The Very Best Of Tommy James & The Shondells (Rhino)
Tommy James and his band, The Shondells, not only racked up plenty of hits with their songs, but also had covers of the same material reach No. 1. With a plaintive croon reminiscent of 1950s teen idols, Tommy James wrote and sang a string of bubblegum pop gems that were staples at every high-school dance through the '60. "Hanky Panky," "Mony Mony," and the anthem of forbidden love, "I Think We're Alone Now" all had James's instantly memorable melodies and dramatic breaks. With "Crimson and Clover" and "Crystal Blue Persuasion," James and the Shondells traded in their sugary innocence for a more psychedelic sound.The Very Best of Tommy James & The Shondellscontains only 12 tracks and, like the group's songs, is enjoyably short and sweet.--Steve Gdula