I just don't understand the hate.... how could we still be dancing, soul searchin', city blues, the waltz... and several decent other songs.

I don't see what more people can expect. There's seriously good stuff here.  I feel overall Imagination is solid solo effort too.

They are a decent band that for whatever reason gets hated on a level that doesn't match any level of anyone "overrating" them. Can I see why many wouldn't like them yeah, I don't get the hate.

I thought the liner notes of the deluxe edition commented on each bonus track, but I don't recall for sure.

[19. “East Meets West” – with The Beach Boys]

...officially, though in the form of a Four Seasons box set taking advantage of the Jersey Boys success...


 
  Jersey Beat – The Music Of Frankie Valli & The 4 Seasons boxset coming June 5

CELEBRATING THE 4 SEASONS

Comprehensive Boxed Set Features Three CDs and
a Bonus DVD Spotlighting the Group’s Influential Legacy,
Top Hits, B-Sides and More

Available June 5 from Rhino Records

LOS ANGELES – Frankie Valli & The 4 Seasons have sold more than 100 million records worldwide. More than 40 years after lead singer Frankie Valli, guitarist Tommy DeVito, bassist Nick Massi and keyboardist Bob Gaudio first topped the charts with “Sherry”—the first of three consecutive #1 hits—the group is back in the spotlight. Thanks to Jersey Boys, a Tony®-winning musical based on the band’s story, the music and legend of Frankie Valli & The 4 Seasons are both finally getting their due. The musical is currently playing to sold-out crowds regularly at the August Wilson Theater in Manhattan and the Curran Theater in San Francisco. Additional openings are scheduled for later this year at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles on May 25, and at the LaSalle Bank Theater in Chicago on October 6. By 2008, Jersey Boys will also have played in San Diego, Seattle, Houston, Tampa, Minneapolis, Cleveland and several other cities.

Rhino honors Frankie Valli & The 4 Seasons with a spectacular boxed set featuring three CDs filled with 76 tracks of the band’s biggest hits along with terrific album tracks, top-notch B-sides, plus a DVD packed with rare live performances. An 84-page booklet accompanies the set and features rare photos and track-by-track commentary from such music and entertainment icons as Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson, Barry Manilow, Quincy Jones, Cher, Neil Diamond, Fats Domino, Steven Van Zandt, Barry Gibb, Johnny Marr, Billy Joel, Itzhak Perlman, Regis Philbin, Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban, and Joe Pesci, among others. JERSEY BEAT – THE MUSIC OF FRANKIE VALLI & THE 4 SEASONS will be available June 5 at retail and digital outlets and at www.rhino.com for a suggested retail price of $64.98. A digital version, including 76 tracks and two videos, will also be available at all digital retail outlets for a suggested retail price of $39.99.

Representing the most comprehensive Frankie Valli & 4 Seasons collection ever released, the bonus disc contains a long-awaited compilation of the group’s videos ranging from an early appearance on The Steve Allen Show to a rare live performance of “Rhapsody.”

The collection highlights the band’s early success—13 Top Ten hits between 1962 and 1967—including songs like “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Dawn (Go Away),” “Rag Doll,” and “Let's Hang On!” Arranged chronologically, the tracks follow the group through different lineups and continued success with “Working My Way Back To You,” “Opus 17 (Don’t You Worry ’Bout Me),” the #2 smash “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” and a cover of The Shirelles’ hit “Will You Love Me Tomorrow.”

The set also includes “My Eyes Adored You” and “Grease,” a pair of #1 hits Valli recorded solo in the ’70s; along with two #1 hits by The 4 Seasons, “Who Loves You” and the million-selling single “December, 1963 (Oh What A Night)” the first single without Valli’s lead vocals; plus the 1984 single “East Meets West,” a collaboration featuring Frankie Valli & The 4 Seasons harmonizing with their West Coast musical brethren, The Beach Boys.

