Rollermania: Anthology

WOW is all I say. I did my research, and I have to tell ya, they covered all the bases here...really 99% of them...but I don't think this set could have been improved at all, EXCEPT for one thing, and I will get to it in a little bit... Over the course of 4CDs and 81 tracks, Salvo UK/Union Square cover this Scottish powerpop band from Edinburgh's career in full, from 1970, when the band changed their name from the Saxons to the Bay City Rollers, and after 2 early members, bassist David Paton (manager Tam's brother) and keyboardist Billy Lyall left to form Pilot ("Magic"), and the band signed with the UK arm of Bell Records, which later became Arista in 1975, up through their final official pre-breakup/reunion album in 1981, and lone release on Epic, "Ricochet"/"The Brown Bag Album". What's great about this set is the detail and that they got all the right records to include, released and unreleased, and in chronological order, so you can trace the band's trajectory in full, from the complete Gordon "Nobby" Clark-era (12 tracks total), plenty of tracks from all 9 studio albums (except the Japan-only "Voxx" odds & sods album), single versions, unique US mixes, ALL the non-album B-sides (yes I mean all of em). This set was clearly a labour of love for the compilers/curators, who clearly knew their BCR stuff, musically-speaking, and I am happy they were able to license all of this music from Sony UK, and it looks like bandmembers were involved as well (but likely were not). After digging their music since I was a kid, seeing their influence on punk bands like the Ramones, seeing how they fit in with the powerpop genre, and acquiring some of their albums on vinyl, I was ready to invest in CD reissues/remasters. I did my research into their discography, and came across this boxset. Delving deeper and seeing how complete this set is, knowing simple single CD hits collections/anthologies are not enough, that this set has ALL rarities/B-sides/Nobby stuff from the 2004/2007 UK remasters and then some, and the price was right, I jumped at it...I don't think Sony UK would be able to do a set this well or complete, or would have the desire to do it either. Sometimes it takes an independent reissue label like Salvo/Union Square, with the knowledge and desire to do this right, and just license it all, and Sony UK saying OK. Just in time for the band's 40th anniversary of their North American debut on a live link aired on Howard Cosell, awesome!! I would say, I've always been a fan, but I'm definitely a bigger fan then before, and everyone with taste I asked, they're fans too, always saying how great they are...indeed!! UPDATE: The only way this set could have been improved was in the essay. The pictures were fine, label info was perfect, as is the writer and producer credits. Now, I'm not sure if the essay writer Mick Wall was aware of the dark side of BCR history or not, but he left it out completely, making it look like life in Rollerland was all peaches & cream, everyone was happy, they had money, and a perfect relationship with their label and producer Tam Paton, and the only trouble was with overzealous teenage girl fans. Um, cough cough, NOT!! It's how things SHOULD have been, but were the complete opposite. First off, the band was always BROKE, PENNILESS!! They never earned a CENT during the 30+ years as a band, not from their label Arista, manager Tam, accountants, promoters, touring, NOTHING!! Who wants to work 30+ years for free and not be compensated for 70 million records sold, millions of dollars in merch and touring revenue?? NOBODY, but that's what REALLY happened to the Bay City Rollers!! They are a modern day rock & roll tragedy, just like Badfinger and their evil tour manager Stan Polley, who left that band broke and caused multiple lawsuits. The only difference between Badfinger's situation and the Rollers' is suicide. Badfinger's 2 leaders Pete Ham and Tom Evans both committed suicide due to these crimes, 8 years apart, while the Rollers are all still alive. I just wonder if they DID end up dead, if things would have ended up differently?? In the BCR's situation, their evil manager took their money and placed it with various accountants, lawyers and offshore accounts, on advice from Arista's Clive Davis, who was always a con man, NOT "the man with the golden ears" as everyone says. He did the biggest crime and ripped off the Bay City Rollers for over 30 years!! Possibly the reason was to protect their assets from UK tax collectors, as the band were headed for a higher tax bracket, but in the end, it created a web of deceit and kept the money from being delivered to its rightful earners. STILL, in 2015, the band's lawsuit against Arista/Sony for their rightful earnings, for selling over 70 million records, millions in merch and tour revenue, filed in 2007, is STILL winding its way through the court system, racking up bills. ALSO, and this is just as bad, if not worse: their notorious manager, Tam, he was not only gay but a monster, and was also arrested for indecent exposure and molesting