5 comments about The Very Best of the Easybeats.

1. The lead singer, Steve Wright, deserved international stardom as he was a charismatic, energetic performer who also wrote some of the best pop music of the sixties (Check out his performances on You Tube). All talented musicians, this group is barely known in the USA but deserved to be famous. Excellent.



2. I've been putting together a playlist on my MP3 player of my favorite songs of all time. "Friday On My Mind" had to be among them! These guys were unique in a time when every new band wanted to be The Beatles. They were technically excellent musicians with a great sound! This is a great collection - most of which I'd never heard before. Whether you're into nostalgia or discovering them for the first time, I recommend this to anyone who loves the sound of the '60s!



3. I've always dug The Easybeats, they're one of my favorite bands. This is one of my fravorite CDs, I play it constantly. It has a good mix of stereo album cuts, mono single versions, and an Australian EP cut. The CD cover, and booklet, has some very cool pictures of the group. It doesn't matter if you're home or in your car, when you put this CD on you'll find yourself turning this up, tapping your foot, and singing along to every song. I know, because I do everytime!



4. THE Aussie answer to the beatles , could rant and rave for line after line , but i won't because best way to find out is buy it NOW!!!!



5. What an amazing band. Brother to the AC/DC guys, early straightforward rock that makes you shake it. St. Louis is the jam of life. Rock is what they do, and they do it well. It will make you do the rocking things and rock hard. I am seriously flabbergasted that I am the only person to review this jam. It's a piece of freaking art.

2 comments about Kinda Kinks.

1. 'Kinda Kinks', released in March 1965 is often unfairly slagged for its rushed production and supposed mediocre songwriting. I feel this is unfair, though some of the songs are definitely far below the quality of subsequent Kinks releases. This is where the REAL Ray Davies emerged as an introspective writer. While the debut was a typical British debut with many R&B covers, the second is dominated by originals. As with the first, a major hit single, "Tired of Waiting for You", appeared on the record just as "You Really Got Me" was on the debut. This was rare for British only releases which did not often feature singles. Other standouts include the "Tired" b-side, "Come On Now", another showcase for Dave's wild guitar and vocal style. My favorites are ths quieter tunes such as "Don't Ever Change", probably my fav early album track, "Nothin' in This World" (featured in the film 'Rushmore') and "So Long". Probably the most famous album track on 'Kinda' would be "Something Better Beginning", another great ballad in the tradition of "Stop Your Sobbin'". Lowlights would include a pitiful cover of "Dancing in the Streets", obviously the band was desperate to fill record space, and such subpar tunes as "You Shouldn't Sad" and "Wonder Where My Baby Is Tonight". The Castle release includes some of the Kinks greatest singles and their 2nd ep of original album material and for this reason alone does THIS 'Kinda Kinks' get 5 stars as opposed to maybe 3 for the original album. "Set Me Free", "I Need You", "See My Friends", "Who'll Be the Next in Line", "Such a Shame" and "A Well Respected Man" among others display the pop brilliance of Davies and the Kinks circa mid to late 1965. As album artists however the best was yet to come!



2. Though critics often slag the Kinks second album as generic British Invasion, it's the album's look at Ray Davies emergence (rather than arrival) as a songwriter within the confines of the invasion that's so compelling. Musically the Kinks hadn't progressed from the minimalist rock 'n' roll of their 1964 debut, but with ten of the original UK album's dozen tracks penned by Davies, the band was beginning to develop their own unique voice.
   
   The hit single, "Tired of Waiting for You," and its powerhouse flip, "Come on Now" show both sides of Davies' genius. The first is a forlorn plea that points to the personal songs that would become Davies' forte, while the latter is a rave-up with a wicked guitar riff that surely set London dance floors ablaze. Davies' pen sticks to spurned and cheating lovers for the foot-stomping "Look For Me Baby" the confessional "Nothin' in the World Can Stop Me Worryin' 'Bout that Girl," and the bluesy "Wonder Where My Baby is Tonight." His nostalgic and sentimental streaks reveal themselves in the folky "So Long," and he lightens up for the Brill Building styled "Don't Ever Change," the Merseybeat "You Shouldn't Be Sad," and the hesitant, melancholy "Something Better Beginning."
   
