Music And Records: Four Seasons
According to All Music Guide, this original version of Silence Is Golden from the 4 Seasons album Born To Wander was a hit, saying “these [pop-rock tunes] actually are the best songs on the record: the hit “Silence Is Golden,” for instance, and “No Surfin’ Today,” which owes more to the Beach Boys’ ballads than it does to the Weavers”.
But, according the place where the hits go to live (and die) — Billboard magazine — it wasn’t a hit until the Tremeloes did a better version in 1967. Either way, this is another little slice of pop rock cheesecake from those famous songwriting Bobs (Gaudio and Crewe) who made barrel loads with the Seasons and so many others.
This version, which is on the flip side of the Philips release of Rag Doll (PHW-32690) must be a reissue, since Rag Doll and Silence Is Golden appeared on different albums. Another curiosity: it’s credited to “the 4 Seasons featuring The “Sound” Of Frankie Valli,” likely because Valli was also pursuing a solo career at the time.
