Cass Elliot

Ostensibly a Dave Mason solo album, this became one of his finest when he was coupled with Cass Elliot, a stroke of genius. Elliot's involvement is, while not suspect, somewhat limited. Although she provides excellent background vocals, she tends to get a little lost in the harmony stack. Nevertheless, this is a great moment for her too. The album, though, is propelled by Mason's awesome songwriting talents, and tracks such as "On and On," "Walk to the Point," and several others bear this out. His guitar playing is some of his finest recorded work, especially the epic "Glittering Facade," where he layers acoustic and electric guitars with a scintillating effect. Elliot's "Here We Go Again" showcases her ability as a great lead vocalist, and Paul Harris provides some excellent keyboard and string arrangements, providing a glimpse of the fine work that was to follow in Stephen Stills' Manassas…

It's been more than 50 years since John Phillips, Michelle Phillips, Denny Doherty and Cass Elliot first joined their voices together in song as The Mamas and The Papas, yet the group's shimmering harmonies, rich melodies and affecting "words of love" are every bit as resonant today as during the turbulent 1960s. This month, the rich legacy of the California dreamers is being celebrated with a remarkable new 4-CD collection from TJ Lubinsky's TJL Productions!

It's been more than 50 years since John Phillips, Michelle Phillips, Denny Doherty and Cass Elliot first joined their voices together in song as The Mamas and The Papas, yet the group's shimmering harmonies, rich melodies and affecting "words of love" are every bit as resonant today as during the turbulent 1960s. This month, the rich legacy of the California dreamers is being celebrated with a remarkable new 4-CD collection from TJ Lubinsky's TJL Productions!

The Mamas & The Papas,Ultimate Anthology(TJL/Universal, 2016) :Ultimate Anthology has all of the groups recordings, each of the band’s albums, including a remix of 1971’s People Like U. Also includes a number of rarities, and 23 new-to-CD tracks (including remixed selections), and previously unreleased outtakes, with a total of 104 tracks. Ultimate Anthologyboasts ALL OF THE GROUP’S STUDIO RECORDINGS…that means every one of the band’s albums, including a revelatory new remix of 1971’sPeople Like Us,and a host of rarities, a whopping 23 new-to-CD tracks (including remixed selections), and previously unreleased outtakes!

A two-CD, 53-track set that includes for the first time ever the A and B side of every single the group released, all in their impossible-to-find-on-CD original U.S. mono single mixes. But this one-of-a-kind collection—which is remastered by Aaron Kannowski, the engineer responsible for our other acclaimed collections of singles by fellow Dunhill label acts The Grass Roots and Steppenwolf—doesn’t stop with The Mamas and the Papas’ singles. It also includes the solo single sides that group members Mama Cass Elliot, Denny Doherty and John Phillips cut for the Dunhill and ABC labels, again in their rare, original single mixes. Many of the solo singles and B-sides have never been on CD, let alone in their single mixes; plus, over the course of listening to this set (which clocks in at over 150 minutes), you’ll hear such legendary songs as “Monday, Monday,” “California Dreamin’,” “Creeque Alley,” “I Saw Her Again,” “Words of Love,” “Dream a Little Dream of Me,” “Glad to Be Unhappy,” “Dedicated to the One I Love,” and “It’s Getting Better” exactly as folks heard them over the radio back in those halcyon days.

California Dreamin' reminds us that '60s pop paragons The Mamas & The Papas had an appealing new sound, made some terrific records, and left behind a legacy that lives on more than 35 years after they called it quits. This hour-long documentary, originally aired on PBS, has all the standard elements of the genre: interviews (including some from 2004 and '05 with surviving members Michelle Phillips and Denny Doherty, as well as 1986 recollections by John Phillips, who died in '01, and a few brief words from Cass Elliot, who passed away in '74), photos, home movies, and a generous helping of music clips…