   Sanctuary's 23-track reissue adds a full eleven bonus tracks, gathered primarily from UK singles and EPs. "Who'll Be the Next in Line" is as scathing as any kiss-off of the British Invasion, "Set Me Free" is a superb mid-tempo example of the Kinks' beat-era playing and Davies' heartbroken anger, "I Need You" is a grade-A garage-rocker with a classic Dave Davies guitar solo, the droning "See My Friends" adds early Eastern influences, the country-tinged "Wait Till the Summer Comes Along" suggests the band's future Muswell Hillbillies phase, and "A Well Respected Man" is one of the jewels of Davies' songwriting catalog. A previously unreleased demo of "I Go to Sleep" (a song better known in its cover by The Pretenders) closes the CD with Davies accompanied only by piano.
   
   The delicacy and depth that Davies would develop as a songwriter is only beginning to emerge here, but even among the seemingly by-the-numbers lost-love lyrics, his uniquely introspective and nostalgic voice is loud and clear. The production is still quite rudimentary and the arrangements simple (amplified, no doubt, by the speed with which they had to record a second album), but the variety of styles with which the band dabbles suggests the depth of their future efforts. This is a superb introduction to the Kinks early work, and will be an eye-opener for those weaned on their subsequent resurgences as rock opera and arena rock stars. This crisply remastered 23-track mono reissue on Sanctuary (not Rhino as Amazon mistakenly lists it) is the version to get. [©2006 redtunictroll at hotmail dot com]

5 comments about Marianne Faithfull's Greatest Hits.

1. Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1HPQEUJIH8N48 My name is Jeremy Gloff. I am a musician (check me out on Amazon!) and retro music enthusiast. If you enjoyed this review make sure to check out my Amazon user profile to check out my other reviews. I am always up for making new friends and discussing the music I love!!!



2. Some of the originality of several of these songs on this cd have been lost with the remastering, but all in all, this is still a pretty good cd.I normally don't buy remastered songs for the reason that they tend to lose their originality but after listening to cuts on these songs on the players offered they sounded quite good, there are better remasters out there though.



3. If you had the vinyl album, you will remember that the Greatest Hits record had all of her radio hits. This is really the only collection to have since she didn't have a very long career. The CD has some added "cuts" to fill out the play time for CD format. Frankly, the added cuts aren't very good. Check out your old vinyl jacket cover for the origianl songs and stop the CD when you get to the last original song. Otherwise, this was a nice trip down memory lane.



4. What can I say about Faithful's voice post 60s? She essentially went from one breed of singer (like a Nico, Vasthi, Ross Hannaman or other tonal folksy female singers) to another entirely just by "trashing" her voice smoking so much! Not even like Marlene Dietrich or Julie London who started out "youngish-sounding" and then the vocal damage added a bit of mystery to their later recordings; Faithful just (to me) sounds horrid trying to re-record anything she did from this era now! I agree that "Sister Morphine" would have been better replaced by her version of "I'm a Loser" which was still at her peak of youthful vocal quality. Also that this would be better titled as "Greatest from the 60's" or "Early Years", but one camp likes her later works, etc.. I'm just glad both levels were recorded in her singing career span and those that like each of her efforts can have that available.



5. Fans of Faithfull's post-1980 work may not appreciate this breezy pop music, but if you love the kind of 60s/70s pop of artists like Petula Clark, Mary Hopkin and even Francoise Hardy, these tracks will totally enchant you. The music has the same dreamy quality as that of the aforementioned singers, and the choice of material is excellent - most of these songs have beautiful melodies and strong hooks, while the lyrics are often poetic too. It includes the Stones' As Tears Go By and the one that she co-wrote with Jagger/Richards, Sister Morphine, the only song that feels a bit out of place here in its dark subject matter, although her delivery is stunning. Quite appropriately, it rounds off this collection. Her version was released as a single some months before the Stones' version appeared on their Sticky Fingers album. Other famous compositions include The Beatles' Yesterday and the Mamas & Papas' Monday Monday, both very well rendered by Marianne. Other tuneful numbers include This Little Bird, Summer Nights and Come and Stay With Me, but my top favorites here are the three sad songs Go Away From My World, In My Time of Sorrow and the powerful Is This What I Get For Loving You? The production and arrangements perfectly complement her voice, to provide a wonderful listening experience. This is truly the crème de la crème of sixties pop and goes to show that pop music can be timeless too.

