Search - Flamin Groovies :: Groovies Greatest Grooves

A Compilation Somewhat Flawed But Worthwhile

JOHN SPOKUS | BALTIMORE, MARYLAND United States | 10/30/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Flamin' Groovies were like two separate bands. The first with original vocalist Roy Loney is grossly under showcased here with just the classics "Teenage Head" and "Slow Death" as a token nod to a line-up that actually made the group's best music. This collection mainly highlights the albums by the Loney-less later line up led by guitarist Cyril Jordan and vocalist Chris White whose biggest claim to fame is the proto- power pop classic/anthem "Shake Some Action" included here along with an overview of the rest of that line-up's output which owes a lot to the mid sixties Beatles and maybe more to The Byrds jangly Rickenbacker 12 string sound. As they went on the original ideas became less and less and they did a lot of cover versions (Beatles, Stones, Byrds, Dylan etc.). Still this compilation is a fun rock n'roll party record, but a little more of the earlier stuff would've been nice."

Well-selected sampler of the Cyril Jordan years of the Groov

TimothyFarrell22 | Massachusetts | 06/28/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"During Cyril Jordan's years as The Groovies' leader, they produced one great album ("Shake Some Action") and several very uneven ones. While the albums released after "Shake Some Action" all had their moments, they were often dragged down by hastilly-written filler material and odd cover choices. This compilation and "Shake Some Action" are the only essential purchases of that era. Most of the great songs from each album are included, showing how at their best, The Groovies were one of the most exicting rock bands of the decade. If you're only a casual fan who has heard a song or two off a sampler of 70's power-pop, this is really all you need. Some will complain about the absense of material from the Roy Loney years with the exception of one song. While the band was great in that period and I feel a good compilation of those years needs to be produced urgently, the decision to leave if off this compilation may be wise. The band changed imensley when the leader changed, so its almost as if The Groovies were two different bands. The early band favored raw roots rock with a sense of humor. The latter band were very much power-pop revisionists of the British Invasion and played without any trace of irony. Having equal amounts of both periods on the same sampler may have led to a disjointed feeling. If they were to make one, it would be critical to put it in chronological order to show the evolution. Also the inclusion of the classic "Slow Death" with short-time vocalist Chris Wilson is a wise decision, as this is a classic song that wasn't included on any of the studio albums. If you don't want to purchase the albums, this compilation would be a good choice. At their best, The Groovies were one of the best rock 'n' roll bands in the world."

Gosh, where could I start?

Simone Oltolina | Morbio Inferiore, TI Switzerland | 01/27/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Flamin' groovies are quite possibly the best "classic rock" band you've never heard of... Being a cult band they never hit commercial success. Why? Well, because they played the wrong kind of music (bluesy rock 'n' roll, with a pinch of British Invasion in the mix) in an era which was soon going to be dominated by "hippie culture and raga-rock freakouts" as the All Music Guide states. Let's be honest: most alleged "classic" rock sounds outdated and definitely overrated but the Flamin' are just as good today as they were 30 years ago! This collection contains truly their best songs and is therefore the record to own!"