Search - Merseybeats :: The Very Best Of The Merseybeats

Well-compiled Collection

Morten Vindberg | Denmark | 09/15/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Merseybeats were not among the most original bands to some out of the Liverpool area in the early 1960's. Their recorded output is also rather limited ( one album and less than a dozen singles ), but most of it actually very good and pleasant listening.



This well-compiled collection contains all their singles A's and B's, a couple of album tracks + a live-track. Most of their singles were nice pop-ballads of which some did pretty well in the charts in 1964. One their strongest recorded vocal performances is the single "I Love You, Yes I Do", which could easily be mistaken for a Beatles song from the "Please, Mr. Postman" era.



The group were supposedly also a fine live-band which the track "Long Tall Sally" seems to confirm. Like many other Liverpool bands they were not able to maintain their popularity and they disbanded in early 1966. The two lead-singers Tony Crane and Billy Kinsley reunited in the duo "The Merseys" and they recorded a string of uneven singles through 1966-68. Only the first, "Sorrow", lived up to their early fine moments.



This CD is really nice listening and their music does not sound out-dated like that of many of their contemporaries like "The Swinging Blue Jeans" or "The Dave Clark Five".



Besides the outstanding "I Love You, Yes I Do", songs like "Milkman", "Really Mystified", "Last Night", "See Me Back" and the Elvis Costello covered "I Stand Accused" stand out, but with a few exceptions this is an overall very consistent collection."

Give the United States a few points for taste

Morten Vindberg | 01/09/2004

(2 out of 5 stars)

"There's actually a logical explanation as to why the Merseybeats never broke big in the States; they weren't very good. The rumor is that they were a dynamite live band back in the early to mid sixties, which may begin to explain their homeland success. But, unfortunately, their inspired live shows don't seem to translate onto their recordings. The performances on this collection are rather sloppy and the vast majority of the songs are instantly forgettable. That's not to say there aren't a few more exciting moments, like their hit, "I Think of You", "It's Love That Really Counts", and even a fairly interesting take on Rodgers and Hammerstein's, "Hello Young Lovers". But, by and large, there's nothing here that would make one want to file them in the "Curiously Overlooked" category. If you're looking for more obscure British Invasion gems, check-out collections by groups like the Four Pennies and the Undertakers. The Merseybeats are recommended only for the most die-hard British Invasion completist. Disappointing."

Great British Sound

Darlene Whiteman | Baltimore, MD USA | 08/02/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Even though I grew up in the 60's, I was unfamiliar with this group until I ran across one of their recordings, "I Think of You" on a British compliation CD. I liked it so well, I ordered their CD and it is very enjoyable with that distinct British sound from the early 60's."