Search - Gary U.S. Bonds :: Very Best of - Original Legrand Masters

A defining sound from the 60's

Dr.D.Treharne | Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom | 05/27/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bought solely to replace a copy of LeGrand #202 " I dig this station" purchased on my first ever visit to the States, I was amazed and delighted to rediscover all those other hits that had slipped from my consciousness. Of course remastering has done nothing to the sound quality, all the early material was recorded on a monaural Ampex, with overdubs simply appearing on top of what had appeared on the last take. What still shines through is the sheer power and delight that each of the sessions must have had. It was, apparently, much aided by the intake of alcohol, Bonds admitting in an interview in the 80"s that they were "steaming...absolutely bombed" when they recorded the early stuff.As well as the wailing sax which marked out all the hits, it's also worth mentioning the double bass drum sound that underpinned it all, Emmett Shields did the drum duities on the early hits. These records were for dancing to, not anlysing, and although I like the very big hits, I like the lesser known stuff as well; "Seven day weekend" in particular.Thankfully "I dig this station" has also stood up well! This was revolutionary stuff when we first heard it in the UK (courtesy of a deal done with Top Rank records) and when he toured with Tony Orlando and Gene McDaniels, his primitive sound absolutely stole the show. Don't think about it - get those legs out there doing it. A fine, fine reissue!"

An exiting promise

Soulboogiealex | Netherlands | 04/27/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Gary "US" Bonds got a second life thanks to Bruce Springsteen. At the start of his career Springsteen revived Quarter to Three as his show stopper. Because of the more serious nature of Springsteen's own work Quarter was often one of the most delightful and exiting moments in his show. During the eighties Springsteen returned the favor by donating some songs to the Little Steven van Zandt produced comeback albums, Dedication and On the Line. This comeback spawned a series of compilations of Gary's earlier singles of which this one is the most accomplished.



Bonds is an artist who makes you wonder if a full disc of material is justified. During his career he only hit a handful of times, seldom major. Follow up singles were often in the same vein as the hit and therefore often uninteresting. Yet compiled on one disc Gary hold up just fine. There is of course a lot of filler here. Gary did too many dance craze singles that are just not to convincing these days. Fun as they are they didn't really stand up to the test of time.



The singles that do stand up save this compilation with a vengeance. Of course his biggest hits are here, such as Quarter to Three and New Orleans but some other notable material as well. I Wanta Holler (But the Town's Too Small) is one of the most exiting R&R singles written, Where Did the Naughty Little Girl Go is no small feat either. Gary's voice is one of R&B's most distinct. It is raw, emotional, passionate and filled with excitement. If his career would've been better managed Gary could have been among the top. As it is now we get an overview of a promise lost.

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Great to hear these songs again and sound has been protected

Old Guy | 07/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Gary Bonds is from my home town and I remember when he hit the radio with Quarter To Three. Back then I wondered why the quality (I was about 10) was so "grainy". Not until I read the jacket that comes with this CD did I lean that sound was produced to be unique. All Gary's songs are upbeat and lively and fun to listen to. They have a good beat, good words and I give them a 10 for being what they are. Seven Day Weekend, Twist Twist Senora, New Orleans, and Dear Lady Twist take me back to those days listening on the local AM station on a transistor radio. They are great to hear again. If you are a collector, this one should be on your shelf."