The Beach Boys - Greatest Hits [Prime Cuts]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The three-volume Good Vibrations series is designed with the hits-hungry fan in mind. Eschewing a strict chronological approach, the best-of sets are arranged according to charting position. Thus the initial collection is laden with the group's trademark tunes, ranging from the California boys' first top-10 charter, 1962's "Surfin' Safari," to their last, 1988's "Kokomo," a stray, post-Brian Wilson success. "Kokomo" is by far the newest selection included here; nothing else dates past 1966's No. 1 smash "Good Vibrations." With the likes of "Fun, Fun, Fun," "I Get Around," "California Girls," and the incandescent "God Only Knows," rounding out the set, Greatest Hits Volume 1 is the ideal first pick for anyone looking for the Beach Boys at their commercial peak. --Steven Stolder --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Album Details
29 classic tracks. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

The Beach Boys - Greatest Hits [Prime Cuts], Music, The Beach Boys, Pop, Pop/Rock, Psychedelic, Psychedelic Pop, Rock, Rock & Roll, Sunshine Pop, Surf, United States of America
The Warmth of the Sun
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • My feel-good music
  • The WARMTH of the SUN~it won't ever die...
  • Recycled Package #102
  • Interesting Album
  • Lackluster
 The Warmth of the Sun
The Beach Boys
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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  1. Sounds Of Summer - The Very Best Of The Beach Boys
  2. Memory Almost Full [Deluxe Limited Edition]
  3. Memory Almost Full
  4. Traveling Wilburys (2CD/1DVD, Deluxe Edition)
  5. Live In Dublin

ASIN: B000FC2FUG
Release Date: 2007-05-22

Tracks:

  1. All Summer Long (new stereo remix)
  2. Catch A Wave
  3. Hawaii
  4. Little Honda
  5. 409
  6. It's OK
  7. You're So Good To Me (new stereo remix)
  8. Then I Kissed Her (new stereo remix)
  9. Kiss Me, Baby
  10. Please Let Me Wonder (new stereo remix)
  11. Let Him Run Wild (new stereo remix)
  12. The Little Girl I Once Knew
  13. Wendy (new stereo remix)
  14. Disney Girls (1957)
  15. Forever
  16. Friends
  17. Break Away
  18. Why Do Fools Fall In Love
  19. Surf's Up
  20. Feel Flows (featured in the motion picture Almost Famous)
  21. All This Is That
  22. 'Til I Die
  23. Sail On, Sailor (featured in the Oscar-winning motion picture The Departed)
  24. Cool, Cool Water
  25. Don't Go Near The Water
  26. California Saga (On My Way To Sunny Californ-i-a)
  27. California Dreamin'
  28. The Warmth Of The Sun

Amazon.com

In a sense, The Warmth of the Sun is to 2004's double-platinum Sounds of Summer as 1975's Spirit of America was to the previous year's chart-topping Endless Summer. Both Summer compilations feature the obvious hits, and their followups collect less famous--though still worthy--tracks like "Hawaii," "409," and "Little Honda." But the 21st-century collections are sequenced by the Beach Boys themselves, and that means this volume's songs are second-tier in fame only. The casual fan whose curiosity was piqued by Sounds of Summer and picks this up for "All Summer Long" will be captivated by Brian Wilson's stops on the road to Pet Sounds ("Kiss Me Baby," "Please Let Me Wonder," "Let Him Run Wild," "The Little Girl I Once Knew"), moved by the father-son collaboration "Break Away" (in many ways the Beach Boys' farewell to the '60s), and floored by a string of five songs from the early '70s--a few of which had their genesis in the ill-fated Smile project--that are a perfect showcase for the maturity the group, especially Brian and Carl, managed to attain less than a decade after penning "Pom Pom Play Girl" ("Surf's Up," "Feel Flows," "All This Is That," "'Til I Die," "Sail On, Sailor"). Taken together, these two volumes provide an extraordinary portrait of a band attempting to straddle popularity and artistic vision, spotlighting each facet just long enough to make you want more. (Collectors note: many of these songs appear in new stereo remixes--they may not be the original Brian Wilson productions as he heard them, but being able to distinctly make out the vibraphone in "Let Him Run Wild" is worth it.) --Benjamin Lukoff

Amazon.com

Compiled and sequenced by The Beach Boys themselves, The Warmth Of The Sun offers a rich view of the artistry and complex legacy of a band that has produced some of the most brilliant music of all time. This new career-spanning, 28-track collection illuminates much of The Beach Boys' most accomplished work. The Warmth Of The Sun is the perfect complement and companion to 2004's double-platinum Sounds of Summer: The Very Best of The Beach Boys.

