For a defining overview of an extraordinary career, Raven presents [title]JOHN SEBASTIAN – Life and Times 1964-1999[/title]. Featuring 29 of his finest recordings for the Elektra, Kama Sutra, Reprise and Hollywood labels, this outstanding collection explores the many strands of Sebastian’s vast catalogue. The legendary songwriter began his career as a folkie in Greenwich Village, backing the likes of Fred Neil and Tim Hardin before recording with the Even Dozen Jug Band. His songwriting flourished with the Lovin’ Spoonful, one of the archetypal American bands of the mid 1960s. Their unique brand of “good time music” resulted in seven US Top 10 hit singles and four classic albums within two years.

All the hits are here: 'Do You Believe in Magic', 'Daydream', 'Did You Ever Have to Make up Your Mind', the #1 classic 'Summer in the City', 'Nashville Cats' etc. Commencing at Woodstock, his solo career blossomed with the string-drenched 'She’s a Lady' and culminated in the 1976 #1 hit 'Welcome Back'. Rounding out the collection are two fine tracks from his late 1990’s group The J-Band. With 29 songs in all, over 76 minutes of superb quality audio, great photos and informative liner notes, Life and Times 1964-1999 is John Sebastian at his very best.

The Even Dozen Jug Band
1. EVOLUTION MAMA

The Lovin’ Spoonful
2. GOOD TIME MUSIC
3. DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC
4. DID YOU EVER HAVE TO MAKE UP YOUR MIND?
5. YOUNGER GIRL
6. YOU DIDN’T HAVE TO BE SO NICE
7. DAYDREAM
8. DIDN’T WANT TO HAVE TO DO IT
9. JUG BAND MUSIC
10. SUMMER IN THE CITY
11. RAIN ON THE ROOF
12. 4 EYES
13. DARLIN’ COMPANION
14. NASHVILLE CATS
15. COCONUT GROVE
16. DARLING BE HOME SOON
17. YOU’RE A BIG BOY NOW
18. SIX O’CLOCK
19. MONEY
20. SHE IS STILL A MYSTERY
21. YOUNGER GENERATION
22. POW

John Sebastian
23. SHE’S A LADY
24. RAINBOWS ALL OVER YOUR BLUES
25. APPLE HILL
26. STORIES WE COULD TELL
27. WELCOME BACK

John Sebastian & The J-Band
28. STEALIN’
29. MY PASSING FANTASY

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MTOLGS/?tag=imwan-20

raven always does a nice job on their single disc compilations.

they still have IMHO, the best yardbirds single disc best of out there.

renny

An odd assortment of songs, especially given the implication that the songs are spread out over a 35-year period. I count 21 Spoonful songs from the 1965-68, five 1960's-70's solo tunes, and the last two are J-Band tracks from the 1990's. "Evolution Mama" is the song from 1964, when he was with the Even Dozen Jug Band, and the only relatively obscure track on here. I know that contractually it might be hard to pull off a more comprehensive Sebastian career retrospective (he's had a slew of appearances as a session musician on other people's music ranging from Bob Dylan to Keith Moon) but 72% of this CD is just yet another Lovin' Spoonful greatest hits compilation.

I'd still love to see the Spoonful get the ultimate boxed set treatment someday. Consider: The complete 1960's output by the Spoonful consisted of seven albums and one EP (including two soundtrack albums and the final "Revelation: Revolution '69" album credited to "The Lovin' Spoonful Featuring Joe Butler". There are 86 different tracks spread across those seven albums (only "Fishin' Blues" appears twice, and "Alley Oop" is an outtake finally released as a bonus track on the recent "Do You Believe In Magic" reissue) including several soundtrack instrumentals and the Woody Allen spoken "Intro To Flick" on "What's Up Tiger Lily?". This totals up to roughly three hours and forty minutes of total music, which should more than adequately fit on three compact discs, or even better, on a deluxe box reproducing all seven albums (and one EP) in mini-sleeves with the original artwork.

But I digress from the thread topic.