The Mamas & the Papas - California Dreamin'

fine album--even with a few tinny moments scattered about...

California Dreamin' is a budget priced CD of some great hits by The Mamas & The Papas. Some people say that the sound is tinny--and yeah, at certain points on this CD I think they're right. However, the overall quality for what you pay is still rather good; and I think casual fans of this group would do well to consider this CD.

The CD starts with the title track, "California Dreamin'." This song came out at a time when many young people were disillusioned about life and the song became a calling to them to move to California. Young people hoped that if they lived in California they could enjoy a better quality of life and more inner peace as well. The group really harmonizes well on "California Dreamin';" and I know you'll like this tune. Listen also for a slower than normal tempo on "Spanish Harlem;" The Mamas & The Papas do a fine interpretation of this classic ballad; and the percussion works very well on this number.

"Go Where You Wanna Go" features more perfect harmonizing as The Mamas & The Papas sing this out with style, heart and soul. I like the tempo changes and they sing this out strong like the pros that they always were! "Monday, Monday" is clearly one of the biggest hits for this timeless group; "Monday, Monday" swings gently with just enough of a rock flavor to make this an exceptionally fine ballad. They sing "Monday, Monday" very well; and this was always one of my very favorite tunes by The Mamas & The Papas.

"No Salt On Her Tail" has a mixture of rock and folk rock to make this a memorable tune; I really like "No Salt On Her Tail." This ballad makes great use of the guitar and percussion as The Mamas & The Papas sing it out strong!

"Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming To The Canyon)" has the group's vocals squarely in the spotlight as the guitars, percussion and more make a solid musical arrangement. ""Twelve Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming To The Canyon)" is clearly a major highlight of this album.

The CD ends nicely with Mama Cass belting out "Words Of Love" as her peers help her out on background vocals. Cass sure could sing this well and the music helps the melody along.

Overall, despite a few moments when I thought the sound was sub par; I still like this CD as a good one for fans of The Mamas & The Papas. Casual fans will profit from this CD the most because this single CD is certainly far from a deep and thorough retrospective of the group's artistry.
February 15, 2008

It will take you back

I get chills listening to this CD -- that incredible voice of "Mama" Cass Elliot (She HATED the MAMA thing), just raises the hair on the back of your neck, especially if you were 'on the bus' back then.

'California Dreamin'' is just one of the great old classic rock songs of all time, in the top ten of them all, really. "Monday, Monday' is also a masterpiece. But a LOT of folks forget that they really liked the song 'Twelve-thirty'. Some will find it the premiere cut on the album.

In the end, I see that this CD is selling pretty darn cheap and I think that it's a must for any serious student of classic rock music. See my listmania lists for more. November 3, 2007

CD review

Item purchased for a friend who gave it to friends or relatives in Norway.

The CD received before his trip to Europe which was much appreciated. March 16, 2007

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN

This CD put out by any other band except the Mamas & the Papas, would be considered a BEST OF CD. January 12, 2007

California Dreamin'

What a wonderful CD! I had the tape years ago and finally have the CD and I love the quality and it was shipped quickly to boot! September 30, 2005

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