Search - Herman's Hermits :: Very Best of

Definitive singles collection

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 08/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In the early nineties, two separate 22-track single CD's were released, each focusing on a particular period of Herman's Hermits career. They have long been out of print, since when fans have had to choose between various single CD's, all of which had to exclude something important. Now, at last, a double-CD (with 28 tracks on each) is available to satisfy those fans who want all their important British and American hits (which were often different) in one package. In their early years (1964 to 1966), the group were more successful in America than in Britain but their American popularity faded quickly. From 1967 onwards, they were more popular in Britain. Indeed, their popularity grew in Britain as it faded in America.



Herman's Hermits began with I'm into something good (a cover of a song by Earl Jean of the Cookies), their only British number one hit, which also made the American top twenty. After that, single releases in Britain and America differed considerably. Six top ten American hits including two number ones were never released as UK singles, these being Can't you hear my heartbeat (a UK hit for Goldie and the gingerbreads), Mrs Brown you've got a lovely daughter, I'm Henry the eighth I am (an old music hall song), Listen people, Leaning on the lamp post (a cover of a George Formby song) and Dandy. Two UK singles - Show me girl, You won't be leaving - made the top twenty but were not released as singles in America.



Some singles were released in both countries, these being Silhouettes (a cover of a fifties song by The Rays), Wonderful world (Sam Cooke), Just a little bit better, A must to avoid, This door swings both ways, No milk today and East west. They starred in a film, Hold on, and the title track is included here.



There's a kind of hush was a top ten hit in both charts although it was a bigger hit in America. Don't go out in the rain was never released as a UK single but made the American top twenty. Museum was a top forty American hit that didn't make the UK chart although it was released as a single. I can take or leave your loving just missed the UK top ten and just missed the American top twenty. After that, Herman's Hermits never again made the American top forty but continued to chart in Britain.



Their remaining major UK hits were Sleepy Joe, Something is happening, My sentimental friend, Years may come years may go, Lady Barbara and Oh you pretty thing, the last track being a Peter Noone solo written by David Bowie and featuring Bowie on piano. Here comes the star (an Australian song) and Bet your life I do (written by members of Hot Chocolate before they became famous for their own music) became lesser UK hits.



All the above hits are included along with many of their B-sides and a few bonus tracks, making this the most comprehensive collection of Herman's Hermits music yet released. The order is lightly strange, arranged with all the British singles (A and B sides, except that one of the British B sides is omitted) in chronological order, with the American-only singles (A sides only) sandwiched between the final British single and the bonus tracks on the second CD.



To those for whom a single CD of Herman's Hermits is not enough, this is a dream come true. If you only like them a little, you should choose one of the many single CD's instead - make your choice according to whether you are looking for their British or American hits."

A massive 56-track collection from the vaults of EMI...

Olaf Owre | Finnsnes, Norway | 05/19/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In 2004 EMI released a 24-track Herman's Hermits collection of singles (A's & B's) and EPs covering the 1964-69 period. I then said in my review that one would need at least a 2CD-set to give the complete story of the group's single and EP releases during the EMI years.

One year later and here it is, the 2CD-set with no less than 56 tracks. Well, 55 tracks to be precise - since «Dream On» by a blunder at EMI is featured twice! Nonetheless this is a really impressive compilation starting with their debut single «I'm Into Something Good» in 1964 (No.1 in the UK) and then following, in chronological order, every single (A- and B-sides) released in the UK between 1964 and 1970. Herman and the Hermits then finally parted company and went their separate ways. Their last single together, «Lady Barbara», was released under the billing of Peter Noone and Herman's Hermits.

Noone's first solo single, the David Bowie song «Oh You Pretty Thing», from 1971, is also included here, along with the first Noone-less effort by Herman's Hermits, «Searching For The Southern Sun», written by Green-Hopwood-Leckenby. This featured Karl Green on lead vocals and pointed out a slightly heavier musical direction for the Hermits in the 70's.

CD2 also contains a handful of tracks that weren't released as singles in the UK, for instance their US million sellers «Mrs. Brown» and «I'm Henry The Eight, I Am», «Leaning On A Lamp Post» and «Hold On!». The latter two, however, are not the original US single versions, but taken from the «Hold On!» soundtrack album.

