The Greatest Hits Of Tommy James & The Shondells

Tommy James and the Shondells, Tommy James | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 8, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Compendia
• ASIN: B0007KTB9O
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #191,233 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Crimson & Clover

2. Mony Mony

3. Hanky Panky

4. Crystal Blue Persuasion

5. Draggin' the Line

6. I Think We're Alone Now

7. Three Times in Love

8. Getting' Together

9. Say I Am

10. Sweet Cherry Wine

11. Mirage

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Bait and Switch?, October 2, 2006

By 

Lonnie E. Holder "The Review's the Thing" (Columbus, Indiana, United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Greatest Hits Of Tommy James & The Shondells (Audio CD)

I am a big fan of Tommy James and the Shondells. Several of their songs were hits when I was listening to AM radio in the 1960's. Among their most memorable songs are "Crystal Blue Persuasion," "Crimson and Clover," "Hanky Panky," "Mony Mony" and "Sweet Cherry Wine." What could be better than having the eleven songs in this compilation for your collection? Well, how about having the originals?

It turns out that this compilation is exactly what it advertises in the small print. This compilation is a "...collection of new studio recordings, live tracks, and re-recordings of some of their greatest hits..." In plain English, these recordings are not the originals.

I strongly recommend either "Anthology," which contains 27 tracks, or "The Very Best of Tommy James and the Shondells," which contains 16 tracks, and which are the original single releases. I prefer the former, but the latter collection has most of their hits. I do not recommend this collection except to someone who is a completist and wants every release by Tommy James and the Shondells.

The title of this CD or the cover of this CD should have indicated more readily that the songs on the CD were not the original versions. Those people seeking the originals are going to be disappointed, and may feel a little like they were subjected to a "bait and switch" scam. I think this collection is weak enough that there is no way that it will be "...destined to be a fan-pleaser for years to come."

Good luck!

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars screwjob, February 23, 2006

By 

Dirty Dutch "Dirty Dutch" (IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Greatest Hits Of Tommy James & The Shondells (Audio CD)

I'm normally good about reading customer reviews, but I somehow missed this one. I knew something was up the first time I listened to this, and questioned that these were the same versions I heard on the radio...now I know this is not true, and I have to pursue a different, legit compiliation. Too bad, because these songs are fantastic and the backing tracks really rocked and took them to another level...just not on here. Admirable knockoffs but not the real thing. The vocals were the clear givaway: none of the power and desperation of the originals. STEER CLEAR!!!

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Warning to radio listeners, November 8, 2005

By 

Punim Publishing - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Greatest Hits Of Tommy James & The Shondells (Audio CD)

Warning to radio listeners and fans of TJ & S from the
60s: This collection is not the original or familiar "hits" that you heard on the radio. If you desire to hear these, you
will be more satisfied with another collection. On a positive
note, if you are a collector, this is another version of the group's greatest hits.