AMG Review of Very Best of the Chipmunks

Lindsay Planer
All Music Guide

As the title suggests, this budget-priced collection contains ten highlights from the Ross Bagdasarian multi-media creation the Chipmunks. Part actor, part songwriter, and 100 percent ingenious, Bagdasarian created an empire around a trio of characters that he named after his concurrent bosses at the Liberty Records label: Al Bennett (Alvin), Si Waronker (Simon), and the staff recording engineer/producer Ted Keep (Theodore). After scoring a chart-topper with "Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)," Bagdasarian -- who provided all the voices -- began issuing thematic novelty LPs such as Around the World With the Chipmunks (1960) and the Chipmunks Sing the Beatles Hits (1964). In fact, the latter title was done with the full cooperation and blessing of the Fab Four, who were enthusiasts of the concept. These tracks were gleaned from the first seven non-seasonal long players issued between 1959 and 1965, with three of the selections coming from the hard-to-find Chipmunks Sing With Children (1965) album. Otherwise, the Top 40 hits "Ragtime Cowboy Joe," "Alvin's Harmonica," "Alvin's Orchestra," and "Witch Doctor" are included, as well as "She Loves You" from the aforementioned Chipmunks Sing the Beatles Hits (1964). With a number of compilations from these critters available, The Very Best of the Chipmunks is a good place to start, although collectors will probably want to locate Greatest Hits: Still Squeaky After All These Years (1999) and Greatest Hits (1992) for the one-off platters not contained on the other titles. Otherwise, this is a great compendium with a well-rounded track list at a reasonable price.