Tommy James

A condensed version of Rhino's two Tommy James compilations combines solo tracks like "Draggin' the Line" with hits from The Shondells like "I Think We're Alone Now." Given its budget price, the selection is rather skimpy and leaves out several tracks. Most listeners will want the more comprehensive Shondells and solo James collections, but there is nothing wrong with the music here.

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.