Over the last few years, there have been a number of large box sets that collect the recorded output of some of music’s most iconic artists.
Add to that list The Archies. Yes, the pseudo bubblegum group that had the biggest hit of 1969 with Sugar Sugar has had their five albums collected by none other than Cleopatra Records into a new five CD set.
Now, before writing this off as a novelty stunt, take a look at the powerhouse talent that played on these records. The male vocals for the group were provided by Ron Dante, who started his career as a member of the Detergents (Leader of the Laundromat) and was not only the voice of the Archies but also The Cuff Links (Tracy). From 1973 to 1981, Dante produced fall of Barry Manilow’s albums at the height of his career.
The female vocals for their first two albums were by Toni Wine who wrote such hits as Tonight You’re Going to Fall in Love With Me by the Shirelles, A Groovy Kind of Love for the Mindbenders, Black Pearl by the Checkmates, Ltd. and both Candida and What Are You Doing Sunday? for Dawn.
Among the background singers were Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, Andy Kim and Bobby Bloom.
As for the songs, they were written by the likes of Berry, Kim, Bloom and Mark Barkan (She’s a Fool, Pretty Flamingo).
None of the albums were huge sellers. 1968’s The Archies went to 88 and 1969’s Everything’s Archie to 66 while Jingle Jangle, Sunshine and their Greatest Hits album peaked between 100 and 200.
For the new box, each of the five albums comes in an individual sleeve replicating the original artwork along with a book with extensive liner notes.
The track list:
Disc 1
Archie’s Theme (Everything’s Archie)
Boys And Girls
Time For Love
You Make Me Wanna Dance
La Dee Doo Down Down
Truck Driver
Catchin’ Up On Fun
I’m In Love
Seventeen Ain’t Young
Ride, Ride, Ride
Hide And Seek
Bang-Shang-A-Lang
Disc 2
Feelin’ So Good (S.K.O.O.B.Y. D.O.O.)
Melody Hill
Rock & Roll Music
Kissin’
Don’t Touch My Guitar
Circle Of Blue
Sugar, Sugar
You Little Angel, You
Bicycles, Roller Skates & You
Hot Dog
Inside Out – Upside Down
Love Light
Disc 3
Jingle Jangle
Everything’s Alright
She’s Putting Me Thru Changes
Justine
Whoopee Tie AI A
Nursery Rhyme
Get On The Line
You Know I Love You
Senorita Rita
Look Before You Leap
Sugar And Spice
Archie’s Party
Disc 4
Sunshine
Who’s Gonna Love Me
Mr. Factory
Love And Rock ‘N’ Roll Music
Over And Over
Waldo P. Emerson Jones
A Summer Prayer For Peace
Dance
Comes The Sun
Suddenly Susan
One Big Family
It’s The Summertime
Disc 5
This Is Love
Don’t Need No Bad Girl
Should Anybody Ask
Easy Guy
Maybe I’m Wrong
What Goes On
Carousel Man
Hold On To Lovin’
This Is The Night
Little Green Jacket
Together We Two
Throw A Little Love My Way
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