April 2, 2007

Rhino Records Official Press Release: Jersey Beat–The Music of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons!

April 2nd, 2007

CELEBRATING THE 4 SEASONS

Comprehensive Boxed Set Features Three CDs and a Bonus DVD Spotlighting the Group’s Influential Legacy, Top Hits, B-Sides and More

Available June 5 from Rhino Records

LOS ANGELES – Frankie Valli & The 4 Seasons have sold more than 100 million records worldwide. More than 40 years after lead singer Frankie Valli, guitarist Tommy DeVito, bassist Nick Massi and keyboardist Bob Gaudio first topped the charts with “Sherry”—the first of three consecutive #1 hits—the group is back in the spotlight. Thanks to Jersey Boys, a Tony-winning musical based on the band’s story, the music and legend of Frankie Valli & The 4 Seasons are both finally getting their due. The musical is currently playing to sold-out crowds regularly at the August Wilson Theater in Manhattan and the Curran Theater in San Francisco. Additional openings are scheduled for later this year at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles on May 25, and at the LaSalle Bank Theater in Chicago on October 6. By 2008, Jersey Boys will also have played in San Diego, Seattle, Houston, Tampa, Minneapolis, Cleveland and several other cities.

Rhino honors Frankie Valli & The 4 Seasons with a spectacular boxed set featuring three CDs filled with 76 tracks of the band’s biggest hits along with terrific album tracks, top-notch B-sides, plus a DVD packed with rare live performances. An 84-page booklet accompanies the set and features rare photos and track-by-track commentary from such music and entertainment icons as Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson, Barry Manilow, Quincy Jones, Cher, Neil Diamond, Fats Domino, Steven Van Zandt, Barry Gibb, Johnny Marr, Billy Joel, Itzhak Perlman, Regis Philbin, Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban, and Joe Pesci, among others. JERSEY BEAT – THE MUSIC OF FRANKIE VALLI & THE 4 SEASONS will be available June 5 at retail and digital outlets and at www.rhino.com for a suggested retail price of $64.98. A digital version, including 76 tracks and two videos, will also be available at all digital retail outlets for a suggested retail price of $39.99.

Representing the most comprehensive Frankie Valli & 4 Seasons collection ever released, the bonus disc contains a long-awaited compilation of the group’s videos ranging from an early appearance on The Steve Allen Show to a rare live performance of “Rhapsody.”

The collection highlights the band’s early success—13 Top Ten hits between 1962 and 1967—including songs like “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Dawn (Go Away),” “Rag Doll,” and “Let’s Hang On!” Arranged chronologically, the tracks follow the group through different lineups and continued success with “Working My Way Back To You,” “Opus 17 (Don’t You Worry ’Bout Me),” the #2 smash “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” and a cover of The Shirelles’ hit “Will You Love Me Tomorrow.”

The set also includes “My Eyes Adored You” and “Grease,” a pair of #1 hits Valli recorded solo in the ’70s; along with two #1 hits by The 4 Seasons, “Who Loves You” and the million-selling single “December, 1963 (Oh What A Night)” the first single without Valli’s lead vocals; plus the 1984 single “East Meets West,” a collaboration featuring Frankie Valli & The 4 Seasons harmonizing with their West Coast musical brethren, The Beach Boys.

Writing for the boxed set’s liner notes, Dennis Diken, drummer for the Smithereens and music historian, summarizes The 4 Seasons’ “instantly recognizable” sound circa 1965: “Fans looked forward to an arresting drum kick-off or a sotto voce preamble that set up musical adventures, like the big-beat ‘Bye, Bye, Baby (Baby Goodbye),’ and ‘Let’s Hang On!,’ where Frankie’s lulling intro is assaulted by one of the badass, snarling riffs of all time, giving flight to a four-on-the-floor stomp with beefy horns, vibes, and prominent bass that spoke Motown, Seasons-style.”

Thanks to the success of Jersey Boys, millions of theatergoers have gained a new appreciation for the music and legend of Frankie Valli & The 4 Seasons. The musical production based on the life story of the band was nominated for eight Tony Awards in 2006 and walked away with Tonys for Best Musical, Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical, Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical and Best Lighting Design of a Musical. The rags-to-riches tale of four blue-collar kids working their way from the streets of Newark to the heights of stardom continues to resonate with sell-out Broadway crowds since its debut in 2004 at California’s La Jolla Playhouse.

