2007 album that features covers of well-known songs by the Yardbirds ("Shapes of Things") and The Spencer Davis Group (Gimme Some Lovin?) to new material. The CD boasts several guest musicians who also have strong '60s cre... more »dentials, including the late Noel Redding (who was one-third of the Jimi Hendrix Experience) and two members of the Pretty Things: Dick Taylor and Phil May. For lovers of high energy rock played with attitude and verve as would be expected by the calibre of musicians involved The British Invasion All Stars invoke a period that has been taken by the scruff of the neck and dragged into the 21st century.« less
2007 album that features covers of well-known songs by the Yardbirds ("Shapes of Things") and The Spencer Davis Group (Gimme Some Lovin?) to new material. The CD boasts several guest musicians who also have strong '60s credentials, including the late Noel Redding (who was one-third of the Jimi Hendrix Experience) and two members of the Pretty Things: Dick Taylor and Phil May. For lovers of high energy rock played with attitude and verve as would be expected by the calibre of musicians involved The British Invasion All Stars invoke a period that has been taken by the scruff of the neck and dragged into the 21st century.
"The British Invasion All-Stars are a 21st century band with a '60s sound, which isn't surprising because all of its members are veteran rockers who belonged to various '60s bands (some more prominent than others). In rock circles, the term British Invasion is used to describe the wave of British rock bands that made its presence felt in the '60s. Rock was born in the United States, but when the Beatles and many other British acts hit big in the '60s, it was clear that England had become a major player in the rock & roll field.
Formed in 2001, the British Invasion All-Stars boasts former-Yardbird Jim McCarty on drums and lead vocals, ex-Procol Harum member Matthew Fisher on electric Hammond organ, and Eddie Phillips (formerly of the Creation) on lead guitar. The three other members are Ray Phillips, of the Nashville Teens fame, on lead vocals, and two ex-members of the Downliners Sect: rhythm guitarist Don Craine and bassist Keith Grand (who contributes background vocals and shares the lead vocals with Phillips and McCarty). The British Invasion All-Stars' self-titled debut album, which was released on the independent Mooreland Street label in 2002, shows no awareness of the alternative rock sounds of the early 2000s; the band is totally unaffected by any of the punk, new wave, post-punk, pop-metal, or alternative rock that came after the '60s. From covers of well-known songs by the Yardbirds ("Shapes of Things") and the Who ("Shakin' All Over"), to new material, everything on the British Invasion All-Stars' first album is unapologetically '60s-minded. The CD boasts several guest musicians who have strong '60s credentials, including bassist Noel Redding (who was one-third of the Jimi Hendrix Experience) and two ex-members of the Pretty Things: Dick Taylor and Phil May. - Alex Henderson"
Old Friends with a new outlook!
Richard Barnes | Colchester, CT United States | 02/03/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Most of you have heard of the Yardbirds, The Pretty Things perhaps even The Creation, Mick Green and Mathew Fisher of Procul Harum. Now imgaine getting to hear them all play in a band with even more friends like Noel Redding etc. Well you do not have to imagine it, because it is all here. Shapes of Things starts the disc off and you know you are well on your way to some fine listening. Mick Green who may not know or heard of did a song years ago call Shaking all Over..he does it again providing yet another highlight. Eddie Phillips/Creation fame I know most of you may never have heard of..but you have if you heard Making Time in the movie High Fidelity..well Eddie is back with his take on the Creation's "How does it Feel". Far from being yet another best of or artists trying to recapture the past this is the start of something new...Jim McCarty is back, so are The Pretty Things and of course the legendary Eddie Phillips playing is better now than ever. Pick up this disc and you will not be disappointed."
CLASSIC "EAR CANDY"
MARC WIARD | Kingman Kansas USA | 02/07/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I WAS INTRODUCED TO THIS FANTASTIC RECORDING WHILE LEARNING ABOUT THE YARDBIRDS AND ALL THE GREAT GROUPS FROM THAT ERA. JUST THE REMAKES ARE WORTH THE PRICE OF THIS RELEASE. BUT THE ORIGINALS ARE THE HEART AND SOUL OF THIS COLLECTION. McCARTY'S 'HEAVY WEATHER' SHOWS YOU EXACTLY HOW AND WHY HE'S EARNED THE REPUTATION AS A MAGNIFICIANT WRITER AS WELL AS A MUSICIAN. THE ECLECTIC MIX OF PARTICIPANTS ON THIS DISC, ONLY ADDS TO THE ENJOYMENT. PICK THIS UP AND TREAT YOURSELF TO SOME CLASSIC "EAR CANDY', GUARANTEED TO SATISFY THAT CRAVING BETWEEN YOUR EARS."
A must have for collectors
Paul Smith | 02/02/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This was a rare treat. In addition to some well known names and songs I was delighted to find Mick Green guesting on the song he made famous with Johhny Kidd & The Pirates 'Shakin All Over' and Ray Phillips former Nashville Teen belting out Tobacco Road better than he EVER did before. There are are couple of great Yardbirds songs on here and a stand out version of'Green Onions' that Procol Harum's Matthew Fisher goes to town on. The new songs are appealing as well. A solid effort. Well done, chaps!"
All Star Collection
Pete Sanfilippo | Buffalo, NY | 02/03/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This a great collection from a great group of musicians. They do a fabulous job covering a bunch of classics from the 60's including Gimme Some Lovin', Tobacco Road, Shakin' All Over, Green Onions, Shapes of Things, and I'm A Man. And the originals are also quite good especially the Jim McCarty compositions "Heavy Weather" and "Glimpses of God". The name of the album says it all. An all star collection from an all star band."