5 comments about Well Respected Kinks.

1. This 2001 release by Sanctuary/BMG is a good review of early Kinks. From the opening lyrics of the classic "A Well Respected Man" it's obvious how The Kinks were one of the great bands of the 60s, "Cause he gets up in the morning, and he goes to work at 9, and he comes back home at 5:30, gets the same train every time." "Till the End of the Day" is another delightful rocker that shares a few similar chords as the classic "All Day & All of the Night." "Set Me Free" is a beautiful song from the era, "You can do it if you try, all you gotta do is set me free." "Tired of Waiting for You" is another classic Kinks track with a distinctive melody, "I was a lonely soul, I had nobody till I met you; but you keep me waiting all of the time, what can I do? It's your life & you can do what you want. Do what you like, but please don't keep me waiting!" What a gem! While not as strongly remembered as their more classic hits, the excellent "I Gotta Move" shuffles with a delightful beat and a strong bass line. "Don't You Fret" has Ray Davies on lead vocals, "I could wait until the day I come home to you again for my love won't ever fade; I will always feel the same." "Wait Till the Summer Comes Along" sounds like an off-kilter country song played with a smirk. "You Really Got Me" is one of their biggest hits that concludes this set. "Well Respected Kinks" is a re-release of a compilation that was on vinyl in the 60s. It sounds great on this CD! Enjoy!



2. Its not all the songs you know. Its not nearly the best of the Kinks songs because its just a few songs compared to all the amazing stuff we're all so hooked on. But its a really nice way to start a Kinks collection or just a nice basic set of songs for a really good price. Its well worth the few bucks you may pay for it. Its certainly NOT a cheap, bad-sounding compilation. Ive had this one for years and Ive gotten a lot of fun out of it. Most people want ALL the well known Kinks songs but if you or someone you know is just starting to get into the Kinks- or- if you just want to have a real little piece of Kinks history-- this is a great CD to have. I was surprised. So dont judge this one by the low price or the short song list. The Kinks did so many awesome songs I dont know if its possible to put 'em all on one CD.



3. If you're into the 60's British Invasion, The Kinks are your cup of tea. This CD has all their early hits, a good starting point of the basics. Recommended. EH



4. This was my first Kinks album, which I bought on vinyl in the early Eighties. But it had "Lola" on it in place of "Don't You Fret". It was great, for an LP. Slightly less great for a CD. Ten songs is far too few.
   
   I'd recommend it for nostalgia value only. If you want a great compilation for only about $12, get the Ultimate Collection. 2 CDs and lots more songs.



5. love this album here. it hits you in the head in a unique way. now i dig the kinks 70s material, but it is their 60s stuff that really gets me, pardon the pun now!!!! everything on here is essential!!!! i have TILL THE END OF THE DAY on my mind now. it will stay in my head for a while.

5 comments about Tomorrow.

1. As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" and a former radio disc-jockey, I am often asked to write and or discuss various recordings from the 60's and 70's.
   
   It is almost 40 years ago (1968) when "Tomorrow" recorded a terrific psychedelic album. A track from it "My White Bicycle" has become a solid representation of the band and can often be heard on 60's rock programs even today. This band was not a one trick pony.
   
   Guitarist Steve Howe would go on to brilliant things with the progressive rock band "Yes" but in another time and a different universe Howe would offer us a great bit of six string psychedelia. If you listen intently to his playing you'll find him perfect in this role. The sound of the guitar, the effects, and the notes he would choose help solidify the tracks they would turn into vinyl.
   
   Along with Mr. Howe the band had a strong singer in Keith West (Not to be confused with the American Keith West that performed in the 1970's with the New York bands "The Brats" and "The Secrets"). West sings the lyrics with conviction and the guitar and vocal interplay is totally together.
   
   "Real Life Permanent Dream" and "Now Your Time Has Come" are two additional tracks that your ears will enjoy the first time you give the CD a spin. The cover of the Beatles "Strawberry Fields Forever" is one of the finest Fab Four remakes. "Revolution" a tune that fans of the band often talk about is not the Beatles track but a fine composition of its own.
   
