Search - :: Best of the Emi Years V.2

Second of two comprehensive volumes

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 03/25/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In recent years, Herman's Hermits have not been served well by CD releases. Things were much better in the early nineties when two volumes of their music, each containing 22 tracks, were released, each focusing on one period of their career. This, the second volume, covers the years from 1967 to 1971. Their American chart history was very different from their UK chart history but the extensive liner notes gives chart details for both. All UK hits and all USA top 40 hits are included.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 vefore they became famous for their own music) were lesser UK hits.All the above hits are included along with several other interesting album tracks. The album Blaze was not released in the UK despite charting in the USA. Three tracks - Green Street Green (a UK hit for the New Vaudeville Band, better known for Winchester Cathedral), One little packet of cigarettes and Busy line - are included here.This compilation may now be hard to find now but, together with its equally elusive companion volume, remains the most comprehensive study of Herman's Hermits' music.TracksThere's a kind of hush
Green Street green
Little Miss Sorrow child of tomorrow
One little packet of cigarettes
Don't go out into the rain (you're going to melt)
Jezebel
Busy line
Museum
Rattler
I can take or leave your lovin'
It's nice to be out in the morning
Ooh she's done it again
Sleepy Joe
Sunshine girl
Most beautiful thing in my life
Something is happening
My sentimental friend
Here comes the star
Years may come years may go
Bet your life I do
Lady Barbara
Oh you pretty thing"