Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons - Beggin' (The Ultimate Collection) (CD 2007)

Originally known as The Four Lovers this band from New Jersey have been going since 1953 and have had their ups and downs but have consistently created great songs, many of which became huge hits for other performers but not themselves. They have had many line-up changes throughout the years although Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio have been consistent through it all. Their first UK hit was "Sherry" which went to No.8 in 1962 followed by many other notable hits including "Walk Like A Man", "Rag Doll", "Let's Hang On" and "Workin' My Way Back To You" in 1966. There followed a period where the hits weren't coming and a disastrous change to Tamla Motown who failed to release material that would later chart, they would score further hits when they signed to Warner Brothers including the No.1 hit "December '63 (Oh What A Night)" and the psychedelic tinged classics "The Night" and "Silver Star" and later performing the title track from "Grease". This CD presents a comprehensive selection of many of the hits, mainly album versions with three re-edits by Pilooski which I hope will bring these marvellous songs to a new generation. With so many great songs it is difficult to know what to leave out and it would take at least another CD of this length to adequately present a representative selection of such a prolific band. Suggestions for the next CD may include "Ain't That A Shame" and "Rag Doll" from 1963 "Opus 17" from 1966, "Silver Star" and "We Can Work It Out from 1976,"Rhapsody" and "Down The Hall" from 1977 and maybe include some non hits such as "Touch The Rainchild" or "You're A Song That I Can't Sing" from the Tamla period. All in all an excellent selection and thoroughly enjoyable album.