Beach Boys Photos

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Sounds of Summer
Pet Sounds
20 Good Vibrations, The Greatest Hits

Good Vibrations: Thirty Years of The Beach Boys
Endless Harmony
Endless Harmony DVD

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars My feel-good music.......2007-07-21

Beach Boys music never fails to make me feel good and always brings great memories to mind.

5 out of 5 stars The WARMTH of the SUN~it won't ever die..........2007-07-18

The WARMTH of the SUN;SOUNDS of SUMMER;PET SOUNDS;& SMILE comprise the magnum opus of BRIAN WILSON and his legendary touring/recording session band,THE BEACH BOYS.Yes,Carole Kaye;The Wondermints;superb studio musicians;guest artists(like Roger McQuinn)and writers like Van Dyke Parks are more than pulling slack on some of these albums. But the above-named are America's greatest pop band's classics of classic Americana.The BEACH BOYS are to the USA what the Beatles were to Britain.Elvis remains King of Rock'n' Roll(nobody questions the hundreds of Presley comprises).Dylan remains America's pop Poet(with McQuinn of BYRDS renown still troubadour Prince of pop and electronic Folk)...

Brian Wilson is the genius who created a unique American music that is fun and sometimes JOYOUS to hear.If you never heard The BEACH BOYS in concert, seeing the Brian Wilson touring ensemble built-around The Wondermints is probably the best substitute.But give yourself a break~ The Beach Boys have been around more than 40 years,and made millions of listeners of all ages and musical "sophistication"happy: their WARMTH of the SUN...their choir-rich harmonies...won't ever die.


1 out of 5 stars Recycled Package #102.......2007-07-17

Do you know how long it has been since the Beach Boys released an album with new original material? I do. That would have been in 1992, fifteen years ago, when they released the totally execrable "Summer in Paradise," an album so bad that it could have been recorded by Aleutian Eskimos pretending to be the Beach Boys. Do you know how many compilations or collections of old material the band released since then? I do. If you include imports and all of the collections that they licensed to others, there have been 101 separate releases. That is not a misprint. In the past fifteen years, one hundred and one cd's have been issued containing recycled material. While Mike Love and his cohorts complain about (and sue) Brian Wilson in absentia, they write nothing of consequence, but repackage everything they can get their hands on, especially the stuff that features the real mainman, Brian Wilson. I can understand when an old band tries to coast on its reputation, but 101 re-packaged pieces of product is so far beyond the pale and so abusive of the band's core audience that it's a wonder anyone cares any more.
I, for one, cannot review "The Warmth of the Sun" on the merits of its songs, because it would be painfully redundant to do so. All that exists here are a few classic tracks intermingled with a few obscurities. As a rule (and especially when applied to the Beach Boys catalog), the more obscure the tune, the worse it is, and this collection practically screams that point. So, why would you buy this collection? I don't know. Maybe if you never bought a Beach Boys album in your life, this would be worthwhile, but with 101 other compilations to choose from, I see no particular advantage for this specific collection. Perhaps you are so masochistic that you feel compelled to buy anything that has the band's name attached. If so, I feel so truly sorry for you, as well as your ex-wife, your estranged children and your mortgage company.
Meanwhile, Mike Love is probably sitting at home right now, arranging the next batch of songs for next week's compilation. That can't be healthy for him, so let's do him a really big favor. Let's ban all future recycled collections credited to the Beach Boys. If our goal is achieved, we might force Mike to do something with an iota of creativity attached. Wouldn't that be nice? D- Tom Ryan

5 out of 5 stars Interesting Album.......2007-07-14

This album is not just another collection of Beach Boys Greatest Hits. These are alternate mixes (not remakes) of many of their best-known songs. A few are not quite as good as the original mixes while others are superior. In any case, it makes for an interesting experience, listening to our favorite Beach Boys tunes from a slightly different perspective, sort of like sitting in a different part of the auditorium at a concert. The recording quality is very good throughout. I was not disappointed with this CD.

1 out of 5 stars Lackluster.......2007-07-13

There are very few really good songs on this CD. Most of these songs must have been the "B" sides of thier hit records because neither I nor any of my friends had heard most of them. Even after listening to the CD several times, it still didn't "grow" on me. I real waste of money.
Beach Boys - 20 Good Vibrations, The Greatest Hits (Volume 1)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Best Beach Boys
  • Makes You Feel as if You Live by the Ocean
  • A must-have for BB fans!
  • The California Girl
  • It's givin me good vibrations...
 Beach Boys - 20 Good Vibrations, The Greatest Hits (Volume 1)
The Beach Boys
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00001IVJY
Release Date: 1999-09-21

Tracks:

