It's been more than 50 years since John Phillips, Michelle Phillips, Denny Doherty and Cass Elliot first joined their voices together in song as The Mamas and The Papas, yet the group's shimmering harmonies, rich melodies and affecting "words of love" are every bit as resonant today as during the turbulent 1960s. This month, the rich legacy of the California dreamers is being celebrated with a remarkable new 4-CD collection from TJ Lubinsky's TJL Productions! TJL (responsible for last year's Carpenters - The Complete Singles and related PBS program) is also bringing the acclaimed documentary California Dreamin': The Songs of The Mamas and The Papas back to public television in newly updated form.
Ultimate Anthology boasts ALL OF THE GROUP'S STUDIO RECORDINGS...that means every one of the band's albums, including a revelatory new remix of 1971's People Like Us, and a host of rarities, a whopping 23 new-to-CD tracks (including remixed selections), and previously unreleased outtakes! In this set you'll find the following:
- 4 CDs with 104 tracks in jewel case packaging;
- All 5 original studio albums by The Mamas and The Papas including a special new remix of People Like Us;
- Remixes of Cass Elliot's "New World Coming," "Make Your Own Kind of Music" and "It's Getting Better";
- Denny Doherty's never-before-heard ABC/Dunhill recording of Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter's "Of All the Things" and the first album appearance of his Columbia single "My Song";
- Three previously unreleased tracks from Michelle Phillips on A&M Records - "Had A Lot of Love Last Night," "Practice What You Preach" and "Guerita" (1977) - and "Forever," her rare, never-on-CD soundtrack song from the 1978 film California Dreaming;
- The complete and extended promotional "Interview With Mama Cass" and "Interview With Papa John" previously only available on a promotional vinyl disc to promote A Gathering of Flowers (1970);
- Additional Bonus Tracks including the unique mono single mixes of "Words of Love," "Creeque Alley" and "I Saw Her Again;" "Glad To Be Unhappy" single (stereo mix), studio chatter and rehearsal from A Gathering of Flowers, rare TV performances of "Here In My Arms" and "Nowhere Man" plus 7 Barry McGuire tracks featuring the group's backing vocals;
- A 24-page full-color booklet with previously unpublished photographs and new essay by The Second Disc's own Joe Marchese based on Joe's exclusive interview with Michelle Phillips;
- All tracks remastered by Mike Milchner at SonicVision;
- And More!
This one-of-a-kind collection from TJL Productions is being released as a Public Television exclusive to tie in with the new My Music airing of California Dreamin': The Songs of The Mamas and The Papas! Note that Ultimate Anthology will not be for sale in stores or through online retail outlets. It can only be purchased by making a contribution to Public Television stations! PBS airings begin next week (the week of August 22) and continue through September, so please check your local listings!
Anyone can donate to any PBS station that broadcasts the show; it doesn't matter where you live in the United States. (Here's one such link to order, for Harrisonburg, Virginia's WVPT!) Some PBS stations, particularly those in areas such as Detroit and Buffalo, may ship to Canada, as well. All of the individual PBS stations have websites where pledges can be made as well as phone numbers that are active much of the time regardless of when the show is actually broadcast. Fans in Europe would need to have a friend or relation based in the U.S. make the donation. It's possible that some stations may be willing to ship overseas for an extra charge, though such an occurrence is a long shot.
As well as Ultimate Anthology, three special DVDs will be offered. Like the 4-CD set, these DVDs will not be available except as thank you gifts from PBS outlets who receive your support:
- The Cass Elliot Specials has both The Mama Cass Television Program (ABC, 1969) featuring Joni Mitchell, Mary Travers, John Sebastian, Barbara Bain and Martin Landau, and Buddy Hackett, and Don't Call Me Mama Anymore (CBS, 1973) with Michelle Phillips, Dick Van Dyke, and Joel Grey. Bonus features include the John Remembers Cass featurette that was on the original 1969 special DVD release, along with her Sammy Davis Jr. duet and several of Cass' Hardee's TV commercials/jingles!
- The California Dreamin' DVD is the updated edition of the 2005 PBS documentary and identical bonus material to the previous release (including songs not in the documentary: "Here in My Arms," "Sing for Your Supper" and "Make Your Own Kind of Music" full song clips, a Lou Adler Interview and additional bonus footage representing full versions of various songs only heard/seen partially in the documentary.
- The Ed Sullivan Show Presents The Mamas and The Papas, with the group's legendary performances on the classic CBS variety show!
You can peruse the track listing to Ultimate Anthology below!
