Johnny Rivers Anthology, 1964-1977 [2-CD Set]
In his '60s heyday, there was never any doubt that Johnny Rivers (nee Ramistella) was an energetic performer with a good ear for hit material. In retrospect, though, Rivers's numerous AM radio hits boasted an emotional honesty that belied his commercial image. That point is made repeatedly on this 2 CD, 36-song set, which contains all of his hits and demonstrates the singer-guitarist's ease with a variety of styles, from spare '50s-style rock & roll("Memphis," "Mountain of Love"), bluesy party rock ("Secret Agent Man," "The Seventh Son"), bittersweet balladry ("Poor Side of Town," "The Tracks of My Tears"), gentle folk-rock ("Summer Rain," "Into the Mystic"), and smooth middle-of-the-road pop ("Swayin' to the Music").--Scott Schinder