Tiny Tim - The Complete Singles Collection 1966-1970 [Now Sounds/ Cherry Red - 2016]Here for the first time ever is the complete collection of singles from the height of Tiny Tim’s career between 1966 & the early 1970’s. The CD release brings together twenty two tracks from this original musical outsider, with classic such as "Tip- Toe Thru The Tulips", and his district takes on known songs such as "What The World Needs Now Is Love", and "Great Balls Of Fire". The release comes with full colour twenty page booklet, and this features a new two page write-up about Mr Tim, as well as extensive & insightful linear notes, discussing in some depth each of the twenty two tracks offered here. Added to this you get a good selection of pictures, including a great snap of Mr Tim’s Marriage to Miss Vicki on the Johnny Carson show in 1969. The collection runs in chronological order- so it opens with 1966’s "April Showers", and ends with 1972’s "Am I Just Another Pretty Face". The tracks show his ability to move from his trade mark & distinctive blend of banjo & high falsetto/vibrato singing. Onto to warbling baritone yet rising variety show like renditions, through to quirky & pop/ rock styling’s. As this is compilation is a single collection, the tracks here do sit in the more commercial end of Mr Tim’s repertoire, so you don’t really get the more odd & off-kilter tracks like "The Viper"( from his classic debut God Bless Tiny Tim). Though that said you do get quirky & fun fare such as his great take "On The Good Ship Lollipop", or child-friend though still bizarre tracks like "Mickey The Monkey". But the thing I found most surprising were the USA flag flying & at times ironically Xenophobic tracks such as "America I Love You", "Don’t Bite The Hand That Feeds You", and "What Kind Of American Are You?". All told it’s great to finally have all of Mr Tim’s classic singles in one place, and as they did with their reissue of God Bless Tiny Tim Now Sounds have presented this compilation with such great love & care. Roger Batty
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