5 stars/music & 4 stars/packaging
R. Paavo | Michigan | 11/09/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In a small restaurant bar years ago when with some friends I walked up to the jukebox and one of the songs was "Runaway 67". I had heard of but not heard the song itself so I dropped some coins in and played a few tunes. When "Runaway 67" came on I was blown away. Apparently some others in the establishment were too because in the second half of the song they were singing along trying to emulate the falsetto. I was able to pick up a vinyl album titled "More Original Golden Greats" which had a stereo version of this song along with some other artists recordings.
It should be noted that there are at least three different versions of "Runaway 67" with different mixes. The single which was on the jukebox and the vinyl album described has applause on it from studio musicians with Del saying "Thank you." It's included on this cd in mono and is the first time in years that the recording with applause has been reissued and I believe the first time on cd. Other versions have had the applause mixed out.
A few songs on this collection were issued in 1967 as singles but an album, to be called "Home & Away" was never issued probably in part that except for "Runaway 67" getting some airplay, the other releases stiffed as far as chart action. That's not to say the music was not good, because it is.
It's a great collection of commercial sounding songs that some of which with a bit of luck could have been chart winners. My favorites aside from "Runaway" are "Cut And Come Again", "Life Is But Nothing" (a powerful vocal of a lost soul), and "Easy To Say" which is captivating and fun to listen to with the vocals and instruments along with the rest of the bells and whistles thrown in for good measure.
The album shows off an early rocker's talents in a different setting that works well. As does "The Further Adventures Of Charles Westover" which is an album in a completely different vein released a year later.
The cd I have unfortunately has a mix up in page liner notes and I do wish that the stereo version of "Runaway" had the applause mixed in.
These songs, or similar versions of them, have been available on other reissues, so this cd may not be for everyone if you have the songs on other recordings. However, if you want to explore Del Shannon's work that hasn't been heard by most, all in all this cd fits the bill excellently. At least, it's my feeling.
The release of "Home & Away" is long overdue as a complete album."
A great collaboration: Oldham producing Shannon singing...
ge | NY, NY United States | 06/21/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Billy Nicholls et al: well-crafted, ornate [NOT over-produced, Joe Boyd!] singer-songwriter pop torchsongs. The mono foreign single cuts at end are refreshingly different from the album versions. Fine to have this unreleased gem in the more pristine [intended] form than part 2 of the old 2-fer cd! Del was a GREAT singer & writer for the Ages, who'd-a thunk it!!?"
Track Listings (16) - Disc #1