  1. Surfin' Safari
  2. 409
  3. Surfin' U.S.A.
  4. Shut Down
  5. Surfer Girl
  6. Little Deuce Coupe
  7. Catch A Wave
  8. Be True To Your School
  9. Fun, Fun, Fun
  10. I Get Around
  11. Dance, Dance, Dance
  12. Do You Wanna Dance?
  13. Help Me, Rhonda
  14. California Girls
  15. Barbara Ann
  16. Sloop John B.
  17. Wouldn't It Be Nice
  18. God Only Knows
  19. Good Vibrations
  20. Kokomo

Amazon.com essential recording

The three-volume Good Vibrations series is designed with the hits-hungry fan in mind. Eschewing a strict chronological approach, the best-of sets are arranged according to charting position. Thus the initial collection is laden with the group's trademark tunes, ranging from the California boys' first top 10 charter, 1962's "Surfin' Safari," to their last, 1988's "Kokomo," a stray, post-Brian Wilson success. "Kokomo" is by far the newest selection included here; nothing else dates past 1966's No. 1 smash, "Good Vibrations." With the likes of "Fun, Fun, Fun," "I Get Around," "California Girls," and the incandescent "God Only Knows" rounding out the set, Greatest Hits Volume 1 is the ideal first pick for anyone looking for the Beach Boys at their commercial peak. --Steven Stolder

Amazon.com

Beach Boys Photos

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Sounds of Summer
Pet Sounds
The Greatest Hits Vol. 2: 20 More Good Vibrations

Good Vibrations: Thirty Years of The Beach Boys
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Endless Harmony DVD

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Best Beach Boys.......2007-06-04

No need for much analysis here. An excellent Beach Boys compiliation. It's got all of the radio hits, the fun in the summer in the 60s. Maybe that's why "In My Room" and "When I Grow up to Be a Man" aren't here, which is because they're more thoughtful and introspective. Too bad, but what's here is excellent, great ambassador from its era.

5 out of 5 stars Makes You Feel as if You Live by the Ocean.......2007-04-02

This album brings together all the all time favorites from the infamous Beach Boys. The classics like Surfin' USA, Surfer Girl, and Good Vibrations are all included in this CD that is guaranteed to get your blood pumping. Its hard to resist getting up and dancing to these wonderful tracks. If you like the Beach boys, you are sure to love this album. Its got all the right tunes and grooves. It makes you feel as if you live right there, ten feet from the beautiful ocean. I highly recommend this album to any person of any age, its safe for kids, another perk of these amazing tracks.

5 out of 5 stars A must-have for BB fans!.......2007-03-08

This has all of the good ones, with awesome sound quality.

5 out of 5 stars The California Girl.......2007-02-23

Great songs from the BEST California 60's group ever! As a Californian, I can listen to these songs and see in my mind's eye the locale where the Boys are singing about. I've been to the beaches and jumped in the waves. I am the California Girl they sing about!

5 out of 5 stars It's givin me good vibrations..........2006-12-29

Just load it up into your jukebox or IPod. If you've never been to Cayucos, CA then you're hopelessly guessing at what these guys are talking about.
Beach Boys - The Greatest Hits Vol. 2: 20 More Good Vibrations
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Makes You Feel as if It Can Be Summer All Year Long
  • Great Collection...But You Have To Buy The Other 2 Volumes!
  • + 1/2 stars...The Rest of the Capitol Hits (and Near Misses)
  • Great Material Unknown To Much Fans
  • Not Bad, But Greatest Hits Volume One is Better
 Beach Boys - The Greatest Hits Vol. 2: 20 More Good Vibrations
The Beach Boys
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Pop | Styles | Music
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GeneralGeneral | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music
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  4. Little Deuce Coupe/ All Summer Long
  5. Pet Sounds

ASIN: B00001IVJW
Release Date: 1999-09-21

Tracks:

  1. In My Room
  2. The Warmth Of The Sun
  3. Don't Worry, Baby
  4. All Summer Long
  5. Wendy
  6. Little Honda
  7. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man)
  8. Please Let Me Wonder
  9. You're So Good To Me
  10. The Little Girl I Once Knew
  11. Caroline No
  12. Heroes And Villians
  13. Wild Honey
  14. Darlin'
  15. Friends
  16. Do It Again
  17. Bluebirds Over The Mountain
  18. I Can Hear Music
  19. Break Away
  20. Cottonfields