The 12-page CD-inlay contains a short and far from flawless biography, a detailed track listing plus a few photos. Like on the previous CD release EMI haven't bothered to look up the correct writer's credit and publisher for a number of songs. For your information the song «Marcel's» was written by Keith Hopwood, Graham Gouldman, Peter Noone and manager Harvey Lisberg. It was a wonderful psych-pop number with a bizarre story about the people living on board a houseboat on the Thames. «Nobody Needs To Know» was another self-penned number co-written by the songwriting team of Leckenby-Hopwood-Brook, who also wrote «Understand A Woman» for Kippington Lodge in 1968.

Another song with missing writer's credit is «It's Alright Now», which was a Noone-Hillary-Most collaboration. Co-writer Hillary was actually a pseudonym used by Graham Gouldman. Lead guitarist Derek Leckenby and the Hermits really hated the A-side chosen by Peter Noone and Mickie Most, «Here Comes The Star», and they retaliated on the recording of «It's Alright Now» by deliberately turning the treble all the way up on the guitars to ruin the effect. Ironically, by doing that, they captured the sound of a 1966 garage band. A great garage beat rocker!

Whether you're looking for a CD with all the group's hit singles, or rather prefer to search for a hidden psych-pop or beat gem among the lesser known B-sides or bonus tracks, this collection is an excellent choice. The sound, however, is not quite as good as on ABKCO's «Retrospective» CD from 2004.

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Superb two CD set by Herman's Hermits !!!

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 06/17/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Very Best of Herman's Hermits is a strong two CD set that gives us so many of the best from Herman's Hermits! They had a style all their own and their music is truly memorable. Yes, one could argue that there's a song or two missing; but this is still a rather comprehensive two CD set. The quality of the sound is great and the artwork is very nicely done.



"I'm Into Something Good" starts the first CD with one of their biggest hits--ever. Herman's Hermits really sings this well and the beat is catchy--the percussion also helps to mark the best. Herman's Hermits could really do a rock song great--and this proves it right from the start! "Show Me Girl" has a rock flavor that is so typical of the style of this group--catchy, well written and easily memorable. No wonder Herman's Hermits were so successful! In addition, there's also "Silhouettes;" Herman's Hermits do a wonderful cover of this `50s torch song and the guitar work is nothing short of excellent--I love it! "Can't You Hear My Heartbeat" was another huge hit for this group; and they sing this to perfection--and beyond! Herman's Hermits really delve into "Can't You Hear My Heartbeat" to make this another one of their best hits ever.



"Just A Little Bit Better" features the band front and center--great! They sing this so well; and they really outdo themselves on "A Must To Avoid." "A Must To Avoid" just plain sounds great and their sound is unforgettable. "No Milk Today" has great percussion and guitar work while Herman's Hermits sing this flawlessly. I love it! The modulations between major and minor keys really make "No Milk Today" a very good number. "There's A Kind Of Hush" is another excellent, timeless hit from Herman's Hermits; and it's definitely one of my very favorite tunes by this group. There's also "Just One Girl;" and this great tune ends the first CD really well.



The second CD continues the hits. "Something's Happening" is a very sweet song about falling in love with your one true love; and "Here Comes The Star" has fantastic key modulations to make this number shine brightly! I really like "Here Comes The Star." "Years May Come Years May Go" has a well written arrangement and Herman's Hermits sing and play this with panache--great! Herman's Hermits are squarely in the spotlight--right where they belong! "Searching For The Southern Sun" has a folk rock flavor mixed into the rock arrangement to make this number stand out as a major highlight of the second CD; and wow, how they sing this one out proud! "Leaning On A Lamp Post" is another very good number with lots of positive energy to it.



"I'm Henery The Eighth I Am" is another one of the greatest hits from Herman's Hermits--what a great rock tune! It still sounds so good even today all these years later. "Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter" is another unforgettable number; Herman's Hermits sing and play this with lots of feelings and I really like this tune. "Heartbeat" rocks really well; and Herman's Hermits do great on "Bus Stop." "Bus Stop" was another one of their very greatest hits; and there's no doubt as to why when you hear this famous ballad! The second CD also ends well with Herman's Hermits performing "London Look."



Overall, you get 56 wonderful tracks on this two CD set; and Herman's Hermits was one awesome group. Thank you, Herman's Hermits!

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