Excellent collection of '60s hits from Gary Lewis & The Playboys. Gary, son of comedian Jerry Lewis, was drummer, leader and vocalist for this hit-making combo who scored their first hit with 'This Diamond Ring'. Once ... more »that hit was in the bag, more started to flow including 'Everybody Loves A Clown', 'Count Me In', 'Save Your Heart For Me' and the ultra-cool 'She's Just My Style'. The Playboys sound was closer to the sound of Jay & The Americans, The Four Seasons, The Monkees and Paul Revere & The Raiders than their Merseybeat rivals like The Beatles, Gerry & The Pacemakers and Freddie & The Dreamers, but that didn't stop the fans from buying their records. This 31 track collection features all their hits plus classic album tracks. EMI.« less
Excellent collection of '60s hits from Gary Lewis & The Playboys. Gary, son of comedian Jerry Lewis, was drummer, leader and vocalist for this hit-making combo who scored their first hit with 'This Diamond Ring'. Once that hit was in the bag, more started to flow including 'Everybody Loves A Clown', 'Count Me In', 'Save Your Heart For Me' and the ultra-cool 'She's Just My Style'. The Playboys sound was closer to the sound of Jay & The Americans, The Four Seasons, The Monkees and Paul Revere & The Raiders than their Merseybeat rivals like The Beatles, Gerry & The Pacemakers and Freddie & The Dreamers, but that didn't stop the fans from buying their records. This 31 track collection features all their hits plus classic album tracks. EMI.
CD Reviews
Ice Melts in the Sun
Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 04/04/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Gary Lewis & the Playboys flamed across the charts in the mid-60s with sunny pop hits and sentimental ballads that charmed. During that era when I was in junior high and high school, this was my favorite band next to the Beatles. Gary's big hits "This Diamond Ring," "Count Me In," "Save Your Heart for Me," "Everybody Loves A Clown" & "She's Just My Style" still put a smile on my face and set my toe tapping. I have the 25-track "Masters Series" collection from 1990, but enjoy this recent import -- my copy from the Philippines. While both collections contain the major hits including "Green Grass" whose sunny melody I love, we lose eight tracks: "The Loser," "Jill," "Girls In Love," "Way Way Out," "I Don't Wanna Say Goodnight," "Without a Word of Warning," "Doin' the Flake," and "Little Miss Go-Go." "Complete Hits" adds some of the great covers that Gary put on his Liberty albums: "Palisades Park," "Let Me Tell Your Fortune," "When Summer Is Gone," "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes," "Go to Him," "Mr. Blue," "Well Respected Man," "Face in the Crowd," "Rubber Ball," "You're Sixteen," "Sloop John B," "String Along," "Let's Be More than Friends," "One Track Mind," and "Barefootin'." The reason I bought this collection was the track "Ice Melts In the Sun" which was the flip side of a single and not on an album. I think (not sure) that it was the flip side of "The Loser." It's another sunny happy song that puts a smile on my face. Both collections have the lovely track "Autumn" that should have been a hit record! I still enjoy putting on these tracks and pull them out regularly. Enjoy!"
Some rare stuff first time on CD
rolando | los angeles, california | 08/26/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
""When Summer Is Gone" was a big hit in Asia when I was in the US Navy during the 60's but was never included in previous Gary Lewis greatest hits compilation. The CD title "Complete Hits" is indeed approriate and whoever compile these tracks in one CD has enough common sense and I thank you very much !!!!!"
Beware! Re-Mixes and Alternate Versions
asfhgwt | PA, USA | 06/14/2008
(2 out of 5 stars)
"A lot of the tracks are re-mixed and don't sound much like the original versions, and "Sure Gonna Miss Her" sounds nothing like the hit you know. The band's covers of other singers' tunes aren't worth your time, so although you get 31 songs overall, only a couple are any good. Buy the "greatest hits" CD instead.
"
More studio talk in front of many tracks.
Etoy Filpots | Norcross, Georgia United States | 05/14/2007
(2 out of 5 stars)
"I bought this CD in the hope that it would contain the songs without any countoffs or talk before the songs. I already had that garbage on the Legendary Masters CD.
This CD is ruined in the same way, most of the hits have worthless talk before the music.
Whose idea is this? Who thinks people want this?
Does anyone know of a CD that has the music and nothing but the music with clean cues.
"
Truly Complete!
D. Mukai | Hilo, HI USA | 10/10/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I owned their other greatest hits album but this one has songs that I had not heard before or remember. Great album."
Track Listings (31) - Disc #1