Lies: The Very Best Of The Knickerbockers CD

Principally recorded at Wally Heider Recording Studio, Hollywood, California. Originally released on Challenge (LP 622).

All tracks recorded in stereo except tracks 11-14 which are in mono.

Recorded in Hollywood, with songwriting contributions from such top sessionmen of the day as Glen Campbell, Jim Seals, and Dash Crofts, this is, aside from the first-rate title track, an extremely generic mid-'60s set, with only one group original other than "Lies." The Knickerbockers never found an identity, alternating between frat rock, flaccid pop/rock, and strange Wall-of-Sound productions in which the producers apparently had visions of turning them into $the Walker Brothers. ~ Richie Unterberger

Despite its relatively shoddy packaging and remastering, Collectables' Lies: The Very Best of the Knickerbockers is a good collection of the band's best moments. All the hits are here ("Lies," "One Track Mind," "High on Love," "Jolly Green Giant"), along with 21 other album tracks, singles and B-sides. The Knickerbockers were a bit more than a one-hit wonder -- they had a handful of good songs besides "Lies," and they could rock hard -- but there's still enough filler here to test the patience of more casual fans. Then again, they may be better served by Sundazed's The Fabulous Knickerbockers, which is more concise and has a stronger song selection, even if it suffers from the same inconsistent material. Either way, Collectables' effort is admirable, even with its imperfections, and may suit the purposes of listeners who want to hear more than "Lies." ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Includes liner notes by Mark Marymont.

The Knickerbockers includes: Jimmy Walker (vocals, drums); Bill "Buddy" Randall (vocals); Beau Charles (guitar); Johnny Charles (bass).

Liner Note Author: Mark Marymont.

The Knickerbockers: Beau Charles (guitar), Buddy Randell (saxophone, vocals), John Charles (bass), Jimmy Walker (drums, vocals).

Reissue producer: Bob Irwin.