The Very Best Of The Happenings

Happenings – The Very Best Of (Varèse Sarabande 302 067 404 8) 2016Good to see the very capable re-issue label, Varèse Saraband putting out oldies’ CDs again. I have many fine ones in my collection.I cannot argue with the title as this set represents the very best of the Happenings and with excellent sound quality - but 16 tracks is a little parsimonious these days, especially given that the Happenings recorded a lot of great material during a recording span that stretched over 10 years.Although referenced in the notes, their opener for B T Puppy in 1966, “Girls On The Go” (written by Brute Force) is not here. Instead we begin with probably their most memorable recording, “See You In September” and continue with all their BT Puppy hit 45s and key b-sides and album tracks. The compilers probably got the best of these; “Tonight I Fell In Love” and “Sealed With A Kiss” from their first LP and “I Believe In Nothing” and “When The Summer Is Through” from “Psycle” – although they have missed “He Thinks He’s A Hero”, “Lillies By Monet” and “Impatient Girl” (from the “Back To Back” LP)The set ends with “Where Do I Go / Be In” from the rock musical, “Hair”; their first for Jubilee in 1969 and also their last entry on the Hot-100. For Happening’s fans and collectors, this ending comes too soon. The group went on to release about half a dozen singles on Jubliee and then more on Big Tree and Midland International before they ceased recording in 1977. Among these “missing” tracks are “Working My Way Back To You”, Mann-Weil’s “Make Your Own Kind Of Music” and “Lullaby In The Rain” with its fantastic arrangement by Charlie Calello. It would also have been neat to see the group’s earlier tracks as the 4 Graduates here for completeness. They too are reference in the notes, which are written by Dawn Eden with input from Bob Miranda and Phil and Mitch Margo of the Tokens (the Happenings’ producers while they were with BT Puppy). The notes and the accompanying images make for a nice booklet to accompany this CD.Given that there have been three Happenings’ CDs issued on legit labels - “The Happenings/Psycle” ( a great 2-fer comprising their two B T Puppy LPs) on Collectables, “The Best Of” on UK Sequel and “Greatest Golden Hits” on Wounded Bird – we are due a compilation that includes the titles I have mentioned above.

Over the years, I've purchased several CDs of The Happenings greatest hits. I bought this one because I was hoping to find a release with superior sound reproduction. I was not disappointed. This is the best sounding CD by this vocal group. Expertly remastered by Steve Massie, it also has informative liner notes.I recall when they became popular in 1966. Four clean-cut guys from North Jersey with relatively short haircuts comprised the group at a time when long hair was ubiquitous in the rock music business and counter-culture attitudes, protest, and social relevancy themes were increasingly reflected in the music. For those who are not familiar with this group's music, they did pop rather than rock. From 1966-67, they had four Top 40 hit records: See You in September, Go Away Little Girl, I Got Rhythm and My Mammy.See You In September was a relatively minor hit by The Tempos in 1959. The Happenings' version was a huge hit, peaking at number 3 on the charts. Go Away Little Girl had been a hit for Steve Lawrence a few years earlier and was written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin. I Got Rhythm was an old song written by George and Ira Gershwin. My Mammy was an ancient tune that had been sung by Al Jolson. Aside from these four songs, there were no other major hit records by the group, which is why I rate the release at four stars rather than five. But, that's a purely subjective determination.If you enjoy groups like The Vogues, Four Freshmen or the Lettermen, you might like this release. As a greatest hits package, I highly recommend it for improved sound quality.

WOW!, the clarity of these songs sounds like they've been transferred right from the master tapes. I'm very pleased, not only with the audio quality, but also the fact that 15 out of the 16 songs are in glorious STEREO. The only MONO track is "When The Summer Is Through".This release is from Varese Sarabande a well known reissue label of quality releases in the past. However, in recent times, it seems that Varese has been keeping a very low profile if not actually absent from the reissue market. If this CD is a sign of Varese making a comeback, they couldn't have done a better job of it. I'll sure keep a look out for more CDs from them and just add them to my large stack of their releases from the past I already own. It's SO refreshing to have a quality reissue label who's been dormant, come back to life. Taragon Records - are you listening?

Well I do not like about this did not have cd text

I think that Girls on the go should be in this CD.

Any group that can make "My Mammy" a hit in the mid 60s is okay by me. Taking hits from the 20s through the 40s and bringing them back fresh is my kind of group. Very creative sounds that were right there with the Rock Era.

I bought this for my husband because in 1969 I lost his favorite "Happenings" album. He forgave me, but has always wished he could have that album back. Now, thanks to the world-wide web, I was able to track down this album for him. He loves the 4 part harmony.

This is the best Happenings disc ever.........the one that leaves all the others obsolete. None of these songs have ever sounded better. If you are a fan of the group, you'll want to pick this one up. All the charted hits are here in pristine stereo sound. Highly recommended.

Excellent quality. 16 tracks which they consider their best. They missed, New Day Comin', which was the flip side of, Where Do I Go-Be In. If it was good enough for the flip side, it should have made it on this CD? Great song that you don't tire easy!

録音状態がとても良かった。音の質レパートリー沢山どれも音量良し。ＡＭＡＺＯＮだったこともあって早く手元に入った。言う事なし。

Some of these numbers took me back to my teenage years. I loved the Happenings as a teeny bopper. It's a real trip down memory lane.

AwesomeIf you like The Tokens you will love it

Very good album.