This remarkable compilation, lauded by Record Collector magazine with a 4-star rating, offers a captivating journey through a golden era of music, where the timeless appeal of artists like Neil Sedaka shines brightly. It’s not just a nostalgic trip down memory lane; it’s an insightful exploration for any music lover eager to delve into the roots of pop and rock. The review highlights its entertainment value, emphasizing how it “jogs memories” while also serving as a valuable resource for “any modern music fan with a thirst for knowledge or sense of curiosity.” This collection is a treasure trove of classic tunes, and while Neil Sedaka’s specific tracks aren’t explicitly detailed in this review, his era and musical style are deeply embedded within the compilation’s essence.
Disc 1: Echoes of Early Rock and Roll and Pop Sensations
The first disc immediately sets a vibrant and diverse tone, spanning across genres and iconic artists. From the New Orleans jazz-infused energy of “Way Down Yonder In New Orleans” to the innocent charm of “Starry Eyed,” this disc captures the burgeoning sounds of early rock and roll and pop. Tracks like “Dance With Me” and “I’ll Stay Single” evoke the youthful spirit of the late 50s and early 60s. The inclusion of “Wild Cat” and “Why” showcases the diverse styles popular at the time. Sentimental ballads like “Too Good” and “Shrine On the Second Floor” offer moments of heartfelt emotion, while “When You Ask About Love” and “Too Young” delve into universal themes of romance and youth. The disc continues to explore varied musical landscapes with “I Wanna Be Loved” and “A Voice In the Wilderness,” before transitioning to the upbeat rhythms of “Why” and “Summer Set.” Anthems like “The Big Hurt” and “Poor Me” resonate with classic teenage melodrama, and the soulful sounds of “Hallelujah I Love Her So” and “Pretty Blue Eyes” add depth. Closing out the disc are mellow and romantic tunes such as “Harbour Lights,” “Misty,” and “Beyond the Sea,” alongside storytelling tracks like “El Paso” and introspective pieces like “What More Do You Want.” The journey concludes with a mix of styles, from the playful “On a Slow Boat To China” to celebratory “Happy Anniversary,” reflective “Time and the River,” and the energetic “You Got What It Takes.” The disc ends with the poignant “Let It Be Me” and the narrative-driven “Running Bear,” creating a rich tapestry of musical experiences. While not explicitly Neil Sedaka Songs, many tracks here represent the era in which Neil Sedaka songs rose to prominence, sharing similar musical influences and themes.
Disc 2: Teen Idols, Ballads, and Upbeat Anthems
Disc 2 delves further into the heart of the late 50s and early 60s, an era closely associated with the rise of teen idols and the burgeoning pop scene – a scene where Neil Sedaka songs were central. It opens with the classic sentimentality of “Old Shep” and revisits the energetic “You Got What It Takes” and “The Big Hurt,” showcasing the popular sounds of the time. Playful tracks like “Bonnie Came Back” and “Be Mine” capture the lightheartedness of the era, while “Lucky Devil” and “Running Bear” (again) highlight the storytelling aspect in popular music. “Delaware” and “Who Could Be Bluer” continue in a similar vein, followed by the more melancholic “It’s Time To Cry” and the novelty tune “Royal Event.” “A Summer Place” and “Hit and Miss” evoke a sense of place and fleeting moments, while “California Here I Come” offers a geographical musical journey. Tracks like “What In the World’s Come Over You” and “Johnny Rocco” bring a touch of drama, and the optimistic “Looking High High High” provides a contrast. The disc then explores themes of nature and emotion with “Listen To the Ocean” and “Sink the Bismarck,” before swinging into the more theatrical “Fings Ain’t What They Used To Be” and the charming “Colette.” The energy picks up again with “Wild One” and “Hound Dog Man,” followed by the boisterous “Big Beat Boogie” and the tragic teen ballad “Teen Angel.” Heartfelt tracks like “My Heart” and “No Hiding Place” precede the romantic “Love Kisses and Heartaches” and the youthful “Teensville.” The disc concludes with another rendition of “Summer Place, A,” ending on a wistful and familiar note. Again, while not specifically featuring Neil Sedaka songs, the tracks on Disc 2 are very much in the style and spirit of the music scene where Neil Sedaka songs thrived.
