass Elliot was the first to emerge in her own right, her larger-than-life image lending itself to pop stardom and her musical ability being the most solid on a solo basis -- she had a big voice and shed also acted professionally, which made her a natural, whether recording solo or in tandem with Dave Mason. Her first venture into performing solo, in Las Vegas, was disastrous, but by the early 70s she was on an even keel, hosting and performing on music-oriented television shows such as The Ray Stevens Show and Get It Together as well as her own specials, and also appearing in the movie H.R. Pufnstuf. John Phillips did a solo album, The Wolf King of L.A., that was well received critically but a commercial disaster, and Denny Dohertys solo albums disappeared quickly as well. Michelle Phillips concentrated on raising her and Johns daughter, Chynna Phillips, and saw some brief activity as a recording artist, but it was as an actress that she kept the most busy, distinguishing herself dramatically in John Milius excellent period film Dillinger (1973). The group did reunite in the studio early in the decade to record one album, People Like Us, to help fulfill its contract; conversely, there were also lawsuits by John Phillips against his former label over unpaid royalties, which dragged on for years. The most notable event surrounding the group, however, was the tragic death of Cass Elliot on July 29, 1974. From that day forward, the notion of any reunion or revival of the group was little more than the organizing of a "ghost band," even when John Phillips organized such groups (most notably in 1982 with Doherty, while his actress/singer daughter MacKenzie and Elaine "Spanky" McFarlane, formerly of Spanky & Our Gang, filled the womens spots) to play the oldies circuit and recycle the vintage repertory. Much more interesting was an appearance that Phillips made at New Yorks Bitter End in 1983, playing solo -- he had spent most of the 1970s coping with various drug problems, and even in his prime had never performed solo, and there he was at a leading performing venue, armed with nothing but an acoustic guitar (and a surprise special guest, Scott McKenzie). This apparent effort at reactivating Phillips career was overlooked by most of the press, however, and quickly forgotten. The groups appeal, however, has lingered, as reflected in its induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. There have been multiple reissues of their original four LPs, in widely varying quality (especially in America), culminating in 2001 with the release of All the Leaves Are Brown, a compilation of their complete 1960s studio recordings. The death of John Phillips on March 18 of that year would seem to have ended any but the most exploitative reincarnations of the group -- in 2003, however, Denny Doherty, who had toured with a version of "the Mamas & the Papas," premiered the autobiographical stage musical Dream a Little Dream of Me, in which he also starred, in New York. Astonishingly, given their two-and-a-half-year principal history, there have also been four books dealing with the groups history. Taken together, Papa John by John Phillips (with Jim Jerome) and California Dreamin: The True Story of the Mamas and the Papas -- The Music, the Madness, the Magic by Michelle Phillips (both 1986) form a he-said/she-said account of events, with John Phillips taking the prize for depth between the two of them. More recently, Doug Halls The Mamas and the Papas: California Dreamin was published, and in 2002 Matthew Greenwalds Go Where You Wanna Go: The Oral History of the Mamas and the Papas appeared. Reading any of them is a fascinating, eye-opening, and potentially disillusioning look behind the supposed idealism of the 1960s. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 39 Title: The Mamas & the Papas Released: 1966 Tracks: 12 Duration: 32:43 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 No Salt on Her Tail (02:43) 2 Trip, Stumble & Fall (02:41) 3 Dancing Bear (04:11) 4 Words of Love (02:16) 5 My Heart Stood Still (01:44) 6 Dancing in the Street (03:49) 7 I Saw Her Again Last Night (03:14) 8 Strange Young Girls (02:55) 9 I Cant Wait (02:43) 10 Even If I Could (02:43) 11 That Kind of Girl (02:41) 12 Once Was a Time I Thought (00:59) |
| The Mamas & the Papas : Allmusic album Review : Sometimes art and events, personal or otherwise, converge on a point transcending the significance of either -- a work achieves a relevance far beyond the seeming boundaries of the creation at hand. During the 1950s and 1960s, in music, it used to happen occasionally for Elvis Presley, the Beatles, and Bob Dylan, once or twice for the Byrds, and a few times for the Beach Boys and the Rolling Stones. For the Mamas & the Papas, it happened twice, with their first album, If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears, and, on a more complex level, with this album -- which was astonishing, given that they had a major upheaval in their membership in the midst of recording it. The Mamas & the Papas (also sometimes referred to as "Cass- John-Michelle-Denny," which might well have been the official title until that lineup started to shift) was recorded over a period of almost four months, in the wake of the massive success of their first two singles and the debut album, issued in February of 1966. The members were riding a whirlwind in the spring of 1966, which showed -- along with a lot more -- in this albums unintentionally revealing cover photo, depicting all four of them framed in a window, the other three standing while Michelle Phillips reclined in front, bisecting the trio behind her. She looks happy, even pleased with herself, while the others look just a little tired, even fatigued -- a lot like the Beatles did on the cover of Beatles for Sale, the main difference being that the latter album was made two years into their international success, while this album was just a few months into the Mamas & the Papas history as a recording act. If the demands and rewards of success -- the concerts, the money, the drugs, and the need to keep up the quality -- were causing the group to burn the candle at both ends, Michelle Phillips extra-curricular romantic activities with Denny Doherty burned it right through the middle, and did a lot more than bisect the group -- it disrupted all of the interlocking relationships, including her marriage to John Phillips and any trust that she shared with Cass Elliot (who had long adored Doherty), as well as greatly complicating Dohertys relationships with all of them; and another problem was her relationship with Gene Clark, formerly the best singer and songwriter in the Byrds, with whom she was flirting very publicly and spending lots of time with in private during that season. Phillips was finally dropped from the group in late June and replaced by Jill Gibson, a friend of the band, a girlfriend of producer Lou Adler, and a good singer who did a few shows with them before it was decided that they needed Phillips back -- at one point, a cover photo with Gibson replacing her in the window was prepared, but it was never used, though billboards of that shot were put up to promote the upcoming release. Gibson did end up on parts of the album, but precisely where is one of the great unanswered questions to this day. As to the album, it still