Search - Vanilla Fudge :: The Return

The original recording of this album is better than the more

Tom Brody | Berkeley, CA | 05/09/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The original recording of these songs (self-entitled, "Vanilla Fudge" album) is crisper and cleaner than the present, more recent recording entitled, THE RETURN. This means that in the original recording, it is easy to distinguish one instrument from another. In contrast, the sound on the album being reviewed (THE RETURN) is somewhat muddy and indistinct.



The voices on the original album have a sharper quality, whereas the voices on THE RETURN are somewhat fuzzy, due to changes in voice quality with aging.



The original Vanilla Fudge version of Keep Me Hanging On, especially, when combined with Take Me For A Little While, is one of the most perfect creations in the history of rock'n'roll. The original version simply cannot be equaled or improved upon. The original version is perfect. The more recent recording, which is being reviewed cannot equal or improve upon the original recording. Nobody could be expected to make a better recording than the Vanilla Fudge's original recording of Keep Me Hanging On, in combination with Take Me For A Little While.



But note that there are plenty of good things about THE RETURN. First of all, the same solarized girl is back on the cover. Also, the album is a powerhouse of hard rock. Moreover, the album includes some extra songs that you might not have heard before. Finally, in recording the new album, Vanilla Fudge refrained from including the bombastic qualities found here and there on the original Fudge album."

Take them for a little while

Annie Van Auken | Planet Earth | 02/19/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In 2001, three members of the VANILLA FUDGE got together and proved they can still rock & roll-- these guys sound terrific! THE RETURN features reworkings of eight of their classics-- all are excellent. "Season Of The Witch," for example, is vastly improved by the loss of Mark Stein's odd poetry break midway through ("Here we sit emerged in a liquid sea of love..." etc.), as well as a truncation of the intro. The new studio version of "Shotgun" is white-hot and most welcome.



Carmine Appice is still amazing-- the man hasn't lost a beat. Vocals on "Need Love" soar high, while the Fudge's jamming surpasses their original track. The four new songs on this set are quite good, too. This album's a joy-- if you're a Vanilla Fudge fan, you're gonna love it!



TOTAL RUNNING TIME -- 75:17"

Better than before?

Mur29 | Finland | 03/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Amazing traditional "heavy-duty" sound!

Is it possible that they are even better than on the 60's, 70's?

New "you keep me hanging on" is fine, also other tracks.

Booklet looks quite fine,could be more informative."