Customer Reviews

25 Greatest Hits

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Again and again, British Invasion rock musicians and writers alike name Cliff Richard's "Move It" and Johnny Kidd's "Shakin' All Over" as the first two significant British rock and roll songs ever. Even Fred Heath's (professionally known as Johnny Kidd) first successful composition and his debut recording, "Please Don't Touch" (1959) contains enough progressive harmonic and arrangement touches that it sounds more like an anticipation of British Invasion rock than a stylistic contemporary of Billy Fury and Marty Wilde. The fact that Kidd's backing band, the Pirates, eventually became members of the Tornados ("Telstar") also makes this group, and this collection, an important part of the history of British rock music. OK, Kidd absolutely butchers "Your Cheatin' Heart" and "Yes Sir, That's My Baby" is clumsy as a rock number, but by and large this collection shows why Mr. Heath was one of the most crucial links between the Furys, Wildes, Steeles (and all of Larry Parnes' other teen idols) and mature British Invasion rock. Despite some clunkers, this is a collection that you must buy!

Wish I could give 4 and a half as I really didn't want to take a whole star off. This is a pretty good collection, but does make some omissions, hence less than 5 stars.

I would certainly give 5 stars for the best material here - the Pirates were one of the most underrated bands ever. They were ahead of their time - just listen to 'Shakin All Over', then marvel that it was released in 1960. They didn't ever get the success that they deserved, and in particular the early singles were unlike anything around at the time.

There are a few missing singles here, and some of the better b sides are missing too. In their place are some of the tracks that the band probably should never have recorded. For the most part this is a great collection. I only wish they would have included the 2 sides of the Pirates solo effort without Kidd, particularly 'My Babe'.

Probably the best collection on the market right now, so if you're a fan, get this one!

Johnny Kidd and the Pirates had a string of UK hits between 1959 and 1964. Shaking all over (a UK number one hit) and I'll never get over you (a top five hit) were their only major hits but they also made the charts with Please don't touch, You got what it takes (a cover of the Brook Benton and Dinah Washington classic), Restless, Linda Lu, Shot of rhythm and blues, Hungry for love and Always and ever. These hits make up the first nine tracks, so if you just want to play the hits, it's quite simple.

The remainder of the collection contains a selection of covers of American songs that are ideally suited to the group's style including Oh boy (Buddy Holly), Whole lotta woman (Marvin Rainwater), a rocking version of Your cheating heart (Hank Williams), I know (Barbara George) and many others.

In the early sixties, Johnny Kidd and the Pirates were among the best rock'n'roll groups that Britain had to offer - perhaps even the best of the lot. This collection of their best music is a fitting reminder of their brilliance.

Anyone who loves early British Rock/R&B will want to buy this wonderfull collection by Johnny Kidd and the Pirates. This is another example of a truly talanted artist that just never got the right attention. If you are a fan of early Beatles, Yardbirds etc. this is a must have.