The Merseybeats - I Think of You-The Complete Recordings

The Merseybeats - I Think of You: The Complete Recordings

CD (2002) To Mp3 320 mbit/s

Included: CD Covers and this Info



Reviewer: Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide

All 31 songs the Merseybeats ever recorded manage to fit on this single-CD compilation. That includes the A-sides and B-sides of all eight of their 1963-1965 singles, all of the tracks from their sole album that weren't on 45s, the songs from their 1964 On Stage EP (none of which made it onto any other format at the time), and even German versions of "I Think of You" and "It's Love That Really Counts." That doesn't leave much to complain about. Nonetheless, it has to be said that if you have their Edsel best-of, Beat & Ballads, which concentrates on their best singles, you're not missing much, even if it's only half the length. Of the cuts here that aren't on Beat & Ballads, few are memorable, largely encompassing some mediocre group-penned B-sides and drab covers, some of inappropriately pop-oriented tunes. Among this material, really, the only song that's up to the standards of what was selected for Beat & Ballads is a lively rockabilly arrangement of Rodgers & Hammerstein's "Hello, Young Lovers." And the liner notes aren't as good as those for Beat & Ballads, though they do have some comments by Merseybeat-for-a-time John Gustafson. Still, this does have everything, at no more expense than you'll likely incur from a used copy of Beat & Ballads. And much of the best stuff, like "Don't Turn Around," "Milkman," "Don't Let It Happen to Us," "I Stand Accused," and "It's Love That Really Counts," rates among the better unknown (in the U.S., anyway) Merseybeat, with "Last Night" counting as one of the best obscure early British Invasion pop/rockers.



The Merseybeats (later becoming The Merseys) are a Merseybeat band that emerged from the Liverpool scene in the early 1960s, performing at The Cavern Club along with The Beatles, Gerry & The Pacemakers and other similar artists.



The Merseybeats:

Originally called The Mavericks, Tony Crane (born Anthony Crane, 17 April 1945, Anfield, Liverpool) and Billy Kinsley (born William Ellis Kinsley, 28 November 1946, at The Mill Road Hospital, Mill Road, Anfield, Liverpool) formed their first band in late 1960 and became The Pacifics in September 1961. They were re-named The Mersey Beats in February 1962 by Bob Wooler, MC at the Cavern Club. Later in April 1962 they became The Merseybeats. By now Crane and Kinsley had joined up with guitarist Aaron Williams (born 23 June 1942, Liverpool) and drummer John Banks (born 23 September 1943, Liverpool - died 20 April 1988). They were originally signed to the Brian Epstein organisation, but when Epstein failed to supply The Merseybeats with the same classy suits that he had given The Beatles, they parted company with him, much to their later regret.



They then signed a record deal with Fontana and had their first hit single in 1963 with "It's Love That Really Counts", followed in 1964 by their million-selling recording "I Think of You" which gained them their first gold disc. They suffered a setback when in February 1964 Billy Kinsley left to form his own band, The Kinsleys. He was temporarily replaced by Bob Garner (later of The Creation) and permanently by Johnny Gustafson, formerly of The Big Three. With Gustafson they had two more major hits, "Don't Turn Around" and "Wishin' & Hopin'". Other successful recordings included "Last Night", "Don't Let it Happen to Us", "I Love You Yes I Do", "I Stand Accused", "Mister Moonlight", "Really Mystified" and "The Fortune Teller." Meanwhile Kinsley had returned to the fold late 1964.



The Merseybeats became well known for their distinctive style of fashion. They were credited as the 'Best Looking Group', dressed in tight-fitting suits with bolero jackets and frilly shirts. Their outfits, complete with high-heeled zip boots, provoked hysteria from their female fans



They appeared regularly at Liverpool’s world famous Cavern Club and they claim to have appeared there with The Beatles on more occasions than any other band from that era. They were also successful abroad, touring in Germany and the U.S. in 1964, and having their own Merseybeats Show on Italian television. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Merseybeats
/>


Merseybeats official web site: http://www.merseybeats.co.uk/
/>


Tracklist:

01. It's Love That Really Counts - 1963

02. Fortune Teller - 1963

03. I Think of You - 1963

04. Mister Moonlight - 1963

05. Don't Turn Around - 1964

06. Really Mystified - 1964

07. Wishin' and Hopin' - 1964

08. Milkman - 1964

09. Last Night (I Made a Little Girl Cry) - 1964

10. Send Me Back - 1964

11. Don't Let It Happen to Us - 1965

12. It Would Take a Long, Long Time - 1965

13. I Love You Yes I Do - 1965

14. Good Good Lovin' - 1965

15. I Stand Accused - 1965

16. All My Life - 1965

17. Hello, Young Lovers - 1964

18. He Will Break Your Heart - 1964

19. Funny Face - 1964

20. Girl That I Marry - 1964

21. Fools Like Me - 1964

22. My Heart and I - 1964

23. Bring It on Home to Me - 1964

24. Lavender Blue - 1964

25. Jumpin' Jonah - 1964

26. Long Tall Sally - 1964

27. I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry - 1964

28. Shame - 1964

29. You Can't Judge a Book by Its Cover - 1964

30. Nur Unsere Liebe Zählt - 1964

31. Nur du Allein - 1964



Lineup:

Tony Crane - Guitar, vocals

Aaron Williams- Guitar, vocals

Billy Kinsley - Bass, vocals

John Banks - Drums

Johnny Gustavson - Bass