Until the release of this import, there had never been a truly satisfactory Shangri-Las anthology; in fact, the group had been subject to worse piecemeal mangling than almost any other significant act of the 1960s. This 33-track production finally sets the record straight, including all of the significant A-sides, B-sides, and album tracks they recorded for Red Bird between 1964 and 1966, as well as an earlier single for a different label, and four radio commercials. Includes every one of their hits, but anyone who likes those will be enchanted by quite a few of their more obscure numbers here: "Dressed in Black," "Paradise," "It's Easier to Cry," "Never Again," and "Heaven Knows" are all first-class (if sometimes mordant). Not everything is up to that level, but enough is to make a case for them as one of the very best girl groups, and the good sound and thorough liner notes are significant bonuses. It may be more extensive and expensive than some fans wish, but don't settle for the numerous skimpy/rip-off domestic compilations, all of which manage to leave off some key tunes; this is the definitive document.
Although this is extremely similar to the 1994 CD Shangri-Las compilation on RPM bearing the same title, there are some small differences that might give you pause for consideration if you're either choosing between the two of them or considering "upgrading" with the new version. One of their two rare pre-Red Bird singles, "Wishing Well"/"Hate to Say I Told You So," has been dropped from the track lineup, as has their cover of the Chantels' "Maybe." In their place is the less impressive of the other pre-Red Bird 45s, "Simon Says"/"Simon Speaks," a live (or perhaps pseudo-live) early soul-pop novelty effort. In addition, seven songs, including several of their biggest hits, are heard in stereo. Close listening reveals some difference between those and the more commonly heard versions, like a longer fade on "Remember (Walkin' in the Sand)" and an extra instrumental bar after the crash on "Leader of the Pack" (which actually diminishes that classic's impact slightly). There's a new cover and longer, updated liner notes. All this doesn't necessarily add up to an improvement. It's good to have the rare "Simon Says"/"Simon Speaks" single available at last, but you still need "Wishing Well"/"Hate to Say I Told You So" and the two post-Red Bird 1966-1967 Mercury singles (available on Mercury's The Best of the Shangri-Las CD) to assemble all of the group's important rarities. More embarrassingly, the running order of tracks 24 through 28 play in a different sequence than that listed on the cover. And most importantly, you still need to buy no less than three CDs -- Mercury's The Best of the Shangri-Las and both RPM configurations of Myrmidons of Melodrama -- to get everything of interest by the group. That's a luxury that most fans would agree should somehow have been covered by a more affordable, convenient two-CD set if possible. If for some reason this is the only Shangri-Las comp you can lay your hands on, though, it's a very good one, including all of their big hits, several fine semi-forgotten low-charting singles, several other worthy obscure cuts, and additional assorted rarities.