The Best of Glitter Band

• Artist: The Glitter Band
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1998
• Type: Compilation (best of)
• Genre: Rock

Review

Seven chart singles. Three Top Five number ones and only one number two. Divorced from the hit machine that was bossman Gary Glitter, the story of the Glitter Band is one of those mid-'70s British glam rock sagas that seems far more impressive if you leave the statistics behind. There was, after all, a time when the group seemed positively inescapable -- switch on a European music show and inevitably they'd be there, meaty fists a-punching the sky, meaty drumbeats pounding your ears, and a chorus of "hey!"s that never seemed to end. It may come as quite a surprise, then, to learn that the common conception is so far from the truth -- as 25 tracks drawn from across the band's first three albums are quick to prove. Once past the hits (the first seven tracks here), any combination of songs could be considered representative, but as Glitter Band -- or even glitter era -- collections go, this one zaps the zeitgeist with unerring aim. The chest-beating chants are all here, of course, but so is a mighty sampling of the band's other side, the ballad and soft rock specialties which, in another time, another place, could have set them up as the English Eagles. In the event, of course, that job went to Smokie, but lovelorn epics like "Heartbeat to Heartache," "You Wouldn't Leave Me, Would You?," and the group's crown jewel, "Goodbye My Love," betray a romantic streak as wide as John Rossall's flares. Of course there's plenty of traditional fare here -- the incorruptible "Angel Face," the immaculate "Just for You," the late-in-the-day but laughing "People Like You, People Like Me," the band's pre-Hello take on "Tell Him," and "Game's Up" (but no "Makes You Blind," a skilful funk jam which almost caused an American hit). There's even room for their summertime flirtation with the Beach Boys' sound, as their own "Love in the Sun" and a luscious "I Can Hear Music" cover remind listeners that even English summers aren't perpetually damp. Of course The Best Of will not satisfy those doubting souls who have the Glitter Band pegged as a pointless extravagance, spun off from the mothership to milk an extra few bucks from the boppers. And it is also true that the sleeve photographs aren't exactly an encouraging invitation either. Did people really used to dress like that? And, even more pertinently, was there ever a time when fans thought they looked cool? But, if you already know what you're getting yourself into, the Glitter Band are well worth spending the rest of the evening with. As they themselves put it -- "Let's Get Together Again"! ~ Dave Thompson, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Angel Face	John Springate	Glitter Band
Just for You	Gary Shephard, John Rossall	Glitter Band
Let's Get Together Again	John Rossall, Gary Shephard	Glitter Band
Goodbye My Love	John Springate, Gary Shephard	Glitter Band
The Tears I Cried	Gary Shephard	Glitter Band
Love in the Sun	Gary Shephard, John Springate	Glitter Band
People Like You, People Like Me	Gerry Sheppard, John Springate	Glitter Band
Don't Make Promises (You Can't Keep)		Glitter Band
She Was Alright		Glitter Band
Heartbeat to Heartache		Glitter Band
Until the Next Time		Glitter Band
You Wouldn't Leave Me, Would You?	John Springate, Gary Shephard	Glitter Band
Got to Get Ready for Love	Peter Phipps	Glitter Band
Until Tomorrow	John Springate	Glitter Band
I Can Hear Music	Gary Shephard	Glitter Band
I Don't Want to See You Tonight		Glitter Band
Tell Him		Glitter Band
For Always and Ever	John Rossall, John Springate	Glitter Band
Sweet Baby Blue	John Springate	Glitter Band
I Can't Stop	John Rossall, Gary Shephard	Glitter Band
Game's Up	Gary Shephard, Edward Seago, John Springate	Glitter Band
Bring Her Back	Gary Shephard, John Springate	Glitter Band
Do You Remember		Glitter Band
You're Trying Too Hard	Harvey Ellison	Glitter Band
Painted Lady	John Springate	Glitter Band