Customer Reviews

Very Best of

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

 

 

In the early nineties, two separate 22-track single CD's were released, each focusing on a particular period of Herman's Hermits career. They have long been out of print, since when fans have had to choose between various single CD's, all of which had to exclude something important. Now, at last, a double-CD (with 28 tracks on each) is available to satisfy those fans who want all their important British and American hits (which were often different) in one package. In their early years (1964 to 1966), the group were more successful in America than in Britain but their American popularity faded quickly. From 1967 onwards, they were more popular in Britain. Indeed, their popularity grew in Britain as it faded in America.

Herman's Hermits began with I'm into something good (a cover of a song by Earl Jean of the Cookies), their only British number one hit, which also made the American top twenty. After that, single releases in Britain and America differed considerably. Six top ten American hits including two number ones were never released as UK singles, these being Can't you hear my heartbeat (a UK hit for Goldie and the gingerbreads), Mrs Brown you've got a lovely daughter, I'm Henry the eighth I am (an old music hall song), Listen people, Leaning on the lamp post (a cover of a George Formby song) and Dandy. Two UK singles - Show me girl, You won't be leaving - made the top twenty but were not released as singles in America.

Some singles were released in both countries, these being Silhouettes (a cover of a fifties song by The Rays), Wonderful world (Sam Cooke), Just a little bit better, A must to avoid, This door swings both ways, No milk today and East west. They starred in a film, Hold on, and the title track is included here.

There's a kind of hush was a top ten hit in both charts although it was a bigger hit in America. Don't go out in the rain was never released as a UK single but made the American top twenty. Museum was a top forty American hit that didn't make the UK chart although it was released as a single. I can take or leave your loving just missed the UK top ten and just missed the American top twenty. After that, Herman's Hermits never again made the American top forty but continued to chart in Britain.

Their remaining major UK hits were Sleepy Joe, Something is happening, My sentimental friend, Years may come years may go, Lady Barbara and Oh you pretty thing, the last track being a Peter Noone solo written by David Bowie and featuring Bowie on piano. Here comes the star (an Australian song) and Bet your life I do (written by members of Hot Chocolate before they became famous for their own music) became lesser UK hits.

All the above hits are included along with many of their B-sides and a few bonus tracks, making this the most comprehensive collection of Herman's Hermits music yet released. The order is lightly strange, arranged with all the British singles (A and B sides, except that one of the British B sides is omitted) in chronological order, with the American-only singles (A sides only) sandwiched between the final British single and the bonus tracks on the second CD.

To those for whom a single CD of Herman's Hermits is not enough, this is a dream come true. If you only like them a little, you should choose one of the many single CD's instead - make your choice according to whether you are looking for their British or American hits.

In 2004 EMI released a 24-track Herman's Hermits collection of singles (A's & B's) and EPs covering the 1964-69 period. I then said in my review that one would need at least a 2CD-set to give the complete story of the group's single and EP releases during the EMI years.
One year later and here it is, the 2CD-set with no less than 56 tracks. Well, 55 tracks to be precise - since «Dream On» by a blunder at EMI is featured twice! Nonetheless this is a really impressive compilation starting with their debut single «I'm Into Something Good» in 1964 (No.1 in the UK) and then following, in chronological order, every single (A- and B-sides) released in the UK between 1964 and 1970. Herman and the Hermits then finally parted company and went their separate ways. Their last single together, «Lady Barbara», was released under the billing of Peter Noone and Herman's Hermits.
Noone's first solo single, the David Bowie song «Oh You Pretty Thing», from 1971, is also included here, along with the first Noone-less effort by Herman's Hermits, «Searching For The Southern Sun», written by Green-Hopwood-Leckenby. This featured Karl Green on lead vocals and pointed out a slightly heavier musical direction for the Hermits in the 70's.
CD2 also contains a handful of tracks that weren't released as singles in the UK, for instance their US million sellers «Mrs. Brown» and «I'm Henry The Eight, I Am», «Leaning On A Lamp Post» and «Hold On!». The latter two, however, are not the original US single versions, but taken from the «Hold On!» soundtrack album.
The 12-page CD-inlay contains a short and far from flawless biography, a detailed track listing plus a few photos. Like on the previous CD release EMI haven't bothered to look up the correct writer's credit and publisher for a number of songs. For your information the song «Marcel's» was written by Keith Hopwood, Graham Gouldman, Peter Noone and manager Harvey Lisberg. It was a wonderful psych-pop number with a bizarre story about the people living on board a houseboat on the Thames. «Nobody Needs To Know» was another self-penned number co-written by the songwriting team of Leckenby-Hopwood-Brook, who also wrote «Understand A Woman» for Kippington Lodge in 1968.
Another song with missing writer's credit is «It's Alright Now», which was a Noone-Hillary-Most collaboration. Co-writer Hillary was actually a pseudonym used by Graham Gouldman. Lead guitarist Derek Leckenby and the Hermits really hated the A-side chosen by Peter Noone and Mickie Most, «Here Comes The Star», and they retaliated on the recording of «It's Alright Now» by deliberately turning the treble all the way up on the guitars to ruin the effect. Ironically, by doing that, they captured the sound of a 1966 garage band. A great garage beat rocker!
Whether you're looking for a CD with all the group's hit singles, or rather prefer to search for a hidden psych-pop or beat gem among the lesser known B-sides or bonus tracks, this collection is an excellent choice. The sound, however, is not quite as good as on ABKCO's «Retrospective» CD from 2004.

