The Kingston Trio/ From the Hungry I

I have this collection on a 33 - but no longer have a player. I happened to catch find my box of oldies and this one had always been a favorite - It is a double - but my favorite was the one recorded from the Hungry Eye. My brother and I played it on the way down to our shore house a few weeks ago and it made the trip really fun - for a change. You know how traveling with brothers can be.

I have this on the original vinyl, but I grew up with this group and their music, and my family wore grooves in the disk, sad to say. I still love this group as much as I did in the 50's and 60's. (I reminisce about the family singing "Tom Dooley" on car trips!) I think I used to know almost all of the lyrics. Most of the tunes have aged well and some are downright timely (Merry Minuet). The CD sound quality is OK on my music listening system and the package was intact and there are no scratches on the one I received.

If you are going to get one CD of the Kingston Trio, this is the one I would purchase, for this is when they were young and in their prime. I do not think the influence of the Kingston Trio on modern popular music and rock and roll and radio play is credited fully enough by music historians, in this album you get a sense of the 'beat' generation live at the 'Hungry i' in San Francisco repleat with bongos, as well as their landmark debut album that included the number 1 jukebox hit of 1958, Scotch and Soda with vocals by Bob Shane. For all of the thousands of kids who struggle with a G-cord learning guitar, this is an album that should be heard, and if you are looking for something to add variety on your ipod, shuffle in a few of these songs. These are the originators of so many cover hit tunes like Wimbeway and Sloop John B by the Beach Boys, and the long running hit Tom Dooley. I think one of the strongest impressions that is made is the great wit and intelligence these muscians had, back in the day when being a 'college man' actually was reflected in erudite speech and humor. There are a few tunes that seem to lack inspiration, and some anachronistic references to individuals like John Foster Dulles, however there are few albums that so perfectly capture a feeling and a revolution of the cusp of popular music as does these two.

Forty years on I can discern an influence of the Kingston Trio. My closet is still full of striped, button-down collar shirts -- just like the Kingston Trio made mandatory for stylish college boys circa 1960. "Button down" describes the Trio: apolitical, un-serious, insouciant, a little naughty, but never vulgar. It's hard to recall how revolutionary their music was at the time. "Folk music" suddenly became all the rage for the college crowd. How does their music hold up? Pretty well, although the sound is not fresh any longer. Generations of grittier folk musicians have made the Kingston Trio sound a little smooth, cocktail-loungy, and superficial. But their songs couldn't be better. "Tom Dooley" is the best murder ballad ever; "Scotch and Soda" and "Hard, Ain't it Hard" have never been equaled. "The Merry Minuet" ("They're rioting in Africa,") is an unforgettable example of 50s gallows humor. This CD includes their first two albums: "The Kingston Trio" and "From the Hungry I" which was recorded live in San Francisco. The live album is a little better. The boundless energy of the Trio comes through on songs like "Shady Grove/Lonesome Traveler" and "Zombie Jamboree" and their politically incorrect patter between songs is of sociological interest. In one short concert, they insult Mexicans, French, Appalachian folk, Southern Californians, Chinese, Africans, and a few other groups. (Back in those days you could be secure in your superiority to non-University people from places other than San Francisco. Nowadays, such feelings have to be covered up by a veneer of multi-culturalism.) The Kingston Trio were forerunners of Bob Dylan, the Beach Boys (who copied their shirts), and Peter, Paul, and Mary. They're important; the world would be a slightly different place if the Kingston Trio had never existed.

Fella's, it just doesn't get any better than this. I call it perfect because it is. American music with a light snap of latino twang just for flavor. This is college folk music that's actually fun to listen to.. And by "fun", I don't mean dance music or bubbly pop crap of the time. Not so. Folk music coming out of the 50's and 60's was often a bit of a bummer to listen to. The message often overode the ability to listen. Not so much the Kingston Trio. You can hear the "fun or nothing" rule in each cut. Dave Guard, Bob Shane and Nick Reynolds were the perfect band, the perfect group. The latter day versions of the K.T were good but not the original receipe. They could cover every emotion; fun, somber, sad, happy and happy drunk. I only have one wish for Kingston Trio music; That "Fast Freight" will be covered by Crosby Stills Nash and maybe Young. "Scotch and Soda" was the tune that would assure that you would be having breakfast with last nights date. All perfect.

Just what I was looking for.

I'm a rock and roller, but when I was in high school, I and my best friend played the "Hungry I" album so much we probably wore out the grooves. Now, 50-some years later, I find myself wanting to listen to this over & over all over again. The other album included here is also great, but the humor of the live set is still infectious lo these many years later.

I have been a great fan of the Kingston since the trio started. I have their vinyl records, going back many years, but I now play CD's, so it was time to update. The quality is excellent as is the variety of their most popular songs. It brings back many many memories that I haven't heard in years. I recommend this CD.

アルバムFrom the hungry I のNew York Girlsが特にお気に入りです。 軽快なリズムで、何回もリピートして聴いています。 このＣＤの他の曲も大変楽しめます。 是非、購入して聴いて下さい。 お勧めです。

Iistening

Brought back good old memories of a great group as I had their LP album played so many times.