Writing for the boxed set’s liner notes, Dennis Diken, drummer for the Smithereens and music historian, summarizes The 4 Seasons’ “instantly recognizable” sound circa 1965: “Fans looked forward to an arresting drum kick-off or a sotto voce preamble that set up musical adventures, like the big-beat ‘Bye, Bye, Baby (Baby Goodbye),’ and ‘Let’s Hang On!,’ where Frankie’s lulling intro is assaulted by one of the badass, snarling riffs of all time, giving flight to a four-on-the-floor stomp with beefy horns, vibes, and prominent bass that spoke Motown, Seasons-style.”

Thanks to the success of Jersey Boys, millions of theatergoers have gained a new appreciation for the music and legend of Frankie Valli & The 4 Seasons. The musical production based on the life story of the band was nominated for eight Tony Awards in 2006 and walked away with Tony’s for Best Musical, Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical, Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical and Best Lighting Design of a Musical. The rags-to-riches tale of four blue-collar kids working their way from the streets of Newark to the heights of stardom continues to resonate with sell-out Broadway crowds since its debut in 2004 at California’s La Jolla Playhouse.


Track Listing:

JERSEY BEAT – THE MUSIC OF FRANKIE VALLI & THE 4 SEASONS

Disc One
1. “Sherry”
2. “Big Girls Don’t Cry”
3. “Walk Like A Man”
4. “Ain’t That A Shame”
5. “Candy Girl”
6. “Marlena”
7. “Peanuts”
8. “Alone (Why Must I Be Alone)”
9. “Stay”
10. “Little Boy (In Grown Up Clothes)”
11. “Dawn (Go Away)”
12. “Big Man’s World”
13. “Marcie”
14. “Silence Is Golden”
15. “Huggin’ My Pillow”
16. “Ronnie”
17. “Rag Doll”
18. “Save It For Me”
19. “Big Man In Town”
20. “Bye, Bye, Baby (Baby, Goodbye)”
21. “Betrayed”
22. “Toy Soldier”
23. “Girl Come Running”
24. “Let’s Hang On!”
25. “Don’t Think Twice (It’s All Right)” – The Wonder Who?
26. “The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine (Anymore)” – Frankie Valli
27. “(You’re Gonna) Hurt Yourself” – Frankie Valli
28. “Pity”
29. “You’re Ready Now” – Frankie Valli
30. “Cousin Brucie Go Go”


Disc Two
1. “Working My Way Back To You”
2. “Can’t Get Enough Of You Baby”
3. “Everybody Knows My Name”
4. “Comin’ Up In The World”
5. “Beggars Parade”
6. “Opus 17 (Don’t You Worry ’Bout Me)”
7. “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”
8. “The Proud One” – Frankie Valli
9. “Tell It To The Rain”
10. “Beggin’”
11. “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” – Frankie Valli
12. “C’mon Marinne”
13. “Lonesome Road” – The Wonder Who?
14. “Around And Around (AndAroundAndAround)”
15. “I Make A Fool Of Myself” – Frankie Valli
16. “Watch The Flowers Grow”
17. “Raven”
18. “To Give (The Reason I Live)” – Frankie Valli
19. “Will You Love Me Tomorrow”
20. “Good-Bye Girl”
21. “Saturday’s Father”
22. “Electric Stories”
23. “Something’s On Her Mind”
24. “Idaho”
25. “Genuine Imitation Life”

Disc Three
1. “And That Reminds Me (My Heart Reminds Me)”
2. “The Girl I’ll Never Know (Angels Never Fly This Low)” – Frankie Valli
3. “She Gives Me Light”
4. “Patch Of Blue”
5. “Heartaches And Raindrops”
6. “Lay Me Down (Wake Me Up)”
7. “Where Are My Dreams”
8. “Sleeping Man”
9. “The Night”
10. “My Eyes Adored You” – Frankie Valli
11. “Swearin’ To God” – Frankie Valli
12. “Who Loves You”
13. “Our Day Will Come” – Frankie Valli
14. “December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night)”
15. “Silver Star”
16. “Fallen Angel” – Frankie Valli
17. “Rhapsody”
18. “Grease” – Frankie Valli
19. “East Meets West” – with The Beach Boys
20. “Streetfighter”
21. “Hope And Glory”

