The Easybeats: Vigil CD Track Listing

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The Easybeats Vigil (1968)
Originally Released 1968\nRepertoire CD Edition Released February 1992\n2nd Repertoire CD Edition Released November 14, 2002\n''Complete Easybeats'' compilation Released February 19, 2004\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: (''Complete Easybeats'') The Complete Easybeats from the Australian-based Albert Productions -- the company to which the Easybeats were originally signed -- is what it says, all of the group's authorized masters and all but a tiny handful of known outtakes, from their first Australian Parlophone sides to their last post-"Friday on My Mind" follow-ups, assembled on six CDs in a slipcase. Each of the discs is identical in title, packaging, and song content to the individual Repertoire Records reissues of the group's catalog from the early '90s, and what's more, so far as this writer can tell, the discs use the same early-'90s masters that were the sources for the Repertoire CDs. Fortunately, those were of such high quality to begin with that they were still up to modern standards circa 2004; unfortunately, as most serious fans (at whom this release is obviously aimed) are likely to already own at least two or three of the six CDs in this box in their Repertoire editions, it is not as attractive a box as it might otherwise be -- the producers should have gone for 24-bit remastering on at least the original Australian LP material, which is exclusive to this and the Repertoire CDs. As it is, however, if all one owns is one of the ubiquitous best-of compilations on the band, then this is still a box to seriously consider -- the group's 1964-1966 Merseybeat-influenced sides from the first three discs have a special charm and energy all their own, while the Friday on My Mind and Shame Just Drained discs present the full range of their peak years; only the Vigil disc, covering the final phase of their history, is of dubious value. With a U.S. list price that breaks down to around seven and a half dollars a disc, this is a lot cheaper than the Repertoire discs ever went for, and is a handy way to get the group's entire history in one fell swoop. There will still be a few things to own, such as the Raven Records live disc and a DVD or two, but this set takes care of about 98 percent of everything of note the band ever did of note. -- Bruce Eder\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: Repertoire Records' 22-song CD reissue of Vigil is slightly superior to the original UA album, though that still doesn't make this a high-priority item -- the eight bonus tracks include a better, more raw version of "Good Times" and the slower, more ornate version of "Falling Off the Edge of the World," but also a lot of the same kind of filler that comprised the original album. For completists only, but not quite as much of a stretch to justify as the LP version. -- Bruce Eder\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: Exactly what happened to the Easybeats between Friday on My Mind in 1967 and this release later in 1968 is something of a mystery. Vigil is as disjointed and lifeless for long stretches as Friday on My Mind was inspired, the group falling into routine pop/rock. There's a real sense of simply going through the motions of making music, and no originality to speak of on most of the songs -- two of the exceptions, "Falling Off the Edge of the World" and "Land of Make Believe," sound like leftovers from Friday on My Mind, which is a welcome relief, but don't justify the purchase of this album, except by the most hardcore fans. The third, "I Can't Stand It," is a solid straight-ahead rocker that could have come off of one of the group's first two Australian albums, except that they would have done it with a quicker tempo in those days; and "Good Times" is a pleasant throwback to the same era, and livelier than anything else on this album. -- Bruce Eder\n\nAmazon.com Product Description\nImport reissue of 1968 album includes eight bonus tracks, 'Good Times' (Different Mix), 'Lay Me Down & Die' (Instrumental + Vocal Version), 'Bring A Little Lovin'' (Demo Version), 'The Music Goes Round My Head' (Fast Version), 'Hello How Are You' (Original First Version), 'Come In You'll Get Pneumonia' (First Version) & Falling Off The Edge Of The World' (Second Version)\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nMixed Bag by Australia's greats, February 12, 2001\nReviewer: Randall E. Adams (Los Angeles, CA United States)\nI would rate this release three and one-half stars if I could. "Vigil" is a motley collection. Two tracks--the timeless "Gonna Have a Good Time" and "Land of Make Believe" come from a shelved album. For other tracks from the same promising source, see "The Shame Just Drained." The producer credit for the rest of the tracks goes to their road manager(!). At least some of the rest of the tracks sound like spruced up versions of their songwriting demos. "Falling Off the Edge of the World" and "Come In, You'll Get Pneumonia" are classics. The covers "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" and "Hit the Road Jack" are embarrassments. "Hello, How are You" is sappy. "What in the World" and "The Music Goes Round My Head" are good bubblegum. "Sha La La" and "We All Live Happily Together" are forgettable bubblegum. \nAt the same time that this very uneven record came out, the Easybeats were knocking out superior songwriting demos on a regular basis. A few are included among the bonus tracks and many more can be heard on "The Shame Just Drained." If you are already hooked on the Easybeats, you will find plenty to enjoy on this release, but if you are looking for a place to start, I recommend either "Good Friday" (aka "Friday on My Mind") or "Vol. 3." "Vigil" is just too spotty.