Search - Sunshine Company :: The Best of the Sunshine Company

The odds were stacked against them

paulkristi | Mount Prospect, Illinois United States | 01/09/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am giving this C.D 5 stars because I really like the group. They had a ton of talent however the odds were stacked against them. Just like The Peanut Butter Conspiracy of the same time, they were warriors in the San Francisco Vs. L.A. sound (both aforemetioned groups from L.A). Unfortunatly at that particular time there was a flood of girl/guy folk rock harmony groups, just think, The Mojo Men,The vejatables,The Great Society,WE 5, The Neighborhood Childr'en,The Stone Poneys,Eternitys Children, Smith,Spanky And Our Gang, not to mention The Mamas and The Papas and The Jefferson Airplane. Where was there room for any more? Well, all of these groups really did have their own sounds but the genre was a bit crowded. Like The Peanut Butter Conspiracy, The Sunshine Company suffered from lack of promotion from their record companies, it wasn't that these groups lacked talent, what they lacked was exposer. Double that with the countless number others groups doing the same thing, theres only one thing left to say: "One or two hit wonders."Now Collectors choice music (the company who issued this C.D) have their hearts in the right place, however...When Collectables (a different music company) reissued a Peanut Butter Conspiracy C.D, they cleaned up the recordings as best as possible AND they released BOTH of the PBCs'first two albums on a "two-fer" C.D. The Sunshine Company originally released 3 albums, why oh why couldn't they release all 3 of their albums instead of a best of? This C.D. is missing some of the "best of" The Sunshine Company. Their version (actually recorded BEFORE the 5th dimensions') of "UP,UP,and Away" was disgracefully omitted. Also left out was their cover of Curt Boettchers' song "I just want to be your friend" (originally recorded by The Milleneium) also forgotten was "rain" and "love is a happy thing." Further more the sound quality isn't that great at all, The whole C.D sounds dreadfully MUDDY and the volume flutters from time to time. On the upside the linear notes are excellently informative. There is another Sunshine Company C.D. listed here on amazon. Its an import of their first (and most well known) album "Happy is.....The Sunshine Company it is selling for... I would (still) HAPPILY pay that price for that C.D. if it were only in stock!! HINT..HINT..HINTRemember: The Peanut Butter Conspiracy is spreading and The Sunshine Company is Rising!!!!!!!"

The Sunshine Company is so Fresh and Good.

Jeff | New England, U.S.A. | 08/29/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is incredible. I recommend playing this CD in its entirety only on one occasion. Then listen to it again a few days later only one moment in time - from start to finish. Repeat the process one more time about a day or two later and you will be forever hooked. Each track is remarkably written and performed. It is understatedly sophisticated, which may require repeated listening, but once you do...you know what I mean. So many past albums have affected me this way that I've grown to love them and have NEVER tired from repeated listening. Like most, I was enthralled with the Beatles and the like throughout the 60's, overlooking this gem when I was a kid. The Sunshine Co. falls squarely between the Association and the Mamas and Papas. Wait a minute...that's not fair. Maybe it's the other way around - the Association and Mamas and Papas are a spin-off of the Sunshine Co. What a gifted group performing well crafted songs with unique melodies and a savvy sensibility. Their verse/chorus arrangements do not equate to tedious or mind-numbing material. They find a way to deliver without sounding extremely dated or dull. The Sunshine Co. approach their material with cleverly constructed arrangements that are not as improvisational or experimental, yet still hold my attention well. Our young daughters love this group and prefer it over many of their chosen contemporary Disney artists. Some of the earlier tracks were not recorded as well, but the quality improves on subsequent tracks. A must have - you will not be disappointed!"

The trip back was as good as I remember

Richard Kelly | SAN FRANCISCO, CA United States | 05/30/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Sunshine Company should have gone farther - should have been better known - should have made more music. But their story is familiar: creative differences with their label over material and the general chaotic state of marketing in the business at the time. They had a different, fresh sound and struck a chord in my teenage heart at the time. I was only slightly disappointed that the collection didn't include "Willie Jean" and their version of "Up, Up and Away".



VERY '60's and memories of a sweet, utopian vision we once all shared."