Customer Reviews

Scarce Saints

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This cornucopia of rarities (B-sides, bonus singles, etc.) covers several years (1977-1984), several line-ups (including the classic Bailey/Kuepper/Hay/Bradshaw quartet), and two countries (Australia and the UK). Half the tracks are live (11-20) and--for those keeping score at home--Kuepper, who would exit the band (acrimoniously) around the time of final EMI recording "Prehistoric Sounds," plays on tracks one through four and 11. Punked-up femme-fronted classics "Lipstick on Your Collar" (Connie Francis) and "River Deep-Mountain High" (Ike & Tina Turner), originally on the "One-Two-Three-Four" EP, actually became less scarce once included as bonus tracks with 1977's "(I'm) Stranded." Same with the delightfully goofy "Do the Robot," added to 1978's "Eternally Yours." (It's worth noting that Aussie legends the Easybeats preceded the Saints in covering "River Deep" in the late-'60s--which isn't to take anything away from the excellent version here.) The collection, as a whole, is a must for the Saints-aholic. Surely, there are worse addictions than the sound of Chris Bailey's bluesy voice or Ed Kuepper's virtuosic guitar playing.

i am a newbie to the saints and had never heard of them, until a couple of years ago. duff mckegan of guns n roses played them on a radio show, and i was hooked on their sound. stranded was the single. however, it was the river deep cover that really pulled me in. one of the best punk covers of all time. great playing and singing. for any fan of punk who likes it hard yet melodic.