Vanilla Fudge - The Return

Year of Release: 2002
Label: World Sound
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 72:35:00

Do you recognize the album cover or know the name of the band? Well, if you do you are older than I am. I was a little boy when these people were making a name for themselves. Vanilla Fudge was a band known for doing covers of popular songs by injecting their psychedelic blues-rock into every groove on a record. That was then and this is now. Has that much changed? Not really, they still kick ass and sound great. They serve notice they are back with a vengeance very quickly on the rockin' opener "Ain't That Peculiar" and renew their classic rendition of "You Keep Me Hangin'On" in their own unique way. They even do an out of character rap in Rod Stewart's "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy," which by the way, rocks the house down. The only song on the CD that did not seem to fit was "I Want It That Way," it seemed as if they were trying to force their style of music on the song, and it did not work. Other than that, this is a great recording.

I can only hope I have the energy, soul, and emotion that this group has when I get into my fifties. We seem to be going through a rock 'n' roll renaissance lately with 60s and 70s bands reemerging and catching everyone by surprise with the great music that is being produced. They are that good, and much of what is recorded today is not worthy of your listening so it is a real treat to take this all in. There is not only the audience that they left behind in the 60s that will be thrilled to hear this, there will be excited new listeners wondering why they never heard of this group. I got a wakeup call with Vince Martell's solo album Endless High last year. I found out what a great guitarist and vocalist he was and wondered then if he would get the Fudge back together because he was having so much success. I am glad that he did. They have also stayed current with an attractive website with updates on all the group members.

For all the hangers on and all of those that have been wondering what this band sounded like, here is your chance to hear them in present day. I encourage you to delve into their back catalog as well, it is excellent and well worth your time and hard-earned bucks.

This title previously released as Vanilla Fudge 2001 in 2001; and, in 2004, with a different running order, artwork and tracklisting - doesn't include "Ain't?" and does include "Eleanor Rigby" - this is also known as Then And Now

Tracklisting:
Ain't That Peculiar (6:10) / You Keep Me Hangin' On (6:45) / Tearin' Up My Heart (7:37) / Shotgun (6:05) / People Get Ready (6:46) / Take Me For A Little While (4:15) / Good Good Livin' (4:42) / I Want It That Way (6:50) / Need Love (4:49) / She's Not There (5:12) / Season Of The Witch (8:10) / Do Ya Think I'm Sexy (7:12)

Musicians:
Carmine Appice - drums, vocals
Tim Bogert - bass, vocals
Vince Martell - guitar, vocals
Bill Pascali - organ, vocals

Discography:
Vanilla Fudge (1967/2002)
The Beat Goes On (1968)
Renaissance (1968)
Near The Beginning (1969)
While The World Was Eating (as Pigeons) (1970)
Rock & Roll (1970)
Star Collection (1974)
Two Originals (1976)
The Best Of Vanilla Fudge (1982)
Mystery (1984)
Live: The Best Of Vanilla Fudge (1991)
Concert Collection (1993)
Psychedelic Sundae: The Best Of Vanilla Fudge (1993)
Hits (1997)
People Get Ready (2001)
Vanilla Fudge 2001 (2001)
Returns (2002)
Real Deal: Vanilla Fudge Live (2003)
Then And Now (2004)
Greatest Hits Live (2004)
Rocks The Universe: Live In Germany, Pt 2. (2005)
Extended Versions (2007)
Good Good Rockin': Live At Rockpalast (2007)
Out Through The In Door (2007)
Orchestral Fudge (2008)
When Two Worlds Collidge (2008)
Rocks The Universe: Live In Germany, Pt. 3 (2009)

When Two Worlds Collide (DVD) (2009)
Live 2004 (DVD) (2009)
You Keep Me Hanging On (DVD) (2009)

Genre: Rock

Origin US

Added: November 5th 2002
Reviewer: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck
Score:
Artist website: www.vanillafudge.com
Hits: 2301
Language: english