Anthology, 1961-1968 ~ Gene Pitney ~ Country Rock ~ CD ~ Used VG

Editorial Reviews

Although he's been called "a poor man's Roy Orbison" thanks to his uncanny falsettos and flair for the dramatic, Gene Pitney probably hasn't been given his due. A terrific songwriter (Ricky Nelson's "Hello, Mary Lou" and the Crystals' "He's a Rebel"--the only Phil Spector production without a Spector co-writing credit) who recorded material by others, this "teen idol" worked with the Stones and dated Marianne Faithfull. He also scored a smash with his greatest recording, "It Hurts to Be in Love," smack dab in the middle of the 1964 British Invasion. Rhino does its ever-terrific job here, spanning 16 major and minor hits from 1961 through '68. The only quibble is the dearth of more esoteric tracks such as "Backstage" and "Early in the Morning." --Bill Holdship