The biggest selling records from a memorable musical era
Disadvantages:
No Beatles, No Rolling Stones, No Elvis
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
First of all, let me start off by asking you all a question. Musically, other than the years when you were growing up ie your formative years, what era do you next enjoy listening to music from. Unless you grew up in the 1960s I would be surprised if the majority of you did not answer the 1960s when the likes of the Beatles, The Rolling Stones and the King himself were making music which has influenced so many bands and individuals therinafter.
When I first saw this CD in my local Virgin Megastore, I had a quick look on the track listing and immediately thought there are some very good tracks there, but also some others which I had never heard of and was initially taken aback that all these records had sold in excess of 1 million copies. Hence, cue research on the internet, where I discovered that in the history of the UK singles charts, only 80 records had sold in excess of 1 million copies, and only 4 of those are included on this triple album. Therefore, I concluded that the producers of this album must have based their title on worldwide sales and therein lies the problem. There is actually no definitive list of worldwide sales against which to verify the tracks included here. So having discovered that I couldn't verify that they were all million sellers I concluded that they must all have been number 1 singles in the UK. Once again this was not the case and only served to highlight the large number of tracks which could have graced this album.
All in all 97 different singles obtained the coveted number 1 slot in the UK singles charts between January 1965 and December 1969, and clearly on a 54 track triple CD something had to give. However, I am somewhat disappointed at the number of obscure tracks which are included on this album which never reached the top spot in the UK singles chart, whereby there are numerous tracks which could have been included which surely sold in excess of a million copies worldwide which have been excluded for some reason. Inn my initial introduction I mentioned three artists who have had such a massive influence on music for the past 40 years but none of these are included on this CD, namely The Beatles, Rolling Stones and Elvis Presley, all of whom had number 1 singles in the period in question. As a guide to the quality missing from this album, the following singles all hit the number one spot but have not been included. I suspect much of this is for contractual reasons but nevertheless it detracts somewhat from the quality which is offered on the CD.
SINGLES WHICH REACHED NUMBER 1 BUT DO NOT APPEAR ON CD (In chronological order)
Yeh Yeh - Georgie Fame Go Now - Moody Blues You've lost that lovin feelin - Righteous Brothers Tired of waiting for you - The Kinks The Last Time - Rolling Stones Concrete and Clay - Unit 4 Plus 2 The minute you're gone - Cliff Richard Ticket to Ride - Beatles King of the Road - Roger Miller Where are you now (my love) - Jackie Trent Long Live Love - Sandie Shaw Crying in the Chapel - Elvis Presley Mr Tambourine Man - Byrds Help! - Beatles I Got you Babe - Sonny and Cher (I can't get no) satisfaction - Rolling Stones Make it easy on yourself - Walker Brothers Get off of my cloud - Rolling Stones Day tripper / We can work it out - Beatles Keep on Runnin' - Spencer Davis Group Michelle - Overlanders These Boots are made for walkin - Nancy Sinatra The Sun aint gonna shine any more - Walker Brothers Somebody Help Me - Spencer Davis Group You Don't have to say you love me - Dusty Springfield Paint it Black - Rolling Stones Strangers in the Night - Frank Sinatra Paperback Writer - Beatles Sunny Afternoon - Kinks Get Away - Georgie Fame With a girl like you - Troggs Yellow Submarine / Eleanor Rigby - Beatles Distant Drums - Jim Reeves Reach Out I'll be There - Four Tops Good Vibrations - Beach Boys Green Green Grass of Home - Tom Jones I'm a Believer - Monkees This is my Song - Petula Clark Somethin' Stupid - Nancy and Frank Sinatra Silence is Golden - Tremeloes A Whiter Shade of Pale - Procol Harum All you need is love - Beatles San Francisco (Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair) - Scott McKenzie Massachusetts - Bee Gees Let the heartaches begin - Long John Baldry Hello Goodbye - Beatles The Ballad of