Disc one contains all of the group’s best known tracks. It begins with the original and slower version of “Hanky Panky.” Hits such as “Say I Am,” “Mirage,” “I Think We’re Alone Now,” “Mony Mony,” “Sweet Cherry Wine,” “Crimson & Clover,” and “Crystal Blue Persuasion” quickly follow. I have always felt that the song “Gotta Get Back To You,” issued near the end of the group’s career, was a musical change of direction that would have allowed them to remain relevant had they stayed together.
Tommy James would go on to enjoy a long solo career. “Church Street Soul Revival,” “I’m Comin’ Home” and “Draggin’ The Line” were solo hits for James and would make an impact on the national charts.
The second disc contains twenty tracks that bring Tommy James’ career down to the present. It contains his only single release for the MCA Label, “Glory Glory,” a gospel version of his classic hit “Sweet Cherry Wine,” his holiday release, “I Love Christmas,” and the beautiful ballad “Love Words.”
Tommy James and the original Shondells returned to the studio recently to record new material for an album.
40 Years: The Complete Singles Collection (1966-2006) provides the essential retrospective for a too many times unjustly forgotten group. The music contained on these two discs is a pleasant listen and makes a fine addition to any music collection.
Article comments
1 - Glen Boyd
A lot of those latter-day hits like "I'm Comin' Home" were a product of Tommy James' Christian period in the seventies, after his group lost favor during the onslaught of psychedelic music in the late sixties (Crimson & Clover notwithstanding). It actually helped him find a new audience after many of his former fans deserted him to grow long hair and silly mustaches and begin experimenting with drugs. Their loss if you ask me.
I think when Billy Idol started covering his songs in the eighties, as well as Joan Jett, is really when Tommy James was finally able to shed the "bubblegum" label he was burdened with for awhile though. Those early songs are widely regarded as party classics today. Nice review though Mr. Discographer...
-Glen
2 - dennis teel
to glen boyd:tommy james had long hair in his christian period as you put it.but you obviously have a problem with long hair.. and silly mustaches??what are you ,70 years old??actually even old people now days don't have a problem with long hair or mustaches.you're a bit odd dude