The Very Best of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons: Live in Concert

Back in the early '60s (i.e., before the Beatles arrived), the Four Seasons were one of America's top vocal groups. And with good reason: under the guidance of producer-songwriter Bob Crewe and songwriter Bob Gaudio (also an original member of the group), the Four Seasons recorded a string of genuinely classic singles, including "Sherry," "Walk Like a Man," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Dawn," "Rag Doll," and several others. But that was then. This 1992 Atlantic City concert finds Frankie Valli as the only remaining original member (there are four other "Seasons" on hand, but they're essentially Valli's backup band). The early hits ("Sherry," "Walk Like a Man," "Big Girls Don't Cry") are mostly delivered in perfunctory, truncated versions near the end of the 22-song set, while the group's '70s comeback is also represented by "December 1963 (Oh, What a Night)" and "Who Loves You" (both good songs penned by Gaudio), and there's a nice a cappella interlude with "Remember Then" and "Blue Moon" (doo-wop numbers that were originated by the Earls and the Marcels, respectively). That leaves Valli's solo hits—like "My Eyes Adored You," “Grease," and "Can't Take My Eyes Off You"—schlocky stuff that was definitely popular but doesn't hold a candle to the original Four Seasons' output. All in all, this slick and mildly entertaining (if largely routine) performance is a strong optional purchase. Aud: P. (S. Graham)