Search - Various Artists :: Girls Girls Girls: 25 All-Time Classics Girls

Above the rest of the pack

Zub | Forks Twp., PA | 03/01/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Girl-group compilations abound in the CD reissue marketplace but often recycle the same ol' titles. How many times can you buy the Angels' "My Boyfriend's Back"? Here, Varese Vintage has gathered up a generous 25-track sampler of girl and girl-group, mostly pre-British invasion tunes representing both the "oh-no-not-again" and the rare. Among the girl-group standards here are the Murmaids' syrupy "Popsicles and Icicles", the Paris Sisters' Spectorian "I Love How You Love Me" and one of the most ubiquitously compiled tunes, the Chiffons' "He's So Fine". More interestingly though, the apprearance of significantly charting but seldom-found tracks such as the Sapphires' "Who Do You Love", Brenda and the Tabulations' "Right On The Tip Of My Tongue" and Linda Scott's "I've Told Every Little Star" notch up the interest level for this piece. Going even further and really intriguing the genre's collectors are real rarities in the form of Candy and the Kisses' "The 81" (a Martha and the Vandellas sound-alike out of Philadelphia), Diane Maxwell's "Jimmy Kiss And Run" and Felice Taylor's "It May Be Winter Outside...". Also to the credit of the compilers here is the choice of the Shirelles' (an almost mandatory inclusion in any girl-group compilation) "Mama Said" over the usual "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" and the Angels' "Til" instead of their anthem, "My Boyfriend's Back". And going one step further, while the Chiffons' "He's So Fine" appears in a collection for the umpteenth time, here you get the extraordinarily rare binaural stereo version. And speaking of sound, the quality here is top-notch with most tracks in stereo (1-4,7-12,15,19,20,23-25), tracks 9 and 19 having been newly remixed from the session masters. Rounding out the package is an eight-page liner notes booklet with backround and some illustrations for the included tracks and artists. All together, a top-notch piece way above the crowd of girl group compilations."

+1/2 -- Rich cross-section of '60s girl sounds

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 08/18/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"With so many girl group and girl singer anthologies and reissues on the market, it's hard to know where to start one's collection. Varese's generous 25-track collection provides a valuable tutorial, with a song selection that includes both iconic hits and lesser-known regional singles, it cuts a wide swath through girl groups (e.g., Shirelles, Chiffons, Dixie Cups, Murmaids, Paris Sisters, Shangri-Las), pop songbirds (e.g., Linda Scott, Marcie Blane, Kathy Young), and soul and R&B singers (e.g., Betty Everett, Claudine Clark, Barbara Lewis, Barbara George, Barbara Mason, Barbara Lynn).Nearly all of these tracks started life on indie labels, some well known (Red Bird, Sceptor, Wand, Laurie), and some hopelessly obscure (Tuff, Seville, A.F.O., Arctic). They were produced and hustled to radio in a time when regional hits on indie labels could still break out nationally. Then again, some of these gems remained regional favorites; the Philly soul favorite "The 81" only touched #51, failing to ignite a nationwide dance craze, and Yvonne Carroll's sophisticated ballad "Laugh or Cry" was well known in Pittsburgh, but never cracked the national charts. And though Motown's Detroit sounds are missing, Felice Taylor sounds remarkably like Diana Ross on the Barry White produced "It May Be Winter Outside (But in My Heart It's Spring)."In addition to the girls in the studio, the talent behind the glass is equally impressive. Songwriters anthologized here include Kenny Gamble (who would later co-develop the famed 1970s Philly Sound with Leon Huff), David Gates (whose "Popsicles and Icicles" is even stickier than his later work with Bread), and Brill Building stalwarts Jeff Barry & Ellie Greenwich, Gerry Goffin & Carole King, and Barry Mann. Producers heard here include Kim Fowley (who would develop a rather different girl-sound with The Runaways in the late 70s), Phil Spector, Van McCoy and Shadow Morton, along with lesser-known names whose talent is laid down in these grooves.Varese's gathered together an impressive number of stereo masters (1-3, 7-11, 15, 19-20, 23-25, possibly 4 and 12), and several of these tracks (6, 9, 13, 19, 21) are reasonably rare in CD circles, making this a good catch for both collectors and neophytes.4-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings."

Fine single CD compilation of those mesmerizing girl group s

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 06/07/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Girls! Girls! Girls! 25 All-Time Classics of the Girl Group Sound has 25 amazing hits that got people up and dancing--or maybe daydreaming about their sweethearts. There are quite a few girl groups and individual artists represented here; and they all have great talent. This CD will bring back memories for those of us who listened to these tunes when they were first released on radio and 45s; and that's terrific. These classic hits still sound every bit as good today! The quality of the sound is excellent and I like the artwork as well.



Linda Scott opens it all up with "I've Told Every Little Star;" this tune is very pretty and Linda never misses a beat! The guitar work enhances the number and the percussion sounds good, too. Betty Everett sings "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)" with lots of positive energy; she never falters and this is one of my favorite tunes on this CD. "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)" has great percussion and Betty's voice never sounded better--great! The Shirelles do a wonderful job on "Mama Said;" this was very popular when they released this and it still is quite recognizable today.



The Angels do "'Til" with panache and the lush musical arrangement really helps this ballad along; and for another special number listen for ""Party Lights" by Claudine Clark. Claudine sings this faultlessly and "Party Lights" is another major highlight of this album. In addition, "Bobby's Girl" gets the royal treatment from Marcie Blaine; Marcie sings this with genuine emotion and just one listen proves it! Marcie's excellent diction bolsters her singing all the more; and the guitar works wonders for the ballad. Marcie didn't really need that male backup but they do sound good.



The Chiffons perform "He's So Fine" with style and grace; the early rock and roll flavor of this arrangement helps this number hold its own very well. Felice Taylor also does great justice to "It May Be Winter Outside (But in My Heart It's Spring);" Felice sings with a voice clear as a bell. Barbara George outdoes even herself on "I Know (You Don't Love Me No More);" this highlight is outstanding in every way and I could never tire of hearing Barbara sing this song. The Dixie Cups contribute their fantastic "People Say;" this is charming and the music fits in perfectly with their vocals. I also really enjoy "Popsicles and Icicles" by The Murmaids; they were incredible!



The Paris Sisters deliver "I Love How You Love Me;" this gentle, sweet love song is perfect in their capable hands. Barbara Lynn also does the wonderful "You'll Lose A Good Thing;" her sense of timing is remarkably fine. "Right On The Tip Of My Tongue" couldn't have been done any better than the way Brenda & The Tabulations perform it; and the CD closes really nicely with The Shangri-Las doing "Give Him A Great Big Kiss."



Girls! Girls! Girls! 25 All-Time Classics of the Girl Group Sound will never disappoint people who love that girl group sound--unless they are diehard fans who already have these tunes. If you have most or all of these numbers, search for more comprehensive CD sets; the casual fan or the newcomer to the girl group sound will enjoy this CD for many years to come.

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