Search - Journeymen :: Very Best of

Long-forgotten gems once again available

Richard E. "Nick" Noble | Southborough, MA USA | 04/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Of the three Journeymen, Dick Weissman-- perhaps the group's finest musician-- is the least known. John Phillips (later of The Mamas & The Papas, of course) and Scott McKenzie ("Are you going to San Francisco?") complete a long-forgotten folk trio that, for a brief period, was the best of the best. Their harmonies are as good as (or better) than The Brandywine Singers, and, like The Limeliters, they can make three voices sound like so many more. Like The Kingston Trio and The Highwaymen, they display a diversity and an honesty that is true and impressive. In their own way, they are more innovative than groups like Peter, Paul, & Mary; The New Christy Minstrels; and The Brothers Four, while retaining those groups' feel for what a crowd might like. But no folk group ever combined all these qualities at such high levels of excellence into one entity.There are so many gems here: "I May Be Right", "Fennario", "Make Me a Pallet", "Cotton Mill Girls", and "Bay of Mexico" (what a gorgeous sound on that one) are my personal favorites, but they are all terrific.Unfortunately, the folk gods did not bless The Journeymen with commercial success, but John Phillips (who wrote "San Francisco" for McKenzie, and also named his daughter after his friend Scott) proved that, given the right set of circumstances, he certainly had the knack. In The Mamas & The Papas, you can hear the echoes of those brilliant Journeymen harmonies, transformed into something new, different, and exciting.Anyone who loves folk music, especially folk groups, has to own this one. I only wish that more of The Journeymen's songs were available, as this CD is but a selection from their albums. Gems all, but there may be others out there..."

Exquisite harmony...A desert island album

R. Sobkoviak | Chicagoland, USA | 01/05/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Quite simply: I would trade my entire music collection for a 10 second scrap from The Journeymen. Their harmonies give me a lump in my throat and bring tears to my eyes."

The Very Best of the Journeymen

Richard E. "Nick" Noble | 02/11/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album sounds like the Journeymen I listened to in the dorm in the mid-60's. I loved the clean sound and great arrangements by the trio.
Toward the end of the CD you can hear John Phillip's arrangements mature toward those of the Mamas and the Papas, the group John founded. Only one song was missed (that I can remember)---One Quick Martini (answer to Scotch and Soda by the KT)."