Customer Reviews

Have I the Right: The Very Best of

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

 

 

The Honeycombs were Howard & Blaikley's first vehicle before they discovered Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich. The big hit was "Have I the Right," of course, but they also served up comparable magic with "Love in Tokyo," "I Can't Stop," "That's the Way," "Something I've Got to Tell You" and "Colour Slide." But this collection is more than merely a Howard & Blaikley showcase. The Honeycombs puncture you with a fantastic amphetamine-driven Joe Meek original "Can't Get Through to You." They moved right along with the times and created a gorgeous light psychedelic "That Loving Feeling" that sounds reminiscent of the more arty efforts by the Mamas & Papas. Similarly, the later Howard & Blaikley tune "This Year, Next Year" would have sounded just fine on the radio in 1966. They do TWO Ray Davies songs: the already familiar "Something Better Beginning"--too shrill here for my taste and the bullfight horns sound totally inappropriate--and the exclusive "Emptiness."

They didn't write their own material and that was probably deadly in the mid-60s. Given that fact, it's surprising how consistent most of their work is. And they can't be blamed for the clunkers. It's very hard to imagine why either Joe Meek or Howard & Blaikley thought that the dirgelike three and a half minutes of "Eyes" would be an appropriate follow-up to "Have I the Right."

The Honeycombs originally recorded for Joe Meek who leased the masters to Pye Records. I don't know how this release wound up on EMI but the sound is a bit more "tinny" than the original on the Pye releases. There are also some other good tracks that did not find their way onto this collection. But it's all you can get right now and it's not at all bad.

I'd been wanting to get a copy of their hard-to-find anthology CD for awhile,but never could find it anywhere.Then,unexpectedly EMI releases this twenty song 'best of' compilation disc.No complaints here.Many of you many not remember much about the UK band,that put out just a couple of lp's in their initial existence,1963-67.They were the genius project put together by infamous producer Joe Meek(R.I.P.).Obviously,their only actual hit "Have I The Right" probably is the tune more fans would recognize right off hand.But,the Honeycombs had several other decent songs,at least I thought.Like "It Is Because","I Want To Be Free","It's So Hard","I Can't Stop" and "Love In Tokyo" which,of course all appear on this 'Have I...' compilation.Notice that vocalist Dennis O'Dell sort of reminds me of '60's pop idol Gene Pitney(big hit,"Town Without Pity").The Honeycombs are just basically good-natured British Invasion pop.Should appeal to fans of the Mindbenders,the Searchers,Gerry&The Pacemakers and Bobby Vee.Heard the group does reunite for a one or possibly two off gig every now and again.

If you are fond of great, eerie mid-60s production (with a bit of schmaltz) - this a fun one to have. Most of my favorite Honeycombs tunes are NOT here. Their version of "Something I've Got To Tell You" (also recorded by Glenda Collins) is far superior and incredibly creepy, but it's not on this collection. Also, a fantasic early single called "This Year, Next Year" with spooky guitars isn't here. But, there are some interesting tunes nonetheless - Love In Tokyo, Is It Because, That's The Way, and She's Too Way Out (hilariously weird) are all pretty good. If you think that you may dig this from the clips you hear, you might consider searching for better collections on auction sites.

Fantastic Cd!! The only drawback being the Lp version of I Can't Stop on this disc. If you admire Joe Meek music productions, don't let this intriguing disc pass you by!

The Sherabons (as they were originally known) comprised Dennis D'ell (vocals), Anne Lantree (drums), John Lantree (bass), Alan Ward (lead guitar) and Martin Murray (rhythm guitar) - Peter Pye later replaced Martin.

Pye records signed the group on condition they use the name Honeycombs so that's what they became. Their first record, Have I the right, went all the way to number one in the summer of 1964 but subsequent releases made only limited impact. The next two singles (Is it because, Something better beginning) just made the UK top forty. Their fourth single (That's the way) made number twelve but the momentum had been lost and the group faded into obscurity.

This compilation includes all the hits, however minor, and a selection of their other recordings. If you enjoy sixties pop music, you are likely to enjoy the music here although (as you might expect) the outstanding track is Have I the right. You can, of course, obtain that track on a various artists compilation (its not difficult to find) if you prefer.

This is a great collection to start with. Most of their best material is on this cd. Sugar sweet pop that doesn't stop!

Don't bother! The only two worthwhile songs this band ever recorded were Have I the Right and I Can't Stop. You can find Have I the Right on many a collection with a far better line up of songs by other Invasion than this bunch of nothing. And here is the real reason this is a ... The version of I Can't Stop included in this collection is not even the version that was released in the US back in '64! Rather than including what is one of the most riveting performances ever recorded with that glorious, stinging, distorted guitar solo, they have chosen to include the lesser known alternative slowed down version that, while somewhat interesting, sounds more like the version they would be performing today ... How depressing! I have been searching forever for a clean version to replace the 45 rpm my brother has owned since it's release nearly 40 years ago...