Saturday, November 1, 2008

40 Years of Hits From Tommy James & the Shondells

Collector's Choice Music has scored an exclusive with the first comprehensive hits package to include all of Tommy James' singles with the Shondells and as a solo artist. The 40th Anniversary Singles Collection was approved by James and carefully assembled to include every one of his A-Sides from his work on six different labels. Release is set for November 25.


The company has also kept collectors in mind by assembling some rarities on the album. The very first track is the original, slower version of "Hanky Panky" as released on the Snap label and is followed by 14 more original singles, all in glorious mono. Some songs like "I Think We're Alone Now" and "Somebody Cares" include extra vocal overdubs not heard on the more standard stereo versions.

In fact, many of these versions have never been released before on CD. I Love Christmas includes the original arrangement with an a capella choir. "Draggin' the Line" is the single mix that you probably heard on the radio during its original run which contains extra horns not heard on most album versions. "Calico" is the pop radio version, not the jazz version heard on other anthologies. Overall, these are the singles as they were originally released and, in a special treat, the album ends with "Long Pony Tail," a song cut by Tom & the Tornadoes in 1962.

The 2-CD set also includes liner notes by Ed Osborne and photo's from James' personal archive.

SOURCE: http://winkscollectibles.blogspot.com

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