Jan & Dean

Like the previous Ace compilation A Gerry Goffin & Carole King Song Collection 1961-1967, this CD has 26 vintage recordings of Goffin & King compositions, this one spanning the early '60s to the early '70s.

THE BRITISH INVASION: The British Invasion was the signalling event of a gigantic social change that progressed through the decade, a decade in which each year seemed to contain ten years' worth of changes. it was an effect of historical and technological changes outside the purview of a CD review. It may be seen partially as a sub-generation of youth wanting something new of their own rather than inheriting their older sibling's teen scene. In the U.S. some feel the assassination of J.F.K. is often seen as a catalyst. Though Beatlemania was an international phenomenon, it can't be completely discounted as a factor. When it happened it was sudden and it almost totally obliterated the previous pop scene. The few who survived (Gene Pitney, Lesley Gore, Jan & Dean, Beach Boys, Four Seasons, Elvis) mostly had a final big hit or two in '64 then remained in a diminished way never having a Top 10 hit again. Only the Beach Boys and Four Seasons got through relatively unscathed. Another part of the big change in 1964 was the rise of Motown which obliterated most older R&B acts as much as the British Invasion did pop, a fact that is often ignored.

Interpretations of six “Pet Sounds” compositions are among the highlights of this celebration of Brian Wilson’s songwriting genius. It’s hard to believe 12 years have passed since “Pet Projects: The Brian Wilson Productions”, one of the first releases in our much-admired Producers series. Not before time, Wilson now joins such greats as Randy Newman, Laura Nyro, Goffin & King, Dan Penn, Bacharach & David, Jackie DeShannon and Serge Gainsbourg in our high-profile Songwriters series.

21 Legendary Superstars is a compilation CD released in 1987 consisting of 21 legendary superstars, duh. It is part of the Oldies But GOodies series, released by Oriignal Sound Entertainment.

100 Super Oldies: Too Good To Be Forgotten is a 4CD box set compiling four different volumes from the 25 Super Oldies series of disc released in 1988. While the cover appears to give the compilations a unified feel celebrating the music of the 1950's and 1960's, it also includes a few songs from the 1970's, which at times does not make sense. This was released by the Happy Days label from Holland and it most likely means this was put together in an unauthorized manner.