Track Listing: JERSEY BEAT – THE MUSIC OF FRANKIE VALLI & THE 4 SEASONS
Disc One
1. “Sherry”
2. “Big Girls Don’t Cry”
3. “Walk Like A Man”
4. “Ain’t That A Shame”
5. “Candy Girl”
6. “Marlena”
7. “Peanuts”
8. “Alone (Why Must I Be Alone)”
9. “Stay”
10. “Little Boy (In Grown Up Clothes)”
11. “Dawn (Go Away)”
12. “Big Man’s World”
13. “Marcie”
14. “Silence Is Golden”
15. “Huggin’ My Pillow”
16. “Ronnie”
17. “Rag Doll”
18. “Save It For Me”
19. “Big Man In Town”
20. “Bye, Bye, Baby (Baby, Goodbye)”
21. “Betrayed”
22. “Toy Soldier”
23. “Girl Come Running”
24. “Let’s Hang On!”
25. “Don’t Think Twice (It’s All Right)” – The Wonder Who?
26. “The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine (Anymore)” – Frankie Valli
27. “(You’re Gonna) Hurt Yourself” – Frankie Valli
28. “Pity”
29. “You’re Ready Now” – Frankie Valli
30. “Cousin Brucie Go Go”

Disc Two
1. “Working My Way Back To You”
2. “Can’t Get Enough Of You Baby”
3. “Everybody Knows My Name”
4. “Comin’ Up In The World”
5. “Beggars Parade”
6. “Opus 17 (Don’t You Worry ’Bout Me)”
7. “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”
8. “The Proud One” – Frankie Valli
9. “Tell It To The Rain”
10. “Beggin’”
11. “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” – Frankie Valli
12. “C’mon Marianne”
13. “Lonesome Road” – The Wonder Who?
14. “Around And Around (AndAroundAndAround)”
15. “I Make A Fool Of Myself” – Frankie Valli
16. “Watch The Flowers Grow”
17. “Raven”
18. “To Give (The Reason I Live)” – Frankie Valli
19. “Will You Love Me Tomorrow”
20. “Good-Bye Girl”
21. “Saturday’s Father”
22. “Electric Stories”
23. “Something’s On Her Mind”
24. “Idaho”
25. “Genuine Imitation Life”

Disc Three
1. “And That Reminds Me (My Heart Reminds Me)”
2. “The Girl I’ll Never Know (Angels Never Fly This Low)” – Frankie Valli
3. “She Gives Me Light”
4. “Patch Of Blue”
5. “Heartaches And Raindrops”
6. “Lay Me Down (Wake Me Up)”
7. “Where Are My Dreams”
8. “Sleeping Man”
9. “The Night”
10. “My Eyes Adored You” – Frankie Valli
11. “Swearin’ To God” – Frankie Valli
12. “Who Loves You”
13. “Our Day Will Come” – Frankie Valli
14. “December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night)”
15. “Silver Star”
16. “Fallen Angel” – Frankie Valli
17. “Rhapsody”
18. “Grease” – Frankie Valli
19. “East Meets West” – with The Beach Boys
20. “Streetfighter”
21. “Hope And Glory”

DVD
1. “Big Girls Don’t Cry” (The Steve Allen Show, 1963)
2. 1964 Medley – “Sherry/Walk Like A Man/Big Girls Don’t Cry/Dawn (Go Away)/Rag
Doll/Brotherhood of Man” (On Broadway Tonight, 1964)
3. “Working My Way Back To You” (Hullabaloo, 1966)
4. “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” – Frankie Valli (The Bitter End, 1968)
5. “Let’s Hang On!” (Top Of The Pops, 1971)
6. “Saturday’s Father” (The Kraft Music Hall, 1968)
7. “(You’re Gonna) Hurt Yourself” – Frankie Valli (The Joey Bishop Show, 1968)
8. “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” (Top of the Pops, 1971)
9. “Dawn (Go Away)” (Los Angeles Coliseum concert, 1972)
10. “Who Loves You” (Promo Film, 1974)
11. “Rhapsody” (Promo Film, 1976)
12. “December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night” (Promo Film, 1975)

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26 Comments »

  1. I counted a total of 25 tracks that have never been released in a set before. I really wish there was more video of Nick Massi performing with the group…he was the greatest.

