Sixties

Most informed listeners could guess the scope (and maybe a few inclusions) of a three-disc box set titled Sixties. They would immediately step to the front of the line, far ahead of the compilers of this set, who liberally sprinkle in a dozen hits from the dawn of the rock & roll era (aka the late '50s) among this collection of '60s hits and near misses. Buddy Holly, Bill Haley, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Connie Francis, the Big Bopper, Lesley Gore -- all of these artists meant much more to the '50s than the '60s, but they're included here nevertheless (perhaps as influences). For what it's worth, Sixties is a pretty good hits collection considering its cheap price (and factoring in its lack of liner notes or context). There's a sizeable roster of decade classics -- "It Takes Two" by Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston, "The Tracks of My Tears" by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, "Sunny" by Bobby Hebb, "My Guy" by Mary Wells, "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" by the Righteous Brothers, "You Keep Me Hangin' On" by the Supremes, "Nights in White Satin" by the Moody Blues, "Love Is All Around" by the Troggs -- and the rest are intriguing sidelights. ~ John Bush|