Review: 'Something to Sing About!' Compilation

Subject: Review: 'Something to Sing About!' Compilation
From: Jason Xion Wang
Date: 18 Jun 14 - 09:51 AM

I purchased a copy of an old boxset called "Something to Sing About!" on the Internet recently. It was a 3-LP compilation produced by Milton Okun.

The entire songlist for the boxset can be seen on the Wikipedia article. Not all songs on this set were specially recorded for it, but a lot were. It includes 5 brand new tracks by Tom Paxton, 4 brand new tracks by the Chad Mitchell Trio, 3 brand new tracks by John Denver, 1 brand new track by each one of Peter, Paul & Mary and several concert tracks which were probably from the Newport Festivals. To the best of my knowledge, most of these tracks are still not released elsewhere so far.

There is little information given on the sleeve, no release year, no catalog number and even no label. It includes newly recorded songs by the original Chad Mitchell Trio, but also songs by John Denver, who began his career in 1965 by replacing Chad Mitchell. What's even more strange is that it includes the Trio's rendition of "Forest Lawn", a Tom Paxton song that was first released in 1970 on album "6" (John Denver's rendition might be slightly earlier, but was also released in 1970). I listened carefully and can guarantee that it was Chad rather than John in this version. So, was the song written as early as before Chad Mitchell's departure in 1965, or could it be that Chad reunited with the Trio after his leaving specially for the recording of this album?

Now the question is, when was this compilation set recorded/released? Some sources listed it as 1968, some as 1966 or 1965. Do anyone else have this set or know anything about it? Thanks a lot.

Jason

Subject: RE: Review: 'Something to Sing About!' Compilation
From: Jason Xion Wang
Date: 18 Jun 14 - 09:55 AM

The boxset gave credit to Elektra, Warner Brothers, Mercury, Reprise, Vanguard and Sire, but didn't have a label itself. Is this usual for a compilation album?

Subject: RE: Review: 'Something to Sing About!' Compilation
From: Jason Xion Wang
Date: 18 Jun 14 - 10:04 AM

Another weird thing about this boxset is that Phil Ochs' "The Power and the Glory" fell in the "Children's Songs" category, along with songs like "The Marvelous Toy", "Hush Little Baby" and "Old McDonald Had a Farm"...

Subject: RE: Review: 'Something to Sing About!' Compilation
From: GUEST,#
Date: 18 Jun 14 - 11:34 AM

The wiki article you referred to says the following:

"Something to Sing About is a compilation album including songs by American singer-songwriters John Denver and Tom Paxton. It was produced by Milt Okun and released in 1968."

Subject: RE: Review: 'Something to Sing About!' Compilation
From: Jason Xion Wang
Date: 18 Jun 14 - 11:50 AM

Yes, I've seen that. Discogs also gave 1968 as the releasing year. But I'm not sure if it's 100 percent reliable. And that's several years after Chad Mitchell left the trio...

Subject: RE: Review: 'Something to Sing About!' Compilation
From: GUEST,#
Date: 18 Jun 14 - 12:37 PM

Keep in mind that Milt was their musical director/arranger, and I don't recall Mr Okun making any enemies. He seemed to keep in touch with everyone from time to time and he knew how the music industry worked in those days, so 1968 sounds plausible (imo).

Subject: RE: Review: 'Something to Sing About!' Compilation
From: Jason Xion Wang
Date: 18 Jun 14 - 01:46 PM

Yes, 1968 is plausible. But I'm still a little surprised that Chad Mitchell should rejoin the Trio specially for this recording.