holds up magnificently as music, and shows how, even juggling live performances, television appearances, a marriage going bad, and Lord knows what drugs in his life, John Phillips could think on his feet and create like few people this side of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Martin, and get the others to work it his way -- "No Salt on Her Tail" started life as a backing track to a Rodgers & Hart song on a television special that Phillips thought was too good not to use on one of his own songs, and he wrote one just for that track that was more than good enough to open the album. Indeed, the song has an almost tragic beauty about it -- one gets a strong sense of sadness behind the words and the music and between the lead vocals and the soaring harmonies, while uncredited guest organist Ray Manzarek of the not yet famous or especially successful Doors plays an Al Kooper-ish, "Like a Rolling Stone"-style keyboard; Hal Blaines drums and Joe Osborns bass provide a rock-solid rhythm section; and Eric Hord, Tommy Tedesco, and John Phillips guitars chime away. All of it sounds a little like the Byrds channeled through God. "Trip, Stumble and Fall" was lyrically more ambitious than anything on the first album, and offered luscious harmonies, while "Dancing Bear" was an art song, opening with a small orchestral accompaniment in the foreground that recedes, switching to an acoustic guitar accompaniment and voices almost totally isolated, a cappella style, building layer upon layer in their accompaniment as though the quartet was suddenly transformed into the Serendipity Singers. "Words of Love" was Cass Elliots great showcase, giving her the spotlight that she filled magnificently with an elegant, bluesy pop sound -- and then comes Rodgers & Harts "My Heart Stood Still," which is transformed into a 12-string-driven, horn-ornamented piece of folk-rock, and it leads into the first sides finish, "Dancing in the Street," arguably the best straight blue-eyed soul rendition ever done of a Motown number and also the song that resulted from Michelle Phillips return to the fold in the summer of 1966. Side two opened with John Phillips masterpiece, "I Saw Her Again," the hardest-rocking song of the groups history as well as the place where he crossed swords with the Beatles as a songwriter and producer, and succeeded in matching them. "Strange Young Girls" was a hauntingly beautiful yet ominous take on the youth scene in Los Angeles at the time, and then there was "I Cant Wait," an angry but beautifully harmonized bitter love song, with a bassline thats one of the most memorable instrumental moments in the groups history, all about a busted romance. The latter song, the equally venomous "That Kind of Girl," the bittersweet "Even if I Could," plus the singles "Words of Love" and "I Saw Her Again" all seemed to reveal more about what was happening to the band than any press release could have -- some of whats here is mean-spirited enough that garage punk misogynists the Chocolate Watch Band could have covered it without too much trouble. They combine to make this album one of the nastiest-tempered statements of romance in a mainstream rock album of its era, and a lot edgier than any other long-player the group ever issued. (And for those who want to hear an almost equally good folk-rock album that is a companion piece to this album, check out Gene Clark with the Gosdin Brothers, recorded a little later than this album -- listen to some of the more cynical love songs and one must wonder seriously if Clark wasnt, consciously or not, giving his "take" on the relationship with Phillips.) The Mamas & the Papas does end on a harmonious note, however, with the equally bittersweet "Once Was a Time I Thought," a piece of vocalese that rivals the work of Lambert, Hendricks & Ross and anticipates the records of the Manhattan Transfer, and might be the groups single best vocal performance. Its all a good deal messier than the first album, but it holds up just as well and is just as essential listening. | ||
 | Album: 2 of 39 Title: If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears Released: 1966-02-28 Tracks: 12 Duration: 34:41 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Monday, Monday (03:25) 2 Straight Shooter (02:58) 3 Got a Feelin’ (02:51) 4 I Call Your Name (02:38) 5 Do You Wanna Dance (02:58) 6 Go Where You Wanna Go (02:29) 7 California Dreamin’ (02:40) 8 Spanish Harlem (03:20) 9 Somebody Groovy (03:16) 10 Hey Girl (02:29) 11 You Baby (02:21) 12 The “In” Crowd (03:12) |
| If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears : Allmusic album Review : In the spring of 1966, If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears represented a genuinely new sound, as fresh to listeners as the songs on Meet the Beatles had seemed two years earlier. Released just as "California Dreaming" was ascending the charts by leaps and bounds, it was the product of months of rehearsal in the Virgin Islands and John Phillips discovery of what one could do to build a polished recorded sound in the studio -- it embraced folk-rock, pop/rock, pop, and soul, and also reflected the kind of care that acts like the Beatles were putting into their records at the time. "Monday, Monday" and "California Dreamin" are familiar enough to anyone whos ever listened to the radio, and "Go Where You Wanna Go" isnt far behind, in this version or the very similar rendition by the Fifth Dimension. But the rest is mighty compelling even to casual listeners, including the ethereal "Got a Feelin," the rocking "Straight Shooter" and "Somebody Groovy," the jaunty, torch song-style version of "I Call Your Name," and the prettiest versions of "Do You Wanna Dance" and "Spanish Harlem" that anyone ever recorded. If the material here has a certain glow that the Mamas & the Papas subsequent LPs lacked, that may be due in part to the extensive rehearsal and the exhilaration of their first experience in the studio, but also a result of the fact that it was recorded before the members personal conflicts began interfering with their ability to work together. The work was all spontaneous and unforced here, as opposed to the emotional complications that had to be overcome before their next sessions. | ||
 | Album: 3 of 39 Title: Deliver Released: 1967-03 Tracks: 12 Duration: 35:51 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Dedicated to the One I Love (02:59) 2 My Girl (03:29) 3 Creeque Alley (03:48) 4 Sing for Your Supper (02:49) 5 Twist and Shout (02:53) 6 Free Advice (03:20) 7 Look Through My Window (03:08) 8 Boys & Girls Together (03:16) 9 String Man (03:02) 10 Frustration (02:59) 11 Did You Ever Want to Cry (02:56) 12 Johns Music Box (01:07) |
| Deliver : Allmusic album Review : By the time the Mamas & the Papas recorded and released their third album, the group was continuing, in the words of singer Denny Doherty, "on its own momentum." Acrimonious personnel changes, rock stardom, fame, money, and drugs (among other factors) were taking their toll on the groups chemistry. Fortunately, this momentum is precisely the reason that the album succeeds. Buttressed by the singles "Creeque Alley" (the sometimes hilarious story of how the group came together), "Look Through My Window," and the stupendous remake of "Dedicated to the One I Love," the album has some exquisite moments. "Look Through My Window" is also one of the groups most realized recordings, and the cover of "Twist and Shout" is an absolute killer. Much of the record, frankly, doesnt sound too different than the groups first two albums, but with the songwriting, vocal, and production excellence, why tamper with genius? The group felt so too, which is why this album is Michelle Phillips personal favorite. Its not too hard to see why. | ||
