Pop Music: The Golden Era 1951-1975

• Artist: Various Artists
• Release Date: October 12, 1999
• Type: Collection (various artists), Compilation (best of)
• Genre: Rock

Review

To commemorate the end of the century, Sony Music assembled the 26-disc box set Sony Music 100 Years: Soundtrack for a Century. The title was imposing, as was the idea behind it -- to chronicle the life of the oldest record label in the music industry. To be clear, Sony Music has not existed for 100 years, but the heart of its catalog, Columbia Records, was founded early in the 20th century. Sony realized that most consumers wouldn't invest in a 26-disc box, so they simultaneously released a series of 12 genre-specific, double-disc sets that culled highlights from the box. As it turns out, the double-disc sets are every bit as impressive as the big box, perhaps more so, because they're easily digestible. Even so, the scope of the 51-track Pop Music: The Golden Era 1951-1975 is impressive. Columbia and its subsidiaries may have moved slowly into rock & roll, having their first rock hits in the early '60s, but that actually makes this collection more effective, since you can hear traditional pop give way to rock and soul by the end of the first disc. And that's the best thing about Pop Music: The Golden Era -- it's a genuine narrative, beginning with Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett and ending with Patti Labelle and Earth, Wind & Fire. Between those bookends are pop classics of all stripes, from a head-spinning array of artists. Sure, it's possible to spot omissions from that list, but it gives the general feel of pop's progression, and it offers nothing but good listening as it does so. And that's a testament not only to the artists, but to Columbia, Epic, and Sony, since few other labels have captured the times quite so well. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Tracks

CD 1

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Birth of the Blues (Lyrics)	Ray Henderson, Buddy DeSylva, Lew Brown	Frank Sinatra	(3:30)
Because of You	Dudley Wilkinson, Arthur Hammerstein	Tony Bennett	(2:57)
Jezebel (Lyrics)	Wayne Shanklin	Frankie Laine	(3:11)
Come On-A My House	Ross Bagdasarian, William Saroyan	Rosemary Clooney	(1:58)
Cry (Lyrics)	Churchill Kohlman	Johnnie Ray, The Four Lads	(3:04)
You Belong to Me	Chilton Price, Pee Wee King, Redd Stewart	Jo Stafford	(3:06)
The Yellow Rose of Texas	Don George	Mitch Miller	(3:03)
Mack the Knife (Lyrics)	Kurt Weill, Marc Blitzstein, Bertolt Brecht	Louis Armstrong	(3:23)
Standing on the Corner (Lyrics)	Frank Loesser	The Four Lads	(2:53)
Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)	Ray Evans, Jay Livingston	Doris Day	(2:06)
Singing the Blues (Lyrics)	Melvin Endsley	Guy Mitchell	(2:27)
Chances Are	Robert Allen, Al Stillman	Johnny Mathis	(3:03)
Summertime, Summertime	Tom Jameson, Sherman Feller	The Jamies	(2:00)
Theme from "A Summer Place"	Max Steiner	Percy Faith & His Orchestra	(2:26)
Moon River (Lyrics)	Johnny Mercer, Henry Mancini	Andy Williams	(2:47)
Bless You (Lyrics)	Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil	Tony Orlando	(2:09)
I Left My Heart in San Francisco	Douglass Cross, George Cory	Tony Bennett	(2:51)
Blue Velvet (Lyrics)	Lee Morris, Bernie Wayne	Bobby Vinton	(2:49)
People (Lyrics)	Jule Styne, Bob Merrill	Barbra Streisand	(3:42)
Ruby Baby (Lyrics)	Mike Stoller, Jerry Leiber	Dion	(2:37)
The Monkey Time	Curtis Mayfield	Major Lance	(2:48)
Hey Little Cobra	Carol Connors	The Rip Chords	(2:01)
Before and After	Van McCoy	Chad & Jeremy	(2:43)
For Your Love (Lyrics)	Graham Gouldman	The Yardbirds	(2:30)
Down in the Boondocks (Lyrics)	Joe South	Billy Joe Royal	(2:35)
Kicks (Lyrics)	Cynthia Weil, Barry Mann	Paul Revere & the Raiders	(2:29)
Like a Rolling Stone (Lyrics)	Bob Dylan	Bob Dylan	(6:08)

