The Best Years of Our Lives

Product Description
UK reissue of the British rocker's hit 1975 album, released at the very zenith of glam rock. Nine tracks including the hits, 'Best Years Of Our Lives', 'Mr Raffles' & 'Make Me Smile (Come Up & See Me)'. 2001 release.

The Best Years of Our Lives,Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel,Bgo - Beat Goes on,Album Rock,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop

Average customer rating: Steve Harley's Best Album Greatest Commercial Success for Steve Harley Harley Must Have Top stuff from Harley One of my Desert Island CDs

The Best Years of Our Lives Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel Manufacturer: EMI Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Psychomodo The Human Menagerie Timeless Flight A Closer Look/Love's a Prima Donna The Cream of Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel ASIN: B0000070QW Release Date: 1996-07-29

Tracks:

1. Introducing 'The Best Years'
2. Mad Mad Moonlight
3. Mr Raffles (Man, It Was Mean)
4. It Wasn't Me
5. Panorama
6. Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me)
7. Back To The Farm
8. 49th Parallel
9. The Best Years Of Our Lives
10. Another Journey
11. Sebastian - Cockney Rebel

Customer Reviews:

Steve Harley's Best Album.......2004-05-05

"Best Years of Our Lives" is the definitive Cockney Rebel album. If you've never heard of the band before, that won't mean much, so let me put things into perspective. Cockney Rebel came onto the UK music scene in the early 70's. Their music could be described as touching on elements of T.Rex, David Bowie, and Roxy Music, but over time they were able to craft their own signature sound. With Cockney Rebel, you got a lot of variety: rock, jazz, opera, and avante garde -- quite a wide style range! They were very big for a time in the UK, but never really made a dent in the USA.

This album contains one of their biggest hits, "Make Me Smile," (which has been covered by a ton of bands and shows up in a bunch of movie soundtracks) but the album as a whole provides the perfect listening experience from beginning to end. My favorite tracks are "Mad, Mad Moonlight," "Best Years of Our Lives," "Make Me Smile," and "Panorama."

Steve Harley is still around and performs several dates a year in the UK. The man can still put on an excellent show and still retains a devoted fan following. If you are a fan of Steve Harley or 70's Glam Rock, do not pass this album up. This is a definite entry on my top ten desert island discs.

Greatest Commercial Success for Steve Harley.......2002-04-02

Only 1 year after the staggering and brooding album "Psychomodo" (see my review there), we find Steve Harley taking a 45 degree turn towards more accessible music and consequently broad commercial success. The original premise of Cockney Rebel (no electric guitars) is abandoned here (albeit only occasionally).

1975's "Best Years of Our Lives" boasts 3 genuine hit singles, including of course the worldwide smash "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)", but the equally delightful "Mr. Raffles", as well as "Mad, Mad Moonlight". Other key tracks include a paranoid "It Wasn't Me", a funky-sounding "49th Parallel", and of course the beautiful title track.

Unlike the "Psychomodo" reissue, this album does contain bonus tracks, and what a find they are! First there is "Another Journey", the B-side of the "Make Me Smile" single, a great track that would have fitted nicely on the original album. Even more interesting is the 11 min. live version of "Sebastian", still perhaps the signature Harley song, from a 1975 Hammersmith Odeon show according to the liner notes. While the track initially stays close to the original, it eventually gives way to an ear-splitting electric guitar solo, which must have come to somewhat of a shock to audiences then, given what Cockney Rebel started out as. A must for any Steve Harley fan!

Harley Must Have.......2000-12-20

As a vintage Rebel fan, I think this is the best of the original records, but they are all damn good in my biased opinion. By the way, in response to an earlier post, certainly in the UK you can get Psychomodo, Human Menagerie and Timeless Flight, I have them all on CD.

Top stuff from Harley.......2000-06-26

They say you either love or hate Cockney Rebel. Personally this album has to be up there in my personal Top 5 of all time. It's strange really, I bought the singles, some of the albums but not, probably, the best in terms of sales until it was released on cd. Tracks such as Mr. Raffles, Back to the Farm, It wasn't me and Mad, Mad Moonlight make the writing here so good it's a wonder the US didn't get into Harley the first time around. Catch Timeless Flight if you can!

