Smokie

A cheap compilation full of diamonds.Smokie were a huge success in the 70s with their pop rock sound and had many singles charted.By the mid 80s,their star was fading and singer Chris Norman departed for a solo career and soon followed a change of drummer and a keyboardist added,The other big change was new singer Alan Barton,formally of black lace(a band know for thier novelty party hits).This compilation features reworkings of their classic 70s hits with Barton now on vocals plus a selection of songs from the six albums this line up did together in their 9 year career 1986-1995.Smokie fans are split when it comes too this era as Chris Norman was and still is the ultimate smokie frontman.Myself though,who got into rock music in the late 80s,I prefer this line up as its my era.Alan Barton is a solid vocalist and his raspy vocals work so well with the old tunes and are perfect for the songs he did with them.Sadly Barton died in a tragic tour bus accident in 1995 and cut short a career wich I believe would of continued with smokie for many years and a true down to earth man who just loved his job!!Smokie are still active too this day...though have gone through many line up changes since this eraIf you like old school pop rock or even soft rock at its softest then buy this Album.

Smokie 2cd collection 32 tracks re-recordings, no info just track list,advertised as limited addition. Glad I got it cheap.Disappointed not one of my best choices.