Customer Reviews

Then & Now

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

 

 

I didn't have great expectations for this cd, but since I'm a fan I bought it. I was very pleasantly surprised!! They reworked some of my favorite Fudge classics to give them a more modern sound, and they sound great!! There are some new songs on this one as well. If you love Vanilla Fudge, GET THIS CD, you won't be disappointed. "Take Me For A Little While" and "Shotgun" are INCREDIBLE!!

I have been a Fudgeaholic since I first heard the short version of You Keep Me Hangin' On on an AM radio in 1967. I have all their original albums, including Mystery, plus the Cactus albums, both Beck Bogert Appice albums, and even Tim Bogert's solo album, but I wasn't expecting much from this reunion album. I was so wrong. This is even better than the original recordings. Imagine you have only seen a VHS version of Star Wars on an old 13-inch TV, and then see a blu-ray version on a large HD TV with a home theatre sound system. That's what this album is like. Three of the four original members, playing the songs the same way they were originally recorded, but with better instruments, better recording equipment, and better production. The sound is richer, and the new songs are done in the same style that made the Fudge so phenomenal. Disc 1 is studio recordings, and Disc 2 is a live performance backed up by the San Fernando Valley Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra is mostly hard to distinguish, although it adds depth and breadth to the performance. And there is a Tim Bogert solo that has to be heard to be believed. The only criticism of this album, and it is minor, is that Bill Pascali, the organist and vocalist who has replaced Mark Stein, has a deeper and rougher voice than Stein did. Mark Stein's voice was smooth, sweet, and haunting, and Pascali just misses on capturing that effect, although his singing is certainly good. It's just a little different. His organ playing, however, is perfect. So, if you have ever liked the Vanilla Fudge, you will love this album. Guaranteed. And ignore that guy who complained that this version of She's Not There isn't the Zombies version. Of course it isn't. It's better.

For those of you 60's generation looking for the "She's Not There" track, this is the wrong CD. "She's not there" although the Vanilla Fudge version is on this CD is not the one you're thinking of. The real deal was done by the Zombies. You'll be disappointed if you purchase this for that track. It's Vanilla Fudge trying to ride the wave on the Zombies coattails, and not doing a very good job of it, either.