Search - Turtles :: Solid Zinc: The Turtles Anthology

The best Turtles "best of"

David Goodwin | Westchester, NY United States | 08/29/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Initially, I was a bit leery at the idea of *yet another* Turtles compilation that wasn't some sort of rarities fest-o-rama. After all, the Association "Just the Right Sound" set--which came out at the same time as Solid Zinc--was clearly "needed," as the Association's catalogue is not easily availible on domestic disc. The Turtles, on the other hand, have had a surprising amount of attention lavished on their catalogue, including two entire reissue series (German Repertoire Records and American Sundazed, and Rhino reissued them on record in the early 80s), a budget-yet-expansive boxed set (Laserlight), and hosts of hits albums. Oh, and that old Rhino disc.So again, I was a bit surprised that The Turtles were going to get the two-disc Rhino anthologizing treatment, especially as very few obvious rarities ("Marmendy Mill" and "How You Loved Me" being the obvious rarities I speak of) were going to be thrown in. Then it hit me: despite the endless reissues, the Turtles have never been the focus of anything this comprehensive. Unlike other compilations, it doesn't just present hits, or just the folk-rock phase, or just the "good-times" phase. It presents everything. Because yes, folks, the Turtles were a *great band*. If anything, they suffered from a distinct lack of identity. They started out--at the suggestion of their management--in the direction of folk/protest rock (a genre they were too lacking in the seriousness department to succeed in), took a sharp turn into slightly sardonic pop, et cetera. Heck, even their hits resume is steeped in irony; Elenore, a joke song by Howard Kaylan's own admission, hit the top ten because either too many or too few people got the joke. That's cred, for ya.Additionally, the Turtles were all very proficient at their instruments (so proficient, in fact, that they rarely if ever used studio musicians for basic tracks). They also housed some VERY talented songwriters; while Mark and Howard get the most credit (due to their being the most visible, with their post-Turtles careers as Flo and Eddie), Al Nichol--the Great Lots Turtle indeed--wrote some EXCELLENT tunes for the band. Their choice of covers was usually impeccable, and even their "serious" folk-rock material has a nice, sarcastic edge to it.For collectors, while this set isn't quite as chock full of rarities as the Association set, there are a few surprises lurking. The two previously unreleased tracks are an obvious bonus, but collectors also get several mono mixes that haven't actually surfaced on disc before (several of the mono cuts on the Repertoire sets were apparently fold-downs). The excellent '45 version of Grim Reaper of Love (a fantastic song, by anyone's estimation) is also included, and we get presented with a few stealth-remixes, including a remix of "Making My Mind Up" that has the original ending intact! And the liner-notes, it goes without saying, beat the tar out of Repertoire's/Sundazed's rather limp attempts (although the Laserlight notes are still good, for what they are).In summary of the "pro" points, then, this collection serves an important purpose, as it finally presents a fair picture of one of America's most undeservedly-overlooked bands. Are there problems? Sure. While I realize this isn't necessarily the place to throw in tons of rarities, I'm disappointed that some more obvious versions weren't included. Instead of including the "Battle of the Bands" mix of Surfer Dan, for example, why not the rare mix from Rhino's 1968 EP? Why not the unreleased Ray Davies version of "Somewhere Friday Nite?" These are nitpicks, though, and I guess I'll just have to hope for a rarities set in the future. For those on budgets, though, the price tag might be a bit much for two new versions and a host of "stealth rarities."I hope people find this to be an informative review!"

Pop Music for the Ages

jbesanko | Crofton, MD United States | 11/07/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As has been said before, the Turtles may be the most underrated band of the rock era--and I agree! I was already a fan, having purchased their 1974 two-disc vinyl "Happy Together Again" collection way back when, but this anthology was a revelation...The Turtles did it all and did it well, from folk rock ("It Ain't Me Babe," "Let Me Be") to classic '60s pop ("You Baby," "Happy Together") to rock & roll ("Outside Chance," Goodbye Surprise") to psychedelic pop ("She'd Rather Be With Me," "Sound Asleep," "She's My Girl") to dreamy vocal masterpieces ("Somewhere Friday Night," "Lady-O," "There You Sit Lonely") to hilarious send-ups ("Surfer Dan," "Sound Asleep," "Elenore") and much more...The real treat here, however, are the hidden gems which I had never heard before: "Let The Cold Winds Blow" (a real rocked-up folk-rock protest tune), "Making My Mind Up" (a great record--how could this NOT have been a hit?), "We Ain't Gonna Party No More" (you can almost feel the '60s coming to an end with this one), and so many others...There are 51 songs in this collection and every time I play it I don't want it to end. It's that good."

Another Rhino Masterpiece

Stevie The Saint | Ballwin, MO United States | 03/31/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Another masterpiece from Rhino Records, ironically, a full-circle evolution from the first CD Rhino ever released, The Turtles "20 Greatest Hits". Most everyone is familiar with the classic Turtles Hits; now here's a chance to jump into even more spectacular hooks and harmonies; traits Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan were famous for. Great booklet, terrific production. I only subtract one star for some of the fluff included...some people will get into that material (see the Sundazed re-issues of the original lps), and some won't. All in all, this release shows that these guys could play with anyone, hook for hook (Beatles, Beach Boys). A great release documenting a truely great band."