Tommy James & The Shondells - It's A New Vibration: An Ultimate Anthology (1997)

It's a New Vibration: An Ultimate Anthology Review by Cub Koda
This two-disc, 50-track set (including previously unreleased tracks, singles, album tracks and radio promo spots) is just about everything you'll ever need on this ultra-successful hit making machine of the '60s and early '70s. All their hits are here in pristine sound, as well as shelved album tracks from their first album and others showing a band that grew in creative leaps and bounds within the confines of the pop charts. It's a long way from "Hanky Panky" by the original band in 1963 (also included is the seldom anthologized B-side instrumental, the storming "Thunderbolt") to 1971's "Draggin' the Line," but James' success was largely based on his reinventing the band's sound to keep pace with the changing times, and it's all here to savor. Great notes from Jeff Tamarkin complete this excellent package.

CD 1
01. Hanky Panky
02. Thunderbolt
03. Say I Am (What I Am)
04. It's Only Love (Tryin' To Break Through)
05. I Think We're Alone Now
06. Mirage
07. I Like The Way
08. Gettin' Together
09. Real Girl
10. Out Of The Blue
11. Love's Closin' In On Me
12. Get Out Now
13. Mony Mony
14. One, Two, Three And I Fell
15. Somebody Cares
16. Do Unto Me
17. Do Something To Me
18. Crimson And Clover[Single Version]
19. (I'm) Taken
20. Sweet Cherry Wine
21. Breakaway
22. Crystal Blue Persuasion
23. Ball Of Fire
24. She
25. Radio Promo

CD 2
01. Gotta Get Back To You
02. Come To Me
03. Ball And Chain
04. Church Street Soul
05. Adrienne
06. Draggin' The Line
07. I'm Comin' Home
08. Nothing To Hide
09. Tell 'Em Willie Boy's A-Comin'
10. Cat's Eye In The Window
11. Love Song
12. Celebration
13. Boo Boo Don'tcha Be Blue
14. Contact
15. Hold On To Him
16. She Cried
17. Wiggle Wobble
18. World Down On Your Knees
19. The Cheater
20. Big Time Operator
21. We'll Have A World
22. As We Go Through Life
23. Soul Serenade
24. Pick Up
25. (As Hog Heaven) Happy