A sometimes obscure journey back
This is an enjoyable, eclectic trip down the road to yesteryear, but I can't really call this "mainstream." It's a soundtrack to an imaginary movie that nobody has ever made. The variety of styles take you to different places, depending on how long you've been around, but you don't have to be a certain age to appreciate this material. It really gripes me when some kid doesn't realize that Paul McCartney and George Harrison were in the same band, if they have even heard of them at all. They say things like, "...well, that's before my time..." BULL! Buddy Holly and Chuck Berry were before "my time," and I like them just fine. None of this material is new, and despite the digital age, it sounds old. But not in the bad sense. I am of the age where I remember these selections first-hand, and felt threatened when they phased out vinyl records (weren't 8-tracks a trip?); If nothing else, the tactile experience of opening the record you just bought, usually for about $5.00 ($7.00 if it were a double record), seeing a lyric sheet, sometimes a poster, promotional materials, and elaborate artwork are a thing of the past, unless you pay beaucoups bucks for a huge box-set; it's now more common than it was a few years ago, but it's just not the same.
For the most part, these selections are just what the title says it is; "One Hit Wonders." For the most part, they have all done other material, but these are what you will most likely hear on the radio (some stations specialize in "Oldies") from these people.
For the most part, they are basic feel-good songs ("Come On To My Boat," "Reach Out Of The Darkness," etc), and some silly "fluff;" it's hard to believe "Dominique" was an actual "hit." You have the obligatory novelty record, Bobby Pickett's "Monster Mash," still a staple on oldies stations, especially around Halloween, and the bizarre (but really cool) "Jungle Fever," some mellow crooning material, and a few heavy-hitters to boot. "Reflections Of My Life" is still an extremely emotional, introspective song, even this many years later...and then you have Coven's "One Tin Soldier," the reason I bought this disc. There is a better version out there somewhere, on some 70's compilation record, I will find it some day, but the one here suffices just fine; I LOVE this song. It's one of those selections that is usually accompanied with people screaming "...Turn It DOWN!..." I know, I have never grown up.
The generic packaging, and limited (not really LIMITED, I guess) format sort of knocked a star off for me, but I am not complaining. I am glad I bought this disc, and will probably get several more in this, and similar series.
"...one tin soldier rides away..."
|