Boasting all of the Rascals' essential hits as well as many enjoyable album tracks, this two-CD set does a fine job of summarizing the New Yorkers' accomplishments. Whether the Rascals are tearing into rockers like "You Better Run" (covered by Pat Benatar in 1980) and the Olympics' "Good Lovin'" (a frat rock staple) or expressing their love of soul music (both Northern and Southern) on "Groovin'," "A Beautiful Morning" and "I've Been Lonely Too Long," the package shows us just how dynamic they could be.
The Rascals' cover of Wilson Pickett's "In the Midnight Hour" is hard to resist, and it should be noted that their version of Sir Mac Rice's "Mustang Sally" was recorded before the song became a major hit for Pickett. Sadly, things broke down for the Rascals commercially in the early '70s, but the socially aware soul-pop songs "Love Me," "Saga of New York" and "Brother Tree" show that they still had some creative life left in them. And they indicate that with the right guidance and input (working with someone like Curtis Mayfield, maybe?), the band could have made a comeback and become an important part of the '70s soul-pop scene. From obvious choices to surprises, Anthology: 1965-1972 is a package that both rock and soul aficionados should savor.
by Alex Henderson
Tracks
Disc 1
1. I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore (Lori Burton, Pam Sawyer) - 2:46
2. Good Lovin' (Rudy Clark, Arthur Resnick) - 2:32
3. Do You Feel It (Felix Cavaliere, Gene Cornish) - 3:24
4. Mustang Sally (Sir Bonny Mack Rice) - 3:22
5. Baby Let's Wait (Lori Burton, Pam Sawyer) - 3:24
6. In the Midnight Hour (Steve Cropper, Wilson Pickett) - 4:05
7. You Better Run - 2:28
8. What Is the Reason - 2:26
9. I've Been Lonely Too Long - 2:07
10.Come on Up (Felix Cavaliere) - 2:45
11.Too Many Fish in the Sea (Eddie Holland, Norman Whitfield) - 2:19
12.Love Is a Beautiful Thing - 2:34
13.Groovin' - 2:31
14.A Girl Like You - 2:48
15.Find Somebody - 3:42
16.How Can I Be Sure - 2:55
17.If You Knew - 3:07
18.I'm So Happy Now (Gene Cornish) - 2:50
19.Easy Rollin' - 2:55
20.Rainy Day - 3:29
21.It's Wonderful - 3:24
22.Silly Girl - 2:44
23.Finale: Once upon a Dream - 3:53
24.A Beautiful Morning - 2:34
All songs by Eddie Brigati, Felix Cavaliere xcept where indicated
1. People Got to Be Free - 3:01
2. Island of Love - 2:23
3. Look Around - 3:03
4. A Ray of Hope - 3:43
5. Heaven - 3:24
6. See - 4:48
7. I'd Like to Take You Home - 2:37
8. Temptation's Bout to Get Me (James Diggs) - 3:31
9. Nubia - 3:44
10.Real Thing - 2:45
11.Carry Me Back - 2:52
12.Right On - 3:48
13.Ready for Love - 3:09
14.I Believe - 3:58
15.Glory, Glory - 3:33
All songs by Felix Cavaliere except where noted
The Rascals
*Felix Cavaliere - Lead Vocals, Organ, Piano, Guitar
*Eddie Brigati - Vocals, Conga, Drums, Percussion
*Gene Cornish - Vocals, Guitar, Bass
*Dino Danelli - Drums
Additional Musicians
*Richard Davis - Bass
*Ron Carter - Bass
*Chuck Rainey - Bass
*Gerald Jemmott - Bass
*Harold Cowart - Bass
*Joe Bushkin - Piano
*Buddy Lucas - Harmonica
*Mel Lastie - Trumpet
*Joe Newman - Trumpet
*King Curtis - Tenor Sax
*Steve Marcus - Soprano Sax
*Danny Labbarte - Soprano Sax
*Joe Farrell - Saxophone
*Seldon Powell - Saxophone
*Hubert Laws - Flute
*Gene Orloff And His Strings - Strings
*David Brigati - Vocals
*Cissy Houston, Tosha Thomas - Background Vocals
*The Sweet Inspirations - Background Vocals
1968 The Rascals - Once Upon a Dream (Japan remaster)
1969 The Rascals - See (Japan remaster)
1971 The Rascals - Peaceful World (Japan remaster)
1972 The Rascals - Island Of Real (Sundazed issue)
Related Act
1967 The Young Rascals - Groovin' (2007 remastered and expanded)
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