I bought this on a whim. Turned out to be a good mix of rare songs recorded by this seventies britpop band. The bonus tracks alone are worth having, with the outfit showing a tougher side on their first demos than ever shown during their RAK records years later. Apart from that, the Left Banke classic "Walk away Renee" is treated with respect for the original, as is the Burnette cover tune "Dreamin." A really good pop rock maxi single for those interested in such things.
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This is a fine release. The 1974 Arrows "Walk Away Renee" is a respectable version, fairly true to the Left Banke's 1966 hit arrangement. It's given an Arrows spin, with distinctive and easily recognizable vocals by Alan Merrill. The cover of Johnny Burnette's "Dreamin'" here is far less angst ridden and hystrionic than the version the band released on 2005's "A's B's and Rarites." Their monster hit "I love rock n roll" is included here as well, a fine version. Some amusing studio patter precede's this track, with their producer Mickie Most asking the band to have "plenty of energy" and letting them know that the "tape's running."
Most interesting to me though on this release are the 1971 bonus tracks, with the band's original dummer John Siomos
on the group's first demos, songs which all sound heavily influenced by the band Free. The band sound quite heavy, and they rock hard as a three piece on these bonus tracks, with "The Stranger" being a personal favorite.
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