The Very Best of the Rascals [Rhino] (CD - 2007)

The Rascals: Felix Cavaliere (vocals, organ, piano); Eddie Brigati (vocals, congas, percussion); Gene Cornish (guitars, bass, background vocals); Dino Danelli (drums).

Producers: The Rascals, Tom Dowd, Arif Mardin.

Compilation producer: Gary Stewart.

Recorded from 1965 to 1972. Includes liner notes by Parke Puterbaugh.

Personnel: Gene Cornish (vocals, guitar); Felix Cavaliere (vocals, piano, organ); Eddie Brigati (vocals, drums, congas, percussion); Chuck Rainey, Gerald Jemmott, Hog Cowart (vocals); Gene Orloff (strings); Hubert Laws (flute); Buddy Lucas (harmonica); Danny Labbate, Steve Marcus (soprano saxophone); King Curtis (tenor saxophone); Mel Lastie, Melvin Lastie (trumpet); Joe Bushkin (piano); Dino Danelli (drums); David Brigati, The Sweet Inspirations (background vocals).

Audio Remasterers: Dan Hersch; Bill Inglot.

Liner Note Author: Parke Puterbaugh.

Photographer: Michael Ochs.

Unknown Contributor Role: Parke Puterbaugh.

Arrangers: Charles Morrow; Arif Mardin.

Although Rhino issued a deluxe two-CD set covering the Rascals a few years ago, this single-disc set contains enough essential songs for you to get the point. The Rascals, along with the Righteous Brothers, defined blue-eyed soul singing, making records that were as churchy, earthy, and convincing as anything that came out of the South or Motown in the '60s, backed by tight, anthemic arrangements and excellent combo playing. The 16 cuts include their first hit, "I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore," and continue on into their flirtation with psychedelia in 1970. The only quibble is their failure to include "Look Around," a sociopolitical cut from the Freedom Suite album that's just a cut below "People Got to Be Free" or "A Ray of Hope." [Rhino reissued this same set, artwork and all, in 2007, adding a slide-off slip cover adorned with the title Greatest Hits.] ~ Ron Wynn

Although Rhino issued a deluxe two-CD set covering the Rascals a few years ago, this single disc set contains enough essential songs for you to get the point. The Rascals, along with the Righteous Brothers, defined blue-eyed soul singing, making records that were as churchy, earthy, and convincing as anything that came out of the South or Motown in the '60s, backed by tight, anthemic arrangements and excellent combo playing. The 16 cuts include their first hit, "I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore," and continue on into their flirtation with psychedelia in 1970. The only quibble is their failure to include "Look Around," a socio-political cut from the Freedom Suite album that's just a cut below "People Got to Be Free" or "A Ray of Hope." [Rhino reissued this same set, artwork and all, in 2007, adding a slide off slip cover adorned with the title Greatest Hits.] ~ Ron Wynn

A satisfying budget-priced compilation, THE VERY BEST OF THE RASCALS is as good as any (Young) Rascals compilation out there. While Rhino's two-disc ANTHOLOGY 1965-1972 has it beat in terms of comprehensiveness, these 16 tracks, from their first hit "Ain't Gonna Eat My Heart Out Anymore" to their last chart success "See," are the cream of the crop.

All of the hits are here, naturally, including "Good Lovin'," "People Got To Be Free," the superlative "How Can I Be Sure," and of course their biggest hit, "Groovin'." The lesser-known singles and key album tracks, like "A Girl Like You" and "I've Been Lonely Too Long," are nearly the equal of the hits, and overall, this is as solid a collection of '60s blue-eyed soul as you'll find.

Although Rhino issued a deluxe two-CD set covering the Rascals a few years ago, this single disc set contains enough essential songs for you to get the point. The Rascals, along with the Righteous Brothers, defined blue-eyed soul singing, making records that were as churchy, earthy, and convincing as anything that came out of the South or Motown in the '60s, backed by tight, anthemic arrangements and excellent combo playing. The 16 cuts include their first hit, "I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore," and continue on into their flirtation with psychedelia in 1970. The only quibble is their failure to include "Look Around," a socio-political cut from the Freedom Suite album that's just a cut below "People Got to Be Free" or "A Ray of Hope." [Rhino reissued this same set, artwork and all, in 2007, adding a slide off slip cover adorned with the title Greatest Hits.] ~ Ron Wynn minimize