The Mamas & The Papas, Ultimate Anthology (TJL/Universal, 2016)
CD 1
- Monday, Monday
- Straight Shooter
- Got A Feelin'
- I Call Your Name
- Do You Wanna Dance
- Go Where You Wanna Go
- California Dreamin'
- Spanish Harlem
- Somebody Groovy
- Hey Girl
- You Baby
- The In Crowd
- No Salt On Her Tail
- Trip, Stumble & Fall
- Dancing Bear
- Words Of Love
- My Heart Stood Still
- Dancing In The Street
- I Saw Her Again
- Strange Young Girls
- I Can't Wait
- Even If I Could
- That Kind Of Girl
- Once Was A Time I Thought
- Glad To Be Unhappy (Single Version)
- Creeque Alley (Single Version)
- Words Of Love (Single Version)
- I Saw Her Again (Single Version)
CD 2
- Dedicated To The One I Love
- My Girl
- Creeque Alley
- Sing For Your Supper
- Twist And Shout
- Free Advice
- Look Through My Window
- Boys And Girls Together
- String Man
- Frustration
- Did You Ever Want To Cry
- John's Music Box
- The Right Somebody To Love
- Safe In My Garden
- Meditation Mama
- For The Love Of Ivy
- Dream A Little Dream Of Me
- Mansions
- Gemini Childe
- Nothing's Too Good For My Little Girl
- Too Late
- Twelve Thirty
- Rooms
- Midnight Voyage
- Once Was A Time I Thought - Rehearsal
- Studio Chatter
- I Can't Wait - Rehearsal
CD 3
- People Like Us
- Pacific Coast Highway
- Snowqueen Of Texas
- Shooting Star
- Step Out
- Lady Genevieve
- No Dough
- European Blueboy
- Pearl
- I Wanna Be A Star
- Grasshopper
- Blueberries For Breakfast
- This Precious Time - Barry McGuire & The Mamas & The Papas
- Do You Believe In Magic - Barry McGuire & The Mamas & The Papas
- Yesterday - Barry McGuire & The Mamas & The Papas
- You've Got To Hide Your Love Away - Barry McGuire & The Mamas & The Papas
- Let Me Be - Barry McGuire & The Mamas & The Papas
- Hang On Sloopy - Barry McGuire & The Mamas & The Papas
- California Dreamin' - Barry McGuire & The Mamas & The Papas
- Interview with Papa John
- Interview with Mama Cass
- Nowhere Man (TV Performance from Hullabaloo)
- Here In My Arms (TV Performance from Rodgers and Hart Today)
CD 4 - Solo Recordings
- It's Getting Better - Mama Cass Elliot
- Make Your Own Kind Of Music - Mama Cass Elliot
- New World Coming - Mama Cass Elliot
- Different (from Pufnstuf) - Mama Cass Elliot
- The Good Times Are Coming - Mama Cass Elliot
- Something To Make You Happy - Mason & Cass
- Here We Go Again - Cass Elliot
- Baby I'm Yours - Cass Elliot
- (If You're Gonna) Break Another Heart - Cass Elliot
- Does Anybody Love You - Cass Elliot
- Watcha Gonna Do - Denny Doherty
- To Claudia On Thursday - Denny Doherty
- Of All The Things - Denny Doherty
- Indian Girl - Denny Doherty
- Baby Catch The Moon - Denny Doherty
- My Song - Denny Doherty
- You'll Never Know - Denny Doherty
- Mississippi - John Phillips
- Revolution On Vacation - John Phillips
- Aloha Louie - Michelle Phillips
- No Love Today - Michelle Phillips
- Aching Kind - Michelle Phillips
- Guerita - Michelle Phillips
- Practice What You Preach - Michelle Phillips
- Had A Lot Of Love Last Night - Michelle Phillips
- Forever - Michelle Phillips
CD 1, Tracks 1-12 from If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears (Dunhill LP 50006, 1966)
CD 1, Tracks 13-24 from The Mamas & The Papas (Dunhill LP 50010, 1966)
CD 1, Track 25 from Dunhill single D-4107, 1967
CD 1, Track 26 from Dunhill single D-4083, 1967
CD 1, Track 27 from Dunhill single D-4057, 1966
CD 1, Track 28 from Dunhill single D-4031, 1966
CD 2, Tracks 1-12 from Deliver (Dunhill LP 50014, 1967)
CD 2, Tracks 13-24 from The Papas & The Mamas (ABC/Dunhill LP 50031, 1968)
CD 2, Tracks 25-27 from A Gathering of Flowers (ABC/Dunhill LP DSY 50073 & ABC/Dunhill Promo LP SPD 13, 1970)
CD 3, Tracks 1-12 previously unreleased remixes of People Like Us (ABC/Dunhill LP 50106, 1971)
CD 3, Tracks 13-19 from This Precious Time (Dunhill LP 50005, 1965)
CD 3, Tracks 20-21 previously unreleased outtakes from A Gathering of Flowers (ABC/Dunhill LP DSY 50073 & ABC/Dunhill Promo LP SPD 13, 1970)
CD 3, Tracks 22-23 from Complete Anthology, MCA/Universal 982 168 0, 2004
CD 4, Tracks 1-2 previously unreleased remixes of songs from It's Getting Better (ABC/Dunhill LP 50071, 1969)