young boys, and he also LITERALLY RAPED singer Les McKeown!! No money AND living in fear of their manager Tam?? Shocking, yes. Les did, in the end, come out to his Japanese wife of 17 years, not that there's anything wrong with that, but what Tam did?? With their money, and Les and the boys?? That's bad!! So let us do the right thing and get this amazing band PAID (how they managed such great records under such extreme circumstances must be some sort of miracle, fighting the war and living to tell the tale...anyhoo, the band won't see a cent from this righteous 4CD boxset, BUT at least this set makes the case for this classic powerpop band's greatness and importance, to pick up the fight until we win, for the Rollers!! Here's the breakdown on this flawless track selection: Disc: 1 1. Keep on Dancing (1971, Original Single Version on Bell, single #1, no album, Gentry's cover, #9 UK hit, Gordon "Nobby" Clark singing, and the rest all studio musicians, and this was also before guitarists Eric Faulkner and Stuart "Woody" Wood joined. Having heard Nobby sing, he was pretty good!! Like a cross between the Kinks' Ray Davies and Sweet's Brian Connolly, and the band sounds like a mix also of early Kinks and Sweet. Different than Les McKeown, but not better or worse.) 2. Alright (1971, Non-LP B-side to "Keep On Dancing", Nobby singing) 3. We Can Make Music (1972, Single #2, Non-LP, Nobby singing, missed UK chart completely) 4. Jenny (1972, Non-LP B-side to Single #2, Nobby singing) 5. Wouldn't You Like It?? (1972, previously unreleased and cancelled 3rd single, a totally different song than their 3rd album's title track from 1975. This one was written by outside writers and featured prior bandmembers playing on it, but the superior 1975 cut was written by Eric & Woody from the band. This one is still good & interesting, but not as rocking powerpop, Nobby singing.) 6. I'd Do It Again (1972, previously unreleased B-side to cancelled 3rd single, Nobby singing) 7. Mañana (1972, OFFICIALLY RELEASED Single #3, Non-LP, Nobby singing, international hit single but missed UK chart completely) 8. Because I Love You (1972, Non-LP B-side to OFFICIAL Single #3, Nobby singing) 9. Saturday Night (1973, Single #4, Original Nobby Clark Version, Non-LP, missed UK chart completely, unlike the Les-sung US single) 10. Hey C.B. (1973, Non-LP B-side to Single #4, Nobby singing) 11. Remember (1973, Single #5, Original Nobby-sung version, Non-LP, last Nobby single, hit #6 UK) 12. Bye Bye Barbara (1973, Non-LP B-side to Single #5, Nobby singing, last Nobby single) 13. Shang-a-Lang (1974, Single #6, 1st Les McKeown-sung single, also on LP #1 "Rollin'", hit #2 UK) 14. Are You Ready for That Rock 'n' Roll?? (1974, Non-LP B-side to Single #6) 15. Angel Angel (1974, album track from LP #1, "Rollin'") 16. Just a Little Love (1974, album track from LP #1, "Rollin'") 17. Ain't It Strange?? (1974, album track from LP #1, "Rollin'") 18. Jenny Gotta Dance (1974, album track from LP #1, "Rollin'") 19. Summerlove Sensation (1974, Single #7, Single Mix??, album version on LP #1, "Rollin'", hit #3 UK) 20. Bringing Back the Good Times (1974, Non-LP B-side of Single #7) 21. Saturday Night (1974, Les McKeown-sung version, album track from LP #1, "Rollin'" & US/Canadian/Australian single) Disc: 2 1. All of Me Loves All of You (1974, Single #8, Non-LP, inbetween-album single, hit #4 UK) 2. The Bump (1974, Non-LP B-side of Single #8) 3. Bye Bye Baby (Baby Goodbye) (1975, Single #9, Four Seasons cover, also on LP #2, "Once Upon A Star", their first #1 UK single) 4. It's for You (1975. Non-LP B-side of Single #9) 5. La Belle Jeane (1975, UK Version...US Mix hardly ANY different...album track from LP #2, "Once Upon A Star") 6. Keep on Dancing (1975, Les McKeown version, album track from LP #2 "Once Upon A Star") 7. Once Upon a Star (1975, album track from LP #2, "Once Upon A Star") 8. Let's Go (A Huggin & A Kissin In The Moonlight) (1975, album track from LP #2, "Once Upon A Star") 9. My Teenage Heart (1975, album track from LP #2, "Once Upon A Star") 10. Rock 'n' Roll Honeymoon (1975, album track from LP #2, "Once Upon A Star") 11. Give a Little Love (1975, UK Single Version, Single #10, also on LP #3, "Wouldn't You Like It??", second #1 UK single) 12. She'll Be Crying Over You (1975, Non-LP B-side of Single #10) 13. Money Honey (1975, early-released Single #11, later put on LP #4 "Dedication" in 1976, #3 UK but also charted worldwide, including #9 in the US) 14. Maryanne (1975, Non-LP B-side of Single #11) 15. I Only Wanna Dance with You (1975, album track from LP #3 "Wouldn't You Like It??") 16. Don't Stop the Music (1975, album track from LP #3 "Wouldn't You Like It??") 17. Love Is (1975, album track from LP #3 "Wouldn't You Like It??") 18. Too Young to Rock 'n' Roll (1975, album track from LP #3 "Wouldn't You Like It??") 19. Wouldn't You Like It?? (1975, album track from LP #3 "Wouldn't You Like It??", totally-different, superior & band-written song than the 1972 cancelled Nobby single, this one much more loud, rocking powerpop!!) 