Bonnie & Clyde - Georgie Fame Mighty Quinn - Manfred Mann Cinderella Rockafella - Esther and Abi Ofarim Legend of Xanadu - Dave Dee, Dozy Beacky, Mick and Tich Lady Madonna - Beatles Congratulations - Cliff Richard What a wonderful world / Cabaret - Louis Armstrong Jumpin Jack Flash - Rolling Stones Baby Come Back - Equals I Pretend - Des O'Connor Fire - Crazy world of Arthur Brown I've gotta get a message to you - Bee Gees Hey Jude - Beatles Those were the days - Mary Hopkin With a little help from my friends - Joe Cocker The good, the bad and the ugly - Hugo Montenegro and his Orchestra Ob-la-di-ob-la-da - Marmalade Blackberry Way - Move (If paradise is) half as nice - Amen Corner I heard it through the Grapevine - Marvin Gaye Israelites - Desmond Dekker and the Aces Get Back - Beatles with Billy Preston Dizzy - Tommy Roe Ballad of John & Yoko - Beatles Something in the Air - Thunderclap Newman Honky Tonk Women - Rolling Stones Bad Moon Rising - Creedance Clearwater Revival Je T'aime…Moi Non plus - Jane Birkin & Serge Gainsbourg Two little Boys - Rolf Harris
As you can see from this list, there are some real quality tracks which could and probably should have been included, including any of the eighteen number ones clocked up in this period by The Beatles, Rolling Stones or Elvis. Ok so that's my major gripe over, and now you know what isn't included on the CD, now is the time to give you a definitive account of what is included.
Track Listing
CD1
SUGAR SUGAR - THE ARCHIES
These have got a lot to answer for - being the first non-human act to spurn a million selling single and inspiring the likes of Mr Blobby, Flat Eric and Crazy Frog to enter the charts. These comic book and TV cartoon characters had the world's most successful single of 1969 being number 1 in the UK alone for 8 weeks from 25 October to 20 December. This is one of those cheery 1960's type ditty's synonymous with the flower power, happy clappy time.
Although included on this album, the single was actually released in 1964, hitting the top of the UK charts in September of the same year. The Manchester group, fronted by the 16 year old Peter Noone, was extremely popular in the USA for some reason.
HIGH TIME - PAUL JONES
Paul's debut single after leaving Manfred Mann peaked at number 4 in the UK chart and was his most successful UK single. All in all this is a pretty non-descript track which would have been far better served by being replaced by one of the many tracks detailed previously which failed to make it.
HI HO SILVER LINING - JEFF BECK
Amazingly Jeff never had a top 10 UK hit, and this ever popular rendition only reached the giddy heights of number 14 although it remained in the UK charts for a period of 14 weeks. The song has been re-released on a further 2 occasions but never peaked beyond its original release. Although failing to be a successful smash on this side of the Atlantic, the producers of this album are totally justified in including the track here as it is still huge to this day.
GOT TO GET YOU INTO MY LIFE - CLIFF BENNETT AND THE REBEL ROUSERS
Cliff Bennett's final UK single which peaked at number 6 on the UK chart and remained on the chart for a period of 11 weeks ion total. Similar to Hi Ho Silver Lining, this is another classic track which fully justifies its inclusion on this album.
RELEASE ME - ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK
Engelbert's first hit came eight years after his recording debut. His revival of this 17 year old country song spent 56 weeks on the chart and sold more than a million in the UK alone. Needs to introduction.
PUPPET ON A STRING - SANDIE SHAW
Who can forget the image of the young temptress appearing in the Eurovision Song contest in bare feet. The first British song to win the Eurovision Song Contest made Shaw the first female to amass three numbers 1's, a record only bettered by Madonna in 1987.
This Tom Jones ditty which has recently been used to help advertise Weetabix of all things peaked at number 2 in February 1968. Once again, an all time classic number which needs so introduction.
I'LL NEVER FIND ANOTHER YOU - THE SEEKERS
The first single by an Australian group to top the UK chart, and also the first to reach the US top 5. This single hit the UK top spot on 25th February 1965 where it remained for 2 weeks. Not the greatest track on the album but fully justified given it did achieve huge worldwide sales.