   What has to solidify this as a must own are the bonus tracks. More delectable sixties sounds from drummer Twink (Played with the Pretty Things) and the bass-player Junior when they were the "Aquarian Age" and vocalist Keith West on his own.
   
   While we always hear about 1967 being the rock and roll year, 1968 was awfully special too!
   
   
   Enjoy the music and be well,
   Craig Fenton
   Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"



2. The packaging is rather dull compared to the Zombies re-issues as far as information and pictures are concerned but the recordings have been digitally remastered and they sound awesome. The only complaint that I have is the fact that the original Single Mono Mix of "My White Bicycle" was not included!!! I don't understand how the record company could have ommitted this version of the song. The "fake" stereo version that is used on this cd release is the same one used on the original release but it's pretty bad and difficult to listen to with headphones. It sounds like you've stuffed your left ear with a cotton ball, it really does! Stand out tracks for me personally are: "My White Bicycle", "Colonel Brown", "Real Life Permanent Dream" awesome song!, and the cover of "Strawberry Fields" is actually quite good! The bonus tracks are also pretty good, but no biggie. My actual rating would be a 3.5. There are at least 4 good tracks and that's a lot by today's standards!!!



3. Tomorrow released only one self titled album in 1968. Hilight's of album are "My White Bicycle" with backwards tapes and good guitar. Revolution and Real Life Permanent Dream are good psychedelia with some trippy lyrics. Tomorrow never overcame to excess in their songs. Songs were tightly crafted psych pop.



4. I got this for my birthday a few weeks ago, and wow, what a great record! It's always cool to find something this good that you haven't heard before. Not just "My White Bicycle" which is still one of the classic psych pop tunes of all time, but the whole record. And I was amazed that anyone could do such a fantastic and more than credible version of Strawberry Fields Forever.



5. This album is very well done and worth owning for any fans of 60's Psych out there. The instrumentation is often very psych tinged, and the singer does a great job throughout the record. It's definetly in the vein of the Blossom Toes or early/mid Pink Floyd stuff.
   
   The "singles" on the record, (especially My White Bicycle and the stuff by the Aquarian Age), are very memorable and make this record worth purchasing alone.

5 comments about From Crayons to Perfume: The Best of Lulu.

1. Lulu was a 1960's English girl singer, but not like the softly sung Celia Black or the whispered Sandy Shaw, who had pleasant important hits on American Top 40 radio. She was harder edged than Dusty Springfield, who had a folk background. LuLu had a deeper range that edged close to a grrrrrrrrrr as opposed to Dusty's come hither hmmmmmmmmmmm.
   
   Example: Lulu's biggest hit: "To Sir With Love" (1967) from the movie of the same name. Lulu was an actress in the movie, looking perfectly as girls did then.
   Dusty's big hit, "The Look of Love" was in the movie "Casino Royale".(1967) Many will argue over the passion over these vocals.
   
   Lulu wore fishnet stockings in "To Sir With Love"
   Dusty just sang..
   
   Enuf said!
   
   After a few attempts at Mickie Most produced record hits, including Top 40 hits like Neil Diamond's "Boat That I Row" and " Without Him" by Harry Nilsson and 45's produced by Led Zepp's John Paul Jones, Lulu had a long lasting '70's hit, ""Oh Me Oh My I'm a Fool For You Baby".
   
   Lulu can be seen on PBS during Pledge Weeks. She looks terrific and sings like she always will be adoring fans. AS we will her...



2. From Crayons to Perfume: The Best of Lulu is an excellent single CD retrospective that truly does give her best! Lulu sang as clear as a bell; and her voice was quite charming. I also like the CD artwork.
   
   "Shout" features Lulu with The Luvvers before she went solo; her voice does indeed shrill as other reviewers noted! "Leave A Little Love" has Lulu sounding much better; her excellent diction bolsters her performance and the melody is quite good. The backup vocalists help the number along, too. Listen also for her huge hit entitled "To Sir With Love" from the movie of the same name. "To Sir With Love" is probably the biggest hit she ever had in retrospect; and Lulu sounds wonderful when she sings this awesome ballad.
   
   "The Boat The I Row" has that `60s rockin' beat that still stays light enough to fit somewhat into the pop category at least most of the way; and I really like "The Boat That I Row." "Me, The Peaceful Heart" has Lulu again singing at her best; the percussion and drums carry the bulk of the melody but Lulu still holds her own very well. "Sad Memories" also has that `60s rockin' beat that could also fit into pop; and Lulu never sounded better!
   