Amazon.com

Only one title on the second volume of the three-volume Good Vibrations best-of series cracked the U.S. top 10, 1964's "When I Grow Up to Be a Man." (Five of the selections here made the U.K. charts--"Do It Again," "I Can Hear Music," "Break Away," "Darlin'," and "Cottonfields.") In contrast to its loaded-with-hits predecessor, Greatest Hits Volume 1: 20 Good Vibrations, Volume 2 serves up songs that stand as second-tier Beach Boys--but only in commercial terms. The likes of "In My Room," "Don't Worry, Baby," "Caroline, No," and "Heroes and Villains" stand well above Volume One's "409," "Little Deuce Coupe," and "Sloop John B" in their contribution to the group's incredible legacy. Those hungry for hits will want to stick with the earlier volume, but burgeoning Beach Boys boosters will find this 20-song set every bit the match--and arguably the subjugator--of its all-hits forerunner. --Steven Stolder

Amazon.com

Beach Boys Photos

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20 Good Vibrations, The Greatest Hits

Live in London
Endless Harmony
Hawthorne, CA

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Makes You Feel as if It Can Be Summer All Year Long.......2007-04-02

This album brings together all the all time favorites from the infamous Beach Boys. In My Room, Don't Worry, Baby, and Friends are all included in this CD that is guaranteed to get your blood pumping. Its hard to resist getting up and dancing to these wonderful tracks. If you like the Beach boys, you are sure to love this album. Its got all the right tunes and grooves. It makes you feel as it can be summer all year long. I highly recommend this album to any person of any age, its safe for kids, another perk of these amazing tracks.

5 out of 5 stars Great Collection...But You Have To Buy The Other 2 Volumes!.......2004-05-19

As the album title indicates, this collection picks up where Volume 1 ends. Although some of the songs barely cracked the Top 40, I feel these songs are just as important and do more than just "supplement" Volume 1. Like Volume 1, these songs are short radio versions.

The liner notes are enjoyable along with the colorful pictures, song credits and chart positions. As stated in my title, you can't just buy this without getting the other two volumes. Plus, this three volume set may save you from buying their more expensive box set which contains over 100 songs. With this three volume, three CD set, you get 60 songs you will want. Highly recommended.

4 out of 5 stars + 1/2 stars...The Rest of the Capitol Hits (and Near Misses).......2004-03-14

In many ways the Beach Boys GREATEST HITS VOL. 2 (along with Vol. 1 and 3) is a better choice than the 2003 single disc SOUNDS OF SUMMER. You not only still get all of their Top 40 singles (which SOUNDS OF SUMMER can't claim), you get some key album tracks and singles that charted outside the Top 40. So Vol. 2 not only gives you the big hits like "When I Grow Up (To Be a Man)" (1964, #9) and "Heroes and Villains" (1967, #12), you get Beach Boy favorites like "Wendy" (1964, #44) and "Friends" (1968, #47), along with b-sides like "Please Let Me Wonder" and the U.K.-only single release of "Cottonfields" from 1970--where it was one of their biggest hits at #3!

Even at 20 tracks the album is still a bit skimpy (running time - 51:12), but it helps provide a solid overview of the Beach Boys first decade. Like Vol. 1, the 12-page foldout booklet is awkward, but the essay by Beach Boy author Brad Elliot offers some terrific insight, the photos are wonderful and the track-by-track studio info is informative. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

5 out of 5 stars Great Material Unknown To Much Fans.......2004-01-30

Volume 2 in the "Good Vibrations" series tends give a more intriguing look at The Beach Boys. There is little, if any, inklings of the classic surf numbers. This disc seems to focus more on Brian Wilson's studio wizardry and their unique harmonies.

The first 11 tracks are from when the band was still hot and tearing up the charts. Here is where you'll find the eloquent "In My Room", the gloomy but optimistic "The Warmth Of The Sun" (great Brian falsetto on this one), the "faster, faster" vocal riff on "Little Honda", and the heartshattering "Don't Worry Baby", to name a few. Other gems include the one "Pet Sounds" track, "Caroline, No", the heartwrenching "Please Let Me Wonder", and the upbeat grooves on "You're So Good To Me".

The rest of the disc is from when the band started to become passe. Here we get tracks that are relative unknowns, with the exception of the infamous "Heroes And Villains". There's there two top 20 hits from this period, the pretty "Darlin'" and the nostalgic "Do It Again". There's also the sweet "Friends", a rock reworking of the country standard "Bluebirds Over The Mountain", and Carl's heavenly high on "I Can Hear Music". Closing this album is "Breakaway", featuring ebullient harmonies, and another reworked country standard, a marvelous Al Jardine - produced "Cottonfields".

I heavily suggest you purchase this album. It not only is full of great music but exposes the casual listener to a whole new world of Beach Boys music that they never heard before.

3 out of 5 stars Not Bad, But Greatest Hits Volume One is Better.......2004-01-16

This is a must for the absolute, die-hard Beach Boys fan. However, on the other hand, if you are a more casual Beach Boys fan (nothing wrong with that either), skip this CD and get the Greatest Hits of the Beach Boys, Volume One.