 | Album: 4 of 39 Title: Farewell to the First Golden Era Released: 1967-10 Tracks: 12 Duration: 36:00 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Dedicated to the One I Love (02:59) 2 Go Where You Wanna Go (02:29) 3 Words of Love (02:17) 4 Look Through My Window (03:09) 5 Dancing in the Street (03:48) 6 Monday, Monday (03:06) 7 Creeque Alley (03:49) 8 Got a Feelin’ (02:51) 9 Twelve‐Thirty (03:20) 10 I Call Your Name (02:38) 11 I Saw Her Again Last Night (02:53) 12 California Dreamin (02:40) |
 | Album: 5 of 39 Title: Golden Era, Volume 2 Released: 1968 Tracks: 12 Duration: 34:16 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 My Girl (03:29) 2 Sing for Your Supper (02:51) 3 No Salt on Her Tail (02:43) 4 Twist and Shout (02:53) 5 Glad to Be Unhappy (01:43) 6 Nothings Too Good for My Little Girl (03:09) 7 For the Love of Ivy (03:43) 8 Do You Wanna Dance (02:58) 9 Trip, Stumble & Fall (02:41) 10 Hey Girl (02:29) 11 You Baby (02:21) 12 Dream a Little Dream of Me (03:14) |
 | Album: 6 of 39 Title: The Papas & The Mamas Released: 1968 Tracks: 12 Duration: 40:10 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 The Right Somebody to Love (00:44) 2 Safe in My Garden (03:15) 3 Meditation Mama (Transcendental Woman Travels) (04:25) 4 For the Love of Ivy (03:43) 5 Dream a Little Dream of Me (03:14) 6 Mansions (03:47) 7 Gemini Childe (04:07) 8 Nothing’s Too Good for My Little Girl (03:09) 9 Too Late (04:10) 10 Twelve Thirty (03:26) 11 Rooms (02:52) 12 Midnight Voyage (03:13) |
| The Papas & The Mamas : Allmusic album Review : An often misunderstood album, this album (aside from the 1971 "reunion" album) was the final record by the Mamas & the Papas. It has held up incredibly well over time, and sounds better today than when it was released in mid-1968. The centerpiece of the album is "Dream a Little Dream," which very well may be the finest cover version that the group ever recorded, and in the end, was a very nice way to end the groups short but incredible career. The album also contains some excellent John Phillips material such as "12:30" (a minor hit), "Rooms," and "Too Late." These three tracks form a mini-medley in the middle of the second side, and add a lot of dimension to the record. Cut at the Phillips home studio, the album has a simple sound, but when the vocal majesty cuts through on such tracks as "Mansions" (one of the bands lost masterpieces), its faultless. | ||
 | Album: 7 of 39 Title: 16 of Their Greatest Hits Released: 1969-08 Tracks: 16 Duration: 49:06 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Dedicated to the One I Love (02:59) 2 Monday, Monday (03:25) 3 Look Through My Window (03:23) 4 California Dreamin’ (02:40) 5 I Call Your Name (02:38) 6 My Girl (03:50) 7 Dream a Little Dream of Me (03:14) 8 Go Where You Wanna Go (02:29) 9 Got a Feelin’ (02:51) 10 I Saw Her Again Last Night (03:14) 11 Words of Love (02:16) 12 Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming to the Canyon) (03:26) 13 Dancing in the Street (03:49) 14 Glad to Be Unhappy (01:45) 15 Creeque Alley (03:48) 16 Midnight Voyage (03:13) |
| 16 of Their Greatest Hits : Allmusic album Review : A great overview of the music from this group, one of the founders of the California sound in the late 60s. This is a good collection of their unforgettable electric folk-pop songs, including "Monday, Monday" and "California Dreamin." (Originally released in August 1969 by Dunhill Records, 16 of Their Greatest Hits, it was reissued on CD by MCA Records in 1986.) | ||
 | Album: 8 of 39 Title: A Gathering of Flowers: The Anthology of The Mamas & the Papas Released: 1970 Tracks: 20 Duration: 58:49 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Straight Shooter (02:58) 2 Monday, Monday (03:25) 3 Trip, Stumble & Fall (02:41) 4 Go Where You Wanna Go (02:29) 5 I Call Your Name (02:38) 6 I Cant Wait (02:43) 7 Dedicated to the One I Love (02:59) 8 Free Advice (03:20) 9 Do You Wanna Dance (02:46) 10 Spanish Harlem (03:20) 1 Dancing in the Street (03:49) 2 Once Was a Time I Thought (01:01) 3 Creeque Alley (03:48) 4 Dancing Bear (04:06) 5 Got a Feelin’ (02:51) 6 No Salt on Her Tail (02:43) 7 Words of Love (02:14) 8 I Saw Her Again Last Night (03:14) 9 Did You Ever Want to Cry (02:56) 10 California Dreamin’ (02:40) |
| A Gathering of Flowers: The Anthology of The Mamas & the Papas : Allmusic album Review : A Gathering of Flowers was put together by ABC/Dunhill Records in 1970 after the Mamas & the Papas called it quits and was issued as a double LP in 1971. The 20-song set included all of the groups hit singles, including "California Dreamin," "Monday, Monday," "I Saw Her Again Last Night," "I Call Your Name," "Creeque Alley," and "Dedicated to the One I Love," but it also broke the tracks up with studio and rehearsal chatter, as well as brief interviews, giving the whole package a documentary feel, all of which makes this release stand a little taller among the various Mamas & Papas greatest-hits compilations out there. | ||
 | Album: 9 of 39 Title: People Like Us Released: 1971 Tracks: 12 Duration: 36:22 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 People Like Us (03:26) 2 Pacific Coast Highway (03:05) 3 Snowqueen of Texas (02:38) 4 Shooting Star (02:54) 5 Step Out (03:03) 6 Lady Genevieve (03:48) 7 No Dough (03:05) 8 European Blueboy (03:39) 9 Pearl (02:24) 10 I Wanna Be a Star (02:17) 11 Grasshopper (02:57) 12 Blueberries for Breakfast (03:01) |
| People Like Us : Allmusic album Review : The Mamas & the Papas broke up in 1968, but they still owed an album on their contract with Dunhill Records (later absorbed by MCA). So, three years later, they reunited to make People Like Us and complete their obligation. The result isnt as bad as that scenario might suggest, though the songs have more in common with John Phillips 1970 solo album than with the groups hits of the 1960s. But the release did not rekindle interest in the Mamas & the Papas, and this was their last new album. | ||
 | Album: 10 of 39 Title: Cass. John. Michelle. Dennie Released: 1972 Tracks: 12 Duration: 30:27 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 No Salt on Her Tail (02:35) 2 Trip Stumble and Fall (02:35) 3 Dancing Bear (04:08) 4 Words of Love (02:13) 5 My Heart Stood Still (01:43) 6 Dancing in the Street (03:00) 7 I Saw Her Again (02:50) 8 Strange Young Girls (02:45) 9 I Cant Wait (02:40) 10 Even If I Could (02:40) 11 That Kind of Girl (02:20) 12 Once Was a Time I Thought (00:58) |
 | Album: 11 of 39 Title: 20 Greatest Hits Released: 1980 Tracks: 20 Duration: 59:33 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 California Dreamin’ (02:40) 2 I Saw Her Again Last Night (03:16) 3 I Call Your Name (02:38) 4 Twist and Shout (02:53) 5 Sing for Your Supper (02:53) 6 Look Through My Window (03:08) 7 Do You Wanna Dance (02:58) 8 Dancing in the Street (03:50) 9 You Baby (02:21) 10 Dedicated to the One I Love (02:59) 11 Monday, Monday (03:30) 12 Words of Love (02:16) 13 Glad to Be Unhappy (01:46) 14 Go Where You Wanna Go (02:29) 15 Safe in My Garden (03:15) 16 Spanish Harlem (03:20) 17 Trip, Stumble and Fall (02:42) 18 My Girl (03:29) 19 Creeque Alley (03:48) 20 Dream a Little Dream of Me (03:14) |
