Search - Various Artists :: Party Megamix, Vol. 1

Good beat of the 50-60s in melody from one song to next

08/09/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Heard this at a party and had to have. The music and the beat makes you want to dance. You hear the start of one song and it moves to another song without missing a beat. Your body just wants to move to the beat. If you like the 50s & 60s you will love this. Alot of my favorite songs are mixed on this CD. After a rough day at work this lightens your mind and will change your frame of mind. Good varity of melodies by different artists. Melodies like "Sherry,Little Old Lady from Pasadena, She's Got a Ticket to Ride, Hard Days Night.Pretty Woman" Goes from one melody to the next. Sharts the beginning of the songs and moves into the next. Hope you enjoy as much as I did. You can't help but swing and get into the music."

An enjoyable Jive Bunny-style party album

Jon | Scotland | 03/23/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Party Megamix" - the first CD in a four volume set - was the first collection of it's kind to rival Jive Bunny and the Master Mixers way back in 1991. However, this is not an original album, and as the track listings suggest, the megamixes featured here are taken from various record labels. That's not a bad thing, of course, and what you're left with is an excellent party album. Unlike Jive Bunny - who also appears on this CD - the makers of this album admit to using 'sound-a-likes', but I assure you the singers used to recreate these classic songs are truly top quality which only makes "Party Megamix" sound even better. This 70-minute non-stop album kicks of with a remixed version of "The ABBA Medley" by the legendary 'Stars On 45' production team. Originally released as a single in 1981, this new club-style mix breathes new life into what was still a great party track anyway. If you like ABBA you'll love this (even if I have to say there's been better ABBA medleys and megamixes released since then). Track Two is another medley taken from the early 80s, but this time it's from a band who specialise in impersonating others. Gidea Park's, "Beach Boys Gold" sounds so much like the real thing, you'll be checking the credits to see if it really is Brian Wilson and Co. Again, this has been remixed to give it a 'new sound', yet it still manages to sound like the Beach Boys. (Incidentally, if you like this medley, track down "Beach Boys Gold Vol. 2" which is even better).Gerry Grant - Britain's number one Roy Orbison impersonater - pitches in with his tribute medley, "Orbisongs". Take it from a self-confessed Roy Orbison 'addict', this guy sounds exactly like him. It's a fantastic megamix, yet I've never really thought of Roy Orbison as someone who you'd play at a party. Nevertheless, this works really well. Next up is Susan McCann's tribute to the female vocalists of the 50s. What I like about Susan is that she doesn't try to sound like anyone else. One of Ireland's top country vocalists, Susan McCann gives this medley everything she's got and the results are brilliant. However, her 70s country medley, "String Of Pearls" is even BETTER because it's a style she's more comfortable with.Three more 'previously-released-as-singles' appear on "Party Megamix". Stars on 45 return with remixed versions of their hits, "Stevie Wonder Medley" and the ever-so modern sounding "Beatles Medley". Both are good, but without a doubt the latter is the best one. 'Tight Fit' - a Stars On 45 clone - pitch in with their "Back To The 60s" megamix. This is a similar production to those more familiar with Jive Bunny, but does become a bit repetitive after a while. Gidea Park - who had minor successes after "Beach Boy Gold" - make a second contribution to this CD. "Seasons Of Gold" is a great 'Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons' tribute medley. As you'd expect, all their main hits are included - especially those early ones.Jive Bunny's *original* radio version of "Swing The Mood" is also present, which isn't surprising since the Master Mixers were still reasonably successful in the UK when this CD was released. As a matter of fact, "Swing The Mood" was used to promote "Party Megamix". Only one megamix was specially commissioned for this album, and that was Gary Glitter's, "The Leader Rocks On" featuring the man himself singing all his biggest hits. The final track on "Party Megamix" is a fantastic "Elvis Medley". The name of the vocalist escapes me (I should be ashamed of myself!), but 'All The King's Men' are Britain's top 'Elvis' tribute band and this track proves why. Sounding spookily like Elvis, the songs covered are from his early days. Truly a fitting tribute to the 'King'. (As a matter of fact, Jive Bunny used the vocalist from 'All The King's Men' to recreate some of the Elvis tracks they sampled).The first - and best - "Party Megamix" in the series comes highly recommended from a guy who sometimes DJs at nostalgic party nights. And if "Party Megamix" can delight the usually 'fickle' British clubbers, I'm sure it will anywhere!Jon."