Kicks is the first compilation to exclusively concentrate on the Raiders at the absolute peak of their hit making powers. Before we go any further, here are some statistics worth pondering. During those all important years between 1965 and '69, the Raiders scored no less than 16 US hit singles, were the first rock act to be signed to Columbia – for whom they released eight albums – and, on the top of all this, had their own network TV show Where The Action Is.
Built around the partnership of Paul Revere, Mark Lindsay and co-songwriter and producer Terry Melcher, the 27 tracks on Hungry For Kicks represent no less than the absolute golden age of Raiders pop, if not American mainstream ’60s pop in general.
The band's habit of dressing themselves up in cheesy matching band outfits not to mention the notorious American Revolutionary garb may to a degree have compromised their credentials as a serious garage act but the real proof of the pudding lies in the quality and quantity of the selections showcased here.
Sequenced in non-chronological order the track listing literally bounces its way around between the twin landmarks of the Raiders' ’65 breakthrough 'Steppin' Out' and their last single release of the decade, the soulful 'We Gotta All Get Together' from late '69 with original (and often markedly different) single versions rubbing shoulders with a selection of the Raiders' most happening album tracks and a rare radio promo from ’67.
Whether its the out and out garage frenzy of 'Kicks', 'Hungry', 'Just Like Me', 'Steppin' Out', 'Louie, Go Home' or Boyce and Hart's 'I'm Not Your Stepping Stone' (which actually predated the Monkees’ hit version) or the more psych-tinged 'I Had A Dream', 'Peace Of Mind', 'The Great Airplane Strike', 'Why? Why? Why? (Is It So Hard)' and 'Tighter' you're well and truly spoilt for choice here whatever your bag.
by Grahame Bent
1. Kicks Song (Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil) - 2:28
2. Him Or Me (What's It Gonna Be?) (Terry Melcher, Mark Lindsay) - 2:51
3. Hungry Song (Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil) - 2:55
4. Let Me! (Single Version) (Mark Lindsay) - 2:30
5. Just Like Me Song Review (R. Dey, R. Hart) - 2:32
6. Too Much Talk (Single Version) (Mark Lindsay) - 2:12
7. Ups And Downs (Terry Melcher, Mark Lindsay) - 2:48
8. (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone (T. Boyce, B. Hart) - 2:47
9. Good Thing (Terry Melcher) - 3:04
10.I Had A Dream (Terry Melcher, Mark Lindsay) - 2:20
11.Mr. Sun, Mr. Moon (Single Version) (Mark Lindsay) - 2:35
12.Steppin' Out (Paul Revere, Mark Lindsay) - 2:30
13.Peace Of Mind (Terry Melcher, Mark Lindsay) - 2:26
14.We Gotta All Get Together (Freddy Weller) - 2:58
15.The Great Airplane Strike (Terry Melcher, Paul Revere, Mark Lindsay) - 4:09
16.Louie, Go Home (Paul Revere, Mark Lindsay) - 2:39
17.Gone / Movin' On (Terry Melcher, Mark Lindsay) - 2:30
18.Cinderella Sunshine (Single Version) (Mark Lindsay) - 2:00
19.Action (S. Venet, T. Boyce) - 1:28
20.Don't Take It So Hard (Mark Lindsay) - 2:21
21.Why? Why? Why? (Is It So Hard) (Peter Volk) - 2:54
22.Ballad Of A Useless Man (D. Levin) - 2:11
23.Tighter (Mark Lindsay, Terry Melcher) - 1:59
24.Freeborn Man (Mark Lindsay, Keith Allison) - 3:32
25.Observation From Flight 285 (In 3/4 Time) (Mark Lindsay) - 3:22
26.Louise (J. Kincaid) - 2:05
27.Theme From It's Happening (Single Version) (Mark Lindsay) - 2:44
Paul Revere And the Raiders
*Keith Allison - Bass
*Charlie Coe - Bass
*Joe Corero, Jr. - Drums
*Joe Foster - Synthesizer
*Mike Doc Holiday - Bass
*Drake Levin - Guitar
*Mark Lindsay - Saxophone, Vocals
*Paul Revere - Organ
*Nick Robbins - Synthesizer
*Michael "Smitty" Smith - Drums
*Jim Valley - Guitar
*Phil "Fang" Volk - Bass
*Freddy Weller - Guitar
Paul Revere And The Raiders
1963-65 Mojo Work Out (Sundazed issue)
1965-67 Evolution to Revolution: 5 Classic Albums (2013 double disc remaster)
1967 A Christmas Present... And Past
1968 Goin' To Memphis (Sundazed remaster)
1968 Something Happening (Repertoire digipack remaster and expanded)
1969 Alias Pink Puzz (Sundazed remaster)
1969 Hard 'N' Heavy With Marshmallow (Sundazed issue)
1970-71 Indian Reservation / Collage (2009 remaster)
1982 Special Edition (Vinyl edition)
Related Act
1970 Mark Lindsay - Arizona / Silverbird
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