CD 4, Track 3 previously unreleased remix of ABC/Dunhill single D-4225, 1970
CD 4, Track 4 from "Pufnstuf" Original Sound Track Album (Capitol LP SW-452, 1970)
CD 4, Track 5 from ABC/Dunhill single D-4253, 1970
CD 4, Tracks 6-7 from Dave Mason & Cass Elliot (Blue Thumb Records LP DSFL 10001, 1971)
CD 4, Track 8 from Cass Elliot (RCA Victor LP LSP-4619, 1972)
CD 4, Tracks 9-10 from The Road is No Place For A Lady (RCA Victor LP LSP-4753, 1972)
CD 4, Track 11 from Watcha Gonna Do (Dunhill LP 50096, 1971)
CD 4, Track 12 from ABC single ABC-11318, 1971
CD 4, Tracks 13 & 23-25 previously unreleased
CD 4, Tracks 14-15 from Columbia single 4-45779, 1973
CD 4, Track 16 from Columbia single 4-45866, 1973
CD 4, Track 17 from Ember/Paramount single EMA-0286, 1974
CD 4, Track 18 from John Phillips (ABC/Dunhill LP 50077, 1970)
CD 4, Track 19 from Columbia single 4-45737, 1972
CD 4, Track 20 from A&M single 1740, 1975
CD 4, Track 21 from A&M single 1824, 1976
CD 4, Track 22 from Victim of Romance (A&M LP SP-4651, 1977)
CD 4, Track 26 from California Dreaming (Music from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (American International/Casablanca LP AILP 3001, 1978)
Yes It Is: Grapefruit Collects 85 Beatles Covers on "We Can Work It Out"
The Second Disc's Guide to Black Friday Record Store Day 2023: Our Essential Picks
Grapefruit's "Heroes and Villains" Collects L.A. Sounds of 1965-1968 From The Beach Boys, Mamas and Papas, Monkees, Zappa, More
Release Round-Up: Week of December 6
A bit of a bummer for us Brits.......
What are the significant differences between this & the (101 track) 2004 MCA European release "Complete Anthology
In short...this collection has 23 new-to-CD tracks not found on that collection or any other, including previously unreleased songs by Denny and Michelle, brand-new remixes of Cass' “New World Coming,” “Make Your Own Kind of Music” and “It’s Getting Better”; and a completely new (and very exciting!) remix of PEOPLE LIKE US. Unlike the previous anthology, the new collection does not include the Monterey Pop album (which the band never wanted to see the light of day in the first place), and the selection of solo songs is different (and deeper). Hope this helps!
Certainly does !
& incredibly swiftly
cheers
Apparently, PBS did well enough with the Carpenters singles set last year that they are willing to try again with a (slightly) older group. I loved the Carpenters set despite the price; I will probably go for this as well.
Much as I hate to support PBS...
You're anti-PBS because..?
Politics, mainly. Publically funded media should be a bit more center-leaning (non-leaning?) than most PBS I've experienced, which is progressive at best and socialist as the norm.
Nonetheless, I ordered from WTTW in Chicago, since I live nearby. You need to search for "Mamas & Papas" in order to find the ordering pages.
What's wrong with socialism?
Probably social democrats rather than socialists anyway.
I have too much already by this great group, I'll save the $150 + & buy more needed CDs.No thanks
And why not include the mono mixes as well, for the sake of completeness?
All of the original mono single mixes are newly available on CD from Real Gone Music on "The Complete Singles: 50th Anniversary Collection."
Would have been fun for TJL/Universal to arrange with Hasbro to reproduce the 1967/68 Mamas and the Papas Show Biz Babies for this package.
I love those!! 🙂
Me too! 🙂
No Monterey Concert released in 1970?
The 1967 concert recordings from Monterey that were issued on the 1970 ABC/Dunhill album were sonically inferior recordings. John, Michelle, Denny and Cass were not in favor of their release for a number of reasons: they had arrived at Monterey moments before show time, tired and with no rehearsal; and even more egregiously, Michelle's microphone malfunctioned, making her inaudible. That said, the tracks have been previously issued on multiple CD reissues in the U.S., U.K. and Japan. Exclusion of the poorly-executed Monterey material also allowed more room for rarities and previously unreleased material on this new 4-CD release.
