Alvin & the Chipmunks - Greatest Hits: Still Squeaky After All These Years (CD)

All Music Guide

This 16-song CD (the final track is a mock interview) is the most comprehensive collection to feature music from the late-'50s and 1960s novelty phenomenon the Chipmunks. The name was not a derivative of the popularity of the Beatles, but rather a suggestion from the kids of multi-media mastermind Ross Bagdasarian, whose rodent-related moniker dated back to his 1958 hit solo platter "Witch Doctor." The names of the primary characters, Alvin, Simon, and Theodore, were a nod to Liberty Records higher-ups Al Bennett (Alvin) Si Waronker (Simon), and the label's recording engineer Ted Keep (Theodore). Also mixed into the concept was a human in the form of Dave Seville, who was bachelor father to the trio of adolescent, talking (and singing) Chipmunks. Between 1958 and 1965 there were no less than ten LPs cut for Liberty Records -- three of which landed in the Top 40. Generally the LPs centered on a theme, such as Around the World With the Chipmunks (1960), Chipmunks Sing the Beatles Hits (1...964), or the pair of Christmas With the Chipmunks (1962/1963) volumes -- the latter of which have never gone out of print. After the untimely passing of Bagdasarian in 1972, his son Ross Jr. revived the trio and it was his effort that went into compiling this release. While there are numerous budget best-ofs available, Ross Jr. wisely chose tunes that were not on a majority of those. The Top 40 hits "Ragtime Cowboy Joe," "Alvin's Harmonica," "Alvin's Orchestra," and the aforementioned "Witch Doctor" -- which was re-recorded with the Chipmunks -- are included. Other key entries are "Alvin for President," issued to coincide with the 1960 elections. The final track is a mock interview between the character of Alvin and Ross Bagdasarian Jr., who has been doing the voices since the late '70s. The 12-page liner booklet contains notes by Bagdasarian Jr. from a book that he is writing about the whole Chipmunk experience. The only thing lacking would be sides from Chipmunks a Go-Go (1965) with covers of Bob Dylan ("Mr. Tambourine Man"), the Beach Boys ("California Girls"), and even George Jones ("Race Is On"). - Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide Read more Less