Search - Sha Na Na :: 40th Anniversary Collector's

Let The Buyer Beware

King Richard | Live Oak, Texas United States | 08/16/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Ok, a couple of things: First, the best concert I ever saw - and I've seen plenty - was by Sha Na Na. Second, Sha Na Na today and the Sha Na Na I saw were two entirely different animals. Having said that: one gets the impression the songs on here are by the '70's version of the group with perhaps a few new songs by the group as it exists today. Actually, it even says "songs from Grease" and other assorted tunes, thus giving the impression that these are the original Sha Na Na versions of the songs. Wrong. While some of the songs are done by people like Jocko and Screamin' Scott, they are all re-makes of the songs with the current group. Major disappointment. I was hoping for some Sha Na Na tunes that aren't available on other compilations. But, no such luck. This needs to be advertised as re-makes with the current lineup of Sha Na Na and not the originals. Any other Sha Na Na release would have gotten 5 stars - no doubt about that - but remakes? With a 3 star rating, I'm being kind. If you're a die-hard it won't make any difference what group lineup does the songs.....if you were hoping for re-issues of the '70's lineup, look elsewhere. Let The Buyer Beware."

Sha Na Na is here to stay!

Richard Rabicoff | Baltimore, Maryland United States | 09/03/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Like any long-lived pop phenomenon, Sha Na Na has sustained nine lives and nearly that many incarnations. The breezily written, profusely illustrated booklet that accompanies this CD testifies to that fact.



I have followed the group almost from its inception. I have seen them perform for stuporous hippies on college campuses, tens of thousands in Central Park, habitués of Carnegie Hall, and in dinner theaters and hotel ballrooms. Stunning as a live act, charming as TV performers, and a bit remote as recording artists, they have become as classic as the classics they revivify with every performance.



They have also evolved, with the changes of time and personnel, into a damn good rock `n roll band. Stalwarts Screamin' Scott Simon, Danny York and Jocko Marcellino sing and play better than ever and bass man Reggie Battiste, a clone of Brook Benton, can--almost--make you forget the legendary Bowser.



Their latest CD, a 40th anniversary compilation, is a joy to listen to. Mixed in with the group's signature standards like "Rock `n Roll is Here to Stay" and `At the Hop" are compositions by the group's members in a wide spectrum of styles--and they're a hoot. Simon's "Sandy" is a familiar palpable hit, but his "Guilty" and "One More Saturday Night" are even cleverer. I also really liked Donny York's "Don't You Remember?" and Jocko's "Motor Man."



Long live Sha Na Na? Hey they already have, centuries in the dog years of rock `n roll stardom. And the way the actuarial tables are looking, we may well have a 75th anniversary edition to look forward to.

"

STILL GREAT ROCKERS

Anthony Pieri | Port Saint Lucie , Fl. | 09/29/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These guys can still ROCKnROLL as good as when they started . Although they are not all from the original "crew" , they have always managed to fill the voids with great talent . They bring back great memories for me and have given me some more for the future . I love CAT IN THE PT CRUISER . That's one rockin' song . Great singing & excellent guitar!!"