Average User Rating: 80% (3 Reviews)
4 / 5	Original hits and something more J. Leyland (Blackpool UK) - 21 July 2008 One of the risks associated with buying hit songs from the 60's is that you never know if you will get the real deal until you put the CD on! The are a lot of re-recordings of Bachelors songs around, but the good news is, not on this new album from Decca/Universal. This package of 25 songs contains 23 original Decca singles, 17 of which made the top twenty. All the massive songs are there, Diane, I Believe, Marie, No Arms Can Ever Hold You etc, but among the non-hits there are some classic and well crafted recordings of songs that suited 'the boys' perfectly. 'If Ever I Would Leave You' (from Camelot) is one such number. I well remember hearing them perform it live at The Royal Court Theatre in Liverpool; the audience went wild with a standing ovation! It should have been a hit record, so maybe now, as part of this CD it will be. The two remaining tracks are recent recordings by Con and Dec Cluskey (the three original members have not performed together since January 1984 - mores the pity). 'Gortnamona' bears witness to their Irish roots and 'Somewhere' is totally typical of the powerful ballads that Decca used to find for Con Cluskey to sing his heart out. But, is it 'the very best of The Bachelors?' No. Of course, an album like this has to have all the big hits - that's why people loved them so much and still do. The group recorded over 350 songs with Decca over a ten year period alone and there are some amazing songs, beautifully recorded that have never seen the light of day on CD. 'Sally' (the Gracie fields song) 'Invisible Tears' 'Put your Head on My Shoulder' are just three that spring to mind. Come on Universal - let's have another compilation with their best album tracks! If this CD charts (and I suspect thats likely), it will be a lasting testament to the tremendous vocal versatility of John Stokes (the one with the bass and supplier of those lovely soaring high harmonies)Dec Cluskey (lead guitar and low harmony) and Con Cluskey (rhythm guitar and lead vocal). So....go out and buy this slice of 60's pop history. These fabulous recordings will have you hitting the replay button on your stereo for sure! ... Read Full Review »
5 / 5	Brothers in Harmony! Golden Brown "Golden Brown" (Edinburgh, UK) - 23 August 2008 This CD is not the most comprehensive release of The Bachelors tracks (that honour belongs to the double CD ' The Bachelors - The Decca Years', also available from Amazon). However it does feature most of their best-known tracks, including the US no.1 'Diane' and of course the title track 'I Believe'. The brothers are celebrating their Golden anniversary in the music business, and one of the highlights of the CD are the excellent sleeve notes written by Dec Cluskey himself. The fantastic harmonies alone make it worth buying this CD, plus the big endings and seamless key changes. Not many groups last 50 years in showbiz, but this album makes it quite obvious why The Bachelors are the exception to the rule.... Read Full Review »
5 / 5	Happy Memories of some great songs..I Believe - Very Best Of The Bachelors V. M. Brown (Devon. UK) - 24 August 2008 I've always loved the Bachelors and grew up listening to their music, dad was always playing them...of course I had a crush on them, after all they were two great looking blokes from Ireland with superb voices. It's a great CD with all my favourite songs and makes for wonderful lazy Sunday morning listening. Just to sing along with none of the hissing and static that used to go with vinal records is a bonus as well. If you are a fan of the Bachelors then buy this CD I can promise you won't be disappointed. Just listening to Marta...wonderful,hmmmm!!, happy memories.... Read Full Review »