Tracks

1. This Ole House

2. Cry Just A Little Bit

3. Lipstick Powder And Paint

4. Green Door

5. A Love Worth Waiting For

6. What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For

7. A Rockin' Good Way [To Mess Around And Fall In Love]

8. Marie, Marie

9. Teardrops

10. Turning Away

11. You Drive Me Crazy

12. A Letter To You

13. Oh Julie

14. Because I Love You

15. Hot Dog

16. Breaking Up My Heart

17. It's Raining

18. Shirley

19. A Little Boogie Woogie [In The Back Of My Mind]

20. Give Me Your Heart Tonight

21. Radio

22. I'll Be Satisfied

23. Feel The Need In Me

24. It's Late

25. Merry Christmas Everyone

Performer Notes

THE COLLECTION is a fine 25-track overview of U.K. rockabilly-pop singer Shakin' Stevens's best material, including the hits "Teardrops" and "Try Just A Little Bit."
Personnel: Roger McKew, Hank Marvin, Ian Aitken, Mickey Gee, Les Davidson, Albert Lee , B.J. Cole , Billy Bremner (guitar); Eddie Jones (electric guitar); Geraint Watkins (accordion, piano); Ray Beavis (tenor saxophone); Dick "Rabbit" Hansen (trumpet); Chris Gower (trombone); Gavin Povey (piano, keyboards, synthesizer); Rod Argent (keyboards, synthesizer); Paul "Wix" Wickens (synthesizer); Dick Bland, Stuart Colman (bass guitar); Howard Tibble, Chris Wyles (drums); Frank Ricotti (percussion); Stuart Calver, London Gospel Choir, Tony Rivers & The Castaways, Chris Neil, Anthony "Packrat" Thompson (background vocals).
Audio Remixers: Shakin' Stevens; Stuart Colman; B.J. Cole .
Liner Note Author: Fred Dellar.
While there may not be many Shakin Stevens fans left here at the dawn of the 21st century, there are perhaps enough to take great delight in this double-disc set that collects the British rockabilly artist's many singles -- there are 25 cuts on the CD -- and also includes a live performance DVD (with the UK import version only). Stevens burst onto the scene at the dawn of the 1980s performing a roots rock style that was in fact both dated and timeless. His readings of Dave Alvin's classic "Marie, Marie" (right after the Blasters' version tanked) and Stuart Hamblen's "This Ole House" became nearly definitive versions as he used his '50s warble combined with a full and rich baritone. Stevens could sing country, blues, R&B, and (of course) rockabilly with equal acumen, as this excellent collection bears out. There have been many compilations over the years, but none are this extensive or pervasive in covering his underappreciated career. The DVD included with the import version offers proof as to why Stevens sold out concert halls all over Europe and Japan. This is a dynamite find. ~ Thom Jurek