The Best of ? & the Mysterians: Cameo Parkway 1966-1967

by ? & the Mysterians

Overview

Abkco's 2005 compilation The Best of ? & the Mysterians: Cameo Parkway 1966-1967 is the first official CD release of the Michigan garage rocker's classic Cameo Parkway recordings, but for hardcore garage rock collectors, it might look a little bit similar to a 1995 unofficial release called Original Recordings. The discs not only share 25 tracks but they're presented in the same sequencing. Then again, that shouldn't be a surprise since both discs contain the entirety of the quintet's two full-length LPs -- the 1966 96 Tears and its 1967 follow-up Action -- plus the "Do Something to Me"/"Love Me Baby (Cherry July)" single. The '95 release contains five tracks that didn't make it to this release, but this has two previously unreleased versions of "Midnight Hour" and "96 Tears," neither of which were as a good as the released versions (the alternate "96 Tears" is surprisingly limp, actually). As should be expected from an official release, Abkco's Best Of has much better sound -- clean, but retaining the grit and murk that distinguished the Mysterians' LPs -- and a good set of liner notes from Jeff Tamarkin that detail the history of this shadowy band. Their music remains a little hit and miss -- only "96 Tears" is a stone-cold classic, and it's surely one of the great rock & roll singles ever, but they have several other strong garage rockers, particularly on the second album -- but despite the handful of generic moments, it's still a blessing that the original ? & the Mysterians records have not only finally made it to CD, but in such an appealing fashion as this. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	10/18/2005
Label:	Abkco Records
UPC:	0018771923220
Rank:	39760

Tracks

1. I Need Somebody
2. Stormy Monday
3. You're Telling Me Lies
4. Ten O'Clock
5. Set Aside
6. Up Side
7. "8" Teen
8. Don't Tease Me
9. Don't Break This Heart of Mine
10. Why Me
11. Midnight Hour
12. 96 Tears
13. Girl (You Captivate Me)
14. Can't Get Enough of You, Baby
15. Got To
16. I'll Be Back
17. Shout (Pt. 1 & 2)
18. Hangin' on a String
19. Smokes
20. It's Not Easy
21. Don't Hold It Against Me
22. Just Like a Rose
23. Do You Feel It
24. Do Something to Me
25. Love Me Baby (Cherry July)
26. Midnight Hour
27. 96 Tears

Album Credits

Performance Credits

? & the Mysterians   Primary Artist
Fernando Aguilar   Guitar (Bass),Bass
Frank Rodriguez   Organ,Organ
Frank Lugo   Guitar (Bass),Bass
Bobby Balderrama   Guitar
Question Mark   Vocals
Tony Orlando   Vocals (Background),Vocal Harmony
Eddie Serrato   Drums
Robert Balderrama   Guitar

Technical Credits

Steve Rosenthal   Coordination,Restoration
Gregg Geller   Reissue Producer
Matt Boynton   Assistant Engineer
Earl Hines   Composer
Jody H. Klein   Reissue Producer
Eddie Serrato   Group Member,Composer
Lenne Allik   Concept
Alsia Coleman   Art Direction
Tom Psipsikas   Assistant Engineer
Seth Adkins   Sample Clearance,Research
Neil Bogart   Producer
Frank Lugo   Composer,Group Member
Frank Rodriguez   Group Member
Maria Papazahariou   Production Director
Janessa Gursky   Assistant Art Director
Stacin Gregson   Assistant Engineer
Iris Keitel   Art Direction
Bob Reno   Producer
Robert Balderrama   Composer,Group Member
Rudy Gonzales   Producer
Bo Gentry   Producer
Bob Crowder   Composer
Bob Ludwig   Mastering
Jimmy Wisner   Arranger
Jeff Tamarkin   Essay,Liner Notes
Denny Randell   Composer
Teri Landi   Tape Research,Analog Transfer,Reissue Producer,Session Research
Sandy Linzer   Composer