Herman's Hermits, Peter Noone - Into Something Good: The Mickie Most Years 1964-72

2008 four CD set from the British popsters fronted by Peter Noone. Into Something Good covers all the UK and American hits, all the album and E.P. tracks, the film soundtracks, the B-sides, and 10 previously unreleased performances. That's 121 tracks and over five hours of music! Also included are ten Peter Noone solo tracks including 'Oh You Pretty Things' featuring David Bowie and two previously unreleased Noone tracks. The release will be accompanied with sleeve notes written by Spencer Leigh and featuring an interview with Peter Noone himself. EMI. Album Description

Into Someting HUGELY DISAPPOINTING

When EMI described the product as Stereo/Mono I assumed that I'd receive BOTH versions!!! Especially when it comes to their famous hits.
There are ZERO stereo versions of the most popular songs!!!

The only stereo tracks were pretty obscure later material which was interesting.
ok so where the f#*k are all the stereo masters?????? October 23, 2008

A Ton of Herman's Hermits

If you are a huge fan of HERMAN'S HERMITS, this 4 CD set is for you! It has every song that Peter Noone and the Hermits did in the 60's through the early 70's. I had all the hits already on many other CD's, but this one has obscure songs that I was missing. It ties it all together very conveniently to have all the songs in one set. I was surprised that most of their catalog was recorded in mono. I'm puzzled why they used mono tapes. In the US, the albums were released in both stereo and mono. Too bad , as this is probably the only time that we'll see a complete Herman's Hermit's set. Where are the stereo masters? There are some stereo tracks here, mostly starting with their 1966/1967 songs, and after that. Of course, if you just want the hits, buy one of the many greatest hits CD's. This is for the collector, the ultimate completist. The group made some great records, and these songs still live on 40+ years later. Who can not like such great songs as DANDY, NO MILK TODAY, LISTEN PEOPLE, A MUST TO AVOID, and scores of other hits that they had? And their 1967 album " BLAZE " is here , a neglected near classic that has some good original songs.

The rarities are a few unreleased songs, and non-album tracks such as BIG MAN, WINGS OF LOVE and MUM AND DAD , which were on the US Best of, Volume 3. 10 of Peter Noone's solo songs after the Hermits are included , but it does not include the songs he recorded for Casablanca. Still, just finding those will cost you more than this CD probably. My other critique is that they made this set fit into a double sized jewel case. I've heard this described as a " box set " , and it is not. The record company has cut costs by having the printing so condensed into rather a short 8 page booklet that it does not befit the amount of material on here, nor the price tag. They should have spent more money on a book size cover & booklet. After all, this is the complete history of the group, and this was the time to do it, it should be done right. They shortchanged the fans and the group in this regard. It is rather skimpy and short, and it falls short. So, for amount of songs on here, it's great. BUT, they could have done a much better, more thorough job with stereo versions [ if they have them still ] and with packaging. Also, some comments from other members of the group would have made it better [ Peter Noone has some quotes that they used in the booklet and Keith Hopwood is thanked ]. September 17, 2008

EXCELLENT TRIBUTE TO FAB SIXTIES HERMAN'S HERMITS

Herman's Hermits were almost as successful in the UK as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones; achieving a similar breakthrough in the USA with their catalogue of happy, catchy tunes which made their impact at first hearing, aided by the group's attractive close harmony vocal style which was smoother and more compatible than their rivals. This was especially true of their chosen easy listening songs which appealed to a wider audience, although livelier elements were often at work for the youngsters. However, it has to be said their cute and mischievous Manchester UK-born front-man had much to do with supplying the feel-good factor whenever the lads appeared on television and in movies during the colourful Sixties.

According to statistics, Herman's Hermits had ten Top Ten hits with a further seven Top Twenty singles and twenty-six such exhilarating sides were recently released by EMI as THE BEST OF HERMAN'S HERMITS.

This expansive four-CD box-set also includes them, with its title number, I'M INTO SOMETHING GOOD - recently purloined by Halifax Bank for TV adverts, heading THERE'S A KIND OF HUSH, SOMETHING'S HAPPENING, SILHOUETTES and NO MILK TODAY amongst the hits squeezed within its 121 tracks and over five hours playing time. That also means inclusion of all the album and EP tracks, film soundtracks, "B" sides, and some previously unreleased performances; adding charismatic Herman's solo sides after he reverted to his real name Peter Noone - all shot through with pop fervour and added simple charm with much credit due to their record producer, Mickie Most.

This release is definitely a must for devout fans, obsessive collector's and those who relate to or were involved in the cosmic shift in the axis of popular music during the crowded world of Sixties pop.



September 8, 2008

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