Articles - Record Connection - Phone: (717) 733-1641 recordconnection@earthlink.net


< < < BACK				NEXT > > >

The Sound Of Freakbeat:


Various Artists Freakbeat Freakout (Sequel NEMCD 952) A great compilation, with a number of acts beloved by the cognoscenti, including former Searcher Tony Jackson, the Sorrows, and Jimmy Powell. With 28 tracks, it's great value, and a very fair introduction to the genre. ..skuzzy, jet-powered, and more fun than a bag of ferrets. Various Artists English Freakbeat, Vol. 1 (Bomp AIPCD1039) Plenty of Primitives tracks, and also lots by acts most have rarely heard of, let alone heard. It makes an excellent companion to the other compilation - between them they spread the net very wide indeed. The Troggs The Best of the Troggs Fontana/Chronicles 522841 All the big hits, which, to be fair, is probably all you really need. At just 12 tracks it's on the short side, but why overdo a good thing? Much of the material will be very familiar, but hearing it all together, you begin to appreciate that they had some magic indeed. Them The Story of Them featuring Van Morrison (Deram 844833) Virtually every track the Belfast band ever recorded with Morrison, and every one a wild, raunchy winner. How can you resist the inspirational original of "Gloria," "Here Comes The Night," and "Mystic Eyes"? In many ways the quintessential British garage rock album. Creation The Best of Creation (Repertoire 4736) It's a toss-up between this and Our Music is Red with Purple Flashes. Both are very fair compilations, covering the best work of the Creation - who, on top form could be very good indeed. A smattering of oddities and rarities on both, and you can hear how advanced Eddie Phillips really was as a guitarist. The Move Omnibus: The 60s Singles As and Bs (Edsel 616) Now sadly out of print, but the Move were at their best as a singles band. Roy Wood churned out some of the most adventurous, crunchy pop of the '60s. All the tracks here are pre-Jeff Lynne, marking as quintessential Move. Even if they were a bit late for freakbeat proper, the spirit was still within them. The Yardbirds Yardbirds (AKA Roger the Engineer) (Japanese Victor 62293) Close to a perfect disc for anyone delighted by freakbeat. "Over Under Sideways Down," "The Nazz Are Blue," and "Hot House Of Omarerashid" are just some of the joys here. About the only letdown is "Jeff's Boogie," which should be a showcase for Beck's guitar, but falls flat. This reissue appends the wonderful "Happening Ten Years Time Ago" and "Psycho Daisies," making it a must have. David Bowie Pin Ups (Virgin 21903) Bowie was one of rock's biggest stars when he decided to dive back into the '60s for an album of covers. In retrospect, it was Ziggy does freakbeat (and you could make a case that Bowie's very first singles as David Jones were freakbeat), but at the time there seemed to be no uniting thread. Excellent taste in material. For once, go for the short version - the two additional tracks on the expanded Ryko release simply don't fit. © Copyright 2004 GOLDMINE Magazine
< < < BACK				NEXT > > >