    Comment by Johnny B. Goode — April 2, 2007 @ 11:28 pm

  2. Good point. There is at least one, if not two, more appearances from the “On Broadway Tonight” show which could have been added. The host of “On Broadway Tonight” was the old 20s and 30s “crooner” Rudy Vallee. One of the shows, I forget which one, had an exchange between Rudy Vallee and Frankie Valli that went something like this: Rudy to Frankie “We should get together and call our duo Vallee and Valli” to which Frankie responded pointing to himself first “No, it should be Valli and Vallee.” The “Brotherhood of Man” cut they sang later appeared on the Vee Jay not really “Live” album and was a song they did in concert.

    The one other “On Broadway Tonight” appearance that particulary comes to mind is the one where the 4 Seasons sang the theme song to the show written by Bob Gaudio and Bob Crewe. This was done without instruments, which meant there was an attempt at hand and foot movement by the group, I wouldn’t call it dancing, just movement. It will be a treat, however, to see the one show that is included plus the old Steve Allen show appearance from 1963. By 1963, Steve Allen had left the Tonight Show and had his own late night variety/talk show in NY that if memory serves me started at 11pm. I was able to see their appearance before having to go to bed (only 13 at the time). As I recall there was some exchange with Steve Allen but my guess would be that the banter is not included, but let’s see.

    Including Nick’s two recorded album cut leads on the old Roy Hamilton classic “Don’t Let Go” (from the “Dawn” album) and Nick’s rollicking stage version of “Mack The Knife” (from the VeeJay not really “Live” album) would have been nice additions.

    Comment by David Cace — April 3, 2007 @ 5:17 pm

  3. I didn’t realize Nick Massi provided lead on “Don’t Let Go,” which is one of my favorite tracks off of that album. I do know, however, that he provided lead on “Little Pony,” a song he wrote with Bob Gaudio, that appears on the “Fantastic First Years” CD.

    Judging from the above comment, you are obviously a very well-informed person, David, when it comes to the Four Seasons. If it is possible, I would like to know even more about the group (considering they are one of my all-time favorites) by keeping in touch with you via e-mail.

    Here is my address: [email protected] .

    Comment by John Alda — April 3, 2007 @ 7:34 pm

  4. I think they could have easily filled another CD or two with more selections.

    One mix that I don’t think has ever appeared on CD is the actual Warner/Curb 8168 single version mix of December, 1963 (Oh What A Night). It has a phased piano track on the Frankie Valli solo parts that was much brighter and louder than on any other mix (there’s at least two other subtly different original version mixes, not to be confused with the 90s remixes and edits). It’s the version I heard December 20, 1975 on Super CFL’s magnificent skywave out of Chicago, the first time I ever heard the song. I could have heard the album cut a month earlier when the album “Who Loves You” was released, but I was just a college kid trying to make ends meet. I was intrigued by the title “December, 1963″ when I saw the album cover in a record store. Even before I heard it, I knew it had to be a big hit! I had even called a local radio station in late November, 1975 to request it, but even they had to wait until the single came out.

    Comment by Ted Hammond — April 4, 2007 @ 8:28 pm

  5. I never owned the Dawn lp, but got to hear a live version of “Don’t Let Go” on a now defunct 4 Season’s web site, the week after Nick died. Hearing Nick on lead with Frankie in the backup harmony was a great experience.

    The theme song to “On Broadway Tonight” was the flip of one Season’s single (wish I could remember which one). Its a wonder its not on this cd set, but maybe it will be part of the DVD.

    Jim Hicks

    Comment by JIm Hicks — April 6, 2007 @ 8:58 am

  6. “On Broadway Tonight” is listed as the flipside of “Let’s Hnag On”, Philips 40317, from 1965, according to Tim Neely’s Goldmine Price Guide edit. Also in 1965, WIBG Philadelphia released the “Joey Reynolds Theme” on the “Wibbage” label. The flipside is listed as “Rats In My Room”, but I’m not sure if this is also a Four Seasons recording. But I do remember a joke about that time that the Four Seasons could have released a song back then called “Rats In My Room” and it would have been a hit. Anybody know if they actually recorded this as a joke? I tried to ask Joey Reynolds at a party he later discussed on his show on WOR about “Rats In My Room”, but there were too many other people vying for his attention. I heard that he once played “Rats In My Room” on his show on WOR, but I missed that show, so I don’t know if it actually was the Four Seasons.