The first greatest hits CD has their BEST songs, their all-time, absolute GREATEST HITS. This CD picks up where volume one leaves off and focuses on their lesser known, and less popular songs.

Some of the selections contained in this CD are "I Can Hear Music," "In My Room," "All Summer Long," and "You're So Good To Me."

These songs are a study of how the Beach Boys' material matured and evolved from car, girl, and surfing songs to more intricate songs. It was at this point in their history that Brian Wilson wanted to progress from their surfing and car material to other types of songs, but the other members of the band still wanted to play surfing and car songs.

This volume is an study in that evolution. It is certainly not a bad CD, but if you prefer the car and surfing material, stick with volume one.
The Beach Boys - The Greatest Hits Vol. 3: Best of the Brother Years
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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  • An Interesting Look At An Interesting Time In Their Career
  • Hits?
 The Beach Boys - The Greatest Hits Vol. 3: Best of the Brother Years
The Beach Boys
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000040OVX
Release Date: 2000-02-01

Tracks:

  1. Add Some Music To Your Day
  2. Susie Cincinnati
  3. This Whole World
  4. Long Promised Road
  5. Disney Girls
  6. 'Til I Die
  7. Surf's Up
  8. Marcella
  9. Sail On, Sailor
  10. The Trader
  11. California Saga (On My Way To Sunny Californ-I-A)
  12. Rock And Roll Music
  13. It's O.K.
  14. Honkin' Down The Highway
  15. Peggy Sue
  16. Good Timin'
  17. Goin' On
  18. Come Go With Me
  19. Getcha Back
  20. California Dreamin'

Amazon.com

One of the most popular touring acts of the '70s and '80s, the Beach Boys nonetheless found sales of their new music disappointing for much of those decades. Their Brother Records imprint was stamped on some of the best albums of their "mature" period--Sunflower, Surf's Up, and the one-of-a-kind The Beach Boys Love You--but earlier classics such as "Surfin' U.S.A." and "Good Vibrations" remained their most popular work. This third volume of greatest hits collects 20 Brother cuts, including the occasional chart success ("Rock & Roll Music," the twice-released "Sail On, Sailor," "It's OK," "Getcha Back"). A few lesser-known winners ("This Whole World," "Long Promised Road," "Honkin' Down the Highway") provide welcome highlights. Still, the inclusion of one too many remade oldies on the disc's second half underscores the Beach Boys' loss of creative energy by 1980. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars SURFING WATERS BOTH DEEP AND SHALLOW.......2006-03-06


THE BEACH BOYS are one of those bands that have provided the soundtrack to my life. Growing up in Southern California, their music really does become a part of one's experiences. For instance, I can't hear 'Help Me, Rhonda' or 'The Girls On The Beach' without recalling my years of bodysurfing the waves near Santa Monica's lifeguard station #26. 'Good Vibrations' automatically transports me back to Santa Monica High School - located conveniently 2 blocks from the Pacific Ocean. (Sometimes the sound of the surf called more insistently than the school bell did.) Samohi's official school song, 'Hymn Of Praise' written by Ken Darby from the Class of 1927, starts out, "Oh Samohi, dear old Samohi / Queen of the setting sun / For you we toil, for you our banners fly / We win for you when victory's won!" But every pep rally I attended from '74 through '77 ended more "excitationally" with...

Good, good, good, good vibrations
(oom bop bop)
I'm pickin' up good vibrations
She's giving me excitations
(oom bop bop)

'In My Room' humorously reminds me of the time in 1986 when I found it on a jukebox in a Reno lounge and drove every other patron out of the place with it. I was in the bartender's doghouse, but what are ya gonna do with a liquidated cowboy who wants to hear 'In My Room'.....18 times? And while the richly melancholic 'The Warmth Of The Sun' is my all-time favorite Beach Boys song, there is a lot to be said for many of the tracks found on this compilation.

This is the final part of Capitol's Beach Boys Greatest Hits trilogy series. This one - which features 20 of The Boys' late period minor hits and nonhits - will be ignored by the casual Beach Boys fan, and that is an unfortunate mistake. True, these "leftovers" were recorded and released after the height of the band's popularity and creative success according to the music critics, but the Beach Boys, though they had largely moved away from their gorgeous and complex trademark vocal harmony arrangements, were still making some magic music. And some of it as sensitive and more intense than anything that preceded it.

