Crimson & Clover/Cellophane Symphony

Tommy James and the Shondells

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 27, 1991)
• Original Release Date: August 27, 1991
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rhino / Wea
• ASIN: B0000032GH
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #7,100 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Two of their most popular albums on one budget-priced psychedelic collection!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Peak of Tommy James and the Shondells, February 13, 2001

By	R. Barnes "Music Collector" (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In the early days of record buying, besides the Beatles, Herman's Hermits, and the Four Seasons, I always looked for a new Tommy James single. He is one prolific writer, who continually put out singles almost every 2-3 months. Between "Hanky Panky" and "Do Something To Me", he changed - dramatically. This is a two album set, and is worth every dime. The first album , "Crimson and Clover", is and excellent album defying critics abilities to "pigeonhole" it. It wasn't bubblegum, it wasn't acid rock, it wasn't metal, it was a bit of everything.

The title cut is pretty much known by all. It is actually a splice of two master tapes at different speeds, (if you listen you can tell!) This was and is one of the greatest singles of this generation, and is timeless. Who doesn't know it? "Crystal Blue Persuasion" was another big one, known by all, and today would be MOR. Top 5 all the way, another major classic.

"Do Something To Me" was recorder earlier, and was released before "Crimson and Clover" and shows its "Mony Mony" roots. "Sugar on Sunday" could have been another single, but a group called "CLIQUE" jumped on it. "Breakaway" and the others are filler, but unlike most of his albums, this was his first 33 1/3rd lp to be listened to in its entirety. All the songs are rather good.

The best part is getting "Cellophane Symphony" on the same CD. "Sweet Cherry Wine" is his anti-war ode, and another hit. "Changes" attempts the mold of "Crimson" a great song. "Loved One" has been and has always been on of my favorites. The remainder are also easy to listen to, and are not Bubblegum, but the beginnings of FM rock. He tried and at last found the formula.

IF YOU ARE A FAN, YOU CANNOT GO WRONG WITH THIS ALBUM. If a collector or a lover of the 60's, this is a true artifact I think you will enjoy. For the value, your risk is low.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Psychedelic Music from Tommy James & the Shondels, February 9, 2006

By	Oswald Placeres "Mr. Pleasures" (Marrakesh, Morocco) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This CD has the long (unedited) psychedelic version of Crimson & Clover and other hallucinating songs that I use to listen in my teens. Check it out and relax.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great underrated slab of sixties psychedelia, February 6, 1999

By A Customer

While historians today tend to focus on groups like The Velvet Underground and The Doors when tracing the "psychedelic" music of the sixties, Tommy James and the Shondells brought the stuff to the top of the charts in '69 and hardly receive a mention. "Crimson and Clover" is a great album and coupled with "Cellophane Symphony" this is one of the "ingenuine" articles proving a guy who began with the nice bubblegum of "Mony Mony" and "Mirage" could surface with a dynamite psychedelic record. "I Am a Tangerine" "Smoky Roads" "Sugar on Sunday" ... might not ring a bell, but before you toss out this group pn its undeserved bubblegum reputation, give 'em a chance with this album!