The Very Best of Herman's Hermits is a strong two CD set that gives us so many of the best from Herman's Hermits! They had a style all their own and their music is truly memorable. Yes, one could argue that there's a song or two missing; but this is still a rather comprehensive two CD set. The quality of the sound is great and the artwork is very nicely done.

"I'm Into Something Good" starts the first CD with one of their biggest hits--ever. Herman's Hermits really sings this well and the beat is catchy--the percussion also helps to mark the best. Herman's Hermits could really do a rock song great--and this proves it right from the start! "Show Me Girl" has a rock flavor that is so typical of the style of this group--catchy, well written and easily memorable. No wonder Herman's Hermits were so successful! In addition, there's also "Silhouettes;" Herman's Hermits do a wonderful cover of this `50s torch song and the guitar work is nothing short of excellent--I love it! "Can't You Hear My Heartbeat" was another huge hit for this group; and they sing this to perfection--and beyond! Herman's Hermits really delve into "Can't You Hear My Heartbeat" to make this another one of their best hits ever.

"Just A Little Bit Better" features the band front and center--great! They sing this so well; and they really outdo themselves on "A Must To Avoid." "A Must To Avoid" just plain sounds great and their sound is unforgettable. "No Milk Today" has great percussion and guitar work while Herman's Hermits sing this flawlessly. I love it! The modulations between major and minor keys really make "No Milk Today" a very good number. "There's A Kind Of Hush" is another excellent, timeless hit from Herman's Hermits; and it's definitely one of my very favorite tunes by this group. There's also "Just One Girl;" and this great tune ends the first CD really well.

The second CD continues the hits. "Something's Happening" is a very sweet song about falling in love with your one true love; and "Here Comes The Star" has fantastic key modulations to make this number shine brightly! I really like "Here Comes The Star." "Years May Come Years May Go" has a well written arrangement and Herman's Hermits sing and play this with panache--great! Herman's Hermits are squarely in the spotlight--right where they belong! "Searching For The Southern Sun" has a folk rock flavor mixed into the rock arrangement to make this number stand out as a major highlight of the second CD; and wow, how they sing this one out proud! "Leaning On A Lamp Post" is another very good number with lots of positive energy to it.

"I'm Henery The Eighth I Am" is another one of the greatest hits from Herman's Hermits--what a great rock tune! It still sounds so good even today all these years later. "Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter" is another unforgettable number; Herman's Hermits sing and play this with lots of feelings and I really like this tune. "Heartbeat" rocks really well; and Herman's Hermits do great on "Bus Stop." "Bus Stop" was another one of their very greatest hits; and there's no doubt as to why when you hear this famous ballad! The second CD also ends well with Herman's Hermits performing "London Look."

Overall, you get 56 wonderful tracks on this two CD set; and Herman's Hermits was one awesome group. Thank you, Herman's Hermits!

Two CD's packed FULL of all the Herman's Hermits songs you could ever possibly want.Total of 56 songs.Wow! Great British Invasion compilation of Peter Noone and crew serving up tune after tune that many of us grew up on. It rarely gets any better than this, if you're a serious fan of this genre. It was nice to,once again hear the 'original recordings' of gems like "I'm Into Someting Good", "Silhouettes", "Can't You Hear Your Heart Beat", "Just A Little Bit Better", "Sunshine Girl", "Something Is Happening", "Mrs.Brown,You've Got A Lovely Daughter" and simply too many others to list here. Higly recommended.

