Customer Reviews

Paul Revere & The Raiders - Greatest Hits

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The 55 tracks on 1990's Legend of Paul Revere is probably more than most fans really need. This expanded version of the group's Greatest Hits (which was first released in 1967 with 11 tracks) covers the highlights of the band from its first single "Louie Louie" in 1963 to its final single of 1967, "Peace of Mind," before Mark Lindsay took over as producer for the remainder of their career. Sure, they had a few more hits--notably the chart-topping "Indian Reservation"--but the later hits didn't rock as hard as most of the songs here.

Beginning with their first national hit ("Steppin' Out," No. 46) in 1965, the Raiders cranked out one great song after another. "Just Like Me," "Kicks," "Hungry," "The Great Airplane Strike," "Good Thing" and "Ups and Downs" rivalled anything the Stones were putting out at the time when it comes to hard-hitting rock and roll.

This expanded version includes their greatest single ever--"Him or Me - What's It Gonna Be?" It also includes their rousing version of "I'm Not Your Stepping Stone" from the album Midnight Ride. [This version pre-dates the Monkees' version by several months, but was not released as a single by the Raiders.] The other two songs new to this collection are "Action" from Dick Clark's TV show and "Peace of Mind," which stalled at No. 42 and would be the last song produced by Terry Melcher, who had produced all their hits up to this point. The only really glaring omission on this set is "I Had a Dream," which hit No. 17 prior to the release of "Peace of Mind."

Hard-core fans may object to the absence of some of their later hits, but this is Paul Revere and the Raiders' best material from their peak period. And best of all, these are remastered versions--not remixed, like on Legend of Paul Revere. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

It was great to get re-aquainted with an old friend! I grew up when Paul Revere and the Raiders were turning out hits left and right. First on the TV show "Where the Action Is" then completely on their own. In listening to these songs again after 30+ years I didn't realize how upbeat and guitar driven they were. Songs like "Steppin Out", "Just Like Me", and "Hungry" are STILL a blast to listen to. Of course the best of the best on this collection is "Kicks", an anti-drug piece during the heyday of psychodelic drug mania. What I didn't know is that the Raiders actually recorded the song "Stepping Stone" (included here) which became a huge hit for the Monkees a couple of years later. It's also interesting to note that the Monkees recorded it exactly the same as the Raiders did, although Micky Dolenz could never match Mark Lindsey's powerful voice. Other great tunes include "Good Thing" and "Up and Downs". This is a great trip back to the days when rock & roll was played for fun, and NOBODY had more fun than Paul Revere and the Raiders.

Still the best hits package.This is truly the essential Raiders collection.The most underrated band of the 60's,this is vital garage band punk rock and roll. Listen to Mark Lindsay wail on "Just Like Me" or "Hungry".He could blow 90% of the lead singers of the day off the stage.This was the group that put the fun back in R&R!Get it while you still can!

This remastered version adds four bonus tracks to an already solid greatest hits collection. The remastering is excellent and most of the songs appear in beautiful, wide stereo for a change! (Tracks 1, 10 and 15 are still in mono.) If you've got the older version of this cd, or some of the songs scattered on different various artists compilations, do yourself a favor and buy this! The sound quality alone - particularly on the usually mono and muddy-sounding "Just Like Me", "Kicks", "Hungry, "Good Thing" and "Him Or Me - What's It Gonna Be?" definitely makes it worth purchasing.

But one star has to be subtracted for two reasons. First, this is a very short cd. Columbia could have easily fit another ten songs on here, but that might have eaten into sales of their other Paul Revere & The Raiders compilations. Secondly, their biggest hit and only number one song, "Indian Reservation" is still absent. Granted, it was a hit later than the other songs on the cd and after Mark Lindsay left the group. But it's absence is conspicuous nonetheless.

If you want a solid Paul Revere & The Raiders single-disc compilation, this is an excellent choice.

