Hippy Hippy Shake: Definitive Collection

Swinging Blue Jeans | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 4, 1993)
• Original Release Date: May 4, 1993
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B00000DR4P
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #430,233 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Worthwhile anthology of longlived Merseybeat band, March 26, 2001

By 

Randall E. Adams (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hippy Hippy Shake: Definitive Collection (Audio CD)

The only thing the Swinging Blue Jeans are remembered for in this country is "Hippy Hippy Shake," a fairly heavy-sounding piece of rock 'n roll. In actual fact, however, the Blue Jeans were more inclined to record midtempo ballads. In the U.K., they are probably best known for their fantastic Merseyfied cover of "You're No Good," a genuine classic from the era. Although it was cut two years too late (in 1966)to be commercially viable, their Merseyfied version of Bacharach/David's "Don't Make Me Over" is another classic. They also did a fine version of "Don't Go Out Into the Rain, You're Gonna Melt" about one year before Herman's Hermits. There is some very good stuff here.

However, the Swinging Blue Jeans also produced a fair number of very pedestrian tunes, oftentimes written by themselves. This is particularly true of their earliest period in 1963 and 1964; some of the songs are embarrassingly corny. For those of you familiar with the successful British writers of the era, think of a more chirpy and irritating alternative to Mitch Murray and you've got the picture.

For you Hollies fans, longtime member Terry Sylvester will be found on the Swinging Blue Jeans tracks from 1966 forward.

This is not an ideal anthology of this group. There are actually a good number of other tracks recorded by the band which are vastly better than many of those included here. But as an introduction that gives you their big important classics, this set will suffice. The sound is excellent.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars CAUTION!!! Two different versions!, February 12, 2008

By 

Unsmart - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hippy Hippy Shake (Audio CD)

There are two different CDs called "Hippy hippy shake: The definitive collection" here on Amazon. One from 1993 with 26 songs that's probably the best compilation there is with this band. This one you can only buy from private sellers here. And one from 2008 with 13 re-recorded songs that you can buy new for a very cheap price directly from Amazon. For some reason Amazon has chosen to put all the reviews for these two different CDs in the same place. And they put the same tracklist on both. Don't be fooled.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of the Definitive Mersey Beat Groups, August 17, 2006

By 

thisisgibbie (Indianapolis) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hippy Hippy Shake: Definitive Collection (Audio CD)

I think that we can be generous. While not as polished as The Beatles, The Searchers, and Gerry and the Pacemakers, The Swinging Blue Jeans were one of the definitive Mersey Beat groups. Nevertheless, this is the real stuff.

"Hippy, Hippy, Shake" is their big hit. Along with "Shaking All Over", a few other songs that are certainly Mersey Beat are "It's Too Late Now" and "Promise You'll Tell Her" - the Liverpool harmonies, the major/minor chord syncopated transitions, the piano/guitar leads and the bass/drums back beat. Their unique signature is Ray Ennis' reaching vocals.

Per Mr. Bernabo's comment, it was The Who on the Live at Leeds recording that was the other well known version of "Shaking All Over" with a stadium sound version.