Various Artists - One Hit Wonder (18 tracks) +Album Reviews

One Hit Wonders: K-Tel couldn't locate the originals?

OldieButGoodie | TX | 05/20/2004

(2 out of 5 stars)

"These are remakes-not the original versions. I bought the album strictly because it is the only listing for the Original Caste's "One Tin Soldier", the first and superior hit version. I was disappointed to find it was a remake. However, the remake is still preferable to Coven's cover a year later, and that is why I gave the CD 2 stars instead of 1. Original versions of the other songs are readily available, so keep looking instead of wasting your money on this CD. Of course, if you are the type who buys an album to get 4 or 5 outtakes of a song, it's your money.

"

Remakes - Not Originals

fuzzy-jones | DuPage County, IL USA | 04/21/2005

(1 out of 5 stars)

"As a previous reviewer has indicated, all selections except "Precious And Few" by Climax are remakes. If you want the original versions, go elsewhere.

"

A complete waste of money

Phillip Campbell | Imperial Beach, CA | 08/25/2005

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Only one original hit and the remakes sound like crap. Never buy from K-Tel again!"

All Re-Records

Roger S. Davis | Waterloo, IA | 11/28/2008

(1 out of 5 stars)

"DON'T BUY THIS! This is an album of re-records. They are not the original hit versions!"

Mediocre remakes of terrific radio hits

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 02/08/2010

(1 out of 5 stars)

"You'd think that an artist who had but a single hit could be afforded the respect of having their one brush with mass popularity properly anthologized. But like so many compilations flooding the market, this one is filled with remakes. These recordings mostly stay true to the arrangements and sound of the original hits, but there are many obvious differences. B.W. Stevenson reaches the signature falsetto hook of "My Maria," but the percussion has a too-modern tone and the backing vocals are off. The double-tracked vocals of Mungo Jerry's "In the Summertime" are still a stereo delight, but the lead vocal is too high and the performance is missing the original's laid-back summertime joy.

Similar changes greet the listener on just about every track, showing off the difference between a good song performed competently and a once-in-a-lifetime hit. Chart-topping records are a combination of people, places and times, and the ephemeral magic of the original can never really be duplicated. Close is just not close enough. A charitable view of the original singers' involvement takes into account young artists signing bad contracts that resulted in little or no compensation for their one smash breakthrough. These re-recordings provide a way to capitalize on all-too-brief fame, but at the same time they dilute the original hit's legacy and mar the historical record. Listeners who know better will be disappointed, while those who don't will wonder how these songs managed to conquer the charts.

If you want to hear the real thing check out Barry Williams Presents: One-Hit Wonders of the 70s, which includes original hit recordings of many of the titles featured here. Also worth hearing are Dick Bartley's One Hit Wonders of the `60s [1 2], Eric Records' Hard to Find 45s on CD series, Rhino's Super Hits of the `70s: Have a Nice Day series, and the treasure-chest box-set Have a Nice Decade. The original hit recordings of many one-hit wonders are available on CD, and they're well-worth a few dollars more. Those who purchased this collection to get the Original Caste's version of "One Tin Soldier" can now find the original recording reissued on a pricey import reissue. [©2010 hyperbolium dot com]"

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