For every lightweight and silly 'SUSIE CINCINNATI' and 'PEGGY SUE' on this collection, you'll also find a brooding 'TIL I DIE', or nostalgic 'DISNEY GIRLS (1957)', or yearning 'SURF'S UP.' No, we didn't need another version of 'ROCK AND ROLL MUSIC' or 'COME GO WITH ME' and yet, I'd hate to have missed out on the world-weary, but defiant 'LONG PROMISED ROAD', or the intricate protest song, 'THE TRADER', with its catchy movements that force my toes to tap or my feet to stomp.

Some of these songs, being more melodically subtle and lacking that instantly recognizable sound of The Boys' early hits, will require a bit more patience from the listener, but with time, that open-minded patience will certainly be rewarded. Of course, 'SAIL ON, SAILOR' you probably already know (I invented my pen name while it was playing through the sound system in a Coco's Restaurant); the lovely 'GOOD TIMIN'' is reminiscent of that lush harmonizing adopted from The Four Freshmen during The Beach Boys' infancy. And the well-chosen closer, 'CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'', with its urgent tenor sax solo actually eclipses the classic Mamas And Papas version. (Yeah, I couldn't believe it either!)

If all you desire is a balanced career retrospective of some of The Beach Boys' best music on a single disc, then go with 'Classics: Selected By Brian Wilson'. But the REAL fan will want the 3-part Capitol compilation series: 'The Greatest Hits, Vol 1: 20 Good Vibrations'; 'The Greatest Hits, Vol. 2: 20 More Good Vibrations'; and this disc, 'THE GREATEST HITS, VOL. 3: BEST OF THE BROTHER YEARS, 1970 - 1986.'

[*This review is dedicated to my new friend, the surf-riding, beach bike path-riding, and book-writing, MYSTICAL MARY. Evidently she was too shy to approach me on the beach bike path in 1989 to ask, "Riding my way?" She waited seventeen years and until I was living in Airheadzona, and she in Joisey, before saying anything to me. However, Mystical Mary is one of my favorite living writers, and I think you're going to be hearing about her before too long.]

5 out of 5 stars The Finest Group Ever.......2005-01-02

California Saga. When I first heard it in my early twenties I was shocked. I bought two or three copies of "Holland" and wore them out. Glad I finally got this cd with some of their very finest music. It's sad that they were on the decline by the early seventies, but what they left was amazing.

4 out of 5 stars Ed Glasner is an Idiot.......2004-08-13

The guy clearly knows not of what he speaks. This disc covers some of the most adventurous music the Beach Boys recorded. That they weren't exactly "hits" in chart placement certainly doesn't diminish their value. Indeed it is because of people like Ed Glasner who completely misunderstand the work that this music wasn't more financially successful for the group.

5 out of 5 stars An Interesting Look At An Interesting Time In Their Career.......2004-07-20

By the 1970s', The Beach Boys' career had gone downhill. Once a surefire toop 10 hit machine, their singles barely made the top 30 and their albums fared even worse. So a hits collection from this time period may seem like an odd product. But it's a good way to explore this underrated period in their career since it includes several underrated gems and besides, one song here did manage to it the top five.

The first half (tracks 1 - 11) covers1970 - 1973. This is when they recorded much of their best material. Songs like "Add Some Music To Your Day", "This Whole World", Bruce Johnston's lush "Disney Girls", Brian Wilson's chilling "'Til I Die", Carl's magnum opus "The Trader" and the robust "Sail On Sailor" all could've been bigger hits than they were. "Surf's Up", the title track from their 1971 masterpiece, is the best song here. Starting off with an urgent vocal by Carl, it soon drifts into Brian's 1967 demo of the song, with its eerie piano and Brian's somber vocal.

The second half (tracks 12 - 20) covers 1976 - 86. It starts off with their huge comeback hit, a cover of Chuck Berry's "Rock And Roll Music". It was good but the Chuck Berry material should have ended with "Surfin' USA" and "Fun, Fun, Fun". The next song, "It's OK", was the single released after "Rock And Roll Music". While it wasn't as big a hit (Billboard # 29), I like it better. It's fun and orginal. "Honkin' Down The Highway" is a great Al Jardine number with a cool drum intro and a nice, spacey intro. The 1978 cover of "Peggy Sue" is surprisingly good. Unlike other covers, they stay in vein with the original recording and they succeed. Had this song been released during their heyday, it could have been a bigger hit. But you can't judge a song solely on its chart performance. 1979's top 40 hit "Good Timin'" is, in my opinion, their last masterpiece. With their harmonies evoking earlier songs like "Surfer Girl" and Carl's impassioned vocal, it truly is a marvelous studio creation. By jumping ahead to 1981, they leave out the number 12 hit "Beach Boys" medley, but that would be unnecessary since all of those songs made it onto "Greatest Hits, Volume 1". Instead, we get their cover of the Del - Vikings' 1957 hit "Come Go With Me". The song, a top 20 hit, is better than the original because of the harmonies and its beat. "Goin' On" is an odd number vaguely sounding a bit like Queen's "Somebody To Love" with its rising/fading/rising again/ading again and so on and so forth harmonies. "Getcha Back", a top 30 hit from 1985, is a great combination of old Beach Boys with modern sounds, its drum intro eminiscent of Dennis Wilson's. Finally, there's another pgood cover. "California Dreamin'" (with a haunting 12 - string guitatr provided by Byrd Roger McGuinn) is in vein of the Mamas and Papas hits.

