Customer Reviews

Play It Again Sham

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

 

 

Finding this album in my local record store was like finding the missing link in the Saw Doctors' music. Sure, they say it's all b-sides and the less standard tunes, but "Play it Again, Sham!" is the closest thing to a comprehensive collection of great tunes by this band that reminds us just what rock 'n' roll is supposed to be about. Yee-haw. As I listen to this album yet AGAIN, I find myself wondering how it's POSSIBLE that a lot of these songs never made it to a standard release album. "World of Good" is one of their very best songs, with some of their best lyrics--come on, it could be up there with N17 and other classics. But let's talk about a few more highlights, eh?
"I'd Love to Kiss the Bangles." Raucous, yes, fun, yes...rock, yes please.
"Bless Me Father;" now come on, another Saw Docs classic, best in concert but then all these tunes are! Another solid, incredibly addictive rock tune that's another in their immortal series of Church/lust songs...and who doesn't love those? While we're at it, "Howya Julia" is an equally illustrious member of this set, perhaps even catchier. Think "Hay Wrap" and "Bless Me Father" and some red-hot scandal (ouch!) all morphed into one awesome song that may cause you to break out some of your best funky dance moves....or maybe rap moves...or...
At first I was NOT a fan of "Crock of Gold" or "Small Bit o' Love" but after about the third listen to each I was hooked...these have a real country-western feel, wonderful and bouncy tunes. The latter has some especially nice lyrics, too.
"We're the Popsuckers" is...amusing...but then you realize that as it glorifies pop it creates a dang catchy pop tune of its own. And ya know what? These guys have good taste...the Kinks AND Buddy Holly? Oh yeah, rock on boys!
"Bushwackin'" is another great raucous tune, but as always the Saw Doctors do it with a REAL sense of GRACE and MUSICALITY that makes them so unique.
"Sound Sham" is maybe my very favorite song here, again I can't believe this isn't on an album...A great rock song with a wonderfully strong beat, it is also a beautiful song at second listen. Love the cathedral-bell motif in here, extremely unique and genuinely REFRESHING. Now I just have to work on deciphering the words...
"Letter from Louise" has some of their most poignant and insightful lyrics to date.
"Where's the Party ?!?!?!?!?!" is a great live recording of the tune, with a fun lengthy talking intro...it's a Saw Docs live party tune in the purest sense, there's no depth to the message but it makes you feel great, HaPPy, fun...this recording manages to capture a sense of their stunning live energy.

So in the end, what have we here?? A mixture of raucous rock feel-good tunes, and some really insightful and sensitive songs...that still make you feel good about the world and the fate of popular music...So if you're looking for an intro to the Docs, or if you're already a fan, or if you happened accross this randomly, I reccomend this HIGHLY. Perhaps most of all the Docs' albums. There's something here for everyone, but you're also going to have to take my word for it that you'll like almost every single song on here...actually you'll love them. An amazing set o' tunes!

as a saw doctor fan I was ecstatic to here of this release. I had only heard of 3 songs before(World of good, Apples, sweets etc...and Bless me father) and was very curious to see what constitutes a 'b' side from the Doctors. All I can say is I was hooked from listen #1. Kiss the Bangles, Michael D, Small ball, Broke my heart, Sound sham, etc.. are all great , catchy pop songs with awesome lyrics. I agree with Dan Aquilante of the NY Post who said there wasn't a bad track on the album. I believe that anybody who hears this as their first taste of the Saw Doctors will be very impressed. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

I, a New Jerseyite has had the the fortune of falling in love with, and marrying a Gallwegian. I never thought I'd love a band as much as the E Street Band, until my bride turned me on to the Saw Doctors. Like Bruce and the E Streeters, they are so provincial, they are universal. This CD is to the Saw Doctors what Tracks is to Springsteen

Buy this CD. This is all the off the wall stuff that makes them unique. Buy everything else, they've put out as well.

The editorial review indicates that these are the best Saw Doctors songs from 1990 to 2000, but this album is actually composed of singles and b-sides that never made it to a regular album releases. Don't get me wrong, the songs are fun and great, especially to avid Saw Doctors fans. But if you are new to the Saw Doctors, pick one of their other CDs first (Villians, Songs from Sun Street, If this is Rock and Roll...).

I learnt about the Saw Doctors from an exquisitely pretty Irish girl of my acquaintance. Found out they were one of her favorite bands, and curious (about her) I had to check them out. Well, outcome of my designs on her aside, I have to say it's a darn fine thing I ran into her. She's set me onto a great little band. I love this album. It's very slightly punk inflected Irish pub rock. And who doesn't need a little more of that in their life? I've only bought and listened to this one album, but I sense that the rest of these boys' opus is unlikely to disappoint. I am absolutely going to buy more.

As for the songs:

Especially sweet is "Michael D. Rocking in the Dail" - evidently a paean to a particularly sympathetic Minister of Culture in the Irish government- it's a hoot.

Then there's "Howya Julia" - my personal favorite, speaking as a practicing Catholic who loves the Church and despises the insipid horde of craven sycophantic careerist dinks who've overrun the Western hierarchy. It's a song in honor of his Eminence Eamon Casey, former Bishop of Galway, otherwise known as "Bopping Bishop Casey" (or "BBC" as I saw the moniker rendered several times in graffiti on pub toilet stall walls over a decade ago in Ireland) - who betrayed his vows with a woman from New Jersey, having a son in the process. To the bishop's credit, the dalliance was with a mature female (named Julia, of course) and he supported his child through adolescence. Almost refreshing behavior, that, these days. Quite shocking in Ireland back in the day, though. He's now working amongst the poor in Lima or someplace, doing penance. Anyhow, it's cathartic somehow to hear him roasted brilliantly here.

"Sound Sham," "Bless me Father," and "Bushwackin" are also excellent.

As others here have said, this entire album is good. Those are simply the songs that standout after having listened to it for a couple weeks.

Play it again sham is a brilliant album! The music is written by a very skilled musician and I could listen to the Saw Docs all day! The lyics oftentimes are playful, like in I'd Love to Kiss the Bangals or Bless Me Father, where the young man is kneeling in the confessional and trying to explain to the priest of the sins of the body he committed. Of course there are the more serious tunes, like Me Heart is Livin in Sixties Still, or Letter from Louise, which is a song about the public's discussion of the new situation in Northern Ireland after the Good Friday Accords. The song put a tear to my eye. But, some songs didn't peak my interest, like We're the Popsuckers: about a fictional band from Memphis. Without a story to go with it, the song has no relevance. I guess the band was trying to create a new Sgt. Pepper, but the name, "Popsucker's" didn't peak my interest. Many songs portrayed a regional interest. If you are not Irish, you probably won't comprehend what the songs imply. I know the Saw Doctors are a hot band in Ireland, but if they want to become an International sensation, they should expand their scope so everybody can elate to their music.

The Saw Doctors are amazing. I got hooked on some of the earlier music, but this is by far my favorite albums. I wish I could mention which are the gems and which are the once worth only a listen or two, but I can't. Every single song on this disc is absolutely amazing. You don't even need to let it grow on you - it is simply wonderful from the first listen on. Still, my favorites are Michael D., Sound Sham, Howya Julia, Bless Me Father, Letter From Louise, She Says, and Same Oul Town.

At whatever price y'find it, it's worth the buy.