EPIC has actually released a couple different double-album compilations. One is "Glad All Over Again", which has 18 of the hits, plus two hard-to-find "b"-sides: "Good Time Woman" and "Forget". The other is a collection of Clark-Smith compositions in true stereo. (Reviewed below by Len Costello) Track listings for both:
Compilation albums don't usually offer much more than the gathering up of an artist's biggest hits and perhaps a few choice album tracks. In the 60's or 70's, this type of package occasionally contained a new single track, released to coincide with the compilation. Today's CD re-issues go deeper, usually featuring alternative takes or unreleased tracks. This double-LP compilation from 1971 fit none of those molds. Focused on Clark-Smith compositions only, it included a nice array of hits and album tracks. But the BIG difference: the songs are finally presented in TRUE STEREO! Most DC5 material was never available this way, (with the exception of their last three US albums). This stereo feature alone makes this LP worth searching out. Here's comments on these old songs, heard in a "new" way:
GLAD ALL OVER - A powerhouse hit any any format!!! The spread-out vocals give a larger chorus. A prize track from the album of the same name.
CAN'T YOU SEE THAT SHE'S MINE - From the "Return" album, another great track made better. Notice the different drum track than the one on the History CD. Both versions deliver the usual high-energy sound, but this mix turns it up even more.
I NEED LOVE - Pulled from "I Like It Like That", a great song showcasing Mike Smith's vocals. The stereo mix adds ambiance to one of the band's personal favorite rockers.
GOOD LOVE IS HARD TO FIND - From "Everybody Knows", here's a good example of their later material. Presented here in the same mix as the original album, the song displays the bands versatility.
TRY TOO HARD - One of my favorites! This song never quits: from the familiar piano intro to Dave's closing stomp. In this rare case, I actually prefer the mono mix, as the stereo one compairs "too politely" to the sheer force of the single mix, with its "made for AM radio" sound.
BECAUSE - One of the best ballads of all time. The already great vocal and instrumental delivery is enhanced even more by the wide sound that the stereo mix provides. A classic!
TIL THE RIGHT ONE COMES ALONG - This matches the version on "Weekend In London", featuring the piano solo in the middle. This was mysteriously removed on the History CD!?!? Nice vocals by Mike and the boys.
WHENEVER YOU'RE AROUND - From "American Tour" and "Get Youself a College Girl", another ballad in the style of "Because". This stereo mix showed up on one of the volumes of "Rock Goes to the Movies", released by Sony Special Products in the early 90's. The version matches History, except that the stereo here somehow gives it a warmer feel.
REMEMBER IT'S ME - From "Weekend In London". Not one of my favorite tracks, and the stereo mix only isolates its lack of cohesiveness moreso. The harmony vocal sounds wrong. Pick something else!
WHEN I'M ALONE - From the soundtrack "Catch Us If You Can" (aka "Having a Wild Weekend"), here's proof that the DC5 could deliver fantastic songs without even singing a word! Nice melody and broad stereo mix.
HAVING A WILD WEEKEND - Driving rock-and-roll at its very best! From the album of the same name: the Five kick it up with wild piano and sax, along with Mike's searing vocal.
SITTING HERE BABY- Rhythm and blues meets country. Is there no style they couldn't do?
PLEASE TELL ME WHY - From "More Greatest Hits" and "Satisfied With You", it makes its first stereo appearance here. A great song for raising a mug and singing along. (Ed note: the mug contains Root Beer.)
INSIDE AND OUT - An example of late-60's psychadelics from "Everybody Knows". Originally written for the film "Romeo and Juliet", the stereo mix emphasizes the strings and other background orchestration. Classier than the History version.
COME HOME - This lead track from "Weekend In London" showcases fine harmony vocals. The stereo version gives greater depth and resonance to the bass lines, filling out the backdrop to the expanded voices.
I'LL BE YOURS, MY LOVE - Another personal favorite from "I Like It Like That". The background voices sound fuller than on the mono mix, adding to the overall presence of this great song!
FOREVER AND A DAY - From "Return", another great ballad with outstanding vocals and instrumentation. This stereo mix breathes new life into the recording. Lenny's guitar gains ambiance, and the vocals and bass have more presence.
BERNADETTE - From "5X5", here's a fine example of the blending of their voices. A great album track.
HURTING INSIDE - My all time favorite DC5 song. The track has a marvelous vocal line, with instruments that compliment it to the greatest degree. The stereo mix really opens it up, adding to its excellence (if that's possible!)
This a fine compilation to have in your collection, even if you're not a DC5 collector per se. However, trying to locate a copy in ANY condition today is very difficult, and will probably be expensive if you do find one. But it's worth searching for!- Review by Len Costello.
(Len is expert in 60's music, and has a great collection of many British Invasion bands. You can e-mail him with your comments at carlane3@yahoo.com)