    Comment by Ted Hammond — April 6, 2007 @ 9:41 am

  7. I have the Wibbage record but have never played the “B” side, “Rats in My Room” and I have no knowledge of anyone who has or has claimed it to be sung by the 4 Seasons. Since I have never played the “B” side I will have to find it in my basement and play it to give you a definitive answer. Perhaps Frank Rovello or someone else can provide a quicker answer off the top of their head. I don’t think it is but since I have never played it I don’t want to say definitively “No” until I play it.

    Going from memory, however, I can confirm that “On Broadway Tonight” is the “B” side to “Let’s Hang On!”

    Comment by David Cace — April 6, 2007 @ 10:47 am

  8. Even though I have the 25th Anniversary cd set, I’m still going to get this. It’s just too bad they don’t have songs like Apple of My Eye and I Go Ape on the set.

    It would be cool if they also had some Jersey Boys related stuff with it like the promos from the website, their TV performances, or something like they did with Miss Saigon a making of for Jersey Boys.

    Comment by Josh — April 7, 2007 @ 12:51 pm

  9. Here’s a little information about “Electric Stories”, one of the more unusual Four Seasons tracks. It came out right before Christmas 1968. On local stations, it was a Top 10 Hit in San Diego, CA and Grand Rapids, MI, and Top 20 in Los Angeles and some other California narkets. It hit #61 Hot 100 Billboard. The B side was “Pity” from the “Working My Way Back To You” LP about 3 years earlier. “Electric Stories” will grow on you, and “Pity” you’ll like right away if you are in to more traditional Seasons tracks, but never heard them.

    Comment by Ted Hammond — April 8, 2007 @ 11:15 am

  10. With the Rhino’s release of this new set maybe Universal will finally wake up and release the complete Mowest/Motown sessions between 1971 and 1975 which to my knowledge Frankie and Bob do not own.
    Originally released as part of “The Superstar Series” on CD and LP and a bootleg that came out a couple of years ago

    Comment by Marty Hoffer — April 30, 2007 @ 10:13 pm

  11. What a truly great set of Valli and/or Seasons’ songs this 3-cd collection is at long last. Don’t be surprised that I, too, must state an omission. It’s Frankie’s soulful and fast-moving single “Just Look What You’ve Done” (circa 1974) while at Motown. The song was originally a single by Motown’s Brenda Holloway in 1967.

    As a writer mentioned above, Universal Music (current owner of Motown) should follow through with their stated plans of a compact disc entitled “Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons Do Motown”. This idea surfaced as a result of the stellar success of “Jersey Boys” on Broadway — and now the national tours — which further promote the music of FVFS.

    Comment by Wlliamson Henderson — September 1, 2007 @ 11:27 pm

  12. GREAT WEB SITE I’VE BEEN A SEASONS FAN MY WHOLE LIFE.I LIVE IN VEGAS AND HANG WITH ARTIE SCHROECK,AND HAVE BEEN TO TOMMY’S HOUSE ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS.I’VE ALSO BEEN OUT TO DINNER WITH FRANKIE I’VE GOT A COLLECTION OF SEASONS STUFF,NOT TO BE BELIEVED.UNRELEASED RECORDINGS OF BEATLES SONGS,SUNG BY FRANKIE, VIDEOS AND CONCERTS.I DON’T THINK THAT THERES ANYTHING THAT I DON’T HAVE I RECENTLY GAVE FRANKIE AND ARTIE RECORDINGS THAT THEY DIDN’T HAVE CLIFF

    Comment by CLIFF LAWRENCE — November 29, 2007 @ 5:28 pm

  13. Does anyone remember a song called “Ivy”? Its a very moving ballad sung by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. It was on a LP album given to my sister as a birthday present. There was also another song, “Showgirl” on the same album. I’ve never been able to locate the album or hear the song since the mid 60′s

    Comment by Bob Gassner — March 25, 2008 @ 12:12 am

  14. Bob.it’s on frankie valli Solo album &, on the 25th anniversary album.Beautiful songs,also My Mothers Eyes,which is one of my favorite of all time.hope you can find them…Good Luck.let me know if you have any luck

    Comment by Betsy — March 27, 2008 @ 7:22 pm

  15. Mr. Gassner

    Betsy is correct. “Ivy” can be found on Frankie’s first “Solo” album. “Ivy” is also the “B” side to Frankie’s fourth single release, the mildly successful “The Proud One” which was also Frankie’s first release on Philips and the song preceding “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.” “Show Girl” can be found on the 4 Seasons “Entertain You” album. “Show Girl” is also the “B” side to “Tell It To The Rain.”

