Herman's Hermits - The Best Of Herman's Hermits: The 50th Anniversary Anthology (2015)

Herman’s Hermits were never taken seriously, not when they were having hits in the ’60s and not in the decades since. This indifference makes Bear Family’s decision to release a celebratory 50th Anniversary Anthology all the more surprising: not only is it a rare dip into the British Invasion for the American roots-besotted label, but the act seems too frivolous for their tastes. Sometimes, the double-disc The Best of Herman’s Hermits: The 50th Anniversary Anthology does feel a little light, particularly on the earliest recordings when the group is mincing through “Mrs. Brown You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter,” but the set — produced and compiled by Ron Furmanek, who presents all takes in true stereo for the first time (there are eight exceptions to this rule), and annotated by Andrew Sandoval — is smartly assembled, so it gains momentum as it proceeds headlong through its 66 tracks. Strictly speaking, it’s not sequenced chronologically — the two discs are mirrors of each other, opening with cuts from 1964 and 1965, then concluding with fuzz-drenched, paisley-bespackled pop from 1969 and 1970 — and that’s actually a benefit, as each CD has its own momentum, plus the fizzier early recordings are easier to digest when they’re cleaved in two. Also, this sequencing winds up emphasizing the music Herman’s Hermits made from 1965 and beyond, which tends to be their best due to both sharper song selections and candied, Swinging London production. While there’s no denying 66 tracks is a whole lot of Herman’s Hermits — a hurdle that some listeners will never be able to clear — it’s also true that this 50th Anniversary Anthology, like no other compilation in their catalog, makes a convincing case for the quintet as pleasing purveyors of pure pop, so it may convert doubters. ― Allmusic

CD 1
01. Only Last Night (Feb 1964 Demo) – 02:20
02. I’m Into Something Good – 02:41
03. Mrs. Brown You’ve Got A Lovely Daughter – 02:58
04. Kansas City Loving – 02:07
05. Sea Cruise – 02:10
06. Walkin’ With My Angel – 02:22
07. Show Me Girl – 02:36
08. I Understand (Just How You Feel) – 03:05
09. Mother-In-Law – 02:33
10. Your Hand In Mine – 02:05
11. Thinkin’ Of You – 02:06
12. Wonderful World – 02:00
13. Just A Little Bit Better – 02:55
14. Hold On! – 02:02
15. Leaning On The Lamp Post – 02:45
16. A Must To Avoid – 02:01
17. My Reservation’s Been Confirmed – 02:54
18. The Story Of My Life – 02:31
19. There’s A Kind Of Hush (All Over The World) – 02:35
20. Saturday’s Child – 02:42
21. If You’re Thinking What I’m Thinking – 02:26
22. You Won’t Be Leaving – 02:41
23. Dandy – 02:31
24. Jezebel – 03:23
25. No Milk Today – 03:29
26. Little Miss Sorrow Child Of Tomorrow – 02:36
27. Gaslite Street – 02:40
28. Rattler – 03:15
29. East West – 02:10
30. What Is Wrong What Is Right – 02:34
31. Mum & Dad – 02:16
32. My Sentimental Friend – 03:55
33. Years May Come Years May Go – 03:42

CD 2
01. Thinking Of You (Feb 1964 Demo) – 02:07
02. Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat – 02:18
03. I’m Henry The Eighth, I Am – 01:51
04. The End Of The World – 03:00
05. For Your Love – 02:27
06. I Gotta Dream On – 02:15
07. Don’t Try To Hurt Me – 02:07
08. Silhouettes – 02:21
09. I’ll Never Dance Again – 03:30
10. Tell Me Baby – 02:16
11. Listen People – 02:31
12. Bus Stop – 02:31
13. Little Boy Sad – 02:26
14. This Door Swings Both Ways – 02:08
15. Museum – 02:53
16. Upstairs Downstairs – 02:10
17. Busy Line – 02:30
18. Moonshine Man – 02:35
19. Green Street Green – 02:13
20. Don’t Go Out Into The Rain (You’re Gonna Melt) – 02:15
21. I Call Out Her Name – 01:53
22. The London Look – 02:07
23. The Colder It Gets – 02:28
24. A Year Ago Today – 02:44
25. I Can Take Or Leave Your Loving – 02:42
26. Sleepy Joe – 03:19
27. Just One Girl – 02:48
28. Sunshine Girl – 02:38
29. Something’s Happening – 03:18
30. Here Comes The Star – 03:34
31. It’s Alright Now – 02:43
32. Smile Please – 02:43
33. Bet Yer Life I Do – 02:47

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LMA_HH.2015.TBOHH.T50AA_CD1.rar
LMA_HH.2015.TBOHH.T50AA_CD2.rar
LMA_HH.2015.TBOHH.T50AA_Scans.rar
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