The Troggs

When the Dutch group Stars on 45 was popular in 1981 and 1982, having two charting hits of a combination of tunes -- with similar success stories for the Beach Boys going Top 15 in 1981 and the Beatles' movie medley climbing just as high the next year with the same concept -- the French New Rose label released Troggs on 45's, a takeoff on the medley theme. "Louie Louie," "Hang on Sloopy," Wayne Fontana & the Mindbenders' "The Game of Love," and "Twist & Shout" all get the treatment under the "A Girl Like You" riff. It's really a great performance, up there with their three American hits in terms of fun. Reg Presley's unique and definite voice rocks out over the brittle Chris Britton guitar rhythm blasting the same three chords. Not listed in the tracking after the medley is the infamous "Troggs Tapes" -- not the 1976 Private Stock album of the same name, but the notorious in-studio swear-a-thon where the tapes were rolling and the boys were mouthing off. Side two features a cover of the Drifters' number one 1960 hit, "Save the Last Dance for Me," and a neo-T.Rex quasi-rockabilly "I Do Do," nice little burst of Reg Presley pop. Both sides roll at 45 rpm, and it is simply fantastic, especially the timeless medley. ~ Joe Viglione, All Music Guide