Best Of ? & The Mysterians: Cameo Parkway 1966-1967 CD

Though most people remember ? & the Mysterians solely for their one enduring hit, "96 Tears," the frat-band staple that mixed garage rock with Tex-Mex via a monomaniacal organ riff, they actually laid down plenty of other memorable tracks in their initial lifespan. Most, including the original version of their hit, were, incredibly, unavailable on CD for decades making this 2005 reissue of the band's Cameo-Parkway sides something of a monumental occasion for garage rock collectors. The Mysterians are in their prime here ably mixing blues, soul, and teeth-baring rockers with rough-and-ready aplomb, and the inclusion of a few never-before-heard tracks (including an alternate version of "96 Tears") makes this sharply assembled anthology an absolute must for fans of the genre.

Liner Note Author: Jeff Tamarkin.

Recording information: Allegro Sound Studios; Dick Charles Recording Service, New York, NY; Michigan; New York, NY; Regent Sound STudios, New York, NY; Shields Recording Studio, Bay City, MI; Talent Masters.

Arranger: Jimmy Wisner.

? & the Mysterians: Question Mark (vocals); Bobby Balderrama (guitar); Frank Rodriguez (organ); Frank Lugo, Fernando Aguilar (bass guitar); Eddie Serrato.

Personnel: Robert Balderrama (guitar); Frank Rodriguez (organ); Eddie Serrato (drums).

Additional personnel: Tony Orlando (background vocals).

Uncut (p.118) - 4 stars out of 5 - "[The songs] exude hipster cool far transcending their one-hit-wonder reputation."