 | Album: 12 of 39 Title: The Hit Singles Collection Released: 1983 Tracks: 16 Duration: 49:06 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Dancing in the Street (03:43) 2 You Baby (02:21) 3 I Saw Her Again Last Night (03:14) 4 Creeque Alley (03:48) 5 California Earthquake (03:12) 6 Twist and Shout (02:53) 7 Look Through My Window (03:05) 8 Glad to Be Unhappy (01:43) 9 California Dreamin’ (02:40) 10 Dedicated to the One I Love (02:59) 11 Safe in My Garden (03:13) 12 Dream a Little Dream of Me (03:14) 13 Spanish Harlem (03:16) 14 My Girl (03:23) 15 Do You Wanna Dance (02:58) 16 Monday Monday (03:19) |
 | Album: 13 of 39 Title: The Collection Released: 1987 Tracks: 20 Duration: 1:01:07 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 People Like Us (03:15) 2 Look Through My Window (03:01) 3 Monday Monday (03:15) 4 I Call Your Name (02:38) 5 Pacific Coast Highway (03:03) 6 I Wanna Be a Star (02:16) 7 Dedicated to the One I Love (02:58) 8 Creeque Alley (03:48) 9 California Dreamin’ (02:40) 10 Dancing in the Street (03:42) 11 Shooting Star (02:58) 12 I Saw Her Again Last Night (03:09) 13 My Girl (03:23) 14 Spanish Harlem (03:20) 15 For the Love of Ivy (03:43) 16 What cha Gonna Do (02:23) 17 Mississippi (03:32) 18 Dream a Little Dream of Me (03:14) 19 Words of Love (02:12) 20 Move in a Little Closer Baby (02:36) |
 | Album: 14 of 39 Title: Golden Greats Released: 1988 Tracks: 16 Duration: 50:15 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 California Dreamin (02:44) 2 Dedicated to the One I Love (02:59) 3 Safe In My Garden (03:17) 4 Dream a Little Dream of Me (03:14) 5 Spanish Harlem (03:20) 6 My Girl (03:37) 7 Do You Wanna Dance (02:58) 8 Monday, Monday (03:27) 9 Dancing in the Street (03:51) 10 You Baby (02:21) 11 I Saw Her Again Last Night (03:17) 12 Creeque Alley (03:48) 13 California Earthquake (03:30) 14 Twist and Shout (02:53) 15 Look Through My Window (03:10) 16 Glad to Be Unhappy (01:42) |
 | Album: 15 of 39 Title: The Very Best of The Mamas and Papas Released: 1988 Tracks: 16 Duration: 50:45 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Creeque Alley (03:48) 2 Monday, Monday (03:21) 3 Dedicated to the One I Love (02:59) 4 Its Getting Better (02:57) 5 California Dreamin’ (02:40) 6 Straight Shooter (02:53) 7 Spanish Harlem (03:20) 8 Twelve Thirty (03:21) 9 Go Where You Wanna Go (02:29) 10 Do You Wanna Go (02:58) 11 I Saw Her Again Last Night (03:10) 12 People Like Us (03:19) 13 My Girl (03:23) 14 California Earthquake (03:27) 15 For the Love of Ivy (03:43) 16 Got a Feelin (02:51) |
 | Album: 16 of 39 Title: Greatest Hits Released: 1989 Tracks: 16 Duration: 50:42 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Monday, Monday (03:17) 2 I Saw Her Again Last Night (03:14) 3 Dedicated to the One I Love (02:59) 4 California Dreamin’ (02:40) 5 Creeque Alley (03:48) 6 Words of Love (02:16) 7 I Call Your Name (02:38) 8 Look Through My Window (03:03) 9 Dancing in the Street (03:42) 10 My Girl (03:23) 11 Shooting Star (03:02) 12 People Like Us (03:19) 13 Spanish Harlem (03:20) 14 Mississippi (03:33) 15 Move in a Little Closer Baby (02:39) 16 For the Love of Ivy (03:43) |
| Greatest Hits : Allmusic album Review : This is the single-CD successor to Creeque Alley, the double-disc career retrospective issued in the early 90s. All of the hits from "California Dreamin" to "Dream a Little Dream of Me" are here, along with their more celebrated album tracks, and the notes by Joseph Laredo provide a decent overview of the groups formation and history. The records have been remastered yet again, although the level of improvement over Creeque Alley seems modest (Creeque Alley sounded really good) compared with that double discs improvement over the earlier, wholly inadequate masters from the 1980s. For someone who doesnt have a lot of money to spend on the band, this is the place to start, superseding all other single-disc hits collections. [Not to be confused with earlier hits compilations, the catalog number on this 20-song collection is MCAD-11740.] | ||
 | Album: 17 of 39 Title: 16 Original World Hits Released: 1989 Tracks: 16 Duration: 48:18 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Dancing In The Street (03:43) 2 I Call Your Name (02:38) 3 Monday, Monday (03:24) 4 Look Through My Window (03:05) 5 California Dreamin’ (02:40) 6 You Baby (02:21) 7 Dream a Little Dream of Me (03:14) 8 Words of Love (02:14) 9 I Saw Her Again Last Night (03:11) 10 Spanish Harlem (03:16) 11 Glad to Be Unhappy (01:43) 12 Do You Wanna Dance (02:58) 13 Dedicated to the One I Love (02:58) 14 Twelve Thirty (03:19) 15 For the Love of Ivy (03:43) 16 Creeque Alley (03:48) |
 | Album: 18 of 39 Title: The Very Best of The Mamas and The Papas Released: 1991 Tracks: 16 Duration: 47:15 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 California Dreamin’ (02:40) 2 Dedicated to the One I Love (02:59) 3 Words of Love (02:16) 4 Dream a Little Dream of Me (03:14) 5 Do You Wanna Dance (02:58) 6 Dancing in the Street (03:49) 7 Spanish Harlem (03:20) 8 Monday, Monday (03:25) 9 My Heart Stood Still (01:44) 10 Its Getting Better (03:00) 11 I Call Your Name (02:38) 12 Creeque Alley (03:48) 13 The "In" Crowd (03:15) 14 I Saw Her Again Last Night (03:14) 15 Go Where You Wanna Go (02:29) 16 Make Your Own Kind of Music (02:20) |
 | Album: 19 of 39 Title: Creeque Alley: The History of the Mamas and the Papas Released: 1991 Tracks: 43 Duration: 2:03:08 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Wild Women (03:09) 2 Winken, Blinken and Nod (03:25) 3 Ill Remember Tonight (02:06) 4 I Dont Wanna Know (02:11) 5 This Precious Time (02:49) 6 John Phillips dialog from A Gathering of Flowers - The Anthology Of The Mamas And The Papas (01:01) 7 California Dreamin’ (02:40) 8 Go Where You Wanna Go (02:29) 9 Monday, Monday (03:25) 10 You Baby (02:21) 11 Do You Wanna Dance (02:58) 12 I Call Your Name (02:38) 13 Spanish Harlem (03:20) 14 Straight Shooter (02:58) 15 Got a Feelin’ (02:51) 16 I Saw Her Again Last Night (03:14) 17 Look Through My Window (03:05) 18 Words of Love (02:16) 19 Dancing in the Street (03:49) 20 Mama Cass dialog from A Gathering Of Flowers - The Anthology Of The Mamas And The Papas (00:17) 21 Once Was a Time I Thought (02:15) 22 No Salt on Her Tail (02:39) 1 Trip, Stumble & Fall (02:41) 2 Dancing Bear (04:11) 3 Dedicated to the One I Love (02:59) 4 Creeque Alley (03:48) 5 My Girl (03:29) 6 Twist and Shout (02:53) 7 I Call Your Name (live) (04:15) 8 Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming to the Canyon) (03:26) 9 Glad to Be Unhappy (01:43) 10 For the Love of Ivy (03:43) 11 Safe in My Garden (03:13) 12 Midnight Voyage (03:13) 13 Dream a Little Dream of Me (03:14) 14 California Earthquake (03:26) 15 Its Getting Better (03:01) 16 Make Your Own Kind of Music (02:25) 17 Mississippi (03:35) 18 Watcha Gonna Do (02:24) 19 Mama Cass dialog from A Gathering Of Flowers - The Anthology of The Mamas And The Papas (00:56) 20 Step Out (03:03) 21 The Achin Kind (03:17) |
