The Easybeats: Friday On My Mind CD Track Listing

A list by checkmate

The Easybeats Friday On My Mind (1967)
Originally Released 1967\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: Friday on My Mind, produced by Shel Talmy and recorded in England, captures the Easybeats at just about their peak, combining all of the best elements in the evolution of their sound under one cover. The Easybeats were still one of the most energetic outfits in rock music, with a raw, highly animated guitar attack, but they were trying (and largely succeeding with) ever more complex vocal harmony parts and some staccato guitar harmonies as well that were pretty impressive, and at this stage they were working with a brace of gorgeous Harry Vanda/George Young originals. The ubiquitous title track is in excellent company, surrounded by an array of mid- to late-60's British rock treasures: a killer garage punk rendition of "River Deep, Mountain High," with a superb performance by Stevie Wright and what sounds almost like a sitar buried somewhere in the midst of the crisp electric guitars; "Do You Have a Soul," with its abrupt tempo changes, cascading choruses, chiming guitars, and hooks that seem to flow into each other effortlessly; "Saturday Night," with more sitar-like sounds beneath the radiant choruses and rhythm guitar hooks; the dramatic, angst-ridden "You Me, We Love," on which Vanda's guitar playing becomes as intense as Wright's wrenching vocal performance; "Pretty Girl," with its crunchy rhythm guitar sound and catchy lyric hooks and choruses; and "Made My Bed Gonna Lie in It," a punk anthem nearly as catchy and well-played as "I'm Not Like Everybody Else." Not everything on this album is as successful as these cuts, but it is all good listening, even the eerie, original album finale, "See Line Woman." In fact, only the rendition of Leiber & Stoller's "Hound Dog" may be out of place, and even it works as a change of pace. The label of "Australia's Beatles" may have proved an overstatement to some, but one can get a good look at its basis on this album -- it's loaded with actual and potential hit singles, yet it doesn't come off as lightweight in any way. The 1994 Repertoire Records re-release features six bonus cuts that add significantly to the value of an already good release: "Heaven and Hell," the long version of "Do You Have a Soul" (from the U.S. release of the song), "You Me, We Love," and "Lisa," all of which fit nicely into the ornate and quasi-psychedelic but completely rocking mood of the original album, while "Woman (Make You Feel Alright)" is a chugging little rock & roll number that sounds like it was a choice leftover from their very first album. -- Bruce Eder\n\nAmazon.com Product Description\nImport reissue of 1966 album includes six bonus tracks, 'Heaven & Hell', 'Do You Have A Soul' (Long Version), 'Woman (Make You Feel Alright)', 'All Gone Boy' (Different Mix), 'You Me, We Love' (Different Mix) & 'Lisa' (Different Mix).\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nEasybeats as Heard by Shel Talmy, March 20, 2001\nReviewer: Randall E. Adams (Los Angeles, CA United States)\nThis is the Easybeats' big international breakthrough album, produced by Shel Talmy (the Kinks, Who, David Bowie, Creation). They had just arrived in the U.K., having completely saturated Australia. They had not yet absorbed any of the new sounds in London. \n\nThis album catches the Easybeats at the peak of their teen scream phase. Check out the great two-guitar interplay on most of the songs; this is one band that did not relegate the second guitarist to a minor supporting role. In fact, think of a 1960's era version of Television. That goes for the adenoidal vocals and tortured lyrics as well. \n\nThe extra tracks mop up most of the odds and ends recorded with Shel Talmy until he and band parted company after the commercial failure of "Heaven and Hell," the band's first real Vanda/Young mini-opera and their first track reflecting their exposure to the exploding London pop music scene. \n\nIn 1967, this album was probably a bit out of date. It would have made more sense in 1966. From the distance of thirty-odd years, however, this doesn't matter at all. Just buy this record as a fine 1966 effort and forget that it was really recorded a little later.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nA nice, overlooked gem, June 8, 2000\nReviewer: David Goodwin (Westchester, NY United States)\nTo many usual listeners of British Invasion music, this CD might be a bit jarring...perhaps due to their Australian roots, the Easybeats have a very different vocal style than many of their contemporaries.\n\nHowever, although they are usually dismissed as a one-off, there are MANY solid songs on this disc (and on others by the band as well). In true Early Repertoire tradition, the liner notes are incredibly poor, but the generous (although chronologically-nonsensical) bonus tracks. Happy is the Man, Lisa, the title track, You Me We Love...they're all surprisingly good, and though the disc is quite inconsistent (OK, HEAVILY inconsistent), I would definitely recommend it.\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 18 tracks and runs 52min 42sec.
Freedb: 0c0c5812
Buy: from Amazon.com

Categories

Latest lists

The Easybeats: Friday On My Mind CD Track Listing

Category

Tags

cyList

Legal