I've been looking for a "Hermans Hermits" definitive compilation and this 2 disc set is it! Not only does this include all their American hits but many of their hits in England, which were never released in the U.S. These songs bring back memories of being in high school when the British Invasion was taking place. There are many lesser known songs which are gems, such as "No Milk Today" and "Sleepy Joe". This 2 disc set is highly recommended.

If you believe the insert notes to this album, and Noone and Whitwam's websites, the Hermits were third only to The Beatles and Stones in the pantheon of British sixties pop. Well, that's not how I remember it. In terms of critical acclaim and enduring public support, The Who, The Kinks, The Hollies and The Tremeloes were up there, while the Hermits were distinctly second league. That's nothing to be ashamed of, I'm just saying let's not exaggerate. They became big stars on both sides of the pond and sold over 50 million records, so they deserve attention, but let's not pretend they scaled the musical heights - they enjoyed a brief romp in the foothills.

They had just one British number 1. That was their first release, I'm Into Something Good. This Goffin/King song is very characteristic of the time, with its teen-love lyrics and catchy tune, and remains the trademark Hermits song. The other tracks are a mixed bunch. The arrangement and harmony singing on Years May Come, Years May Go are embarrassingly trite. Equally ludicrous are the ill-judged attempts to scramble onto the social comment bandwagon, with The Man With The Cigar and Here Comes the Star. But when they stick to tuneful, unpretentious pop, like I'm Into Something Good and Sunshine girl, they are well worth a listen. Track 8, disk 1 (Dream On Dream On) and track 21, disk 2 (I Gotta Dream On) is actually the same, the former being a remastered version. The Noone 1971 solo, Oh You Pretty Thing is interesting because it features the song's writer, David Bowie, on piano.

They were never Herman's Happy Hermits, as a look at the rival websites of Noone and Whitwam will testify. The Hermits were talented and wanted to progress musically. Instead, they remained the backing to Noone's frothy pop. Briefly, in the sixties, they billed themselves as Peter Noone and Herman's Hermits, betraying the behind-the-scenes disputes. Today, groups headed by Noone and Whitwam still appear separately and very confusingly as rival Herman's Hermits.

Peter Noone (Herman) was a child star of a British soap set in his native Manchester. His was a cheeky, cheerful, chirpy appeal, and any picture of him not grinning broadly would have been dismissed as a forgery. Last I heard, he was in a daytime soap stateside, and still going strong.

It was in Manchester that I saw actor Trevor Peacock in Waiting For Godot and it comes as quite a shock to learn that he wrote the Herman's hit Mrs Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter. This was one of a trio of quaintly British novelty songs - along with Leaning on a Lampost and I'm Henery the Eighth I Am - that were the mainstay of their US success but were quite rightly never released as singles in the UK. There, they would have been seen as old material that had already been performed better by other artists. George Formby fans in particular will consider the Herman's version of Lampost as nothing short of sacrilege.

It was another irritatingly cheerful Mancunian with a permanent grin and limited singing talent, Davey Jones of The Monkees, who spelled the end of the Hermits' US success. The market was not big enough for both of them.

Despite these negative comments, the Hermits were an essential part of the sixties scene and this is a comprehensive, good quality, good value collection of their work. So it gets 5 stars and a 'relax, enjoy it, but don't expect it to change your life' recommendation.

If you are reading this, you must have been attracted by some of their songs like "No Milk Today" or "Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter". I'm sure this collection will be better than your imagination and you will be regret for missing it.

If you liked these guys way back when you will love this collection. It included every song that they had as hits in their original format. No remakes. There's a kind of hush all over the world tonight...
Love this collection and highly recommend it! They do not make music like this anymore!

Listening to this 2 CD set I was surprised not only at how many songs I remembered but how great many of them were.
If you're a British Invasion enthusiast you will enjoy this set.

Who knew the popular pop group from England, made famous by Mrs Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter and I'm Henery the Eighth I Am had such a great collection of hits? This CD is rich with all the big hits No Milk Today, Listen People , Silhouettes, Can't you Hear My Heartbeat, Kind of Hush, Wonderful World,as well a wonderful assortment of other pop songs they recorded. It is a great buy with two CD's of 25 songs each. I was famiiar with atleast 10 of their biggest hit songs recorded here and been pleasantly surprised at how the rest of the songs were so pleasant and easy to listen to. A great buy!!