Search - Fireballs, Jimmy Gilmer :: Sugar Shack: Best of

Go Jimmy Go

Zub | Forks Twp., PA | 12/26/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Fireballs, although actually a vocal group had their early chart success with instrumentals only. When the original lead was replaced by Jimmy Gilmer, the group blasted onto the airwaves with the chart-topping infectious, quirky, coffee-house-fad-inspired "Sugar Shack" in 1963. Follow-up material was pretty much sound-alike imitations that failed to keep the chart successes coming. While "Daisy Petal Pickin'" was a considerable step-down from "...Shack", the third single, "Ain't Gonna Tell Anybody" was a solid, well-crafted pop tune that probably suffered due to its similarity in sound to "...Shack". The Fireballs, minus credit to Gilmer, moved to Atco records and reimerged in '67 with another top ten tune, the gritty, frathouse-aura "Bottle Of Wine". The follow-up, "Goin' Away" was a complete change of style, exhibiting a gently, swaying folk-like performance. Chart success was meager for this tune, it being probably just too soft for the noisy, pounding style demands of the late 60s music atmosphere. The Fireballs managed two more minor chart hits before finally fading from the spotlight of popular music. This collection from Varese Vintage gathers up the output of the Fireballs from the introduction of Jimmy Gilmer and the signature "Sugar Shack" through their final Fireballs's singles in the late 60s. All seven charted singles are included with a few noncharting singles and other album cuts (with two from Gilmer's "Buddy's Buddy" album) rounding out this collection. While slightly meager on the overall track count (14), it is a well-produced, high-quality piece with excellent sound quality overall. Tracks are in stereo with the exception of 3,5,9,10 and 14. The eight-page liner notes booklet contains a history of the group along with a few pictures. An excellent overview of their heyday recordings."