Search - Various Artists :: Oldies But Goodies 10

Very good--but there are TWO editions of this CD--pick with

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 05/29/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Oldies But Goodies, Vol. 10 is a great CD that actually has two versions of it out there; I am assuming that my version, the "40th Anniversary" version, is the one they retired and that newer version is listed here. There aren't any drastic changes but it does make it harder to recommend with confidence that you'll get the CD you want. If you buy a set of all fifteen CDs in a case, you may get the version I have. However, since the songs are almost identical with little variation, I will try to stick to reviewing the CD here and noting what changes you can expect if you buy the older version.



Both versions of the CD open with The Righteous Brothers performing their magnificent "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'." They sing and harmonize so well on this number; and the very fine musical arrangement is quite impressive. What a lush ballad! "Dedicated To The One I Love" by The Shirelles follows on both CDs; and The Shirelles sing this with lots of feeling--I love it! There's also "Drift Away" by Dobie Gray; but the CD I have has this track later on in the track set. Dobie sings this wonderfully and it's easily a major highlight of both versions of this CD.



"Roll Over Beethoven" by Chuck Berry is on both CDs; and Chuck Berry sings this with lots of energy and it works so well even today--what a rockin' tune this is! The electric guitars help to make "Roll Over Beethoven" a classic rock tune. "You Belong To Me" by The Duprees is on my CD but it is not found on this version; they replace it with "The Jerk" by The Larks. "Bright Lights, Big City" is on both CDs; Jimmy Reed sings this with a great arrangement and it showcases the type of music that was the true beginnings of rock and roll.



"Venus" by Frankie Avalon is on both CDs; and what a treat this is! Frankie sings this so much sensitivity that you could never forget this marvelous love song. Great! Another song found on both albums is "Happy, Happy Birthday Baby" by The Tune Weavers. This torch song is one of the best from the early years of rock and roll and it's very pretty. In addition, both CDs offer Jerry Butler & Betty Everett performing "Let It Be Me." The newer CD has "(Baby) Hully Gully" by The Olympics--oh, well, guess I didn't get the version with this tune.



Overall, both the former 40th Anniversary edition and this Golden Anniversary edition are great albums for those of us who love the oldies. I did want to clarify the major differences between the two versions of this album. Actually, if you are a big fan of the oldies like me, you will probably be satisfied with either one--or, if you can afford it, maybe you should buy both versions! I will take off one star, however, for the confusion that may be caused by the difference between the two CDs.

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