Captain amp Tennille - Ultimate Collection (22 tracks) +Album Reviews

The best C&T compilation yet.

David Kenner | Fort Worth, Texas United States | 06/23/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I reviewed this awhile back and it wasn't published but that's just as well because I've lived with the disc for awhile now and have become a lot more fond of certain songs that I dismissed before. This is a much better collection than either "Greatest Hits" or "Scrapbook". It might not include every fan's favorite album cuts but it has all of the hit singles plus a lot more. It's hard for me to argue with the track selection. To begin with, their recording of "Love Will Keep Us Together" is one of the greatest pop singles of the 70s. The arrangement is innovative and Daryl Dragon's magnificent keyboard work seems tailor-made for the beautiful and exciting vocal style of Toni Tennille. More classic hit singles abound: "The Way I Want To Touch You", "Lonely Night", "Shop Around", "You Never Done It Like That", "Do That To Me One More Time". But the two stand outs for me after listening a few times were definitely "Wedding Song" and "Song Of Joy". I never cared much for Paul Stookey's "Wedding Song". It was a sentiment lost on me. But reading in the liner notes that Toni Tennille was herself pretty much a newlywed when C&T recorded this song sheds a new light on it. Her voice puts more of a spotlight on the lyrics than Stookey's did. "Song Of Joy" is just absolutely gorgeous from the opening piano chords to the majestic finish. Tennille's voice is really allowed to soar on this one. All in all, this is a great compilation with terrific remastering, insightful liner notes, beautiful photos and all the most memorable songs. The good: "I'm On My Way", the bad: "Happy Together", the questionable: "Can't Stop Dancing" and the rare: "Por Amor Viveremos". Oh, and also "Muskrat Love" which I still claim not to like but never skip. It's like looking at a car wreck. I don't want to see it, but stare anyway in curiosity. And as silly as the song is, I love the way it ends."

Play that to me one more time

Chris | Sydney, Australia | 09/20/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Listening to Universal's recent 22-track compilation of the squeaky-clean Toni Tennille and her captain Daryl Dragon is the essential stroll down memory lane. The musical duo epitomised the adult-contemporary scene of the mid-seventies, and they even scored a few big cross-over hits which became staples of seventies FM radio. Admittedly, their single releases (nearly all of which are compiled here) are largely mid-tempos or ballads, so fans of the group's 1979 disco/pop album 'Make Your Move' might be safer with the more uptempo compilation CD 'Scrapbook'. However for those wanting to relive their youth or people like me who can appreciate an age of musical innocence and lyrical naivety, 'Ultimate Collection: The Complete Hits' is a good place to start.It's difficult to fault this compilation in terms of what it is. I would mourn the loss of the silky disco tune 'No Love In The Morning' or the R'n'B-infused 'Until You Come Back To Me', but as this is explicitly a hits compilation it's a relatively futile exercise. For the casual fan, all the big songs are here in shimmeringly clear, digitally-remastered quality - 'Do That To Me One More Time', 'Love Will Keep Us Together', 'Lonely Night (Angel Face)', even the semi-hideous / semi-beautiful 'Muskrat Love'. For the slightly more versed fans, their more moderately-successful singles such as 'Can't Stop Dancin'', 'The Way I Want To Touch You', 'Shop Around', 'You Need A Woman Tonight' receive another well-deserved outing here. And for all Captain & Tennille diehards, tunes like 'Love On A Shoestring', a disco reading of 'Happy Together (A Fantasy)', and 'Keeping Our Love Warm' round out this comprehensive compilation.The combination of Daryl's production with Toni's deep vocals and lyrical know-how made for some of the best songs of their era. I was hoping to find something wrong with this collection to at least warn people about, but it's a class package from top to bottom. A very complete tracklisting, lovely artwork, and a bumper booklet with photos, comprehensive write-ups and even snippets from a new interview with Toni and Daryl makes 'The Ultimate Collection' the perfect introduction to new fans and a fitting tribute to long-time fans for their loyalty."

