Customer Reviews

Mojo Workout

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If Paul Revere and the Raiders are remembered at all, its for their mid-Sixties pop hits like "Kicks," "Good Thing" and "Just Like Me," or for their long run on the television show "Where the Action Is." With their goofy name and silly Revolutionary War-era band uniforms, it would be easy to dismiss the Raiders as a teenybopper group whose day in the sun has long passed.

But wait, not so fast. Before they signed to Columbia Records in 1964, Paul Revere (yes, that's his real name) and his band were one of the hottest bar bands in the Pacific Northwest, holding their own against the Kingsmen (of "Louie, Louie" fame) and frat boy faves the Wailers (no, not Bob Marley's Wailers). Unlike many bands of the era, the Raiders were out of their teens and had honed their instrumental skills by playing bars, dances and teen clubs for almost five years. Their strongest weapon was vocalist and sometime saxophonist Mark Lindsay. Don't let the pretty boy looks fool you; Lindsay was a terrific singer who could croon, growl and shout better than most white boys covering the r&b hits and classics of their day. Interestingly, Paul Revere and the Raiders were the first rock n'roll band signed to Columbia Records, which was best known for its classical, jazz and pop recordings.

This excellent set captures the band at the time of their signing to Columbia, when the record company had not yet decided how to capture their dynamite live sound on record. They finally decided to record the group live in the studio before an audience of young listeners. Most of the show has never before been released, for some reason, because Paul, Mark and the boys tear the place up. They perform a great selection of r&b and rock 'n roll classics, with a few well-chosen obscurities added to the mix. Unlike many other rock 'n roll groups of the era, the Raiders had the talent to cover these songs, and their performances have aged well over the ensuing years. There's nothing particularly groundbreaking or original here, but the performances are more than credible. This was exciting band, and their energy survives in these recordings.

The second disc includes rehearsals for the live set, plus a number of outtakes and early singles. The music and performances are fine, but by last of these studio sessions the Raiders are already losing the characteristics that made them special. The material is still enjoyable, but one can hear the producers attempting to mold the Raiders into just another pop group, readymade for the radio. The British Invasion had arrived, and American bands were often forced to emulate English bands who themselves were imitating American artists. Sadly, Paul Revere and the Raiders also suffered this fate. Needless to say, within months they were stars, and for the next three years they were seldom off the charts.

"Mojo Workout" is a treat for fans of gritty Sixties rock & roll. Fans of the Wailers, Bobby Fuller, the Sonics and Them (Van Morrison's band) will almost certainly enjoy this release.

In the sixties,I used to see Paul Revere and The Raiders Live at the Seattle Center and I thought they were great then. Maybe some people didn't appreciate the Revoluationary War uniforms, but my girlfriends and I loved those white tights! Anyway, when I bought this CD, I prepared myself to be disappointed because I figured my maturity would rule them from favor. Boy, was I wrong! They sounded better than I remember! I want them back! Suffice to say, if I had to get rid of all my CDs but one, this is the one CD I would keep.. Gotta go now, I need to check out some websites to see if Mark Lindsay is still performing anywhere.

This was released as 'here they come' in another version. But that only had 14 songs or so.. It was the early columbia records period for the band.
At this time bands were often trying to make the sounds of black rock and soul artists their own and the raiders did it well. Even the beatles did alot of these cover songs. why because the music that influenced them was great. The raiders though were solid musicians and quite good at making a rock n roll party. They did tons of great songs that are of their era and timeles party frat rock and garage rock totally. I have as much as I could find from this band and this period of stuff from 1963-65 was darn good. Clearly played and sung well too. they had yet to be influenced by the byrds and the beatles here and that's ok. It's just classic garage rock circa the early 60's and that's good enough.

No band to this day can ROCK like The Raiders. Often imitated but never duplicated.I hear that Paul Revere is still performing out in Oregon.

Simply the best collection of Paul Revere and the Raiders you can find. 44 cuts, and every one a winner, many unavailable anywhere else. Great energy. One of the best bands of the era at the top of their form. An essential recording.

This is a great set! It has all of their hits from 1963-65 plus one that I think is new. It is the title track to this album "Mojo Workout!". If you are a 60's fan you will enjoy this!