LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

Ace Records has two volumes of Vocals by the Fireballs, that cover most of the combos output, but recent investigations into the Norman Petty vaults have uncovered a slew of fine unissued material by this consummate group, the cream of which is gathered on "Firebeat!".

The CD focuses on the tougher side of the Fireballs studio career during the mid-1960s, as they came to terms with the impact of the British Invasion, and made some fine beat group-styled recordings of their own. We feature here rockin covers of items by the Knickerbockers, Paul Revere & The Raiders, Beach Boys and others, as well as punchy, guitar-fuelled workouts on Kansas City and Summertime Blues, and strong British-flavoured original material such as Never You Mind and Come To Me.

Fireballs vocalist Jimmy Gilmer is to the fore, indulging his love of folk rock on superb versions of Codine and Thunder & Lightnin, not to mention an alternate version of the groups swansong hit Bottle Of Wine. Original Fireballs frontman Chuck Tharp also weighs-in with Tough Times, a 1964 session where he is backed by his former bandmates. Most tracks on "Firebeat!" are making their debut on CD, and the sound quality on all is second-to- none, showcasing the masterful production skills of Norman Petty.

As an added bonus, the enhanced portion of the CD features colour footage of the Fireballs performing three songs from a Texas TV pop show circa 1968, including Bottle Of Wine. As clips of the band in their heyday are few and far between, this element alone will ensure that "Firebeat!" is an attractive proposition for Fireballs fans. The quality package, illustrated with rare photos and accompanied by a lengthy note with fresh quotes from all the band, makes it an all round must-have.

Track listing:

SAY I AM (WHAT I AM)
LIES
THUNDER & LIGHTNIN - Jimmy Gilmer & The Fireballs
CODINE - Jimmy Gilmer
LOUIE GO HOME
COME TO ME - Jimmy Gilmer
(I DONT WANT) YOUR KIND OF LOVE
NEVER YOU MIND
SOMEBODY STOLE MY WATERMELON - Jimmy Gilmer
YOURE SO GOOD TO ME
TOUGH TIMES - Chuck Tharp & The Fireballs
DANCING BY MYSELF
HUNGRY HUNGRY HUNGRY
WILL YOU LOVE ME TOMORROW
MEDLEY: SUMMERTIME BLUES/LAND OF 1,000 DANCES/SHOTGUN
WHAT DO YOU DO - Jimmy Gilmer & The Fireballs
LONESOME TEARS - Jimmy Gilmer
KANSAS CITY
APPRECIATE A GIRL - Jimmy Gilmer
HERE IT COMES AGAIN
BOTTLE OF WINE
ONE FINE DAY
BABY WHATS WRONG
ATLANTA GEORGIA STRAY
BONUS VIDEO TRACKS
BOTTLE OF WINE
GOIN AWAY
THREE SQUARES