DVD
1. “Big Girls Don’t Cry” (The Steve Allen Show, 1963)
2. 1964 Medley – “Sherry/Walk Like A Man/Big Girls Don’t Cry/Dawn (Go Away)/Rag Doll/Brotherhood of Man” (On Broadway Tonight, 1964)
3. “Working My Way Back To You” (Hullabaloo, 1966)
4. “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” – Frankie Valli (The Bitter End, 1968)
5. “Let’s Hang On!” (Top Of The Pops, 1971)
6. “Saturday’s Father” (The Kraft Music Hall, 1968)
7. “(You’re Gonna) Hurt Yourself” – Frankie Valli (The Joey Bishop Show, 1968)
8. “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” (Top of the Pops, 1971)
9. “Dawn (Go Away)” (Los Angeles Coliseum concert, 1972)
10. “Who Loves You” (Promo Film, 1974)
11. “Rhapsody” (Promo Film, 1976)
12. “December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night” (Promo Film, 1975)
 

I have been thinking for a while that a Brian Wilson/Beach Boys night would be a great idea - both fun and a great to introduce the music to another generation (not to mention the virtue of 30 million + viewers).

But Brian's band wouldn't be involved and why should it be?  The contestents aren't going to likely wow anyone here with their versions and that's ok.

Carl, I thought was pretty consistent and there some good ones in that era - and he (and Dennis) shined on LA.

Yes 85 was overproduced, but I love "It's Gettin' Late"

So 80s, but to me, one of those 80's songs where it works.

I wasn't aware that there were any videos from SIP songs.. .

I know that Hot Fun was a single - were there any other singles?

Personally, I thought their version of Under the Boardwalk was good and I had heard it that summer on the satellite radio in the store where I worked.

The episode of FullHouse was I believe the first season as it was the fall of 88 when Kokomo was a hit.  I think that the season is out on DVD and I would like that momento, but I don't know if I can stomache having a whole season of that show...

I'm sure that part of the problem with the GV single is that it was a single.  CD singles just aren't everywhere these days, even for current pop tunes, let alone a reissue for collection purposes.

Good article, but some of it seems very dated.  When Mike speaks of Landy etc and Brian not believing in himself.

While there still may be truth in that, Brian has come a long way in the past 10 years (at least it appears that way).

In any case, it's great if they start just getting together - I think then things will click. 

Are any of the versions the "Smile" version?  It would be nice to have a nice complete Beach Boys version with extended vocal towards the end.

I had never seen this one sorry....

Sorry if this has been mentioned:

Allmusic:

Avoiding the popular if slight surf and sun confections of the Beach Boys' earliest records, the Starbucks release Summer Crush: Songs We Love to Love is a surprisingly thoughtful and eclectic collection spotlighting Brian Wilson's most far-reaching songs and productions from his halcyon 1964-1973 period. The landmark Pet Sounds and its ill-fated follow-up, SMiLE, are well represented by classics like "God Only Knows," "Caroline No," and "Surf's Up," while lesser-known efforts from the early '70s like "Sail on Sailor" and "Friends" also make the grade. Though at only 14 tracks Summer Crush is absent any number of key moments from the period in question, at least its producers had the good sense to install a 1973 cutoff point, sparing listeners the horror of latter-day missteps like the godforsaken "Kokomo."

Maybe it's not new, but I haven't seen this before and I check out the starbucks cds often.


Tracks
      1   I Can Hear Music  Barry, Greenwich, Spector     
       2   Don't Worry Baby  Christian, Wilson     
       3   Sail on Sailor  Almer, Kennedy, Rieley, Wilson     
       4   God Only Knows  Asher, Wilson     
       5   Surf's Up  Parks, Wilson     
       6   Wouldn't It Be Nice  Asher, Wilson     
       7   Friends  Jardine, Wilson, Wilson ...     
Composed by: Jardine, Wilson, Wilson, Wilson

 
      8   Add Some Music to Your Day  Knott, Love, Wilson     
       9   Sloop John B  Traditional, Wilson     
       10   Cool, Cool Water  Love, Wilson     
       11   Disney Girls (1957)  Johnston     
       12   Good Vibrations  Love, Wilson     
       13   Caroline No  Asher, Wilson     
       14   Do It Again  Love, Wil
 



Nice collection though

I am vaguely familiar that they did some NASCAr thing and from what I read hear, it's what I expected

The Other Side Of Summer.