| Creeque Alley: The History of the Mamas and the Papas : Allmusic album Review : They werent the most important folk-rock group of the mid-60s; the Byrds and others produced more enduring music. Yet the Mamas & the Papas were undoubtedly the most commercially successful folk-rock group of their time, racking up an astonishing nine Top 30 hits in little more than a year and a half. This 43-song double-CD is by far the most comprehensive document of their legacy. It draws most heavily from their two 1966 albums (nine songs originate from their debut album, If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears, alone), when John Phillips songwriting talent had yet to exhaust itself. Beyond the hits, the material is variable. Quite a few album tracks -- especially "Got a Feelin," "Straight Shooter," "Go Where You Wanna Go," "Once Was a Time I Thought," and their cover of Lennon/McCartneys "I Call Your Name" -- were strong enough to have been hits under their own steam. Their slowed-down, California-ized versions of rock oldies were more problematic. And theres no doubt that their later material is less spirited and memorable than their initial burst of glory. The set includes various late-60s and 70s solo recordings by each of the groups members (including small hit singles by John Phillips and Cass Elliot). Perhaps the most intriguing rarities are from the members pre-Mamas days. These include commercial folk by the Big Three (featuring Cass Elliot) and primitive pop-folk-rock by the Mugwumps (including Elliott, Denny Doherty, and future Lovin Spoonful member Zal Yanovsky). | ||
 | Album: 20 of 39 Title: All Time Greatest Hits Released: 1992 Tracks: 20 Duration: 1:01:37 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Monday, Monday (03:25) 2 Dream a Little Dream of Me (03:14) 3 California Dreamin’ (02:40) 4 My Girl (03:29) 5 Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming to the Canyon) (03:26) 6 Look Through My Window (03:06) 7 Go Where You Wanna Go (02:29) 8 Words of Love (02:16) 9 I Call Your Name (02:38) 10 Dancing in the Street (03:49) 11 I Saw Her Again Last Night (03:14) 12 Do You Wanna Dance (02:58) 13 Dedicated to the One I Love (02:59) 14 Make Your Own Kind of Music (02:24) 15 Creeque Alley (03:48) 16 For the Love of Ivy (03:43) 17 Spanish Harlem (03:15) 18 Twist and Shout (02:53) 19 Its Getting Better (03:01) 20 Trip, Stumble and Fall (02:39) |
 | Album: 21 of 39 Title: The EP Collection Released: 1992 Tracks: 20 Duration: 59:14 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 California Dreamin’ (02:40) 2 Straight Shooter (02:57) 3 Somebody Groovy (03:16) 4 Got a Feelin (02:51) 5 Monday, Monday (03:25) 6 Hey Girl (02:29) 7 The in Crowd (03:15) 8 You Baby (02:21) 9 I Saw Her Again Last Night (03:14) 10 Even If I Could (02:43) 11 Go Where You Wanna Go (02:29) 12 I Call Your Name (02:37) 13 Look Through My Window (03:05) 14 Words of Love (02:18) 15 Trip, Stumble and Fall (02:40) 16 Dancing in the Street (03:52) 17 Dedicated to the One I Love (02:59) 18 I Cant Wait (04:00) 19 Free Advice (03:20) 20 That Kind of Girl (02:35) |
| The EP Collection : Allmusic album Review : This Mamas & the Papas compilation from the U.K.s See for Miles reissue label collects five EPs from the folk-rock legends heydays. For the most part, all of the big hits are here, including "California Dreamin," "Monday, Monday," "Go Where You Wanna Go," "I Saw Her Again," and "Dancing in the Street," but without "Creeque Alley" and "Twelve-Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming to the Canyon)," this 20-track EP Collection is far from definitive. Fans looking for the whole package should check out Geffens two-disc Gold compilation or Universal/MCAs massive, four-disc Complete Anthology. | ||
 | Album: 22 of 39 Title: Daydream The Famous Hits of The Mamas & the Papas Released: 1992 Tracks: 18 Duration: 57:22 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Dream a Little Dream of Me (03:14) 2 Monday, Monday (03:25) 3 California Dreamin’ (02:40) 4 My Girl (03:29) 5 Look Through My Window (03:05) 6 Spanish Harlem (03:20) 7 Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming to the Canyon) (03:26) 8 Got a Feelin (02:51) 9 I Call Your Name (02:38) 10 Safe in My Garden (03:13) 11 Do You Wanna Dance (02:58) 12 Dedicated to the One I Love (02:59) 13 Dancing in the Street (03:49) 14 I Saw Her Again Last Night (03:14) 15 Creeque Alley (03:48) 16 For the Love of Ivy (03:43) 17 Go Where You Wanna Go (02:29) 18 Twist and Shout (02:53) |
 | Album: 23 of 39 Title: Monday, Monday Released: 1993 Tracks: 18 Duration: 54:58 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 California Dreamin’ (02:40) 2 Monday, Monday (03:22) 3 I Saw Her Again (03:14) 4 Look Through My Window (03:20) 5 Words of Love (02:14) 6 Dedicated to the One I Love (02:58) 7 Creeque Alley (03:48) 8 Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming To The Canyon) (03:24) 9 I Call Your Name (02:38) 10 Dream a Little Dream of Me (03:14) 11 Its Getting Better (02:57) 12 Make Your Own Kind Of Music (02:19) 13 Come Away Melinda (03:15) 14 Young Girls Lament (04:16) 15 The Banjo Song (01:59) 16 Winken Blinken nod (03:25) 17 Wild Woman (03:11) 18 Tony and Delia (02:35) |
 | Album: 24 of 39 Title: 24 Greatest Hits Released: 1993 Tracks: 24 Duration: 1:14:05 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 California Dreamin’ (02:40) 2 Monday, Monday (03:25) 3 I Saw Her Again Last Night (03:14) 4 Look Through My Window (03:21) 5 Words of Love (02:16) 6 Dancing in the Street (03:49) 7 Dedicated to the One I Love (02:59) 8 Creeque Alley (03:48) 9 Twelve-Thirty (03:23) 10 Glad to Be Unhappy (01:44) 11 Dancing Bear (04:11) 12 Dream a Little Dream of Me (03:14) 13 Safe in My Garden (03:13) 14 For the Love of Ivy (03:43) 15 Do You Wanna Dance (02:58) 16 Step Out (03:04) 17 Spanish Harlem (03:20) 18 Go Where You Wanna Go (02:29) 19 People Like Us (03:17) 20 Got a Feelin’ (02:51) 21 You Baby (02:21) 22 Hey Girl (02:29) 23 The "In" Crowd (03:15) 24 Twist and Shout (02:53) |
 | Album: 25 of 39 Title: The Great Mamas & Papas Released: 1993 Tracks: 14 Duration: 43:18 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 California Dreamin (02:39) 2 Monday, Monday (03:20) 3 Look Through My Window (03:19) 4 Words Of Love (02:15) 5 Dancing In The Street (03:49) 6 Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming To The Canyon) (03:23) 7 Glad To Be Unhappy (01:44) 8 Dancing Bear (04:11) 9 Dream A Little Dream Of Me (03:11) 10 Safe In My Garden (03:12) 11 For The Love Of Ivy (03:43) 12 Do You Wanna Dance (02:46) 13 Spanish Harlem (03:15) 14 Go Where You Wanna Go (02:27) |
 | Album: 26 of 39 Title: California Dreamin Released: 1994 Tracks: 10 Duration: 28:20 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 California Dreamin’ (02:40) 2 Spanish Harlem (03:20) 3 Glad to Be Unhappy (01:43) 4 Go Where You Wanna Go (02:29) 5 Monday, Monday (03:25) 6 My Girl (03:29) 7 No Salt on Her Tail (02:39) 8 Sing for Your Supper (02:49) 9 Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming to the Canyon) (03:26) 10 Words of Love (02:16) |
