Customer Reviews

Long Versions

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

 

 

i'm not sure why there is yet another "best of" comp, but here it is. it's labeled "the long versions", like there are different mixes or versions of the songs. no, these are just songs from various earring releases. nothing special, most songs around 5 minutes long, so do not understand the title of this cd. the songs are not even in chronological order. longest song is "eight miles high" from '69. this is a really expensive 2 disc set, no booklet included. if you are a fan of earring, skip it as there is nothing new to offer. if you're not familiar, there are a gazillion other "best ofs" to choose from. if you have to get it, buy it used and save some money.

Before I purchased this item I was fairly
ignorant concerning GE. I had purchased
Twilight Zone from iTunes and always liked
Radar Love, but that was it.
To be honest, the main draw for me to purchase
this set was for the 19:00 min. version of Eight
Miles High (yes, the Byrds tune). I was not entirely
disappointed, obviously by my 4 Star recommendation,
but probably would have given it a 3 1/2 if I could have,
but GE does have a unique sound, so....
Radar Love 6:23-5 STARS
A timeless rock classic.
Twilight Zone 7:55- 5 STARS
An aptly titled song that is full of brawn (in the best way)
and panache.
Just A Little Bit Of Piece (sic) In My Heart 5:19 4 STARS
This sounds like the Bee Gees, believe it or not, circa
late '60s.
Back Home (Live) 5:46 4 STARS
This is a pleasant rocker that incorporates a tasty flute
in the mix.
She Flies On Strange Wings 7:22 3 1/2 STARS
The music on this one is good and rockin', just wish
they weren't so repetitive of the title in the lyrics.
Kill Me (Ce Soir) 6:17 4 1/2 STARS
Mid-tempo rocker, great vocals accompanied by some
nice strings.
Sleepwalkin' 5:00 3 1/2 STARS
A fair rocker, repetitive in the lyrics again.
Just Like Vince Taylor 4:33 4 STARS
Their take on rockabilly. Nice guitar interplay.
Weekend Love 4:14 4 STARS
A nice pop song with a different lead vocalist that
adds to the mix. The regular vocalist also adds some
good harmony vocals.
Long Blond Animal (Live) 4:58 3 1/2 STARS
Nothing special here, but is still a good rock/pop
song.
CD 2
When The Lady Smiles 5:39 2 1/2 STARS
Pretty pedestrian fare here.
Clear Night, Moonlight (Live) 6:44 2 1/2 STARS
The last minute and a half is a nice ending to the
song, unfortunately, that can't save this lackluster
attempt at rock and roll.
Something Heavy Going Down 4:40 3 STARS
A great vocal performance saves this song, which
is almost ruined by an obtrusive synth. It would
have worked better with just guitars.
Quiet Eyes 4:12 3 1/2 STARS
A nice mid-tempo pop song with good vocal
interaction.
My Killer, My Shadow 6:10 4 STARS
An ominous gem with everything going for it:
vocals, keys, guitars and drums working to make
this a stand out track. Could have upped the bass,
but besides that, killer!
Turn The World Around 5:31 3 STARS
Sounding a bit like Asia on a so-so day.
Back to the repetitive lyrics, which do not fly for
this reviewer.
Eight Miles High 19:00 4 STARS
I give this final song 4 Stars for the first 15 mins.
or so of the song, at which point it veers into the
ditch for the next 3 mins. before getting back on
track to finish the song. At about the 9 min. mark
you get a drum solo, followed by a bass solo, which
I enjoyed, though you might not.
I noticed there is a slight difference in times between
the back of the cd and the time listings when I played
it in iTunes, but not significantly. For example, the
back of the cd states that Eight Miles High is 19:00 mins.
and iTunes states it's 18:57.
There are no liner notes except to note which albums the
songs were from and songwriting credits.
The cds come in a cardboard jewel case that folds out and
reveals two clear plastic inlays (with "sprockets") that hold
each cd individually.