AMG Review of Playlist: The Very Best of Lovin' Spoonful

Steve Leggett
All Music Guide

One of the most joyful bands of the mid- to late '60s, the Lovin' Spoonful, led by John Sebastian's songwriting and singing, had a string of good-time hits in the latter part of the decade, all of which are here, including the classics "Do You Believe in Magic," "Daydream," and the thundering "Summer in the City," as well as two-thirds of the infectious did/didn't series, "Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind," "Didn't Want to Have to Do It" (not included in this set) and "You Didn't Have to Be So Nice," all three of which have refreshingly simple melodies and approaches. There are several other Spoonful collections on the market, and most of them will have these same songs, so there's no particular reason to seek this one out over any of the others. The essential hits from this fun band are here, though.