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List Price: $74.98
Our Price: $48.99
You Save: $ 25.99 (35%)
Availability: N/A
Manufacturer: Abkco
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0018771711827
Format: Box set
Label: Abkco
Manufacturer: Abkco
Number Of Discs: 4
Publisher: Abkco
Release Date: 1991-11-12
Studio: Abkco
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Editorial Reviews:
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Among producers, his name remains the simile of choice. If some hotshot studio whiz emerges in, say, hip-hop, he's inevitably labeled "the Phil Spector of rap." That's quite a statement given that decades have passed since this boy from the Bronx remodeled rock & roll to suit his own visions of grandeur. The story of the girl-group auteur is a fascinating one. Spector composed a No. 1 hit at 17 (the Teddy Bears' "To Know Him Is to Love Him," its title inspired by the inscription on his father's tombstone). By 19 he was head of A&R for Atlantic Records. By the time he was 22, he'd founded his own label (Philles) and was churning out Wall of Sound hits at an unprecedented clip, beginning with the Crystals' "He's a Rebel." The four-disc Back to Mono befits its singular subject in both presentation (the richly annotated booklet includes a piece by Tom Wolfe) and content (60 songs cut between 1958 and 1969, plus the entire classic Yuletide LP A Christmas Gift for You). --Steven Stolder
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Uptown - The Crystals
Comment: If it seemed impossible for you to find the original 'Uptown' by the Crystals, so impossible that you might have even started doubting your audio memories, buy this set. It's worth it for just finding this track!
So exciting to find it when you've given up. Track 9 Disc 1.
The big booklet has all the details of each track, dates, photos and story. It's neat!
'Back To Mono' by Phil Spector includes the original
track of 'Uptown' by the Crystals.
The lead vocal was by Barbara Alston with Dee Dee Kennibrew, Mary Thomas, Patricia Wright, and Myrna Gerrard.
Phil Specter on guitar.
Phillies Records (single #102)
Recorded at Mira Sound Studios, NY
Engineer: Bill MacMeeken
Arranger: Phil Specter and Hank Levine.
Pop Chart #13 March 31, 1962
Album: 'Back to Mono' (1058-1969).
~AwC
Customer Rating:
Summary: One Of The Best Box Sets EVER
Comment: No matter what Phil Spector may have done later in his life (and I guess that maybe the second trial will sort that all out), there are few who could argue that he was not a HUGE influence on the world of rock and roll and popular music in his day. His "wall of sound" production methods were singularly repsonsible for hit after hit after hit by any number of artists. It was GREAT to have all of these chart-toppers in one box set. Whether you listen to these in your car, on your I-Pod or at home, there is a sense of musical history pouring into your soul.
This set comes highly recommended.
Michael Patterson
Customer Rating:
Summary: Worth the price and more
Comment:
Three CDs of Phil Spector produced songs plus a Christmas Album. In many ways, the man's career was as symmetrical as songs. There's a kind of slow start with sings that are, well, nice to listen to but nothing that hits you as worthy of memorial. Then, at least for me, comes "To Know Him Is to Love Him!" That's when you are faced with the first clear indication that something is going on here that you didn't expect. The songs have suddenly transformed from little melodies supporting childlike thoughts into waves of deep, loud, dramatic and near-operatic music that carries the message of absolute and pure undying, unselfish love.
Through this piece of his career, Spector defined what teen music was all about. He did this with a cast of characters - both in front or and behind the mike - from whom their work can only be described as synergistic. Not that these folks - Darlene Love and Hal Blaine, to name but two - were bereft of true talent. Spector gave them the means, motive and opportunity to use those talents for a musical greater good. These CDs capture each and every one of the songs. Which songs fit here? While - to quote my wife's ex-husband: "It must be obvious." - let's name just five, OK?
`Be My Baby'
`He's a Rebel'
`Spanish Harlem'
`Unchained Melody'
`Save the Last Dance for me'
After that, well, something changed. Maybe it was the times or maybe it was the music itself...or maybe it was the producer. It's to say what had happened, but there's no question that the music simply did not sell. There is nothing specifically wrong with `River Deep, Mountain High' or `Black Pearl,' mind you. It's just that there is a little less magic. And, the magic is gone, the buying public leaves and few ever recapture it. Judging by subsequent efforts across decades with The Beatles and The Ramones, it is - to this reviewer's mind - more likely it was the producer.
But, in the end, we are left with some magnificent music, well worth the original listed price for this box set, and a very precious gift in the Christmas album. It stands as a monument to a talented but flawed individual.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Just like O.J.
Comment: Just like O.J. ...... The fact that Phil is now involved in a huge murder trial does not diminish what was accomplished years ago........a great box set from one of the most creative producers ever. You will recognize almost every track....Yeah , so maybe the guy is guilty (that's for a jury to decide)... it does not take away his accomplishments of the past . Just like O.J. and his football records
Customer Rating:
Summary: It's the music ,stupid!
Comment: I was amazed to see this great box going for less than 20 bucks; no doubt because of Phil's present difficulties with the law. What a load of garbage! This is, was, and will forever remain great great music crafted by a bona fide genius producer. If some dumb record company (and we all know where their taste comes from) wants to prejudge Spector and lose money by "giving away" this box, that's OK by me!
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