VA - Get Easy, The Sunshine Pop Collection [2003] (2 x CD's)

SUNSHINE POP

VA - Get Easy, The Sunshine Pop Collection [2003] (2 x CD's)

The fifth volume in the perennially excellent Get Easy! series is arguably the strongest retrospective of sunshine pop ever compiled -- spanning two CDs and 40 cuts, the set combs the vaults of labels like A&M, Verve, Philips, and MGM to capture the essence of late 60's pop at its most musically ambitious. Inspired and arguably birthed by the Beach Boys, in particular their landmark Pet Sounds album, sunshine pop married radiant vocals harmonies and lush orchestral arrangements that wonderfully evoked a beatitude and poignancy often forgotten amidst the political and cultural turbulence of its era. There were some major hits of note from acts like the Association, the Turtles, and the Cowsills, but by and large sunshine pop remains largely a cult fascination, and this wonderful collection is the perfect place to hop aboard for both its hits and its rarities -- virtually every song's a winner, but standouts include the Hobbits' "Sunny Day Girl," Spanky & Our Gang's "I'd Like to Get to Know You," the Twinn Connexion's "Oh What a Lovely Day," Van Dyke Parks' "Number Nine," and the The Fun and Games' "Topanga Canyon Road." (AllMusic Review by Jason Ankeny)

 "Always You" by The Sundowners is one of songwriter Roger Nichols' very finest, with words by Pet Sounds lyricist Tony Asher. Good luck finding it anywhere... but you need it if you're seriously into the sunshine pop genre. From then on it's a generous helping of (generally) excellent but (mostly) very obscure cuts from the late 60's.

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Track lists

CD1

01 Sundowners Always You 3:01

02 Cowsills We Can Fly 2:16

03 Eternity's Children Rumors 1:53

04 Critters Mr. Dieingly Sad 2:49

05 Eighth Day Brandy (Doesn't Live Here Anymore) 2:36

06 Don Costa Punky's Dilemma 3:14

07 Kenny Rankin Peaceful 2:39

08 Gordian Knot The Year of the Sun 3:02

09 Roger Nichols & the Small Circle of Friends Let's Ride 2:52

10 Strawberry Alarm Clock Barefoot in Baltimore 2:25

11 Hobbits Sunny Day Girl 2:33

12 Dave Grusin California Montage 3:49

13 Connexion Oh What a Lovely Day 2:52

14 Lesley Gore 98.6/Lazy Day 2:34

15 Keith I Can't Go Wrong 3:04

16 Sandpipers Misty Roses 3:31

17 Lennon Sisters Green Tambourine 2:06

18 Spanky & Our Gang Like to Get to Know You 3:18

19 Four Fuller Brothers Bitter Honey 2:13

20 Larry Carlton Don't You Care 3:51

CD2

01 Alan Copeland Singers You're More Fun 2:17

02 Nick De Caro I'm Gonna Make You Love Me 2:44

03 Mama's & the Papa's People Like Us 3:28

04 Collage Rainy Blue Memory Day 2:20

05 Julius Wechter & the Baja Marimba Band Flyin' High 2:08

06 Peppermint Rainbow Will You Be Staying After Sunday 2:31

07 Artie Schroeck Implosion Do You Believe in Magic 2:31

08 Fun & Games Topanga Canyon Road 3:13

09 Chris & Peter Allen Just Friends 2:41

10 American Breed To Put Up With You 2:31

11 Van Dyke Parks Number Nine 2:39

12 Bunky & Jake Hey Buckaroo 2:29

13 Stouffville Grit Cause I Don't Have You 1:55

14 Bells Moody Manitoba Morning 3:09

15 Pete Jolly Seasons 3:47

16 Jackie & Roy Didn't Want to Have to Do It 2:50

17 Orpheus I'll Fly 2:29

18 Claudine Longet Who Needs You 3:09

19 Heidi Brühl The Drifter 2:48

20 Doc Severinsen Summer's Coming Back 2:45

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