"As someone who was in his teens and twenties when these songs were released, they bring back memories of happy, carefree times before more adult responsibilities set in. I enjoy listening to about 75% of this collection, and considering the low cost per song (about 77 cents) this is a great buy. The liner notes for each of the five cases (2 discs per case) gives background not only about the songs but also about the societal changes that shaped many of these songs.
I do have a few complaints, though. The time length of each song is not listed, yet they found space for the artist, record label, and year published. In at least one case this omission is disturbing. Don McLean's American Pie fades away to an end at 4:09; the original recording was about 8:37. Call this one -- American Pie Lite. That alone makes this collection not one for purists.
It comes in a cardboard box that could use a clasp to keep the cover from flopping open, thus preventing one or more cases from falling out when stored upright."
Failed Eden
dream factory | Triangulum, M33 | 10/17/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A wonderful collection of hippie music. A groovy trip back to the LOVE generation. From squiggly acid songs like "White Rabbit, Sunshine Superman, and In a Gadda Da Vida" to staight out love-in grooves like "I Got You Babe and What the World Needs Now is Love". Part of the pleasure in this collection is the wide range of counter culture music it embraces. Something for the groover/tripper/lover/rocker and all those who just love the wind in their long hair.
The "unofficial" goal back in the late 1960's was to break down social barriers and engage the straight laced public to open their mind to the possibility of putting love at the forefront of existence. Immerse yourself in the "official" sound of that time. Social consciousness through music was an innovative idea and there are many examples contained herein: "Mercy Mercy and Love Peace & Happiness" to name a few.
The two set Bonus CD takes you back to the heart of the 1967 San Francisco scene before it fell apart into a heroine ghetto.
FLOWER POWER is a well produced retrospect collection of 175 songs which emotionally transport you back to the vibrancy of being a hippie; complex, tender, psychedelic, exciting.....California dreamin, Born to be wild, Hair, Groovin, Blowin in the wind, Spirit in the sky, You really got me, In the year 2525, Hurdy gurty man, I feel free, etc.
Update 02/01/2010: At first we were reluctant to purchase this big collection. Wow a 10 CD set. But we have enjoyed it over and over countless time during these years."
Excellent collection
Orcas Islander | Orcas Island, WA USA | 07/15/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As an avid 60's music fan, I highly recommend this collection as one of the best I've heard. For the most part, the 175 or so songs are those that you will not typically hear on "classic rock" radio. For example, there's no Hendrix, Doors, Rolling Stones or Beatles songs that are played over and over on classic rock stations today. I hadn't heard some of the songs in the collection for a very long time. It's like reliving an era to listen to this set. The excellent liner notes enhance this feeling. Also, the sound quality is superb. Buy this set for some thoroughly enjoyable listening and a memorable trip back to the 60's."
For any fan of the 60's & early 70's
K. A. Jones | Nashville TN | 03/01/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Both me and the wife saw the commercial for the "Time Life Flower Power " set and was laughing at the videos and remembering all the songs. I went online to see the full list and no doubt the set is packed with all the great songs of the 60's and a few early 70's as well.
I actually kept looking for a good deal here on Amazon and found one for a price to good to pass. Overall the sound is pretty good considering when this music was done in the analog days. There are some songs that the volume is a bit lower than most but it's only a few. You really don't hear many of these great songs anymore and you would be hard pressed to find so many in one collection like this."