Search - Cass Elliot :: Dream A Little Dream: The Cass Elliot Collection

Glenna G.
Reviewed on 3/17/2011...

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Almost an entire hour of Cass! WOWZER!

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 03/22/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When your world's closing in

And there's no place to hide

And you're needin' a friend to be there

At your side

Send a message to me

I'll arrive and you'll see

Whether you're right or wrong

This is where you belong

Give it a try and you'll see



Move in a little closer baby

You've got to keep me closer baby

Come in a little closer baby

Together we can make it happen

Wait and see....



After she left The Mamas and The Papas, Cass Elliot became one of few solo artists to come out of the 60s and the 70s and STILL be well remembered today by people of all ages. Although her life was tragically cut short, she did not leave us before she entertained us with a mature vocal command of her songs that only a great singer could produce. Her vocal style always allowed the nuances of the lyrics to come through and this CD shows that clearly.



In essence, this is a fine compilation album. There are songs recorded live from her TV special/record album entitled "Don't Call Me Mama Anymore;" and there are two infectiously beautiful "bubblegum music" numbers entitled "Move In A Little Closer, Baby" and "It's Getting Better." Watch out, though, because Cass could sing folksy/bluesy songs including "Wild Women" (recorded here when she was with a group called The Big Three) and the rock style song called "California Earthquake." A most versatile singer, indeed!



I agree with other reviewers who write that it is extremely ironic that she came out with the song "I'm Coming To The Best Part Of My Life" so close to her untimely death. In addition, could it be that we are encouraged to remember Cass fondly by the placement of "Dream A Little Dream Of Me" as the last song on this CD? Perhaps so; but I for one don't need much encouragement.



In short, this CD is a great introduction to Cass Elliot's work and this is a good value if you're on a budget and want to choose just one Cass Elliot CD to start off with. (This CD is also good for fans of contemporary pop vocalists.) The credits are given for each song but there are no lyrics written. Instead of lyrics there are extensive liner notes by Jon E. Johnson. There are excellent photos of Cass, too. You can't escape the outrageous color photo of the bejeweled Cass reclining on a couch right on the front cover of the CD artwork! Another black and white photo of her naked but strategically covered by huge bunches of daisies is also terrific.



What else can I say? This album makes me rejoice that Cass shared her talent with us; it also makes me a bit sad that she died so young because had she lived this would only have been the beginning of decades of fine art. I say buy this CD and enjoy it many times over--you just won't be able to play it just once!

"

A perfect collection

Lawrence H. Stern | West Hollywood, CA United States | 07/19/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Cass Elliot Collection is the best CD available for those who want to have all of her big solo hits (there weren't as many as people might think; most of her successful singles came off the Bubblegum album) as well as some stellar album cuts. What's so amazing is the variety of songs/music on this collection. Cass could sing it all - from vaudeville sounding tin pan alley to big ballads to folk and rock. On this CD, some early gems such as "California Earthquake" go nicely with her aching ode to her little girl "My Love". I especially love the cut "Disney Girls" (written by a Beach Boy for her) which is, sadly, the only song from her underrated self-titled album (now out of print). But the majority of these songs are all very satisfying -- with "I'm Coming to the Best Part of My Life" still a very sadly ironic ending. For those who are missing "Easy Come or Easy Go" or "Welcome to the World", there are other collections available. But for your money, there is not a weak song on this gorgeous album.



Lawrence"