CD 2

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season)	Pete Seeger, Traditional	The Byrds	(3:35)
Red Rubber Ball	Bruce Woodley, Paul Simon	The Cyrkle	(2:19)
Sunshine Superman (Lyrics)	Donovan	Donovan	(3:19)
Don't You Care (Lyrics)	Jimmy Holvay, Gary Beisbier	The Buckinghams	(2:30)
San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)	John Phillips	Scott McKenzie	(2:59)
Carrie Anne (Lyrics)	Tony Hicks, Allan Clarke, Graham Nash	The Hollies	(2:56)
Itchycoo Park (Lyrics)	Steve Marriott, Ronnie Lane	The Small Faces	(2:47)
Stoned Soul Picnic (Lyrics)	Laura Nyro	Laura Nyro	(3:50)
Time of the Season (Lyrics)	Rod Argent	The Zombies	(3:31)
Young Girl (Lyrics)	Dee Clark, Jerry Fuller	Gary Puckett	(3:10)
You've Made Me So Very Happy (Lyrics)	Frank Wilson, Brenda Holloway, Berry Gordy, Jr., Patrice Holloway	Blood, Sweat & Tears	(3:30)
Hot Fun in the Summertime (Lyrics)	Sylvester "Sly Stone" Stewart	Sly & the Family Stone	(2:43)
Evil Ways (Lyrics)	Sonny Henry, Joe Zack	Santana	(2:58)
Bridge Over Troubled Water	Paul Simon	Simon & Garfunkel	(4:54)
25 or 6 to 4 (Lyrics)	Robert Lamm	Chicago	(2:55)
Me and Bobby McGee (Lyrics)	Fred Foster, Kris Kristofferson	Janis Joplin	(4:31)
Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)	Elliot Lurie	Looking Glass	(3:04)
I Can See Clearly Now	Johnny Nash	Johnny Nash	(2:45)
Your Mama Don't Dance (Lyrics)	Jim Messina, Kenny Loggins	Loggins & Messina	(2:50)
I Can Help (Lyrics)	Billy Swan	Billy Swan	(2:58)
Love Train	Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff	The O'Jays	(3:00)
That Lady, Pt. 1	Ronald Isley, Ernie Isley, O'Kelly Isley, Chris Jasper, Marvin Isley, Rudolph Isley	The Isley Brothers	(3:14)
Lady Marmalade (Lyrics)	Bob Crewe, Kenny Nolan	Labelle	(3:19)
Shining Star (Lyrics)	Maurice White, Verdine White, Sonny Burke	Earth, Wind & Fire	(2:50)