One of my Desert Island CDs.......1999-06-08

I first found out about Steve Harley through the music of T. Rex. Finding Cockney Rebel was a true musical blessing. This album in particular is great - "Panorama" and "Mad Moonlight" are two of the best tracks in my opinion. A great piece of work.

Average customer rating:

Legendary Film Composers Manufacturer: Delta ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Herrmann | Herrmann, Bernard | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schifrin | Schifrin, Lalo | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Waxman | Waxman, Franz | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music National Philharmonic Orchestra London | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Soundtracks General | Soundtracks | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Soundtracks General | Soundtracks | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: Bronislaw Kaper Plays His Famous Film Themes Herrmann: Prince of Players / Garden of Evil Cinema Rhapsodies: Musical Genius of Victor Young Now Playing on Marco Polo Around the World in 80 Days (Expanded Edition) ASIN: B00000IJV4 Release Date: 2004-01-01

Tracks:

1. The Kentuckian: Prelude/The Steamboat - National Philharmonic Orchestra/Fred Steiner/Ambrosian Singers
2. The Magnificent Ambersons: Theme And Variations/George's Homecoming - Austrailian Philharmonic Orchestra/Tony Bremner
3. Sisters: Separation Nightmare/Breton's Murder/Dirge - London Studios Orchestra
4. This Is Cinerama: Ladies & Gentlemen, This Is Cinerama - Cinerama Philharmonic Orchestra/Louis Forbes
5. The Best Years Of Our Lives: Main Title - London Philharmonic Orchestra/Franco Collura
6. The Best Years Of Our Lives: Homecoming - London Philharmonic Orchestra/Franco Collura
7. In Love And War: Main Title/Requiem - National Philharmonic Orchestra/Fred Steiner/Ambrosian Singers
8. South Seas Adventure: Journey To Hawaii - Cinerama Symphony Orchestra/Normal Luboff
9. South Seas Adventure: Finale - Cinerama Symphony Orchestra/Normal Luboff
10. Cheyenne Autumn: Overture - Symphony Orchestra Of Rome/Alex North
11. Cheyenne Autumn: Main Title - Symphony Orchestra Of Rome/Alex North
12. The Four Musketeers: Overture - Lalo Schifrin
13. The Four Musketeers: Frozen Pond Fight - Lalo Schifrin
14. Voyage Of The Damned: Lament - Lalo Schifrin
15. Voyage Of The Damned: Tragedy/Time Pulse - Lalo Schifrin
16. Raintree County: Susanna's Madness/War Begins - MGM Studio Symphony Orchestra & Chorus/John Green
17. Sunrise At Campobello: Main Title/Hyde Park Ten Years Wiser/End Cast - National Philharmonic Orchestra/Ambrosian Singers/Fred Steiner

Average customer rating: Best Work Since His Early Ones. Beautiful Noise Outstanding Stands Out Among his 1980's Efforts The Editorial "Reviewer" Needs To Do Some Homework

The Best Years of Our Lives Neil Diamond Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Contemporary | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Pop Rock | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Pop Rock | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Oldies | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Musicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Lovescape Headed for the Future September Morn I'm Glad You're Here with Me Tonight Heartlight ASIN: B0000026RA Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Best Years Of Our Lives
2. Hard Times For Lovers
3. This Time
4. Everything's Gonna Be Fine
5. Hooked On The Memory Of You
6. Take Care Of Me
7. Baby Can I Hold You
8. Carmelita's Eyes
9. Courtin' Disaster
10. If I Couldn't See You Again
11. Long Hard Climb

Customer Reviews:

Best Work Since His Early Ones........2003-07-25

I own every CD or Album made by Neil Diamond. I am an AVID fan. For a while, I was very disappointed with the work he came out with. It was right after "Beautiful Noise." Then came "Best Years Of Our Lives" and my emotions soared. "Carmelita's Eyes" is brilliant. Keep going Neil!

Beautiful Noise.......2003-04-27

Far and away the man's best work in the past 20 years. "This Time," "Hooked on the Memory of You" and "Courtin' Disaster" are nothing short of lovely. David Foster's production is right on and the arrangements are organic yet lush (or lush yet organic). How sweet and wonderful. I must have listened to this one a hundred thousand times.