Overall, a good collection that I recommend to all music fans. You will find yourself listening to it more than once. Also get their studio albums, inclduing "Pet Sounds" and "Friends"/"20/20", as well as both their boxed sets.

1 out of 5 stars Hits?.......2004-06-25

Greatest HIts -- I don't think so.
Top 10 hits? Few.
Top 20 or even Top 40 hits? Again, few.
Grocery store music remakes? Lots.
Songs to skip? Again, lots.

Who needed the money this cd was to produce?
1964 Classic Rock: The Beat Goes On
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		1964 Classic Rock: The Beat Goes On
    The Honeycombs , The Dixie Cups , Don Covay , The Reflections , The Murmaids , Roy Orbison , The Pyramids , The Rip Chords , The Searchers , and The Jelly Beans
    Manufacturer: Time-Life Music
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD
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    ASIN: B000FPHK62

    Product Description

    Song listing: 1 Honeycombs, The Have I The Right (2:59) 2 Supremes, The Where Did Our Love Go (2:35) 3 Dixie Cups, The People Say (2:36) 4 Don Covay Mercy, Mercy (2:28) 5 Murmaids, The Popsicles And Icicles (2:35) 6 Roy Orbison It's Over (2:51) 7 Kingsmen, The Louie Louie (2:48) 8 Shangri-Las, The Give Him A Great Big Kiss (2:09) 9 Impressions, The Keep On Pushing (2:34) 10 Maxine Brown Oh No, Not My Baby (2:38) 11 Beach Boys, The When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (2:04) 12 Searchers, The Love Potion Number Nine (2:08) 13 Reflections, The (2) (Just Like) Romeo And Juliet (2:23) 14 Marvin Gaye How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) (3:01) 15 Jelly Beans, The I Wanna Love Him So Bad (2:45) 16 Four Tops Baby, I Need Your Loving (2:48) 17 Gene Pitney I'm Gonna Be Strong (2:16) 18 Rip Chords, The Hey, Little Cobra (2:04) 19 Pyramids, The Penetration (2:01) 20 Shirley Ellis The Name Game (3:03) 21 Marvin Gaye You're A Wonderful One (2:49) 22 Impressions, The Amen (3:28)
    The Time-Life History of Rock 'N' Roll: Folk Rock 1964-1967
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      		The Time-Life History of Rock 'N' Roll: Folk Rock 1964-1967
      The Byrds , The Cyrkle , Donovan , The Mamas and the Papas , Hedgehoppers Anonymous , Harpers Bizarre , The Silkie , Sonny , Bob Lind , and Barry McGuire
      Manufacturer: Time Life Music
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD
      ASIN: B000RRWD92

      Product Description

      The Time-Life History of Rock 'N' Roll - Folk Rock 1964-1967 - Various Artists [1993] Mr. Tambourine Man - Byrds (M)/When You Walk In The Room - Searchers (S)/Laugh Laugh - Beau Brummels (S, ends cold)/All I Really Want To Do - Cher (S)/Turn-Down Day - Crykle (S)/I'll Never Find Another You - Seekers (M)/You've Got To Hide Your Love Away - Silkie (M)/Do You Believe In Magic - Lovin' Spoonful (S)/Where Were You When I Needed You - Grass Roots (S, 45 version)/Sloop John B - Beach Boys (M)/Catch The Wind - Donovan (M)/Turn Turn Turn - Byrds (M)/Monday Monday - Mamas & Papas (S)/It Ain't Me Babe - Turtles (S)/Laugh At Me - Sonny (M)/It's A Good News Week - Hedgehopper's Anonymous (M)/The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy) - Harpers Bizarre (S)/Mr. Dieingly Sad - Critters (S)/Elusive Butterfly - Bob Lind (S)/This Precious Time - P.F. Sloan (S)/Eve Of Destruction - Barry McGuire (S)
      1967: Blowin' Your Mind (Time Life Music Classic Rock)
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        		1967: Blowin' Your Mind (Time Life Music Classic Rock)
        The Byrds , The Beach Boys , The Mamas and the Papas , Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston , Robert Knight , Peaches and Herb , James and Bobby Purify , Miriam Makeba , The Turtles , and The Tremeloes
        Manufacturer: Time Life Music
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD
        ASIN: B000RSL7MK

