So, how to buy a 1960’s compilation album. The obvious thing to remember is to choose one that has the original artists, some seem to think it’s OK to have another band sing these songs! That is just crazy considering how cheap these CD’s are. Another issue is to stay clear of compilations that have lots and lots of songs that are mostly unknown but have little of the major hits. I’m not sure why they do this, I’ve looked at a few in the past and have been amazed at the amount of filler less-unknown tracks. “Buy my Cd! It has hundreds of songs in a nice 5 disc set” sounds great until you actually see the track list. The last important thing is that the compilation must have a spread throughout the decade, not just from 1967 and onwards.
Another thing to note, a lot of bands such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones very rarely appear on compilation albums. UMG, EMI, Apple etc just want to make their own money from their artists, they believe their material is marketable enough in their own right. Fair enough, I would find it a bit weird anyway if a Beatle song came on in between other artists, but that just might be me. Once a Beatles song comes on, I usually have to stick with them.
- Ultimate 60’s Jukebox
This CD contains 99 songs, but has at least 20 songs which I would not have included, the wrong ‘Do You Love Me’ is used and some are edited. 4.7 out of 5 on amazon at time of writing but I would give this one a miss. - Original Sixties Hits Of The 60’s
This has 75 tracks over 3 CD’s and to be honest has some great music on here. The only problem is that 1960-65 is very heavily represented, I cant see anything from the latter half of the decade. I don’t like the way it opens with ‘Love Me Do’ (17th in 62) on disc 1 and ‘PS I love You’ (its B side) for disc 3, really? That just can’t be right. Nah, miss this one. - I Grew Up In The 60s
80 songs but about 30 of them are themes from TV shows, stay clear of this one. Strange it has had over 100 amazon reviews with a total score of 4.6 out of 5. I would of given it 2. - The Solid 60s
I really like this one. A great collection and nicely ordered, strongly represented by early 60’s and includes essential tracks that sometimes don’t feature on other compilations. But it is missing Adam Faith…
Okay, I have failed in finding a single product that I would be happy to call a near-perfect 60’s compilation. I’m sure the two products I have selected have their own faults, but I have decided that IT IS IMPOSSIBLE to find a perfect release. Maybe there’s a gap in the market (only joking, the market is flooded. The only problem is that it seems any random order of a handful of few songs can be made into one of these things, to be honest I could make my own with little effort if I had a licence to do so)
Okay. How to buy a 60’s compilation. The result.
- Now That’s What I Call 60S
I really wanted this to be rubbish, no disrespect but I wanted my research to endorse something other than the mass-marketed release. Everyone knows the ‘Now’ product and this is no different – hit after hit covering all (available) tracks you want. Well nearly. This is great for sixties wave and the mass market of the 60’s generation, but there is no representation for anything before colour television. Merseybeat? Nah. Skiffle? Nah. Flower Power big ballads from 1967 and onwards? Yeah, absolutely. - 100 No.1 Hits Of The ’60s
This is an album that claims to be a compilation of 1960’s music. Are they insane???? Blimey, this must of been devised by someone who failed to see out the decade as the representation on this CD is the complete opposite of the ‘Now’ cd above. This even includes Adam Faith who ruled the 60’s in the early days but is rarely included. This is the best I can find on early 60’s and the ‘Now’ is the best to see out the decade. Buy them both and it’s Bish Bish Bosh job done.