Outstanding.......2001-11-09

Neil Diamond captures the feelings in his words and the wonderful music. This collection of tracks is superior to his previous releases. Everyone that's listened to my cd has asked the name of it, so they can purchase it. I think that says alot!

Stands Out Among his 1980's Efforts.......2001-04-30

Hats off to producer David Foster for saving Neil Diamond from an otherwise wasted decade. After releasing a string of ambitious albums between 1969 and 1976, Diamond handed over production credits to Bob Gaudio - who managed to polish any edges and depth the songs may have had to highest elevator standards. Each album that Neil Diamond released between 1977 and 1986 was a major disappointment artistically; pretty sad if you knew just how good the man could be.

My hopes were therefore not very high when I bought this CD upon its original release in 1989 - but what a pleasant surprise! The first album in more than 10 years that finally sounded like a real Diamond recording, with ten self-penned songs and a wonderful cover tune (Tracy Chapman's "Baby Can I Hold You"). Not over-produced like "Headed for the Future", not filled with lacklustre weak stuff like "Heartlight", not as uneven as the "Jazz Singer" soundtrack... not bad at all.

The Editorial "Reviewer" Needs To Do Some Homework.......2000-05-03

First, this is a wonderful CD for Neil Diamond's fans. It is a pleasant listening experience for those who are not biased toward Neil Diamond because of "critics." The editorial reviewer totally took Neil Diamond's words to Bob Dylan OUT OF CONTEXT. Any fan can tell you that. He was complimenting Dylan and making a joke.....Do some research before you take a quote out of context. With so called critics like yourself, it's a wonder Neil Diamond has sold so many albums.....but then again, maybe the people are smarter than the "critics" would like to believe.

Average customer rating:

Best Years of Our Lives H. Friedhofer ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Best Years of Our Lives ASIN: B000003HCN Release Date: 1994-02-01

Tracks:

1. Main Title
2. Homecoming
3. Elevator/Boone City/Peggy
4. Fred and Peggy
5. Nightmare
6. Fred Asleep
7. Neighbors/Wilma/Homer's Anger
8. Homer Goes Upstairs
9. Citation/Graveyard & Bombers
10. End Title & End Cast (Wilma)
11. Exit Music

Average customer rating:

Steve Harley &Cockney Rebel "Live & Unleashed" Make Me Smile (Come & See Me) / Mr. Soft / Mr. Raffles (Man It Was Mean) When I'm with You / Star for a Week / Riding the Waves 9for Virginia Wolf) / the Lihgthouse / the Best Years of Our Lives / Sweet Dreams / Psychomodo / Sling It / Sebastian/ Loves a Prima Donna STEVE HARLEY &COCKNEY REBEL ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000PLRJQM

Average customer rating: Good Clean Fun

Best Years of Our Lives Baha Men Manufacturer: Sbme Import ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Bahamas | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Dance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00005LZTN Release Date: 2002-01-15

Tracks:

1. Best Years of Our Lives [Mick's Mix]
2. Best Years of Our Lives [Pablo Floors Club Mix]
3. It Is You (I Have Loved)
4. Best Years of Our Lives [Enhanced Video]

Album Description

Calypso-reggae cover of old modern romance classic from the early 80's, taken from the soundtrack to the film 'Shrek'. Tracks include 'Best Years Of Our Lives' (Radio Edit Version & Pablo Flores Club Mix), 'It Is You' (I Have Loved-album version performed by Danny Glover) & 'Like Wow' (performed by Leslie Carter). 2001 release.

Album Details

From the soundtrack to the animated feature 'Shrek'. Also features the enhanced video for the title track, a Pablo Flores dance remix & another cut from the OST written by the score master Harry Gregson-Williams.

Customer Reviews:

Good Clean Fun.......2002-06-19

Baha Men obviously had a blast recording this single...and you will have a blast listening to it. Spirited, energetic and heaps of fun! On a road trip we played it over and over and never got tired of it. You cannot sit still and listen...it "MAKES YOU WANNA DANCE"!

