Customer Reviews

Ayla: The Best of Flash

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"Flash and the Pan" was a studio-project by songwriting team and producers Harry Vanda and George Young that helped by ( unexpected ? ) chart succes turned into a regular 5-piece band. With some line-up changes the band recorded 6 albums during 1978-92 - all with the duo Vanda and Young as songwriters and producers. The duo had also been key-members of 1960's band the Easybeats, who had a world-wide hit with the single "Friday on my Mind".

Though the chart-success of Flash and the Pan was relatively short-lived, most of their albums have been continually available and various compilation have also been released.

Maybe apart from the final ( so far ) album, all their original records feature consistent great catchy original songwriting, skilled musician-ship, clever production and a lot of charm and humour. So obviously if you're unfamiliar with the group any compilation will be attractive.

This most recent compilation I'd consider the most satisfying; not least because it features no less than 19 tracks.

The music is great, but maybe I was little disappointed that one of their finest songs, "Nights in France" still hasn't not been picked out for a compilation; in fact it seems that it's the same tracks that tend to be chosen; the hits are logical choices, but there are overlooked songs from their last 3 albums which would have made fine additions. Moreover the rare b-side "Your Love is Strange" still hasn't made to a CD release.

The liner-notes are relevant but sparse.

Still, conclusion: If you're unfamiliar with this group this CD is highly recommendable.

This is a great album featuring a best of format. Harry Vanda and George Young are of course extremely gifted musicians and this album typifies 80s style rock. The musicians history goes way back to the fabulous sixties and the Easy Beats. George Young is of course Angus and Malcolm's (of ACDC fame) older brother. Media man, Money Don't Lie, Down Amongst The Dead Men and the foot tapping Ayla are all great tracks which will keep any party going.

A technical definition of a flash IN the pan is when firing your flintlock - the trigger is pulled, the cock springs forward and the flint strikes a shower of sparks down the back of the frizzen, pushing that forwards to expose the priming powder in the pan - which ignites, but fails to set off the main charge. That's what happens when you don't keep your touch-hole clear & clean...
And all of the above has absolutely nothing to do with this excellent offering from Flash AND the Pan, with all their best hits including: "Down Among The Dead Men", "Hey, St. Peter", Atlantis Calling", Man In the Middle" and the list goes on... If you like Supertramp, or Mike & The Mechanics, or the Moody Blues, or Dire Straits or just about any rock/pop band of the 70's & 80's - this is for you.