   "Without Him" places Lulu right in the spotlight and the musical arrangement has excellent features courtesy of the strings and percussion. Lulu sings "Without Him" with all her heart and soul; you can tell when you listen to this number.
   
   "Oh Me Oh My (I'm A Fool For You Baby)" sure does get the royal treatment from Lulu who sings this so sweetly you won't forget this anytime soon! Great strings on "Oh Me Oh My (I'm A Fool For You Baby)," too. "After The Feeling Is Gone" is a torchy love ballad that shines when Lulu sings it; I predict that you will like "After The Feeling Is Gone" very much.
   
   "The Man Who Sold The World" really rocks nicely with a `60s beat that impresses me; the musical arrangement stuns me with its creativity. Listen also for "I Could Never Miss You (More Than I Do);" this song ends the album with Lulu still at her best. Lulu never misses a beat--and the backup vocalists harmonize so well, too.
   
   Overall, this is one CD Lulu's fans can't afford to miss. I highly recommend this CD for people who like oldies but goodies--as well as great music from the years of "The British Invasion."



3. Wikipedia claims John Bonham of Led Zeppelin plays on Lulu's "Everybody's Got To Clap". Anyone have any verification?



4. There is not a CD of Lulu's that is more career encompassing than this CD. It features ALL of her biggest & best hits in the US, including many only found on this CD. I love it for the songs that she did for ATCO, which include the phenomenal OH ME OH MY [ I'M A FOOL FOR YOU BABY ] - blue eyed soul at it's best. AFTER THE FEELING IS GONE is another great song too! Of course, it has every US hit from all the labels she recorded for on this from SHOUT through TO SIR WITH LOVE to I COULD NEVER MISS YOU [ MORE THAN I DO ].
   
   Next, we need the original ATCO albums released on CD - NEW ROUTES and MELODY FAIR. It is inexplicable how these classic albums from 1969 & 1970 are not on CD yet anywhere in the world! Lulu continues recording and touring , and is certainly visible & viable in the world today. Look at her appearance on AMERICAN IDOL. Let's hope some label issues her ATCO recordings in full soon. Long overdue Lulu.
   
   This CD is a must!



5. "To Sir With Love" is so clean, it's sounds as if you're in the studio. Comes as no surprise to this reviewer, always having good luck with Rhino releases. Collectors will also like the fact this CD includes Lulu's last hit from the early 80's: "I Could Never Miss You", a hard to find single until Rhino included it in the compliation.

5 comments about Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire).

1. The Kinks are known as the best least known pop band for a reason- they are talented, consistent with their excellent material, and capable of writing one memorable song after another. This band really sounds like they were born to write wonderful catchy pop songs, and they succeed quite well. Since the reputation of the Kinks has gone up in recent years as one of the finest pop bands of the 60's, so has the popularity of their albums. Back in the 60's, people didn't listen to these albums as much as people do today, such as this one, Arthur (or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire).



2. Called an opera, a concept album, a TV score, the reality is that 'Arthur' is a daringly ambitious album that proved that the Ray Davies and his band were able to remain at the level of the three previous masterpieces starting with 1966's 'Face to Face'. Even more focused on "concept" than the 'Village Green Preservation Society' album, they pull it off by producing a tremendous range of material, from guitar-based riff rock like "Brainwashed" unheard on their previous several records to elaborate sonic suites on "Australia" and the unforgettable "Shangri-la". Indeed, though more of Dave's stinging lead guitar is evident throughout than on the trinity of previous songwriting epics, there are many songs that show effective use of horn arrangements, chorales, and strong production. The songs are uniformly catchy and the subject matter of past British Empire glory, World War II, and middle class concerns are brought home with some of the Kinks' all-time classics, including "Victoria", "Shangri-La" and lesser known but excellent songs, "Drivin", "Nothing to Say", and two beautiful ballads, "Young and Innocent Days" and "Some Mother's Son". The former sounds like a song from an LP 15 years later than this one; the latter, about a battlefield loss, is a great example of Ray's ability to paint a picture with lyrics. This LP was a critical success, and has stood the test of time as a musical work. It is an uncompromising triumph of British rock music from 1969 that has been and will remain among the best of the Kinks' albums and vibrant for decades to come.



