The Definitive Pye Collection [Box set]

Before reading, take in mind that this a thorough comparative review for both The Definitive Pye Collection and The Pye Anthology: 1963-1967.

This is a 3 disc compilation by one of the most popular bands of the Merseybeat sound of the `60s. Is it definitive? Yes and no. Many compilations have been issued for The Searchers: The Definitive Pye Collection, The Pye Anthology: 1963-1967, and The 40th Anniversary Collection, being the most thorough of the bunch. All of them having their high and low points. In this review, I'm comparing The Definitive Pye Collection and The Pye Anthology. The 40th Anniversary Collection features tracks that extend pass the bands Pye catalogue, and therefore will be left out.

Both collections feature singles, B-sides, and tracks pulled from their 5 Pye albums. Here are the major differences between the two.

The Definitive Pye Collection

My one complaint for this collection is the fact that the songs bounce from mono to stereo and back again. I've read in previous reviews for other `60s collections, and many individuals complain that songs are not in stereo. Take in mind that mono was the standard for almost all bands up to 1967, as stereo systems were rather expensive. Even The Beatles mixed all their singles and albums in mono up `til The White Album. Unfotunately the CD reissues of their albums feature stereo remixes. But enough about them, on to The Searchers.

Disc 1

Tracks 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, and 12 are in stereo, and can be found as bonus tracks on the Castle reissue of Meet The Searchers.

Track 2 is in mono and is a bonus track on of the Castle reissue of Meet The Searchers.

Tracks 7 and 11 are in mono (no stereo masters exist for these two songs), and can be found on the Castle reissue of Meet The Searchers.

Tracks 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22 are in stereo, and can be found as bonus tracks on the Castle reissue of Sugar & Spice.

Track 23 is in stereo, and can be found as a bonus track on the Castle reissue of Sugar & Spice.

Track 25 is in mono, and can be found as a bonus track on the Castle reissue of Sugar & Spice.

Track 24 is in stereo, and can be found as a bonus track on the Castle reissue of It's The Searchers.

Disc 2

Track 1 is in stereo, and can be found as a bonus track on the Castle reissue of It's The Searchers.

Track 2 is in mono, and can be found as a bonus track on the Castle reissue of It's The Searchers.

Tracks 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 are in stereo, and can be found as bonus tracks on the Castle reissue of It's The Searchers.

Tracks 11 and 12 are in mono, and can be found as bonus tracks on the Castle reissue of It's The Searchers.

Tracks 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19 are in mono, and can be found as bonus tracks on the Castle reissue of Sounds Like Searchers.

Tracks 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 are in stereo, and can be found as bonus tracks on the Castle reissue of Sounds Like Searchers.

Disc 3

Tracks 1, 2, and 3 are in mono, and can be found as bonus tracks on the Castle reissue of Take Me For What I'm Worth.

Tracks 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 are in stereo, and can be found as bonus tracks on the Castle reissue of Take Me For What I'm Worth.

Tracks 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22 are in mono.

Tracks 23, 24, and 25 are in stereo.

The Pye Anthology: 1963-1967

What makes this compilation stand out above the rest is that it contains all of The Searchers A/B-sides for all their Pye singles. Tracks 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, and 28 are repeats from The Definitive Pye Collection.

All tracks are in mono

Disc 1

Tracks 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 can be found on the Castle reissue of Meet the Searchers.

Track 2 can be found as a bonus track on the Castle reissue of Meet The Searchers.

Tracks 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 can be found on the Castle reissue of Sugar & Spice.

Track 16 can be found as a bonus track on the Castle reissue of Sugar & Spice.

Tracks 15, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23 can be found on the Castle reissue of It's The Searchers.

Tracks 18, 24, and 25 can be found as a bonus track on the Castle reissue of It's The Searchers.
Tracks 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, and 32 can be found as bonus tracks on the Castle reissue of Sounds Like Searchers.

Disc 2

Tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 can be found on the Castle reissue of Sounds Like Searchers.

Tracks 8, 9, 10, and 11 can be found as bonus tracks on the Castle reissue of Take Me For What I'm Worth.

Tracks 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 can be found on the Castle reissue of Take Me For What I'm Worth.

Both collections have tracks exclusive to themselves that can't be found on the regular album reissues mentioned above:

The Definitive Pye Collection

Disc 3

Tracks 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22 were released as singles between 1966-1967 on Pye Records.

Tracks 23 and 24 were released as a single in 1982 on PRT Records (Technically Pye Records under a new title).

Track 25 (Unfortunately I have yet to figure out where this track originates from).

The Pye Anthology:1963-1967

Disc 2

Track 24 was the B-side to Popcorn Double Feature (found on both collections) and to my knowledge this is the only place to find this song.

There are other songs that both collections have that the other lacks, but can be found on the Castle album reissues.

The Definitive Pye Collection is in fact almost definitive. For the casual `60s music listener it may be more than necessary, but for a decent career overview, this one holds up, and for a 3 disc collection that is under $30, you can't beat it. With The Searchers Castle catalogue rapidly disappearing, including The Pye Anthology, this may be your best bet.

For completists though, The Pye Anthology is important due to the fact that it is the only collection that contains Lovers (B-side to Popcorn Double Feature).

Taking their name from the epic John Wayne western of the same title, the Searchers were the fourth of the British Invasion bands to chart in America, with the Sonny Bono/Jack Nitschke song "Needles and Pins", which went to #13 after first hitting in March of '64. [Only the Beatles, the Dave Clark 5, and the Swingin' Bluejeans beat them out of the gate.]

They have a sort of soft singing style, with gorgeous twanging guitars, and a lot of minor scale work in their melodies/harmonies. Their melodies are some of the most subtle in the history of pop music, often with a decidedly mournful edge; they sang and harmonized them beautifully, and with feeling. Their songs also have a very fine rhythmic sense to them.

I have heard more rock artists cite them as major influences than practically anyone else, though I can only specifically recall Tom Petty and Alanis Morissette. I believe it was Petty who [at the beginning of the 80's] produced an album for the recently re-formed group.

You'll find some of the best guitar riffs of all time used as introductions to these songs. Not only is their melody/rhythm impeccable, but the tone settings they use on their guitars are mostly, well, mouth-watering [not to mention ground-breaking]. And it doesn't matter if a particular song went high on the charts: they are all stellar efforts, and always great to listen to, especially lined up, one after the other.

Among the singles, be sure to also check out "Don't Throw Your Love Away", "Someday We're Going to Love Again, "Love Potion #9", "When You Walk in the Room", "What Have They Done to the Rain", "Bumblebee", "Take Me For What I'm Worth", "He's Got No Love", and "Goodbye My Love". There are many songs here that I have never heard (them not being singles). So this is the way to really traverse all the dimensions of the Searchers. Don't miss the opportunity.

THE Searchers Collection to own! Definitely worth upgrading to!! The sound quality is awesome-----as good or better than the pristine Buddy Holly remastered collection that just came out. A million times better than my early 90's-vintage collection (and it sounded pretty good). You are in for a treat!