 | Album: 27 of 39 Title: The Best of The Mamas & The Papas Released: 1995 Tracks: 20 Duration: 59:36 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 California Dreamin’ (02:40) 2 Monday, Monday (03:25) 3 I Saw Her Again Last Night (03:14) 4 Words of Love (02:16) 5 Dedicated to the One I Love (02:59) 6 Creeque Alley (03:48) 7 Dream a Little Dream of Me (03:12) 8 It’s Getting Better (03:00) 9 Make Your Own Kind of Music (02:24) 10 Look Through My Window (03:05) 11 Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming to the Canyon) (03:26) 12 Glad to Be Unhappy (01:43) 13 Straight Shooter (02:58) 14 For the Love of Ivy (03:43) 15 Do You Wanna Dance (02:58) 16 Go Where You Wanna Go (02:29) 17 Somebody Groovy (03:16) 18 Shooting Star (02:54) 19 People Like Us (03:26) 20 I Can Dream, Cant I? (02:34) |
 | Album: 28 of 39 Title: California Dreamin: The Very Best of The Mamas & The Papas Released: 1996 Tracks: 24 Duration: 1:12:26 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 California Dreamin’ (02:40) 2 Dedicated to the One I Love (02:59) 3 Monday, Monday (03:25) 4 Dream a Little Dream of Me (03:14) 5 Creeque Alley (03:48) 6 I Saw Her Again Last Night (03:14) 7 It’s Getting Better (03:00) 8 Words of Love (02:15) 9 The “In” Crowd (03:10) 10 Dancing in the Street (03:41) 11 Spanish Harlem (03:13) 12 Twist and Shout (02:53) 13 Do You Wanna Dance (02:58) 14 Go Where You Wanna Go (02:29) 15 Look Through My Window (03:08) 16 You Baby (02:21) 17 For the Love of Ivy (03:43) 18 Make Your Own Kind of Music (02:24) 19 Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming to the Canyon) (03:26) 20 I Call Your Name (02:38) 21 My Girl (03:29) 22 California Earthquake (03:28) 23 Straight Shooter (02:58) 24 Glad to Be Unhappy (01:43) |
 | Album: 29 of 39 Title: 36 All-Time Greatest Hits Released: 1996 Tracks: 36 Duration: 1:45:01 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 California Dreamin’ (02:40) 2 Boys & Girls Together (03:16) 3 Creeque Alley (03:48) 4 Dancing Bear (04:06) 5 Dancing in the Streets (03:48) 6 Dedicated to the One I Love (02:58) 7 Did You Ever Want to Cry (02:53) 8 Do You Wanna Dance (02:58) 9 Dream a Little Dream of Me (03:14) 10 Even If I Could (02:43) 11 For the Love of Ivy (03:43) 12 Words of Love (02:12) 1 I Saw Her Again (03:11) 2 I Call Your Name (02:38) 3 I Cant Wait (02:43) 4 Go Where You Wanna Go (02:29) 5 Got a Feelin (02:51) 6 Glad to Be Unhappy (01:43) 7 Look Through My Window (03:04) 8 Safe in My Garden (03:11) 9 People Like Us (03:23) 10 Step Out (03:02) 11 Twelve-Thirty (Young Girls Coming to the Canyon) (03:20) 12 Monday, Monday (03:25) 1 Spanish Harlem (03:17) 2 Rooms (02:45) 3 Midnight Voyage (03:11) 4 Sing for Your Supper (02:46) 5 No Salt on Her Tail (02:39) 6 You Baby (02:21) 7 Straight Shooter (02:55) 8 The Right Somebody to Love (00:40) 9 Trip, Stumble & Fall (02:38) 10 Twist and Shout (02:53) 11 Once Was a Time I Thought (02:13) 12 Free Advice (03:20) |
 | Album: 30 of 39 Title: California Dreaming Released: 1999 Tracks: 10 Duration: 32:21 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 California Dreamin’ (02:26) 2 Creeque Alley (03:48) 3 Dedicated to the One I Love (02:58) 4 Down on the Bayou (04:06) 5 Dream a Little Dream of Me (02:55) 6 Go Where You Wanna Go (02:29) 7 I Saw Her Again (03:14) 8 Monday Monday (03:28) 9 Straight Shooter (03:19) 10 Sunday Will Never Be the Same (03:32) |
 | Album: 31 of 39 Title: The Very Best Of Released: 1999 Tracks: 24 Duration: 1:12:22 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 California Dreamin’ (02:40) 2 Monday, Monday (03:25) 3 Dedicated to the One I Love (02:58) 4 Dream a Little Dream (03:13) 5 Creeque Alley (03:48) 6 I Saw Her Again Last Night (03:13) 7 It’s Getting Better (03:00) 8 Words of Love (02:16) 9 The in Crowd (03:10) 10 Dancing in the Street (03:40) 11 Spanish Harlem (03:13) 12 Twist and Shout (02:53) 13 Do You Wanna Dance (02:58) 14 Go Where You Wanna Go (02:29) 15 Look Through My Window (03:07) 16 You Baby (02:21) 17 For the Love of Ivy (03:43) 18 Make Your Own Kind of Music (02:24) 19 Twelve Thirty (03:27) 20 I Call Your Name (02:37) 21 My Girl (03:29) 22 California Earthquake (03:28) 23 Straight Shooter (02:58) 24 Glad to Be Unhappy (01:43) |
 | Album: 32 of 39 Title: 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best of The Mamas and The Papas Released: 1999 Tracks: 11 Duration: 34:49 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 California Dreamin’ (02:40) 2 Monday, Monday (03:25) 3 Creeque Alley (03:48) 4 Dedicated to the One I Love (02:59) 5 Twelve Thirty (03:26) 6 Words of Love (02:16) 7 Look Through My Window (03:08) 8 I Saw Her Again Last Night (03:14) 9 Dancing Bear (04:11) 10 Make Your Own Kind of Music (02:25) 11 Dream a Little Dream of Me (03:14) |
 | Album: 33 of 39 Title: Classic Released: 1999 Tracks: 16 Duration: 49:03 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Dedicated to the One I Love (02:58) 2 Monday, Monday (03:25) 3 California Dreamin’ (02:40) 4 Look Through My Window (03:22) 5 I Call Your Name (02:38) 6 My Girl (03:50) 7 Dream a Little Dream of Me (03:14) 8 Got a Feelin (02:51) 9 Go Where You Wanna Go (02:29) 10 I Saw Her Again Last Night (03:15) 11 Words of Love (02:17) 12 Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming to the Canyon) (03:25) 13 Dancing in the Street (03:49) 14 Glad to Be Unhappy (01:43) 15 Creeque Alley (03:48) 16 Midnight Voyage (03:13) |
| Classic : Allmusic album Review : The Mamas & the Papas were an amazing vocal group in their prime, and songs like "Monday, Monday," the immortal "California Dreamin," "Go Where You Wanna Go," the autobiographical "Creeque Alley," and the gorgeous, haunting "Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming to the Canyon)" were simply great singles full of wonderful (and at times achingly spooky) vocals and harmonies and superb arrangements. The key tracks are here, with little filler, making this a fine compilation for those who just want the high points, although theres a good deal more to the story, of course. | ||
 | Album: 34 of 39 Title: Monday, Monday life! Released: 1999 Tracks: 17 Duration: 1:04:06 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Money Money (03:34) 2 California Dreamin (03:46) 3 Words of Love (03:04) 4 Go Where You Want to Go (03:05) 5 Dedicated to the One I Love (03:36) 6 Hey Girl (03:16) 7 I Call Your Name (03:09) 8 12:30 Young Girl Are Coming to the Canyon (04:25) 9 I Saw Her Again (03:50) 10 Love Song (03:39) 11 The Year 2000 (04:59) 12 Somebody Groovy (03:26) 13 Safe in My Garden (04:18) 14 Straight Shooter (03:38) 15 San Francisco (03:43) 16 Dream a Little Dream (03:57) 17 Creeque Alley (04:31) |
 | Album: 35 of 39 Title: Before They Were The Mamas & The Papas... The Magic Circle Released: 1999-05-09 Tracks: 16 Duration: 40:15 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Creeque Alley (03:48) 2 Ride, Ride, Ride (02:11) 3 Lonely Boy and Pretty Girl (02:58) 4 Oh Mary Dont You Weep (02:46) 5 Rider (02:34) 6 The Man Who Wouldnt Sing Along With Mitch (02:13) 7 Come Along (01:55) 8 I May Be Right (02:31) 9 Oh Suzanna (01:47) 10 Bound for Higher Ground (02:06) 11 Tom Dooley (02:01) 12 Searchin (03:02) 13 Mr. Tambourine Man (02:51) 14 Ill Remember Tonight (02:06) 15 The Last Thing on My Mind (02:47) 16 California Dreamin (02:39) |
