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Very consuming

04/11/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I heard this group in the late 70' and early 80's and there's never been a group like this guys ever since. I was surprised that I could not find there songs(albums) in record stores in this country. No other European group can come close to singing like this group. Listening to SMOKIE is an everlasting experience, I can only compare it with reading "JAMES HARDLEY CHASE" novels. You never want to stop.Emeka C."

The Best of Old - Make it your first Smokie CD!

Feodor | England, London - Russia, St.Petersburg | 07/16/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although it seems that Smokie have released to date more compilation albums than regular issues, this one is of a different kind. Released on BMG label as most Smokie albums of old days, it has songs written between 1975 and 1978, five years before the band split up and re-grouped without their lead singer Chris Norman. This CD containes digitally remastered versions of their old hits. No need to say the quality of the sound is superb compared to other Smokie compilations where analog impurities somewhat hide excellent musical craftsmanshift. That is VERY IMPORTANT, if it's going to be your first Smokie CD. Some of 18 songs are written by successful British hitmakers N.Chinn/M.Chapman, some by band members themselves with an exception of "Needles and Pins" by S.Bono/J.Nitzsche- famous long before Smokie. Amonst its tracks one can find even the hit "Stumblin' In" - performed by duet of Chris Norman & Suzi Quatro, not stricktly speaking one of Smokie's tracks. And although, like any other compilation, it has left out some other, in my opinion, no less interesting and memorable songs (such as "Pass It Around", "Sunshine Avenue", "Think Of Me", etc.) this CD is a certain 'must' for any Smokie fun and is a very good introduction to Smokie's music for a novice.
Smokie has become a somewhat fame phenomenon. Originally from Bradford in Norther England (UK), they have never quite made it to British charts only having a few hits. Not many British music lovers nowdays would remember them. But their fate was to become an international success. Since they started touring accross the Europe, it's Germany, France and Scandinavia that became their fun base. Their music even reached beyond the Iron Curtain to what was then known as the USSR and despite the fact they have never toured there during good old 70's, Russian radio stations still play Smokie's old hits. Their music is very genuine and appeals to people with different tastes. If you like a distinctive lead vocal with strong backing, twanging rhythm guitar and punchy solos, tunes you can sing and meaningful lyrics, if you like Tom Petty, ELO and Jeff Lynne, George Harrison, Roy Orbison, ABBA and Dire Straits etc. you should like Smokie. If you like Britney Spears and Ricky Martin or Barenaked Ladies and Dave Matthews Band, you shoud give Smokie a try too."