Both of
the Four Pennies
' albums -- 1964's
2 Sides of the Four Pennies
and 1966's
Mixed Bag
-- are combined onto one CD on this 26-track reissue. Note, however, that this by no means contains all of
' output. In fact, it's missing their most well-known recordings, and indeed has just one of the 18 tracks (the A-side of their debut 45
"Do You Want Me To"
) that appeared on their nine 1963-1966 singles -- and does not have their 1964 U.K. chart-topper
"Juliet."
For that reason alone, a
Four Pennies
best-of is preferable to this compilation. On purely musical grounds, however, these albums are disappointing, even if you have a taste for the wimpy side of early British Invasion/Merseybeat sounds. On both records, the group seem consciously trying to present themselves as a versatile act able to handle various styles of pop, rather than simply, as the best British Invasion bands did, play various styles of all-out rock.
is the better of the pair, though not by much, alternating between very light variations of the kind of early Merseybeat favored by
the Searchers
and paler reflections of the kind of ballads for which
Roy Orbison
was known.
has some of this as well, but is more pop-oriented, with some orchestrated ballads, mild rock treatments of folk standards, and even a Latin-flavored number. But the songs -- some, though well under half, by the group -- just aren't too memorable, and the overall approach so effusive they make
Gerry & the Pacemakers
sound rather heavy in contrast. ~ Richie Unterberger