 | Album: 36 of 39 Title: The Singles+ Released: 2000 Tracks: 42 Duration: 2:08:49 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 California Dreamin’ (02:40) 2 Somebody Groovy (03:15) 3 Go Where You Wanna Go (02:29) 4 Monday Monday (03:27) 5 Got a Feelin’ (02:51) 6 I Saw Her Again (03:13) 7 Look Through My Window (03:05) 8 Words of Love (02:15) 9 Dancin in the Street (03:48) 10 Dedicated to the One I Love (02:58) 11 Creeque Alley (03:48) 12 I Call Your Name (02:38) 13 Twelve Thirty (03:25) 14 Straight Shooter (02:58) 15 Hey Girl (02:29) 16 Glad to Be Unhappy (01:43) 17 Dancing Bear (04:11) 18 Safe in My Garden (03:13) 19 Dream a Little Dream of Me (03:14) 20 Midnight Voyage (03:13) 21 For the Love of Ivy (03:43) 22 California Earthquake (03:25) 1 Do You Wanna Dance (02:58) 2 My Girl (03:29) 3 Move in a Little Closer, Baby (02:38) 4 Its Getting Better (02:59) 5 Make Your Own Kind of Music (02:20) 6 New World Coming (02:11) 7 Mississippi (03:15) 8 A Song That Never Comes (02:26) 9 Good Times Are Coming (02:55) 10 Dont Let the Good Life Pass You By (02:48) 11 One Way Ticket (02:48) 12 Easy Come Easy Go (02:45) 13 Something to Make You Happy (02:20) 14 Walking to the Point (04:03) 15 Step Out (03:04) 16 Shooting Star (02:54) 17 Disney Girls (04:09) 18 There She Goes (04:18) 19 No Love Today (03:07) 20 The Aching Kind (03:17) |
 | Album: 37 of 39 Title: All the Leaves Are Brown: The Golden Era Collection Released: 2001-08-28 Tracks: 52 Duration: 2:34:16 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Monday, Monday (03:25) 2 Straight Shooter (02:58) 3 Got a Feelin’ (02:51) 4 I Call Your Name (02:38) 5 Do You Wanna Dance (02:58) 6 Go Where You Wanna Go (02:29) 7 California Dreamin’ (02:40) 8 Spanish Harlem (03:20) 9 Somebody Groovy (03:16) 10 Hey Girl (02:29) 11 You Baby (02:21) 12 The “In” Crowd (03:12) 13 No Salt on Her Tail (02:43) 14 Trip, Stumble & Fall (02:40) 15 Dancing Bear (04:11) 16 Words of Love (02:16) 17 My Heart Stood Still (01:43) 18 Dancing in the Street (03:49) 19 I Saw Her Again Last Night (03:14) 20 Strange Young Girls (02:55) 21 I Cant Wait (02:43) 22 Even If I Could (02:43) 23 That Kind of Girl (02:37) 24 Once Was a Time I Thought (01:01) 25 Dedicated to the One I Love (02:59) 26 My Girl (03:29) 27 Creeque Alley (03:48) 1 Sing for Your Supper (02:49) 2 Twist and Shout (02:53) 3 Free Advice (03:20) 4 Look Through My Window (03:08) 5 Boys & Girls Together (03:16) 6 String Man (03:02) 7 Frustration (02:59) 8 Did You Ever Want to Cry (02:56) 9 Johns Music Box (01:07) 10 Glad to Be Unhappy (01:44) 11 The Right Somebody to Love (00:40) 12 Safe in My Garden (03:13) 13 Meditation Mama (04:22) 14 For the Love of Ivy (03:43) 15 Dream a Little Dream of Me (03:14) 16 Mansions (03:46) 17 Gemini Childe (04:29) 18 Nothings Too Good for My Little Girl (03:09) 19 Too Late (04:10) 20 Twelve Thirty (03:26) 21 Rooms (02:49) 22 Midnight Voyage (03:15) 23 I Saw Her Again Last Night (mono) (02:55) 24 Words of Love (02:14) 25 Creeque Alley (03:48) |
| All the Leaves Are Brown: The Golden Era Collection : Allmusic album Review : This is where fans of the group can sort of stop and settle down at last. MCA Records had previously let the Mamas & the Papas music out on CD in a trickle; the debut LP was upgraded and a compilation of remastered hits showed later in the decade, but the rest was left to languish. This two-CD set makes up for that neglect, assembling all four of the quartets 60s albums on two CDs and augmenting them with the mono single versions of "I Saw Her Again," "Words of Love," and "Creeque Alley," plus the non-LP single "Glad to Be Unhappy." One just wants to luxuriate in the sound of this reissue and its little details, like the rhythm guitar on "Do You Want to Dance" that cuts right through the air, the string basses on "Go Where You Want to Go" that sound like theyre just across the room, and the rest of the first album. The real keys to the value of this set, however, are the second and third LPs by the group, superb albums which were either never reissued on CD at all or never upgraded from the mid- to late 80s. The groups second album has never enjoyed as strong a reputation as its predecessor, possibly because of the painful and convoluted circumstances under which it was recorded (Michelle Phillips was fired and then reinstated a few weeks later, but a version of the cover does exist that features Phillips temporary replacement, Jill Gibson, in the lineup). The songs may not quite match up to the selection or the sense of free experimentation that went into the first album, but coming from any other group, the contents of The Mamas & The Papas LP would have been considered a triumph. "No Salt on Her Tail" and "Trip, Stumble & Fall" could have been outtakes from the first album, while "Dancing Bear" put them into Peter, Paul & Mary territory. "Words of Love" didnt quite come up to the standard theyd set for themselves, but "My Heart Stood Still" nearly succeeds in turning the Rodgers & Hart standard into a folk-rock piece of incomparable beauty. The whole second half of the disc is a revelation in sound, simply because apart from the hits, none of its material had shown up on CD before, and here it is with resolution so close that Joe Osbornes bass sounds like its practically in the listeners lap. Cuts such as "I Cant Wait" and "Strange Young Girls" -- although the latter is never cited as a strong point, it has a depth and richness in its appearance here that calls to mind textural echoes of the Beach Boys Pet Sounds album -- and "Once Was a Time I Thought" (where they tread onto Spanky & Our Gang-cum-Manhattan Transfer territory) help make this set essential to virtually any fan of the group. The quartets third album, Deliver, which is divided between the two CDs, is similarly improved in a startling upgrade from the mid-80s CD that makes their version of "My Girl," in particular, sound gloriously radiant. Their fourth album, Papas & Mamas, although never in the same league with the groups earlier records, can be considered nearly essential musically for the upgrade on "Rooms," "Too Late," "Mansions," and the classic "Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming to the Canyon)." As an added attraction, in addition to the single mixes on three of their hits, the disc also features superb notes built around recollections by the surviving members of the group and longtime session musicians, such as Eric Hord. | ||
 | Album: 38 of 39 Title: Complete Anthology Released: 2004-09-20 Tracks: 101 Duration: 5:04:20 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Monday, Monday (03:25) 2 Straight Shooter (02:58) 3 Got a Feelin’ (02:51) 4 I Call Your Name (02:38) 5 Do You Wanna Dance (02:58) 6 Go Where You Wanna Go (02:29) 7 California Dreamin’ (02:40) 8 Spanish Harlem (03:20) 9 Somebody Groovy (03:16) 10 Hey Girl (02:29) 11 You Baby (02:21) 12 The "In" Crowd (03:16) 13 No Salt on Her Tail (02:43) 14 Trip, Stumble and Fall (02:40) 15 Dancing Bear (04:11) 16 Words of Love (02:16) 17 My Heart Stood Still (01:43) 18 Dancing in the Street (03:49) 19 I Saw Her Again (03:13) 20 Strange Young Girls (02:55) 21 I Cant Wait (02:43) 22 Even If I Could (02:43) 23 That Kind of Girl (02:37) 24 Once Was a Time I Thought (01:01) 25 Glad to Be Unhappy (01:44) 26 Creeque Alley (03:48) 27 Words of Love (02:14) 1 Dedicated to the One I Love (02:59) 2 My Girl (03:29) 3 Creeque Alley (03:48) 4 Sing for Your Supper (02:49) 5 Twist and Shout (02:53) 6 Free Advice (03:20) 7 Look Through My Window (03:08) 8 Boys & Girls Together (03:16) 9 String Man (03:02) 10 Frustration (02:59) 11 Did You Ever Want to Cry (02:56) 12 Johns Music Box (01:07) 13 The Right Somebody to Love (00:40) 14 Safe in My Garden (03:13) 15 Meditation Mama (Transcendental