20. Eagles Fly (1975, album track from LP #3 "Wouldn't You Like It??") 21. Lovely to See You (1975, album track from LP #3 "Wouldn't You Like It??") Disc: 3 1. Love Me Like I Love You (1976, non-LP, between-album Single #12, #4 UK single) 2. Mama Li (1976, non-LP B-side of Single #12) 3. I Only Wanna Be with You (1976, Single #13, Dusty Springfield cover, Non-LP in UK (just bonus track), but on US "Dedication", #4 UK single, but also charted worldwide, including #12 in the US) 4. Rock N' Roller (1976, B-side of Single #13, album track on LP #4, "Dedication") 5. Let's Pretend (1976, Raspberries cover, album track from LP #4, "Dedication", Australian single) 6. You're a Woman (1976, album track from LP #4 "Dedication") 7. Yesterday's Hero (1976, Vanda & Young cover, UK mix, album track from LP #4 "Dedication", US/Canadian/Australian single) 8. Rock 'n' Roll Love Letter (1975, Tim Moore cover, also done by "Tiny" Tina Arena/"Little" Johnny Bowles in 1977 in Australia as kids, US/Canadian/Australian single, from comp of same name, and later ok UK LP #4 "Dedication" in 1976) 9. It's a Game (1977, Single #14, String Driven Thing cover from 1973, title track to LP #5, #16 UK single) 10. Dance Dance Dance (1977, B-side of Single #14, also on LP #5 "It's A Game") 11. You Made Me Believe in Magic (1977, Single #15, also on LP #5 "It's A Game", #34 UK single, but hit #10 in the US) 12. Are You Cuckoo?? (1976, Non-LP B-side #1 of Single #15, also on US "Dedication" LP in 1976) 13. Dedication (1976, Les McKeown Version, Non-LP B-side #2 of Single #15) 14. The Way I Feel Tonight (1977, Remix, Single #16, Album Version on LP #5 "It's A Game") 15. Love Power (1977, B-side of Single #16, also on LP #5 "It's A Game") 16. Another Rainy Day in New York City (1978, Single #17, also on LP #6 "Strangers In The Wind") 17. All of the World Is Falling in Love (1978, Remix, Single #18, album version on LP #6 "Strangers In The Wind") 18. If You Were My Woman (1978, B-side of Singles #17, 18 & 19, also on LP #6 "Strangers In The Wind") 19. Where Will I Be Now?? (1978, Single #19, also on LP #6 "Strangers In The Wind") 20. Strangers in the Wind (1978, album track from LP #6 "Strangers In The Wind") 21. When I Say I Love You (The Pie) (1978, album track from LP #6 "Strangers In The Wind") Disc: 4 1. Turn on the Radio (1979, Single #20, w/ new singer/writer/musician Duncan Faure, from LP #7 "Elevator", the band's finest powerpop masterwork!!) 2. Washington's Birthday (1979, B-side of Singles #20 & 21, also on LP #7 "Elevator", the band's finest powerpop masterwork!!) 3. Elevator (1979, album track from LP #7 "Elevator", the band's finest powerpop masterwork!!) 4. Hello & Welcome Home (1979, Single #21, from LP #7 "Elevator", the band's finest powerpop masterwork!!) 5. Stoned Houses #2 (1979, album track from LP #7 "Elevator", the band's finest powerpop masterwork!!) 6. Playing in a Rock 'n' Roll Band (1979, lead vocals by Eric Faulkner, album track from LP #7 "Elevator", the band's finest powerpop masterwork!!) 7. Life on the Radio (1981, Single #22, from LP #9, "Ricochet/The Brown Bag Album" (their only release on Epic Records), LP #8 "Voxx" (an odds & sods collection), was only released in Japan and Germany and is not represented here)) 8. Ricochet (1981, B-side of Single #22, from LP #9, "Ricochet/The Brown Bag Album" (their only release on Epic Records), LP #8 "Voxx" (an odds & sods collection), was only released in Japan and Germany and is not represented here)) 9. Doors, Bars and Metal (1981, album track from LP #9, "Ricochet/The Brown Bag Album" (their only release on Epic Records), LP #8 "Voxx" (an odds & sods collection), was only released in Japan and Germany and is not represented here)) 10. Ride (1981, album track from LP #9, "Ricochet/The Brown Bag Album" (their only release on Epic Records), LP #8 "Voxx" (an odds & sods collection), was only released in Japan and Germany and is not represented here)) 11. No Doubt About It (1981, Single #23, from LP #9, "Ricochet/The Brown Bag Album" (their only release on Epic Records), LP #8 "Voxx" (an odds & sods collection), was only released in Japan and Germany and is not represented here)) 12. Set the Fashion (1981, B-side of Single #23, from LP #9, "Ricochet/The Brown Bag Album" (their only release on Epic Records), LP #8 "Voxx" (an odds & sods collection), was only released in Japan and Germany and is not represented here)) Bonus Tracks 13. Yesterday's Hero (1976, U.S. Version, from US LP "Dedication") 14. Summerlove Sensation (1975, U.S. Version, from US comp "Bay City Rollers") 15. Give a Little Love (1975, U.S. Version, from US comp "Bay City Rollers") 16. Where Will I Be Now?? (1978, Alternative Vocal, Prev Unreleased version of single from "Strangers In the Wind") 17. Kings Road Chelsea (1979, Les McKeown solo, from "All Washed Up") 18. All Washed Up (1979, Les McKeown solo, from "All Washed Up") There will never be another collection to match this!! No way, no how!! All I need now are all 9 of the studio albums on CD and complete the vinyl album collection...and let's all get together and get this band justice and paid!!

