UK set-generous tracks but hold out for upcoming US reissues
TREBLED | USA | 04/20/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I must admit the track listing is generous for the price-a budget box set. However the thought behind the track listing is not well balanced and the sequencing is haphazard. The Overture from "New Ragtime Follies" as a 2nd track followed by "What Are You Doing Sunday" makes little sense. If they removed the announcer, it would be ok-it is a great Overture. The set is missing a few of the singles. If it had all the Bell/Arista singles, it would function better as a survey of that catalog. The 45 version of "Steppin' Out, Gonna Boogie Tonight" should have been used instead of the LP version. The most serious flaw is that "Candida" and "Knock Three Times" are not the original mixes, but the mono remixes used for the original Arista Greatest Hits release in 1975. These mixes just don't have the life or beauty of the original. Yes, the original "Candida" mix was alittle rough, but that was part of its/"her" beauty. The newer stereo mixes used for the Rhino Best of or the Arista Definitive Collection would have been more tolerable. The overall sound quality is nice and clean, but alittle dull-not as dull as the DJ Specialist disc though. Packaging is classy but sparse-no liner notes, but that is expected at the price. If you are one of the die hard fans who must have EVERYTHING, or a casual listener who wants more than a one disc comp and the mentioned flaws don't bother you go head. Other wise save your money for the upcoming reissues from R2. ALL the BELL album tracks, singles, and b-sides as well as the Elektra albums,singles, and b-sides are coming this summer. There will also be a 3-DVD set from the TV show. A brand new Christmas CD is planned for October."
Legends
David Hess | baltimore,md | 03/09/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"this is a new hits collection pulled together on a 3 disc set for tony orlando and dawn fans ,however this hits collection has only the Arista years and does not included the elektra hits from the later mid 70s.although the bulk of the groups hits did come from the Bell/Arista years 70-74.most of the tracks,14,have never been released on cd ever,and have long been out of print.but at the same time,some of the tracks listed here have never been issued as singles or rare tracks such as SPARK OF LOVE IS KINDLIN,DONT ACT LIKE A BABY,IT ONLY HURTS WHEN I TRY TO SMILE,RUNAWAY,FREEDOM FOR THE STALLION are missing from the package but they included a OVERTURE71 BUT I think it is mislabled and is the overture from the RAGTIME FOLLIES in their 1973 lp.but why would they included an overture????i think this collection could have stepped it up a notch and included all the rare ,b sides and rare hits.the bulk of the hits are here,but if you want more you may want to hold out for the new reissued of all the DAWN lps /cds coming out for the groups 35th anniverary and dvd collection in june-august.look for tour dates and tv appearances.also ,worth noting,these tracks could have been included on a 2 cd set rather than a 3 cd.i guess its a way to drive up the price of this collection.i would like to add that the cd is remastered and i am hearing some of these songs for the first in 20 or so years and to hear Telma sing I DONT KNOW YOU ANYMORE is really cool.i am even hearing sounds and instruments i never heard on my old record player,its like hearing these songs for the first time.the groups last Arista single SKYBIRD is not included??????but yet we are given an overture from their RAGTIME LP?also ,on the liner notes some of the dates are wrong!???i could have written them better.you would think that they would check these things first.the cd has a nice sound ,crisp and clean.b+"
Track Listings (45) - Disc #1