...Paul, Mark, Fang, Smitty and Harpo. And while I agree with the man below on the outfits...(hey! It was the 60s, afterall) their revolution was televised in evvy teen and pre-teen living room. They turned out to be not only great pop rockers, but also a gang of adorable music-comedians. They always looked like they were having a blast, and that was cool. This collection has most of their best hits and while we wait for an anthology, it will do nicely. Also check out what is in my opinion their best album, period--"The Spirit of '67". Shortly after this and "Spirit.." bassist Fang and drummer Smitty formed another group called The Brotherhood and Mark began to do some great solo projects...this is primo stuff that will have your body wanting to do the Jerk or the Monkey just like the ol' times...but, uh, find a dance partner who doesn't mind the indulgence.

The sound on the album is fantastic. Why they didn't use this sound on the double anthology CD is beyond me- that compilation sucks because of the sound, this one rules. Buy this! Even if you have the anthology buy this and sell the antholgy.

Yippee!! Found it at last. A friend brought me the original version over from the States many years ago but, despite being one of my favourite albums, it got lost somewhere along the way and I've been looking for it ever since. Believe all the five star reviews. If it hadn't been for the cheesy grins and cheesier outfits they'd be universally recognised as one of the greatest singles bands from anywhere, ever.. If you're not familiar with this music (and few of us Brits are) do yourself a favour and buy this.

I first heard of Paul Revere And The Raiders when I was watching an old re-run of The Dating Game. One of the "bachelors was the drummer for The Raiders. After that, I still heard them pop up in 60's rock circles and documentries. But when I saw this cd, I had to crack down and buy it, and see, hear what PAul Revere And The Raiders sounded like. The Raiders' music ain't that user friendly, when you first listen. It's not "clean" music at all. The guitars and the drums and singing really aren't "tight." The Raiders' music was very loud and unpolished. And Mark Linsay's vocals aren't that friendly at first either. He yells a lot and his voice isn't low or smoothe, so when I first put on this album, I was rather dissapointed. After two more listenings, it started growing on me. Now I love it. I can't get enough of The Raiders' music. They are curtainly overlooked as rock innovators, but they sure do play some great rock songs. They did have a lot of hit singles, 25 to be exact, but most of them are forgotten now, except "kicks." That's the only song you really hear on the radio today. And I can understand, it's their best track ever recorded! Some other favorites are Louie Louie which was done by a lot of artists. Some interesting points in this song are Mark Lindsay's tenor saxophone playing. And the song has much more instrumental parts then vocals. Just Like Me is your classic mid 60's pop song. Something like I'm A Believer, originally done by The Monkeys. Louie, Go Home wasn't much of a hit, as I understand, but it's curtainly a great masterpiece. They take you for a ride when they suddenly go in 3/4 and play what seems to be never-ending guitar improvisations. I just don't get, Melody For An Unkown Girl. Good Thing is also great. First heard that song, on an album by the Ventures, Guitar Freekout and then an album by Sandy Nelson called Cheetaugh Beat. All before I heard the original by the raiders. Steppin Out and Legend Of Paul Revere are just some other great tracks on this cd. This cd is perfect to start you on your way of listening to Paul Revere And The Raiders, a truley magnificent band.!!!!!!!!

This is a CD I've been waiting a long time to see. I was a Raiders fan back in the 'Action' era and haven't stopped enjoying their music. My vinyl copy of the album has long since been worn out from repeated playings. The CD covers their 1965-1967 hits as well as some great LP tracks. 'Melody' is still one of my all-time favorite tracks and I was glad to see they included 'Steppin' Stone' which absolutely blows The Monkees version out of the water. Mark Lindsay is twice the vocalist Mickey Dolenz is. Granted their later hits (such as 'Cinderella Sunshine' and 'Indian Reservation') aren't included, but, by and large, this is The Raiders' best material.

I recall buying this album way back in the late 60's and subsequently playing the heck out of it. Their songs were just as catchy and "rockin" as anything else around at the time. Now, more than 35 years later, I am enjoying their music still. The guitar work is great. Listen to the dual-guitar solo in "Just Like Me". The melodies and harmonies of their music have been matched by very few bands over the years. Great stuff. As another person has pointed out, this is a re-issue of an album that was released in the late 60's. That is why Indian Reservation and a couple of the Raiders later hits aren't on this CD. It is not a new compilation! If you want to hear some great power pop-rock from the 60's, get this album. Uh, I mean CD. Even if you aren't familiar with the group, and you like clean rock with some "pop", you will enjoy their music.