UK compilation for one of the best Mod band's on the 60's scene. Endorsed by Paul Weller who also provides a sleeve note and Phil Collins who called them, 'My all time favorite band...the band that had the most effect on m... more »e.'. Issued in cooperation with the band it includes all their recordings as The Action, recorded from 1965-1967 in chronological order (of recording). Packaging features many photos and memorabilia from the archives of the group. Standard jewel case. 2001 release.« less
UK compilation for one of the best Mod band's on the 60's scene. Endorsed by Paul Weller who also provides a sleeve note and Phil Collins who called them, 'My all time favorite band...the band that had the most effect on me.'. Issued in cooperation with the band it includes all their recordings as The Action, recorded from 1965-1967 in chronological order (of recording). Packaging features many photos and memorabilia from the archives of the group. Standard jewel case. 2001 release.
"Who were The Action? Simply put, The Action were one of the best of the British Mod bands of the 60's, sadly forgotten in favour of The Who, The Yardbirds and Small Faces by music historians. They were in many ways superior to these bands in terms of their subtlety and deft arrangements of R&B. The Action, never released a Long Player, and the material here is culled from 45's. Songs like "Shadows and Reflections" show a stunning grasp of melody and harmony far beyond that of their contemporaries. Their approach to American R&B is relaxed and natural, listen to "Since I lost my Baby" to get the truly delicate touch these lads had. But they could also churn out the dance power "I'll Keep On Holding On" is a wonderful marriage of Soul and British Invasion guitars with rock insistance and soulful pleading. "Wasn't It You" is another stunning track that showcases the bands masterful blending of British-brewed Soul. Lots of the early 60's British bands (including the Beatles) were heavily influenced by R&B, but no one married the two genres as well and as natrually as The Action. A wonderful collection of songs by a top-notch band. Someone should really this stateside, maybe dig up some long lost tracks off of the rumoured unreleased LP. Even as is this compilation is a stunner."
Best club bands
Ian P. Rodger | Fort Worth, Texas | 04/15/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Action, not, "The Action" were one of the best club bands in the UK in the mid 60's along with Alan Bown. They were one of the first British bands to play Motown. Action shows were always first class and I saw them often working as a DJ at the Blue Moon Club. Reggie King was a first class singer. The band never really made it commercially due to the fact that, like Alan Bown they always sounded better live than on record and also the fact that there records were usually cover versions. Still a great CD to own and it brings back many memories."
It's A MOD MOD MOD MOD WORLD ETC...
J. Deighton | Inches From My Computer | 02/08/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Normally I'm a real smart-alecy buster when it comes to these reviews, but let me tell you that this stuff is up there with the best of The Small Faces and is much better than early Who, (and I love early Who!) I know Phil Collins says that The Action are one of his favorite bands. Don't let that stop you from checking them out, he sounds NOTHING like them. Shadows and Reflections is a marvel, but it's the Since I Lost My Baby that is the show stopper. The best Brit. aranbee slowjam cover. Must be heard to be believed. Ace, as I hear they used to say."
An oft-overlooked mid-60s mod R&B combo from England
Jeffrey Jotz | Rahway, NJ USA | 05/02/2001
(3 out of 5 stars)
"While the Who and the Small Faces were slugging it out for the attention of the mod kids in mid-60s England, The Action were left to fight for what was left of their musical attention spans.The Action were more heavily influenced by American R&B and Northern Soul than their more famous contemporaries, but were not afraid to be fierce on the guitar. Despite being signed by George Martin of the Beatles/EMI fame, the Action languished in obscurity and petered out by 1967.This disc is one of a few that has captured the band's sparse music catalogue (The Ultimate Action, which I presume is out of print, is another one that comes to mind).The band was heavily into covers, but their version of "Since I Lost My Baby" is a real gem and would make Smokey Robinson proud."
Action - 'Action Packed' (Edsel) 4 1/2 stars
Mike Reed | USA | 05/05/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Superb seventeen track collection of this mid-to-late '60's mod rocker's repertoire. Surprisingly enough, we get an almost completely different track listing than the one on 'Rolled Gold' (see my review). Didn't they put out like only five 7" singles? What's up with that? Must've apparently had a lot of unreleased material in the vault, no doubt. Tunes I was most impressed with were their cover of the Motown classic "Land of A 1000 Dances", "I Love You (Yeah)", the catchy "Hey Sha-Lo-Ney", "Baby You've Got It", "Come On Come With Me" and "Something Has Hit Me". Another case of some of the BEST music you've likely never heard before. Recommended."