Trini Lopez - Best of (20 tracks) +Album Reviews

Trini Lopez IS cool!

Stephen Caratzas | Brooklyn, New York | 06/15/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first heard the music of Trini Lopez when I was a kid, listening to my parents' scratchy LPs of "Live at PJs", and "Greatest Hits". There is still something indefinably amazing about this artist who, I believe, came close to bridging the '60s generation gap. It was the Trini Lopez version of "If I Had a Hammer" (a protest song, remember) that sold 5 million copies. Though many try crossing over musical/political boundaries, few succeed at making it fun and uplifting to do so. "Lemon Tree" was always my particular favorite. A fairly cornball tune in the hands of the Kingston Trio or even Peter, Paul and Mary, Trini Lopez made it rock! His impeccable sense of rhythm on a 12-string acoustic guitar drives the song to downright danceable heights, assisted only by an electric bass and drum kit. While this GNP/Crescendo disc doesn't feature the superb selection of hits and immaculate sound of the Japanese release "From the Original Master Tapes", it is an excellent sampling nonetheless. Do yourself a favor and check it out."

What the world needs is a Trini Lopez revival!

Westley | 10/31/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"OK, so maybe this disc sounds like it would be kitschy fun. But seriously, this is terrific music! Trini Lopez was a fine guitar player and spirited vocalist, and his three-man combo idea was later swiped by Johnny Rivers. Best of all, all these songs (the essence of a swinging '60s cocktail party) still rock with a punchy, slightly boozy energy. Someday, the world will wake up to the fact that Trini Lopez is cool."

Trini Lopez: A 1960's Contemporary icon.

Anthony Accordino | Massapequa Park, New York United States | 11/22/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you grew up in the sixties, there is a pretty good chance Mom or Dad had a Trini Lopez LP or two playing on that old magnavox stereo console that we all had in our living rooms. Frank Sinatra himself was an admitted Trini Lopez fan and he helped get the wheels moving for Trini's career. What we have here is a collection of some of the best folk/contemporary sing alongs ever waxed. Not only will adults like it, but children will enjoy the hell out of most of these songs as well. Not every great song Trini made during the sixties is here, but there is enough on this collection to make this the best career overview available. Songs like "If I Had A Hammer", "Michael", "This land Is Your Land","Bye Bye Love" and "Walk Right In" bring back instant memories of this forgotten legend who deserves to be recognized for his many contributions to popular music."

Good Collection for Fans

Westley | Stuck in my head | 10/29/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Trini Lopez got his start touring with Buddy Holly before being discovered by Frank Sinatra in the early 60s. Sinatra took Trini under his wing and signed him to the Reprise label. However, Trini's music sounds nothing like Sinatra or his Rat Pack colleagues; in fact, it's rather difficult to classify. I like to refer to Trini's music as "folk: go-go style," as he reminds me of a combination of Johnny Rivers and the Kingston Trio. A perfect example is the lead-off song, "If I Had a Hammer," a cover of the Pete Seeger-written classic that was a #10 hit in 1962 for Peter, Paul, & Mary. Trini's version was, somewhat shockingly, an even bigger hit in 1963 (#3) and sounds very different - like it was recorded at a kicky cocktail party.

He scored a second hit with another Peter, Paul, & Mary song - "Lemon Tree": it peaked at #20 and is Trini's second biggest hit. Much of this CD is comprised of covers of hits from the 50s or 60s, including "La Bamba" (#22 for Ritchie Valens in 1959), "Bye Bye Love" (#2 for the Everly Brothers in 1957), "Walk Right In" (#1 for the Rooftop Singer in 1963), and "Kansas City" (#1 for Wilbert Harrison in 1959). Other remakes are more rock-oriented versions of traditional folk songs, such as "Michael" (#1 for the Highwaymen in 1961), "This Land Is Your Land," and "You Are My Sunshine." I enjoy some of these songs; however, after awhile, this CD's reliance on remakes becomes somewhat oppressive.

Trini did record some originals, such as the fantastic "Sad Tomorrows" - a real highlight of this CD. Perhaps my favorite song, though, is a cover of a Sinatra signature tune - "Fly Me to the Moon." Trini's version is quite fun, and I actually bought this CD for that song. I have to admit that I have not subsequently become much of a Trini Lopez fan. However, this collection is a pretty good synopsis of his career and includes his biggest and most memorable hits. On the downside, the liner notes are skimpy, consisting primarily of an over-the-top essay by Neil Norman. If you're a fan, however, then you may want to add a star to my rating, as this CD is a solid greatest hits collection.

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