        Product Description

        Track list: 1) The Byrds - So You Want To Be A Rock N Roll Star, 2) The Beach Boys - Heroes And Villains, 3) Mamas And The Papas - Words Of Love, 4) Marvin Gaye And Kim Weston - It Takes Two, 5) Robert Knight - Everlasting Love, 6) Peaches And Herb - Close Your Eyes, 7) James And Bobby Purfy - Shake A Tail Feather, 8) Joe Tex - Skinny Legs And All, 9) The Marvelettes - The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game, 10) The Tremeloes - Here Comes My Baby, 11) Otis Redding - Try A Little Tenderness, 12) The Four Tops - Seven Rooms Of Gloom, 13) Miriam Makeba - Pata Pata, 14) Martha Reeves And The Vandellas - Honey Chile, 15) The Casinos - Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye, 16) The Bee Gees - New York Mining Disaster 1941, 17) The Lovin' Spoonful - Darling Be Home Soon, 18) The Box Tops - Neon Rainbow, 19) The Hombres - Let It Out, 20) The Turtles - She's My Girl, 21) The Young Rascals - How Can I Be Sure, 22) Aretha Franklin - I Never Loved A Man
        Greatest Hits: Live at Knebworth
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          		Greatest Hits: Live at Knebworth
          The Beach Boys
          Manufacturer: Laserlight
          ProductGroup: Music
          Binding: Audio CD

          GeneralGeneral | Pop | Styles | Music
          Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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          ASIN: B000FZEQPK
          Release Date: 2006-07-11

          Tracks:

          1. California Girls
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          1964 Classic Rock: A Go Go
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            		1964 Classic Rock: A Go Go

            Manufacturer: Time-Life Music
            ProductGroup: Music
            Binding: Audio CD
            ASIN: B000FPC5L2

            Product Description

            Part of the Time-Life Music Classic Rock releases, 1964: A Go Go contains 22 hits. Song listing: 1. You Really Got Me - The Kinks 2. Needles and Pins - The Searchers 3. What Kind of Fool (Do You Think I Am?) - The Tams 4. You Never Can Tell - Chuck Berry 5. The Way You Do the Things You Do - The Temptations 6. Remember (Walkin' in the Sand) - The Shangri-Las 7. I Get Around - The Beach Boys 8. I Like It - Gerry And The Pacemakers 9. A World Without Love - Peter & Gordon 10. I'm So Proud - The Impressions 11. Out of Limits - The Marketts 12. Come See About Me - The Supremes 13. Dead Man's Curve - Jan & Dean 14. Farmer John - The Premiers 15. How Do You Do It - Gerry And The Pacemakers 16. Stop and Think It Over - Dale & Grace 17. Bad to Me - Billy J. Kramer & the Dakotas 18. Fun, Fun, Fun - The Beach Boys 19. Nobody I Know - Peter & Gordon 20. Come a Little Bit Closer - Jay And The Americans 21. A Summer Song - Chad & Jeremy 22. Bread and Butter - The Newbeats
            Superhits: 1966 (Time Life Music)
            Average customer rating: Not rated
              		Superhits: 1966 (Time Life Music)
              Bobby Hebb , Bob Lind , The Mindbenders , The Happenings , The New Vaudeville Band , The Seekers , B.J. Thomas and the Triumphs , Petula Clark , Dusty Springfield , and Gary Lewis and the Playboys
              Manufacturer: Time Life Music
              ProductGroup: Music
              Binding: Audio CD
              ASIN: B000SY0MPQ

              Product Description

              SONG LIST :1. California Dreamin - The Mamas & Papas 2. Good Vibrations - The Beach Boys 3. Sunny - Bobby Herb 4. DayDream - The Lovin' Spoonful 5. Elusive Butterfly - Bob Lind 6. You Don't Have to Say You Love Me - Dusty Springfield 7. A Groovy Kind of Love - The Mindbenders 8. Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) - Cher 9. See You in September - The Happenings 10. Message to Michael - Dionne Warwick 11. When a Man Loves a Woman - Percy Sledge 12. You Can't Hurry Love - The Surpremes 13. I'm a Believer - The Monkees 14. Sweet Talkin' Guy - The Chiffons 15. Cherish - The Associations 16. She's Just My Style - Gary Lewis & the Playboys 17. You Didn't Have to Be So Nice - The Lovin' Spoonful 18. Georgy Girl - The Seekers 19. Winchester Cathedral - The New Vaudeville Band 20. My Love - Petula Clark 21. (You're My) Soul and Inspiration - The Righteous Brothers 22. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry - B.J.Thomas

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