A few treasures--so many bad remix choices.
Daniel W. Kelly | Long Island, NY United States | 10/31/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Well, a golden opportunity to satisfy long time fans and collectors of Bananarama has been ruined. There are only a handful of sought after 12" versions finally on CD here, the rest are really bad remix choices and a huge disappointment. This single disc barely scratches the surface of the fan favorite extended versions, including all the stock aitken waterman/bananarama extended versions that were released over the years. The breakdown is:
1. Really sayin' Somethin (4:00) (extended??? my vinyl 12" runs 7:54)
2. shy boy (5:52) (the version I have on "Richard Blade's Flashback Favorites volume 2 runs 7:22 and is very remixed. This is the original 12" version)
3. Cruel Summer (6:02) (should have used the original 12". This is a new extended version that chops the heck out of the original with annoying repetitions of individual words, drum rolls, etc. Disaster!)
4. Venus (7:22) (Eureka! The actual TRUE stock aitken waterman 12" version!)
5. More Than Physical (8:45) (The original 12" version!)
6. trick of the night (8:18) (original 12" version again!)
7. I heard a rumour (5:53) (another original 12"!)
8. Love Truth and Honesty (9:17) (NO!!!! A stock aitken waterman/banarama 12" desperately needing to be on CD--and instead they use a freestyle mix! BLECH!)
9. Nathan Jones (5:20) (one of Bananarama's best 12" versions, left intact. Hallelujah)
10. Only Your Love (6:33) (not a bad version, but not as much of a dance mix as the original "Pop Life" CD version)
11. Preacher Man (7:19) (A real treat. The hard-to-find Shep Pettibone mix on CD)
12. Tripping On Your Love (3:39) (None of the mixes on the original 12" were very good--but if I had to choose one to be on here, I would have preferred the "Silky Seventies mix, because the metropolis mix sounds very much like the original CD version)"
Somewhat disappointing
Tom | Toronto | 11/10/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I must agree with DKW. This is a bit of a missed opportunity. It's bad enough the compilers missed dance classics like "I Can't Help It" and "I Want You Back", but to not use the SAW 12" of "Love Truth and Honesty" is a major disappointment. It's one of my favorite tracks from the girl group and it's represented here in an overlong and dull mix that zaps the Euro-NRG appeal of the original.
I'm happy to have this compilation but considering the wait, I wanted much more."
Ok, but I had hoped for more...
Brent Mason | Portland, OR USA | 12/18/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"If you like Banaanarama then you may find a few remixes you like here. For me, well I had hoped for more. There are a few songs you've heard on the radio, but the remixes could be better. Bananarama has a new album out with new 2006 remixes (Drama) of their new songs, a much better choice for your money."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1