VA - Girl Group Greats & More Girl Group Greats (2001)

There are two ways of looking at Rhino's Girl Group Greats. First, you could argue that it's unnecessary, since every one of its 20 cuts is known (and probably owned) by girl group collectors. Second, you could argue that it's absolutely necessary, since every one of its 20 tracks forms the essential foundation for a girl group collection. And that's probably the best way to view the collection, since it summarizes all the girl group hits from the early '60s, including cuts from Motown and solo cuts that fit the musical definition, even if they aren't by groups. So, this turns out to be a nearly impeccable collection of early-'60s pop, as not one of these 20 songs could qualify as anything less than indispensible (with the possible exception of Joanie Sommers' "Johnny Get Angry," which still stands as a great artifact of its times). Ultimately, this isn't an album for collectors, but rather something for a listener wanting an immediate immersion into the best of girl groups, and this functions flawlessly.

More Girl Group Greats boasts a track listing that's nearly as essential as that of its predecessor, Girl Group Greats. Though none of the album's 20 tracks could be called obscure, songs like the Chiffons' "One Fine Day" and "Sweet Talking Guy," the Dixie Cups' "People Say," and the Shangri-Las' "Remember (Walking in the Sand)" provide a more well-rounded look at the styles and personalities of each of these groups. Likewise, singles such as the Marvelettes' "Beachwood 4-5789" and "Too Many Fish in the Sea," Martha and the Vandellas' "Nowhere to Run," and the Supremes' "Baby Love" are nearly as strong as the smash hits that appeared on Girl Group Greats; slightly smaller hits like the Chantels' "Maybe," the Cookies' "Chains," the Paris Sisters' "I Love How You Love Me," and the Angels' "Til" make this a consistently fun, entertaining testament to how great the girl group era was. Though the album isn't really intended for die-hard fans of the genre, who should have all of these tracks already, More Girl Group Greats is exactly the kind of collection that makes casual listeners want to discover what other treats the girl group sound has in store for them.