The Complete Red Bird Recordings

Only three years before the release of this CD, another comprehensive anthology, , had appeared on the label. This has a very slight edge, however, as in addition to including everything from that prior compilation, it adds two more tracks: the fair mid-tempo previously only available on the 1979 import compilation , and a less notable mono single version of In any case, it's a very good collection, containing the A-sides and B-sides of half a dozen 1964-1965 singles they did for , rounded off with less essential odds and ends (including an alternate version of and an alternate version of ). are usually remembered only for and perhaps but as this disc demonstrates, there were a good number of solid sides on their other recordings. Many of them were written by the estimable hitmaking team of and , and some are quite good despite almost total obscurity (such as ); a few other tracks have a strong influence. It's one of the better single-artist anthologies, and makes one regret that such a likable, melodic act was unable to record longer for , where the group teamed with such a suitable production and songwriting supporting cast. ~ Richie Unterberger