Search - Cliff Bennett :: Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers/Got

The Great "What If..."

popmusicfan | northeastern Ohio | 04/08/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"What if things had turned out differently? What if Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers hadn't worn those awful plaid jackets on the cover of their debut album? Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers was an outstanding British R&B band that made no impact in the U.S. as part of the British Invasion, and mysteriously sold far fewer records in their homeland than lesser groups. Bennett was one of the classiest British R&B singers of the day, and the band was loaded with talent (including at one time Roy Young, widely known as Britain's Little Richard). The "2-fer" format (you get two albums for the price of one) makes this a must-have purchase for fans of British Invasion era R&B. By the way, the second album represented here, includes Bennett's rendition of "Got to Get You Into My Life." Sir Paul himself was at the session, if not in control of it. This was a hit in the U.K., and deservedly so. Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers might best be labeled "musicians' musicians." Ignore the jackets and listen to the phrasing, the solid rhythm section, etc., etc. Well worth the price!"