Name: Celebration - The Complete Roulette Recordings 1966-1973
Brand: Tommy James and The Shondells

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

QCRSEGBOX085

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Discs

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2021-01-29

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Cherry Red (ADA)

Tax rate GB

UPC / Barcode

5013929188501

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6 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Tommy James and The Shondells

Genre GB

Garage / Surf / Trash

Label GB

Grapefruit

Although these albums have all appeared on CD reissues at various times over the years, this is the first box set to gather together all of the recordings in one set. In addition, there is the bonus of all of the recordings that never featured on the original LPs. Some of these tracks are making their CD debut within this collection.

Between 1966 and 1973, Tommy James issued thirteen albums on Roulette either as a solo performer or with The Roulettes. All of these recordings now appear on this definitive 6-CD set. This includes Greatest Hits or Best Of albums which of course duplicated tracks from regular albums. These tracks have been left in their respective original albums.

The 141-track box set features 16 tracks that were only ever released on 45s or were previously unissued until earlier compilations were released on CD. Produced by Bob Fisher whose detailed essay covers the entire history of the group with quotes by Tommy James from his biography and the notes to previous reissues. The booklet includes details of all of their chart achievements in the USA and the UK along with numerous reproductions of advertisements, reviews and news stories from music industry magazines.

Designed by Michael Robson and mastered by Simon Murphy this is the definitive collection of Tommy James and the Shondells tracing their career from garage and bubblegum pop band through career defining psychedelic albums into Tommy James solo years as an introspective singer / songwriter.

Disc One contains the first two albums Hanky Panky and It’s Only Love plus the non- album B-side of the Hanky Panky 45 and six titles previously unissued which made their first and only appearance on a long deleted 1997 CD set.

Disc Two contains the albums I Think We’re Alone Now, Something Special and Getting Together.

Disc Three features Mony, Mony. Their first and only UK No 1 single and the album titled after that hit alongside their classic psychedelic album, Crimson and Clover and the 45 version of the title track.

Disc Four presents their second career defining psychedelic album Cellophane Symphony including the long version of the title track and a track from the album sessions, Contact, only previously released on the aforementioned 1997 compilation. Disc four also features the one track on the album The Best of Tommy James and The Shondells that hadn’t been on an album before, Ball of Fire and the first seven titles on Travellin’ the last Tommy James and The Shondells album.

Disc Five opens with the continuation of the Travellin’ album with its last three tracks before moving on to the first Tommy James solo albums Tommy James and Christian Of the World which features his last major hit single, Draggin’ the Line.

Disc Six concludes the box with his last album for Roulette, 1971’s My Head, My Bed and My Red Guitar his country -rock album co-produced in Nashville with Pete Drake and featuring such legendary country sidemen as Scotty Moore, D.J. Fontana, Charlie McCoy, Buddy Spicer and others.