Big hits don't die

Album: Jersey Boys
Artist: Original Broadway Cast
Label: Rhino
Release date: 1 November, 2005
Peak chart position/sales: (US) #85, GOLD

RATING: 5/5 stars

Just for the moment, my beloved Fab Four are no longer called John, Paul, George and Ringo.

Perhaps, had the four Liverpuddlians finished school and gone onto ordinary careers, The Four Seasons would in fact have claimed the title for themselves - and deservedly so. I haven't fallen this hard for a band since I first heard "She Loves You" and I'm so totally smitten I can hardly explain. But I'll do my best.

The Four Seasons, for some curious reason, seem to have fallen into a black hole of ignorance forged by the world's obsession with the British Invasion, most notably The Beatles, who happened to be active for almost exactly the same period as Frankie Valli's quartet. But it hasn't stopped the latter from permeating the musical world - even if you haven't realised it yet. Less than half an hour after pressing 'play' on the hit musical soundtrack of Jersey Boys, you will have danced your way through positively irresistible tunes "Sherry", "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Walk Like A Man" and "December 1963 (Oh What A Night)"...and don't think you don't know them, because you DO. Go find them on YouTube and then tell me that you don't know at least half the words already.

You can't make the mistake of writing off the Seasons as fluffy, happy-happy 60s pop either - despite the undeniably cheerful overtones, there is a depth and complexity to the music that keeps your ears coming back for more. Of course, the stage musical is INCREDIBLE and if you have the faintest ghost of an opportunity to see it send me the ticket instead don't pass that chance up, seriously. But it is the music that will take your heart hostage in the end. Breathtaking chart-topper "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You", contagiously catchy "C'mon Marianne",  a soaring medley of hits "Stay", "Let's Hang On", "Opus 17" and "Bye Bye Baby" and the satisfyingly epic show-closer "Who Loves You" fill the second half of the album and there's a bonus London cast recording of "Beggin'" tacked on the end. What makes this album such an absolute delight is the quality of the modern arrangements and professional accuracy with which the Broadway cast absolutely nail the authentic Four Seasons sound, adding a bit of pizazz with the definitive Broadway musical sound and bringing the classic tunes confidently into the new millennium for an eager new audience.

If you haven't seen the stage musical YOU HAVEN'T LIVED the occasional dialogue snippets during and between tracks may be meaningless and, granted, due to the layout of the show not all of the songs are present in their entirety. But whether you're a Four Seasons fan, or are simply longing for some of the best songwriting in existence to come out of the 1960s, this is a spectacularly revamped version of the originals that is impressively accurate, totally wonderful and entirely loveable. A much-needed revival for a truly first-class band.

Is it worth my $$$? - Worth. Its. Weight. In. Gold.

Listen to: Sherry, Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You, Medley: Stay/Let's Hang On/Opus 17 (Don't You Worry 'bout Me)/Bye Bye Baby...then go and buy the album already!

Three epic soundtracks

So compilation albums and soundtracks are not on my review list, but I have nothing against them! In fact, I thought I'd share three personal favourites from my music library with you...

1. THE BOAT THAT ROCKED - Various artists


This is the most comprehensive, well-chosen, loveable 1960s music compilation I have ever laid hands on. If you live and breath the '60s awesomeness like I do, or are a rookie rocker wanting to familiarise yourself with the golden age of rock n roll, BUY THIS. Includes the genius of so many '60s greats, including (but not limited to!): The Kinks, The Who, The Troggs, Cream, Easybeats, Cat Stevens, The Moody Blues and David Bowie. Love.





2. JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (2000 NEW STAGE PRODUCTION) - Andrew Lloyd Weber

You may as well learn now that I love musicals. And you don't have to be a Christian to appreciate this musical masterpiece from the king of musicals himself, Andrew Lloyd Weber. Note that this is specifically the 2000 new stage production version...my particular preference because of the singers' pure amazingness. Gutsy singing that's not for the faint-hearted and larger-than-life melodies make for an epic listening experience.




3. THE COMMITMENTS - The Commitments

This little album has a whole lotta soul, soul, soul. Taken from the film that was based on Roddy Doyle's book about some down-and-out Dublin musicians who create an epic cover band and achieve short and stressful success, this compilation includes such rough-n-ready soul classics as 'Mustang Sally', 'Try A Little Tenderness', '(She's) Some Kind Of Wonderful' and 'In The Midnight Hour'. Like Guy Sebastian's The Memphis Album, but cooler.