TOMMY JAMES & THE SHONDELLS – Live! At The Bitter End, New York

(Angel Air Records)

Summary : Nice performance but a live recording lacking atmosphere?

A polished live performance from the turn of the century released as part of Angel Air’s reissuing of a number of Tommy James album. Subtitled (at least on the front cover) as “Greatest Hits Live” this offers exactly what it promises and features all of The Shondells’ big sellers some 30 years on from their initial success. Predominantly classy, well played rock ‘n’ roll Shondell and his band reprise a set of songs that were huge sellers back in the late 60s, especially in the US where they rivalled Creedance Clearwater Revival in good time chart bothering pop/rock. The inclusions therefore of “Hanky Panky”, “Crimson And Clover”, “I Think We’re Alone Now” and of course “Mony Mony” will therefore surprise few and you would think delight those in attendance.

Sadly though for a live release it all seems a bit sterile. A strange introduction that was probably funnier if you were there doesn’t set things up well and the audience, seated by the look of the inner sleeve pictures, are closer to the polite end of the scale than rapturously enthusiastic. I don’t think it was a particularly large scale gig but it seems the band had more energy 30 years on than its audience?

If you want a decent run through of Shondells hits and can’t find an original studio collection this’ll suffice but surely there’s a more impressive live representation of the band out there?

**1/2

Bill Leslie

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