Mercury Records Collection: SR-61099: Golden Hits Of The Shangri-Las

SR-61099: Golden Hits Of The Shangri-Las

Label Type :	red Mercury type B
Matrix Number :	SIDE-A	2/61099 A 1 I MR
	SIDE-B	2/61099 B 1 II MR

Comments

Inside The Groove

The legendary Shangri-La's greatest hits from Mercury.

Personal Impression (and brief notes)

The Shangri-La's! One of the best acclaimed girl group in the 1960s. They worked with the famous producer George “Shadow” Morton, as well as Brill Building songwriters such as Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich. The team produced many of evergreen pop tunes - the most famous track may be, without any doubts, “The Leader of the Pack”. The anthem track, as well as many other hit tunes were released by Red Bird label.

And this album - unfortunately Red Bird label went out of business in 1966. They sold the Shangri-Las' materials to the Mercury label, that's why Mercury released the Shangri-Las' best album.

However, the sound quality heard on this album is rather poor. The real stereo version is just 2 out of 12 tracks. Others are fake-stereo version from monaural masters. Of course the music itself is all great. If only I could find the monaural edition MG-21099, as well as original Red Bird 45rpms...

By the way, Shangri-Las recorded several other tunes on Mercury and they were released as 45rpms, but they couldn't made their success as they did before. The tunes were: “The Sweet Sounds of Summer c/w I'll Never Learn” (Mercury 72645x45) and “Take the Time c/w Footsteps on the Roof” (Mercury 72670x45).

Strictly Personal Rating (to what extent I could enjoy this album)

8 out of 10 (10 out of 10 if the sound quality is better)

Track Listing

SIDE-A
A-1	2-39076	Leader Of The Pack (J. Barry - E. Greenwich - G. Morton)	2:53
A-2	2-39077	Past Present And Future (G. Morton - J. Leiber - A. Butler)	2:40
A-3	2-39078	Train From Kansas City (J. Barry - E. Greenwich)	3:20
A-4	2-39079	Heaven Only Knows (J. Barry - E. Greenwich)	2:10
A-5	2-39080	Remember (Walking In The Sand) (G. Morton)	2:17
A-6	2-39081	Out In The Streets (J. Barry - E. Greenwich)	2:47
SIDE-B
B-1	2-39082	I Can Never Go Home Anymore (G. Morton)	2:13
B-2	2-39083	Give Him A Great Big Kiss (G. Morton)	2:10
B-3	2-39084	Long Live Our Love (J. L. Jackson - S. Barnes)	2:54
B-4	2-39085	Give Us Your Blessings (J. Barry - E. Greenwich)	3:15
B-5	2-39086	Sophisticated Boom Boom (G. Morton)	2:08
B-6	2-39087	What Is Love (G. Morton)	2:25

Personnel

Personnel/recorded date/master numbers confirmed with the Ruppli's discography.
(“The Mercury Labels - A Discography” by Ruppli and Novitsky, Greenwood Press, 1993)

All materials heard on this album were purchased from original Red Bird label.

The Shangri-Las: Mary Weiss (vo), Betty Weiss (vo), Ann Ganser (vo).
Recorded in 1964-1966. (detailed recorded date/personnel info unknown - info needed)

Produced by George “Shadow” Morton.