Wise choice. Huge M&P fan here and that live album is unlistenable. Using that space for more solo tracks and rarities makes this much more appealing, especially to those of us who already have the hits and albums several times over.
So what was wrong with the original mix of "People like us"?... I always thought it was beautifully recorded AND mixed, probably one of their best album production-wise. So what's the point?... And not including the original mix? By the way if really this is a "new remix" as you say, not an altenate mix made at the time, it really doesn't make any sense - from a musical, historical and philological point of view.
The band was never happy with the original 1971 mix of "People Like Us." John Phillips was spiraling into heavy drug use at the time, and later went on the record as regretting that he didn't bring Cass Elliot more into the mix. As the only surviving group member, Michelle Phillips agreed. Fortunately, the multi-tracks survived (unlike the group's four earlier studio albums). With Mama Michelle's gracious consent, the decision was made to specially remix the album for this exclusive collection as an unexpected surprise for the group's 50th anniversary. I've heard the remix, and to be honest, the results are nothing less than stunning - with previously buried parts revealed both vocally and instrumentally. "People Like Us" not only sounds like a "new" album, but sounds more like a true Mamas and the Papas album, with Cass once again soaring on John's remarkable, layered harmonies. This remix doesn't supersede the original (which remains available to purchase via a domestic American CD release dating from the 1980s and the more recent deluxe reissue from the good people at Now Sounds) but is an absolutely thrilling companion piece, or a new window onto the last work of The Mamas and the Papas.
Very cool that Michelle Phillips was involved. I had heard for years that ABC had trashed all of the multi-tracks from many Dunhill recording artists back in the early 1970s. Any idea how the PLU multi-tracks were spared, and where they were finally located?
I love the phrase "the public television return of the acclaimed documentary " which sounds like a posh way of saying the repeat of...
$252 bucks, plus shipping assuming I could get someone to ship to U.K.
Ouch!
Why is there no lp version of Creeque Alley? this is not the complete without this song, They have other single versions plus the lp versions why not this song?
Of course the LP version of "Creeque Alley" is on this set...CD 2, Track 3.
yes I saw that but someone posted a new track list that left of that song.
Rest assured that the track listing as printed here is accurate, regardless of what you might read elsewhere.
Just a note of thanks for the inclusion of the link to the PBS affiliate in Virginia that is already prepared for pledges in order to, uh, order all or some of what you've described. I followed the link and had my order placed in just a minute or two. Having to wait some weeks for delivery (probably fewer weeks than stated) is typical in these cases and something I'm happy to excuse just for knowing I won't miss out on any of these. Together with the Real Gone M&P collection of singles, I expect I've finally landed on my Go To discs for John, Mich, Denny, and Cass. Again, thanks for the tip!
Joe,
I assume for all albums other than "People Like Us" they will use the same masters as on the previous box set, correct?
All tracks have been newly-remastered by Mike Milchner at SonicVision for this collection (and sound splendid!), but the other albums are from the same original sources, yes (in other words, no remixes).
Yep, it's right there. I overlooked the "newly remastered by" line in the review.
Since I own the other box, it'll be interesting to see what the difference in this new mastering of the same sources is.
Any knowledge of whether the remastering was from analog or digital sources?
All of the tracks on the new box set have been newly remastered from the original analog master tapes, with the exception of a couple of singles sourced identically to the recent Real Gone 50th anniversary singles set.
Before I fork over $154 dollars to get the 4-CD set, does this include everything featured on the 'Gathering of Flowers' anthology and 'Complete Singles'?
It does not. "A Gathering of Flowers" is an audio documentary with spoken introductions, studio chatter, etc. linking the songs. "The Complete Singles" presents original single mixes. For this set to include its 104 tracks plus the "Gathering" versions and the mono single versions, it would take another 3 CDs and involve considerable repetition. Both "Gathering" and "Complete Singles" are currently available from Real Gone Music and make fine companions to this set, which features a tremendous amount of material not on either of those collections (or indeed, anywhere else).
I am mostly interested in Cass' two TV specials. I am not very computer savy and would appreciate some link to get to that. I have gone to the PBS site but can't seem to find it.
Thank you
For Roger Sargent: Cass' two TV specials are part of a $156 three-DVD PBS bundle (and a package that includes the Ultimate Anthology CDs too). See https://secure2.convio.net/wnet/site/Ecommerce/992067401?VIEW_PRODUCT=true&product_id=29469&store_id=1141
This set is way to expensive, for the People Like Us remix is not a reason to spend this amount of money enough of these way over the top sets, most of us collectors are not millionaires.
