This triple-CD set isn't quite ideal, containing only about 94 minutes of music (12 songs per disc) and coming with no annotation of any kind, other than what's on the back panel of the box. 36 All-Time Folk Favorites doesn't hold a candle in its packaging to Collectors' Choice's Definitive New Christy Minstrels, which also has more songs on its two CDs. But this set does have two dozen songs that aren't on the Collectors' Choice's set, and, thus, is a treat for those who simply love the Christys' sound. The closest overlap ...
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This triple-CD set isn't quite ideal, containing only about 94 minutes of music (12 songs per disc) and coming with no annotation of any kind, other than what's on the back panel of the box. 36 All-Time Folk Favorites doesn't hold a candle in its packaging to Collectors' Choice's Definitive New Christy Minstrels, which also has more songs on its two CDs. But this set does have two dozen songs that aren't on the Collectors' Choice's set, and, thus, is a treat for those who simply love the Christys' sound. The closest overlap lies with the songs done under the direction of Randy Sparks, coinciding with the group's very successful and prominent early years. What one discovers, however, is that there wasn't all that much difference between the Sparks-era material and that which followed. "Appleseed John," done with Sparks, is a goofy piece of folk-pop that is very enjoyable and very theatrical (it's amazing no one ever tried to bring a body of New Christy Minstrels-type repertory to Broadway as a revue or a faux-musical); the group's versions of "Homeward Bound" and "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport," from their later years, are similar, except for the presence of electric guitar and, on the latter song, organ. And even after Randy Sparks' departure, the group still did some serious folk numbers, including "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine," very respectfully. The big-chorus and rhythm-guitar laden version of "What the World Needs Now Is Love," their drum-heavy "Wimoweh" (complete with horns and banjo), and the pure pop of "It's Gonna Be Fine" are stretching the envelope a bit (especially as folk favorites), but are the only really weak moments here. More to the point, anyone with an appreciation of the Christys, or just fond memories of a time when folk music was intended as entertainment, will be delighted by "Susianna," "John Henry and the Steam Drill," and "Beaucatcher Mountain," and it's pleasing to be reminded that there's a lot yet to be mined even from the group's prime period of success. ~ Bruce Eder, Rovi
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