Smile For Me One More Time

Matt Howe | Washington, DC | 11/25/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When will The Captain and Tenille be discovered again? I thought that the funny cell phone tv commercial would do it ("he thought you said 'Captain and Tenille'...").It's true - they are the 70's incarnate (and some people won't appreciate that). I, however, was always a Captain and Tenille fan. Tenille's voice, as deep as Cher or Karen Carpenter, but as soulful as can be, was part of the attraction. The fact that they appeared to be a happily married show-biz couple was also attractive. But, most importantly, they made happy, pop music - and that's nothing to sneeze at!This compilation features their well-known hits (although a few tracks that I enjoy are missing: I *love* "Smile For Me One More Time!""Love Will Keep Us Together" was their big hit. I prefer Tenille's singing on "I Write the Songs" better than Barry Manilow's version. I've always had a special place in my heart for "Lonely Night (Angel Face)" (with those crickets!). "Shop Around" is pure Motown fun. "Muskrat Love" is a camp classic and has some nice 70's keyboard tricks in it. And "Can't Stop Dancing" has a driving beat.My personal favorite of all is "Come in from the Rain". The duo opens the track with the sound of rain. And Tenille's voice is perfect for this bittersweet song. Gorgeous and unaged.The Captain and Tenille were one of my favorite 70's act - I watched their short-lived tv show all the time. If you like 70's pop and haven't experienced C&T, then try this cd. It'll bring back good memories."

The Ultimate Collection You Should Own

Austin Hayes | Rancho Mirage, CA | 08/24/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have been a Captain and Tennille listener for over 25 years now dating back to 1975. I have attended many of their shows and have also held a special place in my heart for their music and philosphy. They are simply irresistable and likeable.I have always hoped that one day we may get their entire collection of music released on compact disc. Over the past 10 years most of their music has reemerged though mostly on Japanese imports of their A&M years. I hope that one day the "Make Your Move" and Keeping Our Love Warm" albums will be released on CD. Even if they were on one compact disc. These albums displayed a new attitude and different music style that the Captain & Tennille displayed during the 1970's. It reflected an adult oriented sound and most of this music still sounds current today.This collection captures the image and sound of the Captain & Tennille. I recommend this collection over the 1977 Greatest Hits collection which I feel was issued too soon into their career. The "Ultimate Collection contains some songs that are truly lost gems such as "Song of Joy", "I'm On My Way", "Love on A Shoestring" and "Keeping Our Love Warm". I give this a 5 star review because it is beautifully packaged although it contains a discrepancy regarding the song "Don't Forget Me" in the liner notes. This song was never released as a single. Ironically, the song still didn't make it into this collection. The song that should have been included was "This Is Not The First Time" that was written by Toni Tennille and issued as a single back in the fall of 1980. It was originally written for Cher as was several other songs on the "Keeping Our Love Warm" album. Toni remarked at the time that Cher turned down the song "This Is Not The First Time" because it wasn't "rock enough" If you ever have an opportunity to listen to this track you will definately hear a very rock oriented sound from the Captain and Tennille. I wish that this track was included because then it would have been completely "ultimate".A couple of my other favorite songs that never made it onto CD are: "Never Make A Move Too Soon", "Since I Fell For You" and "Your Good Thing (Is About to End)" The ultimate collection could have displayed one more track in honor of Daryl Dragon, which should have been "Song For My Father". It is perhaps his best solo work on the Captain and Tennille albums and unfortunately is another lost gem.Enjoy this collection and share it with some friends. It will bring back fond memories and great conversation. If you ever get the chance to see the Captain and Tennille/Toni Tennille live in concert make sure you see them. They are a class act!"

There's No Pleasure Like A Guilty Pleasure

Anthony Nasti | Staten Island, New York United States | 05/15/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Isn't there anything simply screams guilty pleasure like the Captain & Tennille? I mean, their cheesy yet infectious hits meant back in the 1970s' you were on a one way ticket to lameville. Well, 30 years later, the world is more accepting to the Captain & Tennille, so now me and many others feel comfortable saying how much we enjoy their music.

"Ultimate Collection: The Complete Hits" is the most complete representation of the duo's hits you could possibly find. Indeed, most of us will be happy to hear songs like "Love Will Keep Us Together", "Muskrat Love" and "Do That To Me One More Time". And diehards who went and bought the actual albums rather than just singles will be happy to learn that forgotten radio staples like "Circles", "Song Of Joy" and "Wedding Song (There Is Love)". Contrary to one reviewer's critique on the album, the sound is excellent. Everything sounds splendid.

This is a must have album, but only if you're a fan. This duo certainly isn't for everyone, but people who like this type of music will pick this up immediately"

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