Search - Righteous Brothers :: Righteous Brothers Anthology 1962-1974 (2 CDs)

Righteous Brothers Heaven

Steve Vrana | Aurora, NE | 05/26/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you're going to own only one Righteous Brothers CD, this is the one to have. Unlike many other collections available, this one also gives you a generous sampling of their work on the Moonglow label. While "There She Goes" by the Paramours (with Bill Medley) is of historical value, it's the duet material that shines beginning in 1963 with the Bill Medley-penned "Little Latin Lupe Lu." While Mitch Ryder would record the definitive version three years later, the Righteous Brothers own version can at least boil water. At No. 49, it was the closest they would come to a hit while at Moonglow and "My Babe" and "Bring Your Love To Me" would stall in the bottom half of the Hot 100. [Moonglow would release "Georgia on My Mind" in 1966 to cash in on the duo's success, but it peaked at No. 62.]In 1964, they became Phil Spector's first white act on the Philles label and recorded the ultimate "Wall of Sound" single: "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling." If they never recorded again, the Righteous Brothers would have been immortalized for that one song alone. But in little over a year's time they would also chart with "Just Once In My Life," "Unchained Melody," "Ebb Tide" and "(You're My) Soul and Inspiration." A couple more minor hits would follow and by 1968 they split up. They re-formed briefly in 1974 and scored big with "Rock and Roll Heaven," a tribute to dead rock stars.What they left behind is a terrific collection of blue-eyed soul classics. As always, Rhino has provided amazing sound quality along with an informative booklet. The music on this disc will leave you in rock and roll heaven. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"

Skip the other collections; these guys did astounding vocals

John A. Kuczma | 11/27/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are numerous less comprehensive collections out there (they all include Soul and Inspiration, You've Lost that Lovin' Feelin' and Ebb Tide, which ARE fabulous songs, but somewhat overexposed), but I heartily suggest you skip them, and put out a few extra bucks for this comprehensive overview of their career(s); otherwise you will miss some of their best stuff (indeed, some undiscovered gems that are every bit as great as their big hits and that represent some of the highlights of that era), such as Melancholy Music Man (my favorite RB song) and On this Side of Goodbye. This is one of my favorite 'best of' collections of all."

The only collection you need.

Eric V. Moye | New York, by way of Dallas | 03/18/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Back in The Day, the Brothers were mandatory for those parties in the basement when it was time to quit jumping around and do some serious grinding! This Anthology has every great and near great song they did.I think that someone determined recently that "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" was the most frequently played song in rock music over the past twenty years. If not, it should have been. Bill Medley's bass is about a dozen octaves below anything ever heard before or since. What a masterpiece! Legend has it that Phil Spector (who produced it) put the time stamp on the '45 versions at 2:55 because radio stations would not have played it if they knew it was 3:47. What a sneaky genius. "Unchained Melody" was revived by the movie Ghost. Even better than that (to me)is "For Once in My Life". Classic begging, as Bobby and Bill vocally vie back and forth for the affection of the unidentified woman they both obviously covet. Also included as a pleasant surprise is Bill Medley's interesting and passionate social commentary,"Brown Eyed Woman", written for his not so secret passion, Darlene Love.These songs are a set of timeless classics. Put these on before you propose, and it will improve your odds of success."