Average customer rating:

Best Years of Our Lives Manufacturer: WEA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B00006ILU9 Release Date: 1989-01-01

Average customer rating:

The Best Years of Our Lives, Vol. 3 Manufacturer: Mastertone ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music ASIN: B0009NTESC

Average customer rating:

The Best Years of Our Lives: Volume 2 Manufacturer: Mastertone ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music ASIN: B0009MI8RQ

Average customer rating: Singular man-(if you like bowie or kinks- you may like this) singular man- (if you like Bowie and the Kinks taka chance)

The Best Years of Our Lives Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel Manufacturer: Bgo - Beat Goes on ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B00005A7UD Release Date: 2001-05-11

Tracks:

1. Introducing ''the Best Years''
2. Mad, Mad Moonlight
3. Mr. Raffles
4. It Wasn't Me
5. Panorama
6. Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)
7. Back to the Farm
8. 49th Parallel
9. Best Years of Our Lives
10. Another Journey - Steve Harley, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel
11. Sebastian [Live] - Steve Harley, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel

Album Description

UK reissue of the British rocker's hit 1975 album, released at the very zenith of glam rock. Nine tracks including the hits, 'Best Years Of Our Lives', 'Mr Raffles' & 'Make Me Smile (Come Up & See Me)'. 2001 release.

Album Details

The 1975 breakthru album for the hard working Cockney Rebel and founder Steve Harley that yielded the UK hits 'Best Years of Our Lives', 'Mr. Raffles' and their first chart topper 'Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)'.

Customer Reviews:

Singular man-(if you like bowie or kinks- you may like this).......2002-06-14

Steve Harley doesn't seem to be too famous here in the states, but he comes up in references through his music such as Mr. Soft being used in a TV commercial or Sebastain which was on the soundtrack of the movie Velvet Goldmine. I highly recommed people looking into this music- it has all the flair and intelligence of a Ray Davies (kinks) or David Bowie but with his own unique vision....
This was Steve Harley's third album after the sophisticated albums of Human Managerie (which I hear will be re-issued on cd in due time) and Psychomodo. This was a bit of a departure from his first two with more of a thought towards a mainstream sound. That isn't to say that this album is anywhere close to sounding mainstream though. Infact, the song writing is fantastic and fun and the word play is as clever as ever- it seemed that he was keeping in step with the progress of co-glam rockers Bowie and Roxy Music- Bowie by this time had moved far from the Ziggy Stardust persona and into Diamond Dogs and Young Americans and Roxy Music recorded Sirens before going on hiatus.
As on the Psychomodo, Alan Parsons (of Beatles and Pink Floyd fame as well as the "Alan Parsons Project" (ode to Austin Powers)) came in to helm the sound boards; and as always because of Parsons masterful technical ability the sound is emaculant.
The overall feel of the album could border on romantic but mischievious and of course a bit strange. there aren't any duds in the bunch and the performances are inspired- I recommend this only if you've listened to Psychomodo and liked it- obviously this music is singular and isn't for everyone; but if you like David Bowie, or the Kinks I think you enjoy this.

singular man- (if you like Bowie and the Kinks taka chance).......2002-06-14

Steve Harley doesn't seem to be too famous here in the states, but he comes up in references through his music such as Mr. Soft being used in a TV commercial or Sebastain which was on the soundtrack of the movie Velvet Goldmine. I highly recommed people looking into this music- it has all the flair and intelligence of a Ray Davies (kinks) or David Bowie but with his own unique vision....
This was Steve Harley's third album after the sophisticated albums of Human Managerie (which I hear will be re-issued on cd in due time) and Psychomodo. This was a bit of a departure from his first two albums with more of a thought towards a mainstream sound. That isn't to say that this album is anywhere close to sounding mainstream though. Infact, the song writing is fantastic and fun and the word play is as clever as ever- it seemed that he was keeping in step with the progress of co-glam rockers Bowie and Roxy Music- Bowie by this time had moved far from the Ziggy Stardust persona and into Diamond Dogs and Young Americans and Roxy Music recorded Sirens before going on hiatus.
As on the Psychomodo, Alan Parsons (of Beatles and Pink Floyd fame as well as the "Alan Parsons Project" (ode to Austin Powers)) came in to helm the sound boards; and as always because of Parsons masterful technical ability the sound is emaculant.
The overall feel of the album could border on romantic but mischievious and of course a bit strange. there aren't any duds in the bunch and the performances are inspired- I recommend this only if you've listened to Psychomodo and liked it- obviously music this singular isn't for everyone; but if you like Bowie, or the Kinks I think you enjoy this.

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