3. It was finding Face To Face in the bargain rack at Woolworth's in 1969 that started it for me. Sure, I'd heard and loved the early singles...even had a few of them. But what to make of this LP? I never expected to find it, and I certainly didn't know anything about it. Lola was still to come, and the Kinks hadn't had a hit stateside in over 3 years. But, hey, at $1.99, I really didn't have much to lose. My instincts told me that I'd made quite a find, but the proof was when I took it home and put it on my new Coronado stereo (ceramic cartridge and all, remember those?). I knew from the first ("Hello...who is that speaking please?") notes of Party Line that I'd indeed found the bargain of my (then) short life. It never let up; one jem after another. I particularly loved Rainy Day In June and Holiday In Waikiki. I was an instant convert. So began the hunt for "the rest of the story", but it wasn't easy. Even a trip to Kansas City didn't uncover new Kinks LPs. But over a year later, lo and behold, digging through an 8-track bargain bin, I hit the jackpot. There were both Arthur and Lola vs. Powerman and the Apes, and again that price of $1.99. I remember turning all my friends on to the Kinks.
   
   I liked Arthur and Lola vs.... even better than Face To Face, largely because they sounded so much better (don't forget that ceramic cartridge), and they rocked a lot harder. 1966 was feeling pretty quaint in 1971. I thought, in terms of "high concept", that Arthur made Tommy look pathetic. Ray's observations were so poignant, and the songs hung together so well. I thought then and still think today that it was a work of genius. Ray was a bit of a cynical curmudgeon when he was the tender age of 25, and I liked it.
   
   However you choose to enjoy this album, it works. It is a literary marvel, but it also rocks and has great melodies and band arrangements. John Dalton and John Gosling really added a lot.
   
   A definite dessert island disc for me.



4. I know this isn't a spaghetti western but this Sanctuary version of "Arthur" is definitely worth more than the readily available Reprise version that's been around for years.
   
   Having owned both copies I can tell you first hand that this version has a much clearer and richer sound. Not only is the mix louder but the bass is deeper and above all it doesn't sound muddy like the older reprise version. On top of all that, you get great bonus tracks like "Plastic Man" , "King Kong", two great songs that were meant to be on a Dave Davies solo album (This Man He Weeps Tonight, Mindless Child Of Motherhood) and some mono mixes of some album cuts.
   
   OK, enough of the technical stuff, this album alone is a classic but then you get some great bonus tracks as well. This in my opinion is the Kinks best album, don't get me wrong I also love Village Green Preservation Society but this album has more kick to it. It features all members on top of their game. Ray is at his absolute best with his writing and voice, "Shangri La" is an under appreciated gem of his. Dave gets to kick his guitar on to high gear and his song "Brainwashed" is one of many highlights on this album. Mick Avory displays great drumming all throughout but for me his highlight has to be on "She's Bought A Hat Like Princess Marina" and John Dalton makes his full time debut on the bass playing a melodic bass line that McCartney would love on "Victoria".
   
   
   As you've probably read before this album had the bad fortune of being compared to Tommy at the time of it's release but what people didn't know was that this album was recorded before Tommy.
   
   I could go on and on about this album but I'd only be stopping you from getting it sooner.



5. 'Arthur' was part of a failed attempted at producing a television program with a rock soundtrack, the failure being that there was no show when all was said and done. Ray Davies most definitley held up his end and produced yet another stellar introspective work to follow up on his 'Village Green' project of the previous year. 'Arthur' had much more commercial success than the previous record, despite the fact that the plug was pulled on the show. I see 'Arthur' as the antithesis of 'Village Green' where it bemoans the decline of life in Britain where as the latter celebrated it. 'Arthur' contains some of the best Kinks songs of the era including leadoff thumper "Victoria", the title track, and the immortal "Shangri-la". "Mr. Churchill Says", "Yes Sir, No Sir" , and "Some Mother's Son" ridicule the futility of war and Britain's particpation in WW's I and II. "Australia" revisits the feel of exile and symbolizes the saga of Davies' sister Rosie and her emmigration to that far off land, which is also one of the few real psychedlic songs the Kinks ever did (the ending is anyway). "Princess Marina" and "Nothing to Say" are very humerous and highlight the struggles of working class Britons, much like "Shangri-la". A once great nation was falling back into recession and with any society, not everyone flourished during the "good times". Arthur and his family seem to represent that type of family and that is what Ray Davies always did best in his songscapes. 'Arthur' shouldn't be compared to 'Tommy', the other rock opera of 1969, because it is based in reality and history which I guess was too much for some people to deal with.