Let me state that I have been a Bay City Rollers fan since I was 8 years old. I was introduced to them during the "It's A Game" era which was 1977. My friend and I first bought the single "You Made Me Believe In Magic" in the summer of 1977. I then was able to convince my Dad to purchase the "It's A Game" album for me and I must have come close to wearing it out because I played it from the time I got home from school to the time I went to bed. Then in 1978 when I found out that they got their own Saturday morning show, I went ape!!! Suffice it to say that I was loyal in purchasing "Strangers In The Wind" & even when they changed lead singers for the next and sadly final US release "Elevator". But onto the CD collection that I just purchased. I was surprised to see that a record company had finally released a comprehensive collection of the Bay City Rollers. First I want to say that I recommend this anthology highly, especially if you're a Bay City Rollers fanatic like I am! Secondly, with the material that is on this anthology is pretty complete, with the exception or emission of songs from the" Voxx" album which was only released in Japan and Germany. In saying that though, this is still the most complete collection that you'll ever be able to get! The first disc starts off with 10 songs with original lead singer Nobby Clarke. That era was from 1966-1974. Then the Bay City Rollers as we know them came to pass. Leslie McKeown and Stuart "Woody" Wood were added in 1974. This classic lineup would last from 1974-1978 and would have classic albums and singles through out that time! There are classic hits like "Remember", " Shang-A-Lang", "Saturday Night", " Bye Bye Baby ", " Give A Little Love ", " Money Honey", "Wouldn't You Like It", " Yesterday's Hero", "Rock 'n' Roll Love Letter", " It's A Game ", " You Made Me Believe In Magic ", " The Way I Feel Tonight ", " Another Rainy Day In New York City ", &" Strangers In The Wind ". Those hits and album tracks and b-sides through the rest of disc1 all the way to disc3. The Duncan Faure era started in 1979 and started off with a fantastic album, " Elevator ", that showed a grown up Bay City Rollers who now had shortened their name to just the Rollers. This era, which would be the last lineup we would see goes from 1979-1982. Sadly the record label didn't get behind the Rollers on their change in direction and here in the US we would only get" Elevator ". We missed their growth in " Voxx" & "Ricochet". Duncan Faure brought a growth to the song writing because he had been in a very successful group of his own called Rabbitt, which had another successful song writer & guitarist named Trevor Rabin who was to join the group Yes in 1984 and take them to new heights. Duncan was also a guitarist and added more to the rhythm section of the Rollers. Most of disc4 is dedicated to the era of Duncan Faure. Tracks were taken from" Elevator " &"Ricochet ". These are all as infectious as the songs were during the Bay City Rollers heyday with Leslie McKeown, in my humble opinion. I will say that when Duncan Faure came into the Rollers, I didn't want to like him because my loyalty was to Leslie McKeown, but I had to admit that I liked the sound that Duncan brought and ended up loving the music and realized that my loyalty was to the Bay City Rollers/Rollers, not just a lead singer. The rest of disc4 is US versions of singles and a alternative vocal from the single " Where Will I Be Now". The last two tracks are Leslie McKeown solo tracks. I had never heard any solo material from Leslie, but they are a good teaser as to a solo career that never was, at least here in the US. So as a whole, I recommend this anthology highly if you're a long time Bay City Rollers fan or are just curious as to how popular and great this band was and should've had the longevity that they deserved!!! In the history of music, the Beatles were and are the best band of all time, but after they broke up, the Bay City Rollers took over the fanaticism! The Bay City Rollers weren't just a group that had a lot of screaming girls, they knew how to play their instruments, they knew how to write songs, and they left us with a recorded legacy to listen to & enjoy!!! In the annals of history, the Bay City Rollers will be remembered as one of the greatest bands of all time!!!

