Various Artists - Billboard Top Pop Hits: 1964

awesome hits from 1964

Billboard Top Pop Hits: 1964 gives us ten pop hits on a budget priced CD so everyone can enjoy these classic tunes! The sound quality is as good as it always is in this multi CD series; and the artwork is attractive as well.

The Beach Boys start it all off with "Fun, Fun, Fun." "Fun, Fun, Fun" is a great, playful song about a young woman who wants to enjoy life and great times with the guys. The musical arrangement has great effects and the modulations between major and minor keys really stun me because they all work so well. I predict that you will enjoy "Fun, Fun, Fun" by The Beach Boys.

Peter And Gordon follow with an equally beautiful but sweeter tune entitled "A World Without Love." Peter And Gordon harmonize to perfection and they never miss a beat! They harmonize so well that their performance is quite impressive and the musical arrangement lacks nothing--it's THAT good. The Supremes also turn in a solid hit with their "Come See About Me."

Louis Armstrong And The All Stars perform Louis's great rendition of "Hello, Dolly." Louis sings "Hello, Dolly" with all his might and as he throws himself into the performance he stuns me with how well he does this--very passionate, too. Louis's excellent diction bolsters his performance and the musical arrangement is also quite strong. Listen also for The Murmaids doing their smash hit "Popsicles And Icicles;" they sound great on "Popsicles And Icicles" and this has always been one of my very favorite hits.

The album ends with Leslie Gore singing her heart out on "You Don't Own Me." This moving ballad celebrates Leslie's strength as she leaves her man for a better life, hopefully with another or at least good friends. Leslie sings "You Don't Own Me" flawlessly and it makes a stunning ending to this album. I love it!

Overall, this is a great starter CD for people who want to know just how great pop music was in 1964. People who first heard these tunes on the radio will also love this album.
February 3, 2008

Nevermind the British Invaders

With only one British Invasion hit ("World Without Love"), this CD proves that Americans were still making popular music in 1964. Terrific sound, and all original versions. June 30, 1998

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