EVERLASTING LOVE - LOVE AFFAIR
Another song which requires no introduction. The media had a field day when this teen quartet admitted they didn't actually play on their chart-topping cover of Robert Knight's US hit.
I'LL NEVER FALL IN LOVE AGAIN - BOBBIE GENTRY
Yet another track which has stood the test of time over forty years. Amazingly, this single failed to deliver in her homeland, not even reaching the top 100. However, when released in the UK this was an unprecedented success providing Burt Bacharach his fifth number 1 of the decade in the process.
BUILD ME UP BUTTERCUP - THE FOUNDATIONS
Yet another timeless classic, this follow up to Baby now that I've found you peaked at number 2 in November 1968 when it remained on the UK charts for 15 weeks. A re-issue in December 1998 failed miserably peaking at number 71 and remaining on the charts for a miserly 1 week.
PRETTY FLAMINGO - MANFRED MANN
Another track which requires no introduction. This was the group's last single to showcase lead vocalist Paul Jones, and also featured their short-lived bass player Jack Bruce, who then joined legendary trio Cream. This hit the number 1 spot for three weeks in May 1966.
ALL OR NOTHING - SMALL FACES
These mod icons were regular chart visitors in the late 60s and clocked up five top 10 entries including this self-penned number 1. Another classic.
The group's first number 1 and their last for 23 years when He aint heavy was re-released to coincide with the Miller Lite adverts in the early 1990s, was originally intended for Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders. This hit the number 1 spot for 2 weeks in June 1965.
DO IT AGAIN - THE BEACH BOYS
Even though the groups surfing singles meant very little in Britain, this nostalgic sun and surf track gave them their last chart topper.
Bobby's debut offering reached a high of number 2 when released in April 1968 where it remained on the singles chart for a period of 15 weeks. The single was re-issued in March 1975 where once again it peaked at number 2 and remained on the charts for a further 12 weeks.
ODE TO BILLIE JOE - BOBBIE GENTRY
Bobbie's debut single peaked at number 13 when released in September 1967 where it remained on the UK charts for a period of 11 weeks. Not the greatest track on the album and there were plenty of more deserving offerings which could have been included.
CD2
IT'S NOT UNUSUAL - TOM JONES
Considering this is viewed as one of Tom's bigger hits it only hit the top of the UK singles chart for 1 week, knocking the Seekers I'll never find another you off the top spot. The song was originally penned for Sandie Shaw, but ultimately launched Toms long and lucrative career. This timeless track, which features Led Zeppellin guitarist Jimmy Page, returned to the top twenty in 1987.
BABY NOW THAT I'VE FOUND YOU - THE FOUNDATIONS
This multi racial british band not only topped the chart with their debut release, but also took it into the US R & B top 40 - a rare occurrence for a UK recording. Once again, another timeless classic.
BANG BANG (MY BABY SHOT ME DOWN) - CHER
This was Cher's most successful UK single, peaking at number 3 in March 1966 before her worldwide smash the Shoop Shoop song hit the top of the charts in 1991. Not one of the better records on the album.
ALBATROSS - FLEETWOOD MAC
This instrumental nearly became the first single to top the chart on two separate occasions - it returned and peaked at number 2 in 1973. Another timeless classic.
BEND ME, SHAPE ME - AMEN CORNER
This was the single which catapulted Amen Corner to worldwide fame, peaking at Number 3 in the UK Chart in January 1968 where it remained for 12 weeks. I find it somewhat bizarre that this track is included but (If paradise is) half as nice doesn't get a look in.
Another all time classic which has been successfully covered since. Amazingly, this consistently successful US recoding groups only achieved this UK top 20 hit which was inspired by a sign for the Mutual of New York company.
WHEN JESAMINE GOES - THE CASUALS
This was The Casuals one and only top 20 hit peaking at Number 2 in August 1968 and remaining in the UK singles charts for an 18 week period. Another timeless classic.