    Betsy – Frankie recorded “My Mother’s Eyes” three times: (1) His first solo single release back in 1953 accompanied by Tommy DeVito on guitar, (2) In 1965 on the fake “Live” Vee Jay album, and (3) In 1967 on his first “Solo” album on Philips. It’s obviously a song with some special meaning to Frankie and is probably the reason it is in Jersey Boys, although done in a light-hearted fashion. This is unfortunate in a way because he performed it live in concert through 1969 and it was always very moving.

    Hope this helps.

    Comment by David Cace — March 28, 2008 @ 8:17 am

  16. I met Frankie’s mom on a number of ocassions in the hospital where I worked while his Dad was ill and we spoke of what a beautiful song Mothers eyes was.They had so many great songs that never really made it big which should have(all of them) Thanks for your info. love talking to people about Frankie&4 seasons

    Comment by Betsy — March 28, 2008 @ 10:42 am

  17. I just love this thread!

    The flip side of “My Mother’s Eyes” on the Corona 1234 single from 1953 was “The Laugh’s On Me”, written by Jack Edwards. He was the brother of Gus Edwards, who wrote a lot of popular songs in the early 20th century, including “School Days”, “By the Light of the Silvery Moon”, “Jimmy Valentine”, “If I Were a Millionaire”, and “In My Merry Oldsmobile”.

    Comment by Ted Hammond — March 28, 2008 @ 3:13 pm

  18. David and Ted,

    You guys never cease to amaze me: David with his insightful reminisces and anecdotes, and Ted with his wonderfully detailed facts and asides. If there was ever to be a JB/FV&4S-type convention held, you two would have to serve on some sort of panel discussion (if not be co-keynote speakers). Thanks for your continued input to the JBB.

    Comment by Len Gersten — March 29, 2008 @ 1:24 am

  19. Ted and David,Wow you guys are amazing!!!You are like walking encylopedias about “The Music” Ihaven’t been lucky enough to see JB yet.I live in NC now and am disabled so this is great for to talk about my favorite group.I will be in NY in June,oxygen,wheelchair and whatever else I need to get me to see the show.can’t wait!!!!!

    Comment by Betsy — March 29, 2008 @ 1:01 pm

  20. One other thing to mention – In Christy Holden’s interview with Frankie Valli on the Jersey Boys Podcast she gets Frankie to talk about “My Mother’s Eyes” and “I’m in the Mood for Love/Moody’s Mood For Love” and a lot more. It is really a great interview and well worth a listen.

    Comment by David Cace — March 29, 2008 @ 1:24 pm

  21. Does anyone know why he won’t sing Ivy?

    Comment by Linda — August 28, 2008 @ 5:34 pm

  22. I have been searching High and low and everything inbetween for a flipside called “September Rain” (here comes the rain) Please Please let me know how to find it!! It was a great song that Frankie should bring back!! Thank you! Diane

    Comment by Diane Sherrow — August 28, 2010 @ 7:54 pm

  23. “September Rain” is a track that is on “Timeless” and “Frankie Valli Gold” LPs. However, there are two somewhat different versions. I also believe it is on one of the Rhino Rarities CDs Volume 1 or Volume 2. It is also the B side of “I Make A Fool Of Myself”. This question comes up this time of year as we approach September. It used to, until quite recently, show up on “Patterns In Music” on WJR Detroit on the Labor Day Weekend. Unfortunately, local shows of that type have been cancelled.

    David, Howard, Jim, Charles or someone I forgot to mention may know more about the difference between the two versions. I have both but the LP is stored away.

    Comment by Ted Hammond — August 29, 2010 @ 1:53 pm

  24. I think you covered it Ted. Off the top, I can’t think of anything else.

    Comment by David Cace — August 31, 2010 @ 5:10 am

  25. A couple other September songs within much less than (

    Comment by Ted Hammond — September 1, 2010 @ 11:25 am

  26. A couple other September songs within much less than six degrees of Bob Gaudio include “It Might As Well Rain Until September, written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, who also wrote “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow”, with a vastly underrated cover by The Four Seasons, featuring 1968′s ubiquitous electric sitar, designed and/or performed by Vinnie Bell. Also “September Morn”, by Neil Diamond, arranged and produced by Bob Gaudio.

    Comment by Ted Hammond — September 1, 2010 @ 11:26 am

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