Raspberries [ Eric Carmen]

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The Raspberries' first studio LP, simply entitled Raspberries, was issued in April of 1972. Released two years after forming in Cleveland, Ohio, the group fronted by vocalist/guiatrist Eric Carmen, lasted through March of 1975. Personnel changes and image issues went down during their short run, but with the release of four LP's during their all-to-brief recording career, the Raspberries pumped out one hot power pop cut after another. Raspberries' Best Featuring Eric Carmen (1976), pulls together ten classic songs that forever hold a special place in your heart and soul if you were a teenager along for the early seventie's ride.

Prior to the band debuting with the Raspberries album, Capitol Records distributed the group's first single, "Don't Want to Say Goodbye", in February of '72. Penned by Carmen and lead guitarist Wally Bryson, the song featured E.C. on piano. The ballad like song was met with moderate success, and gave no indication of the red hot hook to come from the band's next single.

As the long cold winter gave way to Spring, Capitol Records pushed out "Go All the Way" in May. The second Raspberries' single was a perfect cruisin' cut that immediately took over AM and FM radio airwaves and became the group's signature song. The infectious rocker is a hall of fame single, that screams hot summer night coming-of-age action. The song's strong, immediate guitar intro is pulled directly from The Who, setting the stage for the wild three-minute ride of steamy musical bliss.

"Go All the Way" leads off the Raspberries' Best compilation LP, which curiously closes with "Don't Want to Say Goodbye". Sandwiched between the group's first two singles, the forty-six minute retrospective adds the pulsating "I Wanna Be With You", plus two magical cuts from the band's third LP, Side 3, the sexually charged "Tonight" and "Ecstasy".

"I Can Remember", an eight minute song from the band's debut album, fills out side one of the anthology, with side two picking up with another extended track, Carmen's masterpiece ode-to-the-recording-industry "Overnight Sensation (Hit Record)", which once again showcases the group main man on piano. Jimmy Ienner's clever production work throughout "Overnight Sensation (Hit Record)" pushes the towering number, which adds a transitor radio sound drop during the realization-of-a-dream segment of the song.

"Let's Pretend", the breezy single from the second Raspberries' LP, Fresh, segues into the Beach Boys inspired "Drivin' Around", while "Starting Over", the title track from the band's ill-fated final album, which featured a revamped line-up, fills out the collection.

From the 'berrie's scratch 'n' sniff debut through the turmoil of their final year together, the Raspberries' exuded teenage lust and urgent blasts of raw adolescent rock. Above it all, despite a lack of critical acclaim, the group was pop rock fun at it's best. Nothing more... nothing less. From the age of the vinyl LP, Raspberries' Best merely severs as a primer. The group's entire wealth of strong three-minute hot songs, with cool harmonies, is required listening.

KNOCK IT BACK!

Here's a solid collection of many of Raspberries' best power pop songs, like "Go All the Way", "Ecstasy", "Let's Pretend", "Overnight Sensation (Hit Record)", and "Tonight", plus nice packaging and detailed liner notes.

What made this greatest hits compilation so special was not just the music, but also the incredible packaging.  Both the album cover and slip cover were full of mini-histories and reviews of the band, making reading the packaging a perfect way to pass the time while the album played.  Obviously released to capitalize on Eric Carmen's solo success, (hence the "Raspberries: Featuring Eric Carmen" in big type on the cover,) it was first class as greatest hits packages went back in 1976.  If you can find one of the vinyl originals, buy it.  You already know the music is great.  Now check out the first class packaging. 
A minor item of interest that has always puzzled me is how the opening to "Go All The Way" plays after the fadeout of "Overnight Sensation", which opens side two.  It's barely audible, but most definitely there.  This greatest hits collection is the only place I've ever noticed it.