DON'T LET ME BE MISUNDERSTOOD - THE ANIMALS
This classic peaked at Number 3 in February 1965 where it remained on the chart for nine weeks. Well worthy of being included on this album.
YOUNG GIRL - GARY PUCKETT
Amazingly, Gary Puckett and the Union Gap sold more singles in the USA in 1968 than the Beatles and took this No 1 back into the UK top 20 in 1974 - three years after they had disbanded. Another all time sixty's classic.
This is the only Rolling Stones song ever to hit the top spot by another artist. Chris hit the top of the charts just as England were winning the World Cup. Sadly neither feat has since been repeated. Another great song.
THE CARNIVAL IS OVER - THE SEEKERS
The second listing from the Australians on this album, but not as well known as I'll never find another you . However, the group who spent more time on the UK charts in 1965 than any other act, sold more than a million copies of this single in the UK alone although it isn't instantly recognisable. The single hit the number 1 slot on 25 November 1965 where it remained for 3 weeks, only being deprived of the Christmas Number 1 by the Beatles double A side Day Tripper / We can work it out.
THERE'S A KIND OF HUSH - HERMAN'S HERMITS
The second entry from Peter Noone's band on this CD but not a patch on I'm into something good. This track peaked at number 7 in February 1967 where it remained in the charts for 11 weeks.
LILY THE PINK - SCAFFOLD
Paul McCartney's brother Mike was in the trio that had the Christmas 1968 No 1 with a song about medicinal compounds. Good song purely for the comedy value of it.
THE LAST WALTZ - ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK
One of the most performed British songs of all time. Sold more than a million copies in the UK alone. An all time classic.
TEARS - KEN DODD
That's right - the man more famous for his diddy men and Tickling stick, and stick out teeth and tax evasion was formerly a top singer who had the biggest selling record of 1965 with this cheery ditty. Interestingly, this record was originally a hit in 1931, a year before Dodd and his Diddymen were actually born. This version hit the top spot on 30th September 1965 where it remained for 5 weeks.
This originally peaked at number 3 in 1969 but got a new lease of life when used for the Miller Lite beer commercials in 1988 when it hit the Number 1 slot.
WICHITA LINEMAN - GLEN CAMPBELL
Glen's debut chart entry peaked at number 7 in January 1969 and remained on the chart for 13 weeks. Personally I believe this to be the weakest track on the album and could easily have been replaced with any of the number 1's detailed previously which did not make it onto the album. To give you a flavour of Glens type of music he is probably best known in the UK for Rhinestone Cowboy and was a large country and western star in his native USA.
EDELWEISS - VINCE HILL
Vince's biggest hit reaching the number 2 slot in February 1967. Once again this is a weak track to end the second CD and personally I would not have included it on the album.
CD3
HAPPY TOGETHER - THE TURTLES
This single reached the giddy heights of number 12 in the UK chart when it was released in March 1967 and is a poor way to start this CD. It's not a bad track, and probably is worthy of inclusion on the CD but no way is it in the top 25% of tracks on the album.
ITCHYCOO PARK - SMALL FACES
The second entry on this album after all or nothing and this is a similar track in terms of it hasn't lost anything in the intervening period. Amazingly this only got to number 3 but is an absolute classic.
ICE IN THE SUN - STATUS QUO
Personally I wouldn't have included this as in my view it is a poor Status Quo track. In addition the Quo are more in keeping with the 70's than this period. Not a great track.
IT MUST BE HIM - VIKKI CARR
This single peaked at number 2 when released in 1967 where it remained on the charts for 20 weeks. Although popular at the time, this hasn't received the subsequent air play or adulation and to be honest I didn't recognise the track. Given its high chart position and longevity I can see why it was included on the album but I think they could have appealed to a more mainstream audience by including maybe a track which was a little less popular in terms of sales but more well known. Just a little gripe.
