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Aw Come ON - 13 Hits And We Get All But One In A 20-Track Re

David Kenner | 09/08/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"From the point of view of their hit singles, the producers had a good thing going here for a while as they provided each of their hits in the same order (would that other CDs follow the same format) that they appeared on the charts. Tracks 1 to 9 are their hits from January 1957 [Dreamy Eyes - # 56 Billboard Pop Top 100] to 1960's Got A Girl [# 24 Hot 100], including the double-sided 1958 hit Lazy Summer Night (# 21 Top 100 from the film Andy Hardy Comes Home) b/w Summertime Lies (regarded as a "follow-along" hit).



Tracks 10, 12 and 14 then pick up their 11th, 12th and 13th hit singles. The rest are either failed singles or LP cuts. But where is the one missing hit, Calcutta? Admittedly a minor offering [it only made it to # 96 Hot 100 in 1961] at least it WAS a hit unlike, say, Charmaine.



For a completist collector this is agonizingly irritating as I doubt very much there's room for a second volume of Four Preps tunes. Unless they'd like to give us the B-sides, none of which [except for the above-mentioned two-sided hit] are included.



A product of the Hollywood High School Choir, the quartet consisted of lead tenors Bruce Belland and Marvin Ingraham, baritone Glen Larson, and bass Ed Cobb. They made their stage début with Ricky Nelson at Hamilton High School in L.A., and are often cited as one of the main influences on The Beach Boys.



Incidentally, the majority of their hits were backed by The Lincoln Mayorga Orchestra [except their first which included The Van Alexander Orchestra, I Ain't Never, backed by Morty Cobb & His Orchestra, and A Letter To The Beatles - Ray Pohlman's Orchestra]. In fact, on Big Man, that's Mayorga on piano. Two of their hits, 26 Miles and Big Man, even crossed over to the R&B charts in 1958, going to # 6 and # 9 respectively.



They were funny, wickedly irreverent, and possessed of one of the tightest harmonies of any group from that era. Significantly, when looking at their final hit, they were among the many North American artists shoved aside by the British Invasion in general, and The Beatles in particular. Obviously, with the song reaching a lowly # 85 in April 1964, Beatles' fans were not amused."

Four preps oldies

Ed Stralko | sunny Fl | 11/19/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Capitol Collectors Series: The Four Prepsjust as I remembered it. great tunes and memories"

The Four Preps had incredible talent--they were all THAT goo

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 01/05/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Four Preps had an incredible sound; I love to listen to their music! These guys could harmonize and sing perfectly, making it all look so simple every time. Bruce Belland and Glen Larson wrote songs, too, including ""26 Miles (Santa Catalina)" and "Big Man" which are both on this disc. Of course, we know it really wasn't all that simple--their talents carried them through. Sure, it might have been nice to have "Calcutta" on this disc, but what we do get is nothing but very high quality control music. In addition, the quality of the sound on this CD is excellent and I like that artwork, too.



The album begins with great music and that continues all the way through to the end! "Dreamy Eyes," a relatively early chart hit from 1957, has The Four Preps singing wonderfully; the music fits in perfectly with their singing and "Dreamy Eyes" leaves nothing to be desired--this music is all THAT good. "26 Miles (Santa Catalina)," their first million-seller from 1958, is certainly easy on the ears; that percussion, guitar and the whistling in the background help make this a terrific tune. "Big Man" is awesome; and The Four Preps sing a very romantic rendition of "Lazy Summer Night" from the MGM movie entitled "Andy Hardy Comes Home." "Summertime Lies" has a beautiful musical arrangement and I really like "Cinderella" from the film "Gidget."



"I Ain't Never" has even more fine harmonizing and a fine musical beat; and there's another fine gem in "Down by the Station (Early in the Morning)." Listen also for The Four Preps to do a great job on "Got a Girl," too. The "More Money for You and Me" live medley is comical; although those lyrics are not too friendly toward some others it was really just in fun.



"Seine" has The Four Preps harmonizing faultlessly; they sound so good I can't imagine them ever sounding better! There's also the "Big Draft" playful medley that brings a smile to my face; and I really like "Charmaine." "Charmaine" has beautiful tempo and key changes to make this a real standout; and there's yet another awesome tune, "Letter to the Beatles." I love it!



"I've Known You All My Life" is a charmer that I could listen to over and over again; the musical accompaniment is just right--wisely, the music never tries to steal the show away from The Four Preps' vocals--their singing is right there in the spotlight. "I'll Never Be the Same" has fine piano playing and with that percussion and drums this is very special; and "Girl in the Shade of the Striped Umbrella" has that '60s easy listening flavor to it with The Four Preps singing this without ever letting go of a superfluous note! "Let's Call It a Day Girl" is another tune with a strong, terrific beat; and "Love of the Common People" features The Four Preps at their usual very best. The album ends with The Four Preps performing "Draft Dodger Rag;" this tune makes a statement with some comedy and it has a beat so infectious you won't forget it anytime soon!



The Four Preps gave us so much to enjoy even to this day. This album is a must-have for their fans and anyone discovering The Four Preps would do well to get this album, too."