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nSome good tracks., August 14, 2000\nReviewer: A music fan\nSome good tracks and some iffy ones. The Easybeats get a bit of vocal help from the lead singer of the Small Faces on "Good Times." "Hello How Are You," "Land of Make Believe" and "Bring a Little Lovin" are good tracks, but it is still a mystery to me how the Easybeats could record junk like "See Saw" and leave excellent unreleased (internationally) sure-hit tracks like "Sorry" and "I'll Make You Happy" on the shelf and unknown. Why, oh Easybeats why??\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nEasily the Easybeats' best., June 24, 2000\nReviewer: David Goodwin (Westchester, NY United States)\nAlthough I'd hazard to say that none of the songs on this disc are known by the general public, surprisingly enough this album received a HUGE amount of praise upon its release. And even better, it lives up to that praise in spades.\n\nWhat's here? Some of the Easybeats most solid performances and songs. They eschew their earlier, quirkier material, and go for a more basic, rock n' roll-esque approach (even going so far to have Steve Marriot scream out the choruses on "Gonna Have A Good Time"). Best of all, most of it works; "We All Live Happily Together," an odd bit of social commentary, is an intelligently done track, and "Land of Make Believe," "Falling Off the Edge of the World," and "Come In You'll Get Pneumonia" are wonderful tracks. Give it a try.\n\nAs this is a relatively old release from Repertoire, not much information is given in the liner notes. However, the BONUS tracks are quite worthwhile, and thus the Repertoire issue is the one to get.\n\nHalf.com N/A\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW: (''Complete Easybeats'')\nA "Complete" waste of an opportunity to be definitive, March 10, 2004\nReviewer: Charles Phelps (McKinney, TX United States)\n\nThe Band and the Music:\nFormed in Australia (by immigrant British and Dutch musicians), the Easybeats unfortunately didn't begin making and releasing records outside of Australia until late 1966, after the first wave of the British beat boom had crested and right before the summer of love. Thus, they missed out on the international exposure that slews of lesser bands were able to have. "Friday On My Mind" (recorded in England by Shel Talmy) was their first international hit in 1967. However, their next major recordings didn't come out until 1968 and by then, it was too late.\n\nAlmost all their recorded output is original songs (primarily Wright/Young at the beginning then Vanda/Young as time progressed). The songs are catchy, hook-laden, sometimes grungy, sometimes beautiful pop/rock music with memorable melodies, harmonies, and guitar riffs. I am not saying that they were the equivalent of the Beatles by any means but most of the music in consistently listenable and enjoyable. There are a few clunkers along the way I admit, but the good definitely outweighs the not-so-good. \n\nFor the music, I easily give 5 stars!!\n\nRepertoire CDs\n\nIn the early 90's, Germany's Repertoire Records reissued all 7 Easybeats albums (Easy, It's 2 Easy, Volume 3, Friday On My Mind, Vigil, Friends, and The Shame Just Drained) on CD.\n\nThe Pros:\n\n1. Each CD had the cover art from both the front and back (with liner notes) of the LPs.\n2. Each CD also contained a slew of bonus tracks covering every non-LP single and EP track, alternate take, alternate version, alternate mix, outtake, demo, Coke jingle, etc that the group recorded.\n3. Each CD has a discography and a write-up on the Easybeats rarities included in the reissues.\n4. Their entire recorded output is here (except for the Live -- Studio and Stage compilation)\n\nThe Cons:\n\n1. The CD liner notes were somewhat skimpy and were repeated for all the CDs.\n2. The bonus tracks are not always chronologically relevant to their placement on CD. For example: outtakes from the first recording session appear on the third CD instead of the first, an alternate mix of Friday On My Mind appears on CD rather than on the "Friday" CD and so on.\n3. The master tapes used are definitely not first generation, with a lot of tracks having tape hiss, low fidelity, and in some cases electronically re-processed stereo. Although the sound is a marked improvement over Albert's Absolute Anthology CD's which sound sourced from bad vinyl\n\nThis "Complete" collection:\n\nI assume that Repertoire's rights to the Easybeats has expired. Albert, who owns the material, issues The Complete Easybeats. I am thinking "Great!". Perhaps now, better master tapes will be used and the bonus tracks can be inserted with regard to chronological sequencing. Also, better liner notes, a full discography, etc.\n\nWhat do we get?\n\nA straight reissue of 6 of the 7 Repertoire CDs. The Friends CD is missing. The LP back cover art (with photos and liner notes) is missing. The discography information is missing. The rarities information is less detailed. \n\nThe same master tapes are used. The same liner notes are used although they are now included as a little booklet inserted in the box. No pictures, no additional information, no remastering.\n\nInstead of being truly complete, we get less than what Repertoire already gave us. \n\nIf you don't care about the packaging and just want the music, pick this up. It is a decent price. But, you will still need to track down a copy of the Repertoire Friends CD if you want the "complete" collection. Or, just hunt down all the Repertoire releases. The Easybeats' legacy deserves better treatment than what they got. And until Albert gives them a little respect and puts some effort into the packaging of the music, I suppose they will remain little more than a footnote to the British Invasion.\n\nIt is a shame really.
This rock cd contains 22 tracks and runs 68min 1sec.
Freedb: 2a0fef16
Buy: from Amazon.com

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