Woman Travels) (04:23) 16 For the Love of Ivy (03:43) 17 Dream a Little Dream of Me (03:14) 18 Mansions (03:46) 19 Gemini Childe (04:29) 20 Nothings Too Good for My Little Girl (03:09) 21 Too Late (04:10) 22 Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming to the Canyon) (03:26) 23 Rooms (02:49) 24 Midnight Voyage (03:13) 25 Once Was a Time I Thought (rehearsal & Studio Chatter) (01:17) 26 Studio Chatter (00:42) 27 I Cant Wait (rehearsal & Studio Chatter) (01:15) 1 People Like Us (03:26) 2 Pacific Coast Highway (03:04) 3 Snowqueen of Texas (02:38) 4 Shooting Star (02:54) 5 Step Out (03:03) 6 Lady Genevieve (03:48) 7 No Dough (03:05) 8 European Blueboy (03:39) 9 Pearl (02:24) 10 I Wanna Be a Star (02:17) 11 Grasshopper (02:57) 12 Blueberries for Breakfast (03:01) 13 Straight Shooter (live at Monterey) (04:22) 14 Got a Feelin (live at Monterey) (04:14) 15 California Dreamin (02:44) 16 Spanish Harlem (04:06) 17 Somebody Groovy (live at Monterey) (04:25) 18 I Call Your Name (live at Monterey) (06:16) 19 Monday, Monday (live at Monterey) (03:33) 20 Dancing in the Street (live at Monterey) (05:03) 21 John Phillips (dialogue) (02:29) 22 Cass Elliott (dialogue) (03:14) 1 Nowhere Man (01:22) 2 Here in My Arms (02:26) 3 Its Getting Better (03:02) 4 Make Your Own Kind of Music (02:26) 5 New World Coming (02:11) 6 The Costume Ball (02:38) 7 Something to Make You Happy (02:18) 8 Mississippi (03:38) 9 Revolution on Vacation (02:39) 10 Cup of Tea (03:50) 11 Gathering the Words (04:12) 12 To Claudia on Thursday (03:09) 13 Indian Girl (03:17) 14 Baby Catch the Moon (02:49) 15 Aloha Louie (02:43) 16 There She Goes (03:55) 17 No Love Today (03:06) 18 The Aching Kind (03:19) 19 This Precious Time (02:47) 20 Do You Believe in Magic (02:17) 21 Yesterday (02:53) 22 Youve Got to Hide Your Love Away (02:47) 23 Let Me Be (02:35) 24 Hang on Sloopy (04:02) 25 California Dreamin (02:39) |
| Complete Anthology : Allmusic album Review : Whats in a name? If you love mid-60s folk-rockers the Mamas & the Papas, this four-volume U.K. Complete Anthology (2004) speaks for itself. The 101 selections run in excess of five hours centering on the vintage long-players If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears (1966), The Mamas & the Papas (1966), The Mamas & the Papas Deliver (1967), The Papas & the Mamas (1968), People Like Us (1971), and The Monterey International Pop Festival (1971). For many, that gracious plenty would be sufficient. But the real icing (or cake for the hardcore fan) comes in the form of the nearly 90 minutes of hard-to-find material ranging from the quartets debut as support vocalists for Barry McGuire, to rare singles, audio from a pair of television appearances, and a bevy of post-Mamas & the Papas entries from John Phillips, Michelle Phillips, Cass Elliot, and Denny Doherty as solo artists. The contents of the first four LPs sound uniformly excellent, on par with the domestic North American All the Leaves Are Brown: The Golden Era Collection (2001) anthology. They seemingly share the same source -- an actual 45 rpm platter -- for the monaural versions of both "Words of Love" and the autobiographical "Creeque Alley." The latter title is of special mention as the original mix is conspicuously different from the more familiar one that turned up on The Mamas & the Papas Deliver. The 7" contained considerably less reverb throughout, but the most obvious disparity comes during the line "And California Dreamin is becoming a reality," which is repeated. On the one folks are probably most accustomed to hearing, only the last syllable in the word "reality" is audible. Earnest collector-types should note that a higher-fidelity rendering was incorporated into the D.A. Pennebaker documentary Monterey Pop (1968). Additional extras worth citing are the brief dialogue segments by John Phillips and Cass Elliot that surfaced on A Gathering of Flowers (1971) and were merely excerpted on the two-CD Creeque Alley (1991) package. Similarly, the studio chatter and rehearsals of "Once Was a Time I Thought" and "I Cant Wait" at the end of disc two are also holdouts from A Gathering of Flowers. John Phillips "Revolution on Vacation," "Cup of Tea," Elliots "Costume Ball" -- from the Doctors Wives (1970) motion picture soundtrack -- Dohertys "To Claudia on Thursday" -- off of Jimmie Haskells California 99 (1971) concept album -- "Indian Girl," and "Baby, Catch the Moon," as well as the majority of the Michelle Phillips sides all make their digital debut here. Complete Anthology (2004) concludes with seven cuts from Barry McGuires This Precious Time (1966). It was during these fall of 1965 recording dates that producer Lou Adler gave the Mamas & the Papas their initial opportunity behind the microphone. Listeners will instantly recognize McGuires rendering of "California Dreamin" as it boasts the very same instrumental backing with a few minor alterations. Producer Adler simply replaced McGuires voice and harmonica. Well sort of, as traces of his foghorn-like pipes are on the Mamas & the Papas hit. The 74-page liner tome is a great read, although arguably revisionist. The reams of rarely published photos, complete American discography, and chronological time line of key events make it as thorough a work of prose as exists on the foursome. Completists will want to hold onto copies of All the Leaves Are Brown if for no other reason than the mono "I Saw Her Again," the sole Mamas & the Papas-related release absent from Complete Anthology. | ||
 | Album: 39 of 39 Title: Gold Released: 2005-01-11 Tracks: 32 Duration: 1:32:04 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Monday, Monday (03:25) 2 Straight Shooter (02:58) 3 Got a Feelin’ (02:51) 4 I Call Your Name (02:38) 5 Do You Wanna Dance (02:58) 6 Go Where You Wanna Go (02:29) 7 California Dreamin’ (02:40) 8 Somebody Groovy (03:16) 9 You Baby (02:21) 10 The “In” Crowd (03:12) 11 No Salt on Her Tail (02:43) 12 Dancing Bear (04:11) 13 Words of Love (02:16) 14 My Heart Stood Still (01:43) 15 Dancing in the Street (03:49) 16 I Saw Her Again (03:13) 17 Once Was a Time I Thought (00:59) 1 Dedicated to the One I Love (02:59) 2 My Girl (03:29) 3 Creeque Alley (03:48) 4 Sing for Your Supper (02:49) 5 Twist and Shout (02:53) 6 Free Advice (03:20) 7 Look Through My Window (03:08) 8 Glad to Be Unhappy (01:44) 9 The Right Somebody to Love (00:40) 10 Safe in My Garden (03:13) 11 Dream a Little Dream of Me (03:14) 12 Nothings Too Good for My Little Girl (03:09) 13 Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming to the Canyon) (03:26) 14 Midnight Voyage (03:14) 15 Step Out (03:03) |
| Gold : Allmusic album Review : The Mamas & the Papas Gold is a two-disc, 32-track set that does an admirable job of mixing the major hits with well chosen album tracks. Unlike MCAs 1991 similar package Creeque Alley, solo tracks are ignored with the focus being only on the five studio albums recorded as a group: If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears, The Mamas & the Papas, Deliver, The Papas & the Mamas and (thankfully) only one track from the contractual obligation swan song People Like Us. The remastered tracks bring out both the intricate harmonies and colorful musical arrangements of group mastermind John Phillips. Billy Altmans liner notes and several rare photos also add to the overall quality of the package. | ||