Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 06/08/2004
Tommy Roe and
Brian Hyland are very similar artists. Both came out of the early-'60s
teen idol scene but transcended it by writing and performing some great music.
Roe probably gets more due than
Hyland if only because he never had the fortune (or misfortune) to sing anything as silly as
"Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini." Each artist is given five songs on
Sing the Big Hits, and to the casual listener, that seems just about right. In
Roe's case, his oldies radio staples
"Dizzy," "Sweet Pea," and
"Shelia" are accounted for along with his party anthem
"Everybody" and the slinky
bubblegum groover
"Jam Up and Jelly Tight." Hyland is represented ably by his
Del Shannon-produced cover of
the Impressions'
"Gypsy Woman" (which doesn't capture the majesty of the original but is a sturdy slab of
blue-eyed soul just the same), his
teen idol weeper
"Sealed With a Kiss," and the aforementioned
"Bikini." The inclusion of his tepid cover of
Jackie Wilson's
"Lonely Teardrops" at the expense of the wonderful
pop/rock gem
"The Joker Went Wild" is a mistake, but again most listeners will be happy with what is here. Delving deeper into both artists catalogs is highly recommended, however, especially in
Roe's case, where a little digging will come up with songs as good as the hypnotic sunshine-psych
ballad "It's Now Winter's Day" and
bubblegum knockouts
"Cinnamon" and
"Hooray for Hazel." [The 2004
Collectables release is a straight reissue of the 1997 collection on
Universal Special Products titled
Back to Back: Tommy Roe and Brian Hyland Sing the Big Hits.
~Tim Sendra, All Music Guide
Cart 0 items
Listen