Disc 3: Exploring Genres and Timeless Melodies
Disc 3 showcases an eclectic mix, moving slightly beyond the core rock and roll sound and incorporating diverse genres that influenced and were popular alongside Neil Sedaka songs. It starts with the catchy “Handy Man” and the romantic “Valentino,” before diving into the lively “Too Much Tequila” and the classic jazz of “Darktown Strutters Ball.” “Indiana” and “Sweet Nothin’s” continue the upbeat tempo, while “Beatnik Fly” offers a unique instrumental sound. Country influences emerge with “Country Boy,” followed by the heartfelt “Heartbeat” and another rendition of “Hallelujah I Love Her So.” “You Are Beautiful” and “Mean To Me” bring back the sentimental ballads, while “Answer Me” and “My Old Man’s a Dustman” offer narrative and character-driven songs. Romantic themes continue with “Fall In Love With You” and the energetic “Willie and the Hand Jive.” “Do You Mind” and “He’ll Have To Go” explore relationship dynamics, while “As Time Goes By” provides a timeless classic. Playful tracks like “Ooh La La” and the quintessential teen love song “Puppy Love” – a style reminiscent of early Neil Sedaka songs – lead into the tender “With These Hands” and the rhythmic “Footsteps.” “Lucky Devil” appears once more, followed by the bluesy “Midnight Special” and the summery “Summertime.” The disc winds down with the emotional “Teardrop,” the folk-inspired “Clementine,” the travelogue “It’s Nice To Go Trav’ling,” and concludes with the iconic Elvis hit “Stuck On You,” demonstrating the breadth of musical styles included.
Disc 4: From Rock Ballads to Novelty Hits
The final disc, Disc 4, presents another varied collection, featuring tracks that range from rock ballads to novelty songs, again placing Neil Sedaka songs within a broader musical context. It begins with the rockabilly energy of “Fame and Fortune” and the dramatic “Stairway to Heaven” (not the Led Zeppelin classic, but likely an earlier song with the same title). “Someone Else’s Baby” and “Cathy’s Clown” showcase the popular ballad style of the era, while “Standing On the Corner” (appearing twice on this disc) offers a lighthearted, barbershop quartet feel. “Skylark” and “I Enjoy Being a Girl” introduce a touch of Broadway and show tunes, demonstrating the diverse musical landscape. “Footsteps” reappears, followed by the jazz standard “Mack the Knife” and another inclusion of “Fings Ain’t What They Used To Be.” “Cradle of Love” and “Lady Luck” bring back the rock and roll energy, while “Heart of a Teenage Girl” and “Shazam” resonate with the teen idol sound. “Don’t Throw Away All Those Teardrops” and “Beat for Beatniks” delve into specific subgenres, and “Standing On the Corner” returns. “The Lonely Man Theme” offers an instrumental piece, followed by the novelty song “Tom Pillibi” and the big band swing of “Chattanooga Choo Choo.” “(Must You Always) Tease Me” and “Ooh La La” (again) add playful elements, while “This Love I Have For You” brings back the romantic ballads. “Sixteen Reasons” and “Kookie Kookie” are classic teen anthems, and “I Love the Way You Love” continues the romantic theme. The disc concludes with the bluesy “Old Payola Roll Blues,” the dreamy “Dream Talk,” the heartfelt “More Than I Can Say” – a song later famously covered by Neil Sedaka himself – and finishes with the upbeat “Three Steps To Heaven,” ending the compilation on a high note. This inclusion of “More Than I Can Say” which Neil Sedaka later made a hit, adds a subtle connection back to the core keyword, even within a compilation that broadly represents the era.
This 4-disc compilation is more than just a collection of songs; it’s a curated journey through a pivotal era in music history. While explicitly mentioning Neil Sedaka songs might be absent from the tracklist provided in this review, the entire collection resonates with the musical landscape that Neil Sedaka helped to define. For fans of classic pop, rock and roll, and the timeless appeal of Neil Sedaka songs, this compilation offers a rich and rewarding listening experience, providing context and breadth to the music of that unforgettable time.