I totally agree. Way too expensive, not enough value for money. People in the record business apparently tend to think that music lovers have access to an unlimited cash flow. Not always the case, unfortunately. Some of us have to choose. And this set, for this price, is an obvious, gigantic PASS.
Thanks, Michael, for supplying the info requested about the TV specials with a helpful link. Given that the only replies have been gripes about cost, I wanted to send an appreciative message instead. Personally, I did buy the big set despite having earlier editions of the CDs and a commercially issued DVD of one of the Cass TV specials; I try to support the efforts of companies that pull these things out of vaults. High prices tend to come with projects whose audiences are limited. Pointless to gripe about that. Again, thank you, Michael.
You're welcome, Kyle; thanks for writing. I have the Creeque Alley, All The Leaves Are Brown, and The Complete Singles two-CD sets but have never heard the original People Like Us or seen the Cass specials. I also have the Rhino videocassette documentary Straight Shooter. I've been wavering on ordering the PBS stuff, hoping that someone would post a comparison of the sound on these CDs versus that on the other compilations; I recognize that the high prices help support PBS and that's okay with me.
Michael,
Just wanted to say how appreciative I am of this release. I was finally able to order it from PBS and got it a couple weeks ago I have listened to the "People Like Us"recordings. Both Cass & Michelle's voices stand out! Don't quite understand why John had their voices so removed. I have been a huge M&P fan ( some people would say fanatic) since I first heard their music back in 1966 when I was just 13 yrs old. My older brother introduced their music to me. I have loved them ever since and have collected all their music. I loved Cass Elliot and thought her voice was incredible. I continued to follow her music after the M&P broke up.
When the People Like Us album came out I bought it immediately and was thrilled to know they had put out another album. Although I liked the album, I was disappointed that Cass' voice did not stand out like It does on the earlier albums.
I am now 63 yrs old and still consider them the best group ever!
I also was living in Israel in 1973 when her second special came out. I have been waiting for over 40 years to be able to see her second special. I was not disappointed after seeing this. It was great!!
Thanks to you and to all the people who made this happen.
You've made an old man very happy!!
Thanks, Roger! I'm just six years younger than you but didn't have older siblings; for me the M&P were discovered on oldies radio in the early 1970s and the collection began with a two-hits 45 (which I still have) of California Dreamin' b/w a then-unfamiliar Twelve Thirty. I still haven't ordered a PBS set but will if I can decide which one to get.
Any chance the "People Like Us" new remix will be released separate from the complete set? I have purchased the rest many times over on a seemingly multitude of collections. I would love to hear (and purchase) PLU.
Hi Paul, there are no current plans for a stand-alone edition of the "People Like Us" remix. That said, it would be wonderful to see one happen, and anything is possible.
Well, I broke down and purchased from PBS, and very happy I did. The People Like Us remix is pretty stunning. In some cases it appears that altogether different takes were used. It has a much fuller, more dense sound than the original. An often heard critique of Peope Like Us, was that Cass' vocals were undermined. Cass is everywhere here, and sometimes even as her vocals seemingly sometimes come out of nowhere (as in that first "for people like us so much in love"..this is the only place things feel a bit out of synch timing-wise, but it's still great to hear). Every track is different in some way, and not just the vocals. Horns and strings infused/enhanced (the jazzy Pacific Coast Highway is amazing). I am listening to "Step out" as I type this. Cass is upfront singing along with Denny, and the instrumentation is enhanced. An altogether alternate version. Some may like, some not. I find it fascinating and pleasing. "Shooting Star" is like fireworks (way more "doo doo doo doo doo doo doo's and altered intro. Love it. "Pearl" has a powerful finish, imho, more effective than original. I'm just giving some tidbits and my own opinion, but I feel like a classic I always loved has been given a whole new life. I hope it gets more widely distributed. Hats off to the hard work and obvious dedication of Mike Milcher and Joe Marchese bringing this project forward. What does enter my mind however, is the fact that John Phillips produced "People Like Us". I wonder if he would approve of this remix?
pauliewood
Posts: 66
Joined: Sun Dec 21, 2008 11:26 am
Limited number of these for sale today as stand alone a if anyone is still wanting a copy. (I ordered it today)
https://treasurycollection.com/products/the-mamas-the-papa-ultimate-anthology-4-cd-set
US addresses only sadly.
I was lucky to receive this in Holland this weekend thanks to friends from the USA visiting who had ordered it for me.