Tommy James and Shondells- crimson, clover and hanky panky

When you think of 60's pop, you usually think of cheesy music, go-go dancing and mini-skirts. It wasn't all that bad really though...

A prime example is Tommy James and the Shondells who have just put out a double CD collection, 40th Anniversary Singles Collection (Collector's Choice). How can you not love dance party classics like "Hanky Panky" or "Mony Mony"? And what about a heart-throb song like "I Think We're Alone Now"? (love Lene Lovich's version too) And there's also the gentle psychedelica of "Crimson and Clover" (which Joan Jett loved enough to cover). And then there's my own personal favorite, the sweet "Crystal Blue Persuasion" (love that title too). For their early years, even the non-hits sound like fun and they don't break the momentum at all. Because it is a 2 CD set and they include his late 70's and 80's offerings... well, they do reflect their time (hard rock and new wave respectively) but it's not that bad actually. In any case, you can live a happy and fulfilled life by concentrating on the hits of the first disc.