I was a fan when I was young, but didn't really remember the Rollers. Got this on a whim and was pleasantly suprised. This is power pop, but its good power pop. There were a lot more great songs than I imagined. Even later in the box set when I assumed there would be a bunch of garbage, the music got even better.

I love this set. It takes me back to my youth!! I was a big roller fan and saw them in their midwest concert. I think this set has all the best of their songs. If you're a fan and want to go back in time, purchase this set. You won't be disappointed.

Wish I could afford more stuff but a bit low on cash at the moment!!!! thanks for the CD's. They are great!!!!

This is the quintessential Bay City Rollers collection! Spanning the entire recorded history of the band, it contains early songs with first lead vocalist Nobby Clark as well as all the classics sung by Les McKeown (and later his replacement Duncan Faure.) If you grew up with the Rollers, this anthology is definitely a must for your collection! 70s and 80s power pop at its best. Put on your tartan and prepare to enjoy all those musical memories!

I was and always will be a Rollers fan. They cut different music for the US and rest of the world. I wanted some of the music that was produced on their UK Albums.

Nice collection of songs, especially the rare ones.

What a step back in time. I was a Roller fan in 1975 and I think I must be having a midlife crises. The songs take me back and I realise how lucky I was to be a teenager back in the day. Excellent discs, I play them all the time. I still have the original vinyl but no record player.

Bay City Rollers。青春の思い出。当時貧乏で LP はおろか、シングル盤すら買えなかった。ほぼエアチェックか、友達にカセットに録音してもらってた。友達にはお勧めを選曲してもらってたので、今回初めて LP という形で聴いた。当人たちの問題かプロデューサーの問題かは知らないが、LP、つまらない。良い曲はたくさんあるのにね。でも 5つ星。知らない曲もいっぱいあったけど、とにかく懐かし過ぎて。

en 4 cd toute l'histoire des Bay City Rollers est présente. Ce groupe malgré ses tubes a toujours fait des albums souvent inégaux. Cette compilation a sélectioné le meilleur, avec : tous les singles (face A et B), des raretés et des extraits d'albums. Tubes ou perles rares, c'est vraiment le meilleur qui s'offre aux amateurs de musiques pop, n'oublions aucun moment du groupe (les premiers line up, le classic line up et les dernières années au début des 80's). Le livret est très complet et le tout a été remasterisé.

今までレコードで聞いていたのですが改めてCDで聞いて懐かしく思い出に浸っています。

This Is a Great Collection all the hits are here Nice Quality Sound there are some Really Rare Items here also. There are a lot of Album Tracks from all there Albums. Even the Original E.P.'s are broken down and all Tracks are Featured in the Order they Appeared on the Original Disc's Highly Recommended for all Rollers Fans.