Credits

Terry Melcher (Vocals (Background)), Marc Kirkeby (Research), Bobby Vinton (Vocals), Al Kooper (Organ), Bobby Elliott (Drums), O'Kelly Isley (Vocals (Background)), José Chepitó Areas (Percussion), Mike Clarke (Drums), Tony Orlando (Performer), Chris Hillman (Bass), Floyd Morris (Piano), Bunny Sigler (Piano), Erik Ryding (Research), Eddie Cerchoine (Tape Research), Joe Zinan (Bass), Don Renaldo (Horn), Tom Dawes (Vocals), Art Garfunkel (Producer), Al Capps (Conductor), Edward Batts (Guitar), Artie Schroeck (Vibraphone), Laura Lee Spence (Research), Paul Atkinson (Guitar), Alton Hendrickson (Guitar), Brad Campbell (Bass), Rudolph Isley (Conductor), Donovan (Performer), Jim Messina (Guitar), Greg Lord (Photography), Paul Simon (Guitar), Patti Matheny (Project Coordinator), Michael Berniker (Producer), Lenny Pakula (Organ), Robert Mersey (Arranger), Chuck Winfield (Trumpet), Eric Ford (Guitar (Electric)), Jerry Fuller (Producer), Donovan (Guitar (Acoustic)), Charlie Callelo (Producer), Lew Soloff (Trumpet), Fred Carter, Jr. (Guitar), Percy Faith & His Orchestra (Performer), Rudolph Isley (Producer), John Simon (Producer), Santana (Performer), Marguerite Hisen (Marketing), Morris Ellis (Trombone), Bob Dylan (Harmonica), Gene Clark (Vocals), Mundell Lowe (Guitar), Freddy Weller (Guitar), Art Maillet (Photography), Gary Puckett (Guitar), Terry Kath (Vocals), Richard Bell (Piano), Spike Heatley (Bass), Thom Bell (Arranger), Laura Nyro (Performer), Chet Amsterdam (Bass), Michael Bloomfield (Guitar), Hugh Grundy (Drums), Carlos Santana (Guitar), Hank Parker (Photography), Fred Ferrara (Vocals), Rosemary Mulligan (Marketing), John Jackson (Research), Jo Stafford (Performer), Bob Dylan (Vocals), Frank Busseri (Vocals), Lea Jane Berinati (Vocals (Background)), Peter Matz (Conductor), Chris White (Producer), Curtis Mayfield (Vocals (Background)), Steve Marriott (Guitar), Kathryn King (Editorial Production), Maurice White (Producer), Dion (Performer), Johnny Nash (Producer), Stan Freeman (Harpsichord), Dennis Miccolis (Keyboards), William Powell (Vocals), John Pizzarelli (Guitar), Allan Clarke (Vocals), Jon Clarke (Sax (Baritone)), Percy Faith (Arranger), Allen Toussaint (Percussion), Fred White (Percussion), Tom Dawes (Guitar), Billy Joe Royal (Vocals), Laura Nyro (Piano), Eric Clapton (Guitar), Chris Jasper (Keyboards), Darcy Proper (Mastering), Mike Leech (Bass), Joe South (Producer), Randall Martin (Label Design), Earl Young (Drums), Kenny Loggins (Vocals), Barbra Streisand (Performer), George Moreland (Drums), Bob Bain (Guitar), Paul Serrano (Trumpet), Terry Kath (Guitar), Looking Glass (Performer), Dick Halligan (Keyboards), Walter Parazaider (Trumpet), Sylvester "Sly Stone" Stewart (Vocals), Ken Pearson (Organ), Ron Richards (Producer), Buddy Saltzman (Drums), Terry Melcher (Vocals), Judy Thomas (Tape Research), Joe Osborn (Bass), Sandy Lorenzo (Marketing), Art Garfunkel (Vocals), Rosemary Clooney (Performer), Kery Chater (Bass), The Buckinghams (Performer), Reggie Young (Guitar (Electric)), Larry Gonsky (Vocals), Marni Elliott (Marketing), Harold Bradley (Guitar), James William Guercio (Producer), Chris Dreja (Guitar), Gene Clark (Tambourine), Rudolph Isley (Arranger), Lew Soloff (Flugelhorn), Bobby Colomby (Percussion), Kenny Loggins (Guitar (Rhythm)), The Byrds (Performer), Rod Argent (Producer), Bruce Johnston (Producer), Mitch Miller (Producer), Jimmy Page (Guitar (Electric)), Guy Mitchell (Performer), Arthur Blair (Vocals), Clark Pierson (Drums), Verdine White (Bass), Al Nevins (Producer), Peter Cetera (Vocals), Lon Price (Saxophone), Darren Salmieri (Copy Coordination), Don Arnone (Guitar), Bobby Orr (Drums), Thom Bell (Conductor), Michael Brooks (Research), Fred Lipsius (Saxophone), Jeannie Roy (Vocals), Ronnie Lane (Producer), Brent Dangerfield (Producer), Labelle (Performer), Gary Puckett (Vocals), Fred White (Drums), Al Lucas (Saxophone), O'Kelly Isley (Arranger), Allen Toussaint (Piano (Electric)), Tom Jameson (Vocals), Budd Ellison (Piano), Truman Thomas (Organ), Frankie Laine (Vocals), Ron Juliano (Graphic Design), Steve Howard (Trumpet), David Gahr (Photography), Alan Hanton (Guitar), Hy White (Guitar), Bob Morgan (Producer), Piet Sweval (Bass), Carl Davis (Producer), Ed Townsend (Producer), Mitchell Cohen (Annotation), Versine White (Bass), Phil "Fang" Volk (Bass), Mitchell Cohen (Compilation Producer), Paul Whitebread (Drums), Garfunkel (Performer), Steven Berkowitz (Executive Producer), Major Lance (Performer), Norman Harris (Guitar), Al Quaglieri (Producer), Looking Glass (Producer), Tommy South (Drums), Ernie Altschuler (Producer), Paul Revere & the Raiders (Performer), Laura Nyro (Producer), Maurice White (Percussion), Elliot Lurie (Guitar), Connie Coderini (Vocals), Marty Fried (Drums), O'Kelly Isley (Conductor), Jimmy Crawford (Drums), Dion (Vocals), Graham Nash (Vocals), Ronnie Lane (Bass), Tony Carr (Percussion), Jeannie Roy (Producer), Milt Holland (Percussion), Frankie Laine (Performer), Sylvester "Sly Stone" Stewart (Keyboards), David Clayton-Thomas (Vocals), Bobby Gregg (Drums), Ian McLagan (Keyboards), Rod Argent (Vocals), Dwight Bement (Saxophone), Jack Gold (Producer), The Isley Brothers (Performer), Jenny Friel (Photo Research), Don Danneman (Vocals), Scott McKenzie (Performer), Carole King (Arranger), Marvin Isley (Bass), Rosemary Clooney (Vocals), Harvey Goldstein (Bass), David Crosby (Guitar), Larry Graham (Bass), Frank Carroll (Bass), Louis Armstrong (Performer), Charlie Callelo (Arranger), Ernie Isley (Guitar (Electric)), Keith Relf (Vocals), Buddy Harman (Drums), Ernie Freeman (String Arrangements), EWF Horns (Arranger), Ilene Bellovin (Photo Research), O'Kelly Isley (Producer), Bunny Sigler (Guitar), Lori Berkowiz (Photo Research), The Jamies (Performer), Al McKay (Percussion), Jack Keller (Producer), Freddie Stone (Guitar), Andrew Woolfolk (Saxophone), Bob Dylan (Guitar), Johnny Nash (Performer), David Katzenstein (Cover Photo), Herman V. Ernest III (Drums), Billy Altman (Editorial Coordinator), Allen Toussaint (Producer), Bobby Vinton (Performer), Tony Bennett (Performer), Murray Watson (Trumpet), Giorgio Gomelsky (Producer), Vince Montana (Vibraphone), Laura Nyro (Vocals (Background)), Tom Jameson (Producer), Charlie McCoy (Harmonica), The Zombies (Performer), Walter Williams (Vocals), Nat Brewster (Research), Gregg Rolie (Vocals), Sly & the Family Stone (Performer), Merel Bergante (Vocals (Background)), Bobby Eli (Guitar), Jim Fielder (Bass), Bob Liftin (Producer), Charles Stepney (Arranger), Shawn King (Photography), Lester Caliste (Trombone), Elliot Lurie (Vocals), Michael Omartian (Piano), Lou Adler (Producer), Piet Sweval (Vocals), Cliff Leeman (Drums), Jeff Jones (Executive Producer), Jim McCarty (Drums), Terry Melcher (Producer), Paul Samwell-Smith (Bass), Peter Cetera (Bass), George Porter, Jr. (Bass), Emory Gordy (Bass), Don Renaldo (Strings), Loggins & Messina (Performer), Mitch Miller (Performer), Clarence Ford (Saxophone), Guy Mitchell (Vocals), Colin Blunstone (Vocals), The Hollies (Performer), Marty Manning (Arranger), John Carmeron (Keyboards), Doris Day (Performer), Larry Sims (Bass), Larry Fallon (Horn Arrangements), Mickie Most (Producer), Milt Hinton (Bass), Mike Gershman (Producer), Carl Fischer (Piano), Vincent Terri (Guitar), The Rip Chords (Performer), Chad & Jeremy (Performer), Bruce Johnston (Vocals (Background)), Sol Evans (Drums), Paul Revere (Keyboards), Dianne Spoto Shattuck (Marketing), Marty Manning (Conductor), John Till (Guitar), Chris White (Vocals), Kenny Gamble (Producer), Maurice White (Drums), Tony Rizzi (Guitar), John Phillips (Producer), Lee Loughnane (Trumpet), Paul Whithead (Drums), Serena Jameson (Producer), Tony Hicks (Vocals), Fred Lipsius (Piano), Dave Carey (Percussion), Bruce Johnston (Vocals), Chris White (Bass), Bobby Colomby (Drums), Chicago (Performer), David Brown (Bass), Bob Dylan (Performer), Graham Nash (Guitar (Rhythm)), Bob Dylan (Piano), Johnny Pate (Arranger), Tracy Sham (Photography), Nick Fortune (Bass), Greg Errico (Drums), Andy Williams (Performer), Johnnie Ray (Performer), Al Capps (Arranger), Drake Levin (Guitar), Leon Huff (Producer), Earl Turbinton (Saxophone), Bernie Calvert (Bass), Christopher Ottaunick (Photography), Percy Faith (Conductor), Gary Withem (Keyboards), Jerry Martini (Saxophone), Chip Young (Guitar (Electric)), Jim McCarty (Percussion), Maurice White (Vocals), Bernard Toorish (Vocals), Bobby Fiela (Vocals), Artie Yeranian (Graphic Design), Don Danneman (Bass), Daniel Seraphine (Drums), Larry Fallon (String Arrangements), Johnny Mathis (Performer), James Arnold (Vocals), Alvin Thomas (Flute), Frank de Vol (Conductor), Lor Crane (Producer), Don Hunstein (Photography), Henry Beau (Arranger), Stephen Holden (Essay), Ronnie Lane (Vocals), Andrew Woolfolk (Flute), Cynthia Robinson (Trumpet), Billy Swan (Performer), Simon & Garfunkel (Performer), Joe Farrell (Flute), Jimmy Carroll (Arranger), James Pankow (Trombone), Philip Bailey (Conga), Eddie LeVert (Vocals), Robert Lamm (Keyboards), Robert Mersey (Conductor), Carole King (Conductor), Carl Blonin (Saxophone), Ray Edenton (Guitar), Larry Gonsky (Keyboards), Steve Marriott (Vocals), Floyd Cramer (Piano), Laura Nyro (Vocals), Paul Simon (Producer), The O'Jays (Performer), Kenney Jones (Drums), Lon Price (Flute), Hugh McCracken (Guitar (Electric)), Didier C. Deutsch (Discography), Rod Argent (Keyboards), Leon Huff (Piano), Allen Toussaint (Arranger), Ian McLagan (Vocals), Patti LaBelle (Vocals), Tommy Tedesco (Guitar), Jim Messina (Producer), Al Garth (Sax (Tenor)), Gregg Rolie (Organ), Chuck Winfield (Flugelhorn), Buddy Weed (Piano), Billy Joe Royal (Performer), David Katzenstein (Back Cover), Curtis Mayfield (Guitar), Brian Auger (Harpsichord), Nona Hendryx (Vocals), The Yardbirds (Performer), Al McKay (Guitar), Steve Marriott (Producer), Bob Cato (Photography), John Avant (Trombone), Ricky Knight (Piano), Mark Lindsay (Vocals), Rudolph Isley (Vocals (Background)), Larry Dunn (Keyboards), Mike Carabello (Percussion), Sarah Dash (Vocals), Earth, Wind & Fire (Performer), Gary Puckett (Performer), Larry Washington (Percussion), Charlie Sarrica (Graphic Design), Blood, Sweat & Tears (Performer), Jimmy Lenner, Jr. (Photography), Arthur Blair (Producer), Paul Simon (Vocals), Larry Knechtel (Keyboards), Janet Boye (Art Direction), Carlos Santana (Producer), Paul Griffin (Piano), Steve Katz (Guitar), Robert Mersey (Producer), Larry Graham (Vocals), Frank Sinatra (Performer), Janis Joplin (Performer), Jim Messina (Vocals), Tom Wilson (Producer), Maurice White (Kalimba), Dan Weiner (Photography), Peter Matz (Arranger), The Cyrkle (Performer), Donovan (Vocals), The Four Lads (Performer), Mitch Miller (Conductor), Johnny Nash (Arranger), Sandra Crouch (Tambourine), Alvin Thomas (Saxophone), Hayword Bishop (Drums), Phil Stephens (Bass), Tony Hicks (Guitar), Major Lance (Vocals), Joel Staniszewski (Photography), Jeff Grob (Drums), Chris Athens (Mastering), Serena Jameson (Vocals), David Crosby (Vocals), Hal Blaine (Drums), Ronnie Baker (Bass), George Van Eps (Guitar), The Small Faces (Performer), Tears (Performer), Merel Bergante (Drums), Larry Sims (Vocals (Background)), Jerry Cole (Guitar), Roland Chambers (Guitar), Joe Falto (Guitar), Adam Block (Project Manager)