Search - Four Seasons :: Frankie Valli & Four Seasons - 20 Greatest Hits-Live

Great Live Music

Joseph C. Clark | 06/20/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The 4 Seasons were always a class act, no matter who was in the group with Frankie Valli. This CD celebrates the "reunion" of the 1975-1977 aggregation of the group in 1981. A treat for Seasons diehards is that compositional genius and original 4 Season, Bob Gaudio, was lured out of retirement to play at this concert. It was his first live appearance in 9 years, apparently. The reason I don't give this CD a 5-star rating is the preponderance of medleys of classic hits, where all of the songs are only played for a verse or so, and then they're gone right as you're getting into them. Also, Frankie's voice was better on these songs in the 1960's when he had his amazing falsetto working to perfection. To hear all these songs in their true greatness, buy the new Rhino 2-disc anthology (which is the first anthology to ever include the great neglected Valli solo 1975 Top 40 hit, "Fallen Angel"). This CD does feature two excellent songs which were new at the time and cannot be found anywhere else. These songs are "Spend The Night In Love" and "Heaven Must Have Sent You (Here In The Night)." Both are done so well that they sound like studio performances with minimal audience noise dubbed over. (The Seasons did this for 1965's "Live On Stage" LP.) Both songs are incredibly catchy and could've been hits if released in the mid-70's during the Seasons' resurgence in popularity. There actually is a pure studio mix of "Spend The Night In Love", but it is not as good as this "live" version. For one thing, it has annoying electronic percussion and just doesn't flow as well.Anyway, it's hard to go wrong with the 4 Seasons if one has mature taste in music and enjoyed 1960's and 1970's pop music. The Seasons simply were great pop craftsmen and display that here."

Can't Take My Ears Off Of It

anthony nasti | Brooklyn, NY United States | 04/13/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The biggest group of the pre - Beatles '60s' (1960 to January 1964), The Four Seasons were the first group in history to have 3 consecutive # 1 singles, and their career lasted well through 1968. The original nucleus of the group disintegrated in 1971, so lead singer Frankie Valli began a highly successful solo career that yielded two number one hits, "My Eyes Adored You" and "Grease", plus a string of top 40 hits including "Swearin' To God" and "Our Day Will Come". In 1976, The Four Seasons reformed with Valli as the only original member, and scored a # 1 hit with "December 1963 (Oh, What A Night)". After a few more mid - charting singles, the new version of the band broke up in the early 1980s', during which Valli regained his hearing. In 1989, the latter - day 4 Seasons reunited and went on tour. Their electrifying performance in Holmdel, New Jersey is included on this cd.Beginning with a rauous version of "She Loves You", the band has clearly not lost its touch. Valli's voice still sparkles like wine, although his falsetto his died down a bit. He sounds young and alive on "December, 1963", "My Eyes Adored You" and "Our Day Will Come". The rest of the group's harmonies shine throughout the cd, especially on the clsoing medley and the closing chorus on "My Eyes Adored You". Also included are two new recordings not available anywhere else: "Spend The Night In Love" and "Heaven Must Have Sent You (Here In The Night)". Both are great songs in vain of the 1960s' charttoppers. And original member and songwriter Bob Gaudio pops up onstage for all to brief a moment.This cd showcases that after over 30 years, the group is still one of the finest acts out there. This was also the first Four Seasons cd I ever bought, so it does hold a lot of emotional value for me. Classic."

A Live Album For All Seasons

Anthony Nasty | 06/02/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Between 1962 and 1976, the New Jersey quintet The Four Seasons had over 15 top 10 hits and a few more that made the top 30. Add that with a few more hits by lead singer Frankie Valli, they might be the most successful American male vocal group of all time. In 1989, The Four Seasons went back out on the road for a reunion, playing to sold - out audiences all over the world. Their concert in Holmdell, New Jersey is the one highlighted here on this live album.All the hits fans are dying to hear are here - "Sherry", "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Walk Like A Man", "Rag Doll", "Bye Bye Baby (Baby Goodbye)", "Let's Hang On" and many more. My only complaints are that their 2 big '70s hits ("Who Loves You" and the number 1 hit "December 1963 (Oh What A Night)") and newer material as well as Valli's 5 biggest solo hits, are included in complete versions while the classic 1960s' materials are banished to medley form. Still, they remain some of the best music ever recorded. And Valli's solo spot on "My Eyes Adored You" show that his voice just gets better with age, and the Seasons' harmonies remain beautiful. There are also two then - new recordings that might have been big hits had they been released as singles: "Spend The Night In Love" and "Heaven Must Have Sent You (Here In The Night)".Overall, a great live show. The Four Seasons remain timeless faces in pop music today. There music will outlast anything by Eminem, Britney Spear, Christina Aguilerra, Ashanti, Beyonce, 50 Cent, G Unit, D 12 and so on and so forth. Get this album today and you won't be sorry. Have I ever let you down?"