The Easybeats: It's 2 Easy CD Track Listing

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The Easybeats It's 2 Easy (1966)
Originally Released 1966\nRepertoire CD Edition Released 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: The Easybeats' second album was an Australia-only release that only got out elsewhere 27 years later. It was vaguely similar in spots to the band's first -- many of the songs, particularly the hits "Women" and "Sad and Lonely and Blue," were heavily influenced by 1964-vintage Merseybeat groups. Those songs are somewhat deceptive, however, for the group was stretching out stylistically on much of It's 2 Easy. Sharing space with bright, heavily harmonized numbers like "Let Me Be" and "You Are the Light" is a string of songs integrating elements of blues, folk, and even a certain novelty feel, similar to the work of the Kinks. "Come and See Her" and "I'll Find Somebody to Take Your Place" abandon those Beatlesesque melodies in favor of dissonances and a punk attitude. Featuring some gloriously crisp and slashing lead guitar over pleasantly crunchy rhythm playing, "Easy as Can Be" is a catchy, loud, fiercely posturing declaration of lust that could almost pass for a piece of American garage rock. \n\nMost of this album is a respectable piece of mainstream rock & roll, inspired and full of surprises. With the addition of 11 more songs, the original LP has been expanded to 25 tracks and 62 minutes' running time. The added tunes are an uneven lot, derived from various singles, B-sides, and other sources. Some of it is rather lugubrious, but none of it detracts from the value of the original album, which remains one of the best bodies of music in the late British invasion style ever produced. -- Bruce Eder\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nSuperb sophomore effort from Australia's 60's greats, February 2, 2001\nReviewer: Randall E. Adams (Los Angeles, CA United States)\nFor many bands, the second album is one of their weakest. Not so the Easybeats, who had really mastered their version of teen thriller rock by the time of "It's 2 Easy." Non-Australians who saw the 1980s film "Starstruck" will recognize "Easy As Can Be." "Wedding Ring" is a classic male adolescent complaint. "I Can See" is an "Easybeats-meet-The Who" number. "Sad and Lonely and Blue" is a pseudo-Eastern drone number (think of the Kinks' "See My Friends"). All of these tracks are great. In all, a fine solid album. The additional tracks include some alternate mixes from their 1967 album "Good Friday," which do not belong on this disc. However, there is also their classic "I'll Make You Happy" which comes from the period of this album and is one of the Easybeats' most exciting singles; check out the way the band really uses its two guitars.\n\nYou can't go wrong with "It's 2 Easy" if you like 1965/66 era rock. Buy 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 25 tracks and runs 61min 51sec.
Freedb: 4b0e7d19
Buy: from Amazon.com

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