WHERE DO YOU GO TO MY LOVELY - PETER SARSTEDT
The brother and one-time roadie of 1961 chart topper Eden Kane scored with a continental-sounding song that picked up the prestigious Ivor Novello award for Song of the Year in 1969. At last, a half decent track on this third CD.
HERE IT COMES AGAIN - FORTUNES
This single peaked at Number 4 when released in October 1965 and remains a timeless classic. Didn't quite achieve the success of "You've got your troubles" but a great song nonetheless.
IN THE YEAR 2525 - ZAGER AND EVANS
Now we're talking. Why couldn't this album start with the last three tracks instead of the dodgy numbers which we were given. The act paid $500 for the recording session and originally released this transatlantic topper on their own label. Wonderful foresight lads.
LET'S GO TO SAN FRANCISCO - THE FLOWERPOT MEN
This one hit wonder peaked at number 4 when released in 1967 where it remained in the charts for a total of 12 weeks. Very much in the flower power mould of its generation. Not the greatest record on the CD and very forgettable.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN - CANNED HEAT
Another timeless classic which surprisingly only peaked at Number 8 when released. Well worthy of inclusion on this album.
THE WEIGHT - THE BAND
This instrumentalist group peaked at number 21 with this little ditty. How this sold over a million copies I will never know because it is the biggest load of rubbish I have heard in all my life. How this got included on this CD I will never know. Definitely many more tracks worthy ahead of this.
EVERYBODY'S TALKIN - NILSSON
One of my early memories of this track is from an episode of Only Fools and Horses where they go down to Brighton for a lads weekend (Jolly Boys Outing). A classic track which never quite got the acclaim which it deserved. This was released three times between September 1969 and March 1970 where it charted no higher than number 23. However, it did remain in the charts for a 15 week period, which clearly attributed to its sales.
MAN OF THE WORLD - FLEETWOOD MAC
Fleetwood Macs most successful single after Albatross but it doesn't do it for me. This peaked at number 2 in the UK charts where it remained for 14 weeks.
Keith's biggest hit by a country mile which peaked at number 2 in August 1967 and remained on the charts for 15 weeks. One of my all time favourite songs.
NATURAL BORN BOOGIE - HUMBLE PIE
This was their sole UK chart entry peaking at number 4 in the UK charts when released in August 1969. Noot a great track and once again there are far more worthy contenders for inclusion on this album.
CATCH THE WIND - DONOVAN
This acclaimed Celtic singer songwriters debut offering peaked at number 4 when released in March 1965 but isn't Donovan's greatest track. Personally I would have included Mellow Yellow, which despite only reaching number 8 in the UK charts appeals to a more mainstream audience.
I'M THE URBAN SPACEMAN - BONZO DOG DOO-DAH BAND
One hit wonders who released this in keeping with the flower power hippy movement of the time. Another all time classic which amazingly only reached number 5 in the UK charts.
FROM THE UNDERWORLD - THE HERD
The Herd's debut single which peaked at number 6 and remained on the charts for 13 weeks. Not a bad track but not a great track either. In summary I could think of better ones to include.
NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN - MOODY BLUES
A great way to finish the album with an all time classic track. Amazingly this track only peaked at Number 19 when released in December 1967. When re-released in December 1972 it just about broke into the top 10 and number 9.
Although there are loads of absolute blinders on here I feel somewhat cheated. I know I only paid £6.99 for the album, but I feel cheated at the fact that some of the tracks on here aren't of the same quality as some as those that could have been included. I feel cheated that Disc 3 varies between the sublime to the ridiculous without having a decent mix of quality tracks. I feel cheated because there is no representation from three of the greatest influences which this era brought to the rest of the musical genres namely the Beatles, Rolling Stones and Elvis himself. I know I shouldn't feel cheated because there are some absolute classics here, but to an extent I think it is human nature to want what we haven't got. You never now, they might make a second volume of this CD and include some of the tracks which I have detailed earlier. Then again, contractual obligations probably prevent it from happening.
I could go on about the CD packaging and design but I think I have probably gone on too long as it is. Many thanks for reading.
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Good
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Good
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