Brett Simpson | Auckland, New Zealand | 02/19/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Dragon were at one time "Australia's most popular band", a blatant misnomer, but one that shows just how big they were down under - and yes, they were more popular in Australia than at home in NZ. Other than a chart-scraping "Rain" they failed to crack the US market, unlike Crowded House, or any of the 'real' Aussie bands - LRB, AC/DC, Air Supply, etc. But virtually every cut featured here made the Aussie top 40, and it is some of the most accessible pop you never heard.
If you've somehow stumbled upon this listing accidentally, consider it a case of providence and order this CD NOW. The informative liner notes will fill you in on everything your ears don't!"
Marc Hunter the voice
Edward Anthony G. | Los Angeles, California | 06/25/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you havent had the pleasure of hearing Dragon then you need too. Dragon was one of those great bands that never really got their true awards, the song 'Get That Jive' is a well done tune and my favorite 'Sunshine' is truely a song that will have you a fan. They did many albums and at this time they have reissued on cd the album "Sunshine" so try and pick that up, its worth it. This though is a nice gathering of tunes they have here so you can't go wrong, I had the pleasure of seeing Dragon in 1978 opening for Johnny Winter and they were just as tight as on record, a few years ago we lost the great Marc Hunter to throat cancer. Such a loss to the music industry, but he left us so many great songs to live with. he also has some solo records that are sometimes hard to find but believe me "Well worth it""
The Very Best of New Zealand pop and rock on one disc
Edward Anthony G. | 04/20/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Dragon, arguably New Zealand's finest rock group, are also probably the least well known of most of the rock groups from the 1970s and early 1980s. For anybody who loves pure pop, whether that be more upbeat numbers or slower, wistful ballads, Dragon is the group you should look to. From the brilliant Are You Old Enough? to rock-oriented Young Years, from the bouncy Get That Jive to the lovely ballad Still In Love With You, this disc contains it all. It is sure not to disappoint any fan who already knows and loves Dragon, while at the same time introducing new listeners to their distinctive sound, especially Mark Hunter's emotive vocals. No true lover of rock music should go without this superb collection. Absolutely brilliant."
NZ's Mott The Hoople
Tooloud | Sydney, Australia | 06/28/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Another band that should have been huge but self destructed. Oh, if only..... it breaks my heart to think of the great tunes we must have missed out on without Paul Hewsons immaculate pop songwriting skills. With Marcs unique sultry, sneering voice and his brothers perfectly pitched harmonies (I never heard him get one note wrong live) they were poised to take on the world.
With the Oh Zambesi lineup they should have been unstoppable. But in true rock tradition, with too many drugs and too many huge egos they couldn't ride the rocket whose fuse they'd lit. The album 'Sunshine' is my favourite and has a funkier boogie sound that reflected some of the Steely Dan influence of the day.