Uncovered (The Very Best Of Smokie) - Smokie

30 years ago Smokie had their first big hit "If You Think You Know How To Love Me" and since then have lived the rollercoaster ride thats part of being in a famous band.They've had their ups and a lot of downs and are still making it to the top of the Charts across Europe and Scandinavia despite losing their original lead vocalist Chris Norman,They re-formed a few years later to help drive a benefit concert for the families of the victims ...
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After this historic comeback they stuck together only to have tragedy strike them in March of 1995.The tour bus which was carrying 3 members of the band crashed down a ravine on a German autobahn.2 members escaped death but lead vocalist Alan Barton lost his fight for life after bravely battling in a German hospital.
After a long break and much reflection Smokie recruited singer Mike Craft and Smokie were back on the road.Craft,without ... more

30 years ago Smokie had their first big hit "If You Think You Know How To Love Me" and since then have lived the rollercoaster ride thats part of being in a famous band.They've had their ups and a lot of downs and are still making it to the top of the Charts across Europe and Scandinavia despite losing their original lead vocalist Chris Norman,They re-formed a few years later to help drive a benefit concert for the families of the victims of the Bradford City Football Club Fire Disaster in 1986.

After this historic comeback they stuck together only to have tragedy strike them in March of 1995.The tour bus which was carrying 3 members of the band crashed down a ravine on a German autobahn.2 members escaped death but lead vocalist Alan Barton lost his fight for life after bravely battling in a German hospital.
After a long break and much reflection Smokie recruited singer Mike Craft and Smokie were back on the road.Craft,without doubt the one with the best vocal ability of of the 3 lead vocalists was an instant hit with the fans ,his ability to make any song his own brought Smokie back to the top of the charts and returned Smokie to the peak of popularity in Europe and Scandinavia
They have never stopped touring since.
After 30 years they decided to cover songs that a lot of people mistakingly thought were done by them originally.It was bound to be an interesting project to work on and the finished product did not leave me dissappionted.
My first thought on this album was the fact that their greatest hits had been re-recorded and re-mixed and came with this presentation but the covers disc was very interesting indeed.
When a band covers another artists song,usually one would think that the original is always the best but on this album I have to disagree.
Smokie not only maintain their classic sound with their trademark harmonies sounding powerfully beautiful,but each cover made me wonder....What if Smokie had to get these songs first??.The arrangement,mix and the Smokie touch left me in no doubt that Smokie are still able to rock and still have the ability to amaze.
This is proven to me in tracks such as 'It Never Rains In Southern California",'Arms Of Mary' and 'Still The One' by Shania Twain.The Twain cover truly amazed me as it was turned from a truly romantic ballad into a true Smokie production.The harmonies again flawless against a fantastic musical arrangement.Fans of the original artists may decide either way if Smokie did these covers justice but for me they certainly did.
I had been quite surprised as a Smokie fan to see them go down this road but Ive had people say to me that Smokie sang "Arms Of Mary" originally when in fact it was "The Bellamy Brothers".This has also happened with other songs so I guess Smokie knew what they were doing by recording this album.
Its a delightful presentation with surprising as well as obvious choices for the tracklist and I
was extremely chuffed to recieve the album,The amazing harmonies,fantastic lead vocal and some amazing musical arrangements make this album for me a big hit.
That and the fact that it is in reality,a double album.Greatest hits which still sound new and timeless plus Brand new Covers.
Thumbs up,and a big recommendation for fans and music lovers alike.Way to go Guys!!
 

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