Search - Various Artists :: He's a Rebel: The Gene Pitney Story Retold

LONG OVERDUE TRIBUTE TO AN ORIGINAL

Michael Sassella | CANBERRA, Australian Capital Territory, Australia | 10/07/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Thank you to To M'Lou Records for devising and executing this fascinating set of tributes to Gene Pitney. Gene is still performing and remains popular especially in the UK and Australia where his popularity has always eclipsed his USA fame. Gene had most hits between 1962 and 1966 but hit big also in 1968, 1975 and 1989 in different markets. With Roy Orbison and Del Shannon he had the most unusual and striking tenor voice in pop's golden era and which was used for over 20 bona fide top 40 hits that were invariably well produced and well selected songs. The compilation of tracks on this CD nets most of the big hits but also a most intriguing number of LP tracks, non-hit singles and personal favourites. The performances are generally fine and often quite different from Gene's originals. This shows how good the songs were in the first place. Sometimes it shows how well served they were by the versions released originally by Gene and his producers/arrangers. This disc is top entertainment. It would have rated five stars except for the exceedingly strange version of "(The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance" by The Deviants which deconstructs a great Bacharach/David song and turns it into an unrecognisable mess. The reference to explicit lyrics has me tossed. I couldn't hear any. This is worth buying along with the wonderful compilation of Gene's originals on the value for money 2 CD collection, LOOKING THROUGH THE EYES OF GENE PITNEY on Sequel label."

Disgusting

Tnahpellee | Australia | 01/15/2004

(1 out of 5 stars)

"How dare they marr the name of Gene Pitney by adding 'Explicit Lyrics' to his hits in a tribute album!"