The Best of Sweet

by

Sweet

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Unlike what other reviewers have stated, the tracks on this disc ARE ORIGINAL RECORDINGS. Some of the confusion with Sweet is a lot of CD's from the group (primarily imports) are re-recordings or re-mixes of their famous 1970's-hits, so buyers beware. In the early 1970's these British glam-rockers were rated up there with David Bowie, but while Bowie moved on to bigger and better things, Sweet was never able to make the transition (the rise of disco music may be partly to blame). More unfortunate is the fact that recordings from Sweet's most productive period (1972-76) are not readily available (Capitol Records: Are you listening?). All that is available is the 1975 LP "Desolation Boulevard", which was clearly the band's best, and "Best of Sweet". "Best of" is a fairly decent compilation. Other than the glaring omission of their 1973 hit "Hell Raiser", most of the tracks that should be on the disc are included. Among the highlights: "Little Willy"; "Wig Wam Bam"; "Ballroom Blitz" (later covered by Tia Carrere on "Wayne's World"); "Fox On The Run"; "Action"; and "Love Is Like Oxygen" (I actually prefer the edited version that appears on this disc). I've owned these songs on vinyl and still listen 25 years later, which probably says enough. Further note to record "executives": the European version of "Desolation Boulevard" contained different songs than the U.S. LP (and CD). It would be nice if someone showed some foresight to re-issue the LP with these "missing" songs.

Anyone who saw Brian Connolly dragging himself around seedy holiday camps in the UK, trying to make a lving in the Nineties, will instead want to remember this dynamic frontman at his best. This CD allows at least some of that. Certain key tracks are missing 'Hellraiser' in particular was a track that showed Sweet's musical proficiency and its non-inclusion is a mystery. Also their pre-1972 hits are also missing. Sweet formed back in 1968 and struggled initially until linking with Chinn and Chapman and RCA records. With the formers song writng skills, and a newly created 'glam' image (tight jump suits coiffured hair and stacked boots), Sweet took the UK charts by storm. From 1972 to 1975 they could do no wrong. The bubble began to burst when the boys decided they should write their own material. Songs like 'Action' and 'Lies in their Eyes' although hits did not compere to No'1's like 'Ballroom Blitz' and the ripped off riffed 'Blockbuster' (Bowie's Gene Genie).Punk overtook them and after a farewell hit in 1978 with 'Love is like Oxyen' Sweet split in its true form with Connolly embarking on an unsuccessful solo career. In 1981 tragedy struck and Connolly nearly died from a series of heart attacks. The wreck of a man that was left was a sorry site to see, and effectively Connolly's medical condition and his acrimonious relationship with Andy Scott prevented what every Sweet fan wanted- a reunion of the original band. Connolly died in 1997. This CD contains many great tracks. Sadly there are too many filler tracks at the expense of their well remembered songs. Nonetheless it is worth buying. Chris van der Veerden London.