  Great song!  As is REM's "At my most beautiful"

3 for me, with the obvious stand out opening song, which sounds great in spite of the production, Melt Away, and yes Let it Shine as well.  Portions of of Rio Grand are excellent.  I can do without the unlistenable opeing 50 seconds and the long transition between the first river segment and the second one.  But there are products out there that can crop such annoying parts of songs there days, which allows me to really an enjoy those excellent portions, which would otherwise be on a track that I would rarely listen to, if I had to put up with the rest of the song.

I don't understand the complaints about the smooth production quality. 88 has a dated 80s synth sound, but this one won't be remembered as having some 90's sound. It is well produced and polished because that is the style of the songs... and there are so many good songs on here - South American, Keep an eye on Summer, the title song, She says that she needs me. 

Brian is NOT adult contemporary

He's a boomer singing lite pop songs.. yep is IS AC. That's doesn't make him Celine or Michael Bolton.  AC is not a bad thing.  In fact, what littel air plaay I have heard of Brian was on AC stations and they should play him more often.

It's a good album. Not everything Brian does has to be magical or brilliant.  Brian is allowed to make, simply, an album that is fun.. with some average songs, some good, and likely with a few weaker ones.  Most of the songs on this one though, are pretty decent.  I love Brian with Clapton and Elton.  The Mccartney one is ok, the Waltz is great.

Probably the best single disc collection and nice to have one come out in recent years with better sound quality than the 80s discs.  As for the lack of quality 70s songs etc. Well, this is an old fashioned hits comp, and one that captures their singles, for better or worse.  At least someone who buys this one as their first BB cd, can hear little heard (outside of our world) gems like "Good Timin'" and "I can hear music."

There are some interesting things on Love You and some great moments, but it's hard for me to listen to this one. The Night is So Young is a classic...

Definitely Dennis' songs bring this one up, but it's his tunes with Carl thta make this one a pretty good overall album.  The neverending disco Here Comes the Night though, ugh. 4 stars despite the epic disco song.

You would think that that they would have put out something great doing some oldies and new "oldies" but the production is crap and it's not fun. Come go with me is better than anything on here.

This had the potential to be a pretty good one, but sadly it seems it was too much of Mike milking Kokomo and coming up with whatever lame lyics they could.  That said, I can appreciate some tunes on hear.  "under the boardwalk is overproduced, but not too much and I really enjoy the vocals and sax on this one.  Still Surfin' is ok.. would have been better if others had shared some leads on it, but oh well.  Lahaine is probably my favorite - Carl is great on this one, catchy chorus.  The other remakes are ok... I find myself listening to them on occasion.  Maybe Stragne things Happen is the only other tune that I can tolerate though.  So I guess that I like half of it... and that ain't bad.

I gave it a 0.  It's not a Beach Boys album after all.  If it were, I would actually get to hear some great BB vocals.  Instead, I get to listen to them in background. No thanks.  I don't even own it anymore.  I don't care if it becames a rarity worth money (which it obviously hasn't as I have seen it many times still in a local used cd store).

A decent overview, but so many gems are not included.  A remastered and expanded (to fill up both discs un-like the LP era time limit) could make a rerelease a great buy

Yes it was an over produced 80s album, but Carl sounded great and there are some tunes hear that are enjoyable (guilty pleasures or otherwise).  for me, "it's gettin' late" is worth it, but I also like the vocals on "Male Ego" which overcome the very cheesu lyrics. 

My first cd of them (so long ago) and a great introduction on a single disc.  Additionally the liner notes are worthwhile too for beginners.  I am sure that this one is long out of print and has been replaced more than once with other comps, but this one was probably the best one until the most recent single disc hits package.