Spotlight Album: Paul Revere and the Raiders: Greatest Hits
Columbia 35593
Original release date: May 1, 1967
Paul Revere and the Raiders would be around for about another 5 years (more or less) after the release of this album, and it does not include what is probably their biggest hit "Indian Reservation." Was this the American answer to the British invasion? The album includes a good sampling of the soulful and psychedelic renderings by lead singer Mark Lindsay, like "Hungry" and "Kicks." "Louie Louie" has been done by many artists and I see nothing that stands out about it here. It was, however, the recording that set their career in motion (recorded in 1963.......before the British invasion.....so the name was just coincidental and had actually been coined as early as 1960). "Good Thing" showed the group could harmonize somewhat. Their claim to fame and appeal was clearly being in front of the camera on the TV show "Where the Action Is." Also is included is "Legend of Paul Revere," which is not a song about the war for independence, but rather, the history of themselves (written by Mark Lindsay and Terry Melcher. (Melcher produced the raiders albums). The best song: "Kicks" or "Hungry." The worst: "Melody For an Unknown Girl," after all....this was supposed to be a rock and roll band, not a poetry reading.
