3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Both Sides of the Pond, September 27, 2007
This review is from: British Invasion Box (Audio CD)
The British Invasion Box is actually two out-of-print (at least currently) compilations which were once available separately from the Varese Sarabande label. Now they're just housed together in a tidy little cardboard slipcase. The set contains 25 HITS FROM THE BRITISH INVASION and THE AMERICAN ROOTS OF THE BRITISH INVASION. I bought it for the latter but was pleased to find that the first disc contains many songs from the era that I didn't already have on other similar compilations (such as Sanctuary's THE BRITISH ARE COMING and Universals' BRITISH INVASION GOLD). It sports nicely mastered versions of "Itchycoo Park," "Friday on my Mind," "Out of Time," none which are very easy to find elsewhere.
But the real draw is the second disc, a whole CD filled with the original American versions of songs that were later covered by British Invasion artists. I just wanted Bessie Banks' version of "Go Now," but I ended up with a lot more. Several tracks "became" Beatles' songs, and one become the Hollies' definitive power pop statement: "I Can't Let Go," sung here by Evie Sands.
The bottom line is easy: If you like the music of the this time period, this "box" is a safe bet for the collector and the novice alike.
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11 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
"marriage between British & American rock performers", March 20, 2004
This review is from: British Invasion Box (Audio CD)
Varese Records presents forty five selections "The British Invasion Box", featuring many of the artists and tunes that influenced the turning point in Rock N' Roll ~ now celebrating the 40th anniversary of the British Invasion that we've come to appreciate and love ~ this is perhaps one of the strongest compilations of British artists and American roots of the British Invasion, featuring many of the artists and tunes that influenced that prevailed on American music as we know it today.
Stand back and take a good look at the line up ~ Alan Price Set, The Animals, Chad & Jeremy, Petula Clark, Crispian St. Peters, Dave Clark Five, Dave & Jonathan, Donovan, The Easybeats, Chris Farlow, Hedgehoppers Anonymous, the Herd, The Hollies, The Ivy League, Jonathan King, Long John Baldry, Lulu, The Searchers, Small Faces, The Tornadoes, Twice As Much, Unit Four Plus Two, Ian Whitcomb & Bluesville, The Yardbirds and Zombies ~ with some treasures that reek with creativity and excitement that still gives us pleasure.
American artists influenced by the British Invasion were ~ Bessie Banks, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Bobby Day, The Donays, Dr. Feelgood & The Interns, The G-Clefs, Barbie Gaye, John Lee Hooker, The Isley Brothers, Little Richard, Little Willie John, Buck Owens, Carl Perkins, Gene Pitney, Chan Romero, Evie Sands, Dell Shannon, The Shirelles, Larry Williams and Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs ~ with digital remastering and incredible diversity of music ~ sounds are no less than golden, as you hear some of the bands for the first time ~ this is truly a re-discovery of what the '60s pop rock was all about.
Hats off to Varese Records and all who made this release possible ~ the packaging and liner notes are excellent and very informative ~ if you're into the '60s music and how it evolved, go no further this is the one for you...gotta love it!
Total Time: 2-CD-Set ~ Varese Records 65412 ~ (2/10/2004)
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3.0 out of 5 stars
Good to have but not essential to a Brit Invasion collection, August 5, 2010
This review is from: British Invasion Box (Audio CD)
During the early sixties, there was a television show called `Fair Exchange.' The premise was that two families - one American and one English - had their respective daughters spend time with the other family. Comedy driven by such a notion isn't new and doesn't always lead to long-term success. The show disappeared after a season or wto and is more likely remembered for the fact the English daughter was played by Judy cCarne; later of `Laugh In' Fame.
The idea of exchange, though, is central to this review of British Invasion Box because it describes exactly how rock `n' roll was exported to the UK and then exported back again. Contained on these two discs are songs from the British Invasion period that fall into two categories: songs by US artists that were covered by Brit artists and songs done by Brit artists as part of the notional second wave of the aforementioned invasion. These two CDs were issued separately, then combined into a `box set;' a seeming stroke of brilliance bar the fact that it should have been done from the get-go. Had that been the case, then perhaps the package would have consisted of US and Brit versions of the same song.
But, licensing issues would probably have been insurmountable, a key reason that sets such as this never have The Beatles or Rolling Stones on them. However, that this set does have one cut by the DC5 and one by The Animals was a pleasant surprise. Additionally, it's rather fascinating to hear the original versions of songs/hits more known in the heady days of 1963/1965 for their Brit versions. I'm ashamed to admit that I was completely unaware that `My Boy Lollipop' was made in the US first. From that aspect - hearing the original hits, not my lack of knowledge - this set is a great addition to any British Invasion collection, though not essential.
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