BASIC ORIGINAL HITS : MEMORIES FROM THE SIXTIES

I listen to a vast varieties of music. Sometimes I buy a CD just for a song or two and sometimes I buy it just 'cos I need something from that singer or groups just to add to my collection. Not necessary that I like it to purchase it. The followings CDs from the Original Hits Series are a case in point.

ORIGINAL HITS : BILLY J. KRAMER & THE DAKOTAS : Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas made it strictly on the basic of The Beatles. Being on the same label as The Beatles and sharing the same manager does have its advantages. Their first three releases were all Lennon / McCartney compositions and were all big hits. Around the same time, The Datokas also scored with an instrumental hit 'The Cruel Sea '.on their own.  Surprisingly I found this CD quite enjoyable with their version of 'Trains & Boats & Planes' and a rock 'n' roll version of 'Beautiful Dreamer'. Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas enjoyed relatively brief international fame probably because there were no hit songwriters in the band. DOP : 21th July 1996.

ORIGINAL HITS : THE SWINGING BLUE JEANS : The Swinging Blue Jeans' main claim to fame was 'The Hippy Hippy Shake' and admittedly also the first time I've heard of them. This song was a cover version of a 1959 American song recorded by a rather obscure teenage vocalist.  Recording mostly rock 'n' roll hits of the day like 'Shakin' All Over', 'Lawdy Miss Clawdy', 'Tutti Frutti' and 'Shake, Rattle & Roll', they were probably a better live act than a recording acts. Terry Sylvester joined them later in the group. Terry Sylvester of course went onto replace Graham Nash of The Hollies and played on many of their smash hits. DOP : 15th September 1997.

ORIGINAL HITS : THE ANIMALS : The Animals were one of those groups who recorded a smash hit and then have everything else they did overlooked because of that one song. Remember The Cascades..? The song in question 'The House Of The Rising Sun' was a more than four minutes opus with its maniacal extended organ solo courtesy of Alan Price. The public lapped it all up and it went No.1 on both side of the Atlantic for three weeks. 'Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood' was another hit for them which was later remade by Santa Estamerada in the 70's. But the question is does anybody remember anything else The Animals did other than 'The House Of The Rising Sun' ? I rest my case. DOP : 13th October 1997.

ORIGINAL HITS : TOMMY JAMES & THE SHONDELLS : Between 1966 and 1969, Tommy James & The Shondells released 17 consecutive US hit singles but when he found it too exhausting to continue, he decided to retire at the tender age of 22. 'Hanky Panky' was the first song that got me interested. The next one that hit me was 'Mony Mony' which was remade by Billy Idol. I was not familiar with 'I Think We're Alone Now' and became aware of it purely from the new version by Tiffany. Likewise with 'Crimson & Clover'. With its unforgettable and hypnotic vocal and guitar line, it topped the US Chart  in 1968 and was their biggest hit. I can't believe I've missed this the first time around. I heard the song through the 1982 version by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts. Seems everybody is remaking Tommy James & The Shondells'. DOP : 17th August 1997.