No comments about ASK-1544 Karaoke: The Beatles, Vol. 1.

5 comments about Absolutely the Best.

1. The Zombies collection ABSOLUTELY THE BEST features sixteen songs that show the Zombies to be on par with the Beatles, Kinks, and Rolling Stones as the most important British Invasion band ever. Although their name would indicate them to be a rough-and-tumble bunch of guys, in reality, they were actually well-mannered grammar-school honor students from St. Albans who avoided boisterous behavior and concentrated on their studies. As a result, they ended up writing pop songs that were more complex than anything else that was out at the time; even "She's Not There", their highest-charting single, was a precursor to jazz-rock fusion, progressive rock, and even disco. That the band had little chart success or recognition from reviewers is a sad reflection on the public, not the band. The songs here all resonate with an inventiveness that is timeless. This CD is a must-own for anyone interested in well-crafted pop.



2. If you want to go back in time when life was simplier with the memories that this band provides through their music then buy this CD. It's got all the hits by the Zombies and I listen to it frequently for entertainment and nostalgia. The songs never get old. Sometimes I wish I could turn back the clock when there was no Rap or Hip Hop. This CD helps.



3. As reported by others about 1/3 of the album is songs I remember and enjoy .



4. LOVE IT! GREAT VOCALS AND JUST PERFECT. I LISTEN TO IT ALL THE TIME.IT'S LIKE BEING BACK IN TIME WHEN ALL OF THE SONGS WERE RELEASED.



5. The Zombies are definitly one of my favorite bands. These songs were back made back in the 1960's and they were VERY ahead of their time. The melodies are so intricate and touching. They are one of the greatest bands in history, but sadly never got the rewards for it. Their 1968 album Oddesey and Oracle is in the Rolling Stone top 100 albums listing. This music is timeless. Its a relief to hear this real music compared to the complete garbage being pumped out by the money- obsessed music industry of today. If you dont like this music you apparently have no taste.

3 comments about Great Records Of The Decade: 70's Hits, Vol. 2.

1. Great Records Of The Decade: 70's Hits, Vol. 2 is a budget priced CD that gives you about the right amount of music for the price that you pay. The quality of the sound is great and the diversity of artists ensures that we get a good sampling of some of the best hits from the `70s.
   
   "Hooked On A Feeling" by Blue Swede starts the CD so well; the chanting at the beginning of the number signals that a strong ballad is beginning and Blue Swede sings and plays this tune with all their might. I'm very impressed with "Hooked On A Feeling."
   Andy Kim's "Rock Me Gently" may seem a little lighter coming right after Blue Swede; but in fact "Rock Me Gently" is a solid `70s tune that just can't be beat--and the harmonizing is really awesome!
   
   Moreover, listen for "Boogie Fever;" this peppy number will make you want to jump up and dance almost wherever you hear it! "Boogie Fever" is an excellent number that mixes rock with just the right amount of disco to produce a solid hit. "Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again" by The Fortunes is a great example of a softer rock tune from the `70s; and the key changes are rather moving; "Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again" pulls you in with an arrangement that stuns me with its beauty. This ballad also brings back fond memories for me of listening to the radio while on the school bus going to and from school. (Our school bus actually did have a radio that the bus driver could control.)
   
   "Mr. Bojangles" by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band sounds as good as it ever did; and The Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose weigh in with a terrific "Treat Her Like A Lady;" this ballad rocks but the chorus has just a touch of a gospel flavor to it; and it all works very well. The album ends with Ike and Tina Turner performing "Proud Mary;" and "Proud Mary" is one of those numbers that I could never forget.
   
   Overall, I highly recommend this CD for fans of `70s music. Casual fans or newcomers just getting familiar with that amazing `70s rock sound will do well to choose this album.
   
   Rock on, everyone!



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