Tommy James’s “Rock Party”: Alive, Kicking and Relevant
Rock Party-album cover
Tommy James & The Shondells’ Rock Party compiles some of James’s favorite tracks in new versions that he has recorded over the years. None of these 12 performances, set amidst a lively party atmosphere, have previously been released in the U.S.
Tommy James and the Shondells / courtesy of the artist
James manages to put a fresh spin on several classic hits, remixing and revitalizing them without rendering them unrecognizable, as often happens when artists “reimagine” their songs. “Draggin’ a Line,” for example, has a slightly harder edge here, while “I Think We’re Alone Now” and “Mirage” are given a dance mix treatment.
“Crimson and Clover” sounds as fresh as it did 53 years ago when the song caught the attention of FM radio program directors and put Tommy James & the Shondells on the progressive rock map. Meanwhile, “Hanky Panky” and “Mony Mony” still shine as classic examples of “party rock.”
Tommy James In The Studio / courtesy of the artist
Two 1990s deep cuts – “Annie Come Knockin’” and “Say Please”— along with some inspired covers (most notably Suzi Quatro’s UK smash “Devil Gate Drive”), attest to James’s ability to adapt to the changing music landscape.
Tommy James – Guitar In Hand / courtesy of the artist
A true highlight of “Rock Party” is James’s 80s-flavored crooning of “Tighter, Tighter,” a hit song he wrote and produced for Brooklyn’s Alive and Kicking. (It should be noted that James went on to mentor that band’s Bruce Sudano, who also founded the R&B group Brooklyn Dreams and wrote songs for the likes of Michael Jackson, Dolly Parton, and Sudano’s wife, Donna Summer.)
Rock Party is both a fun ride in the rock ’n roll time machine for baby boomers and a great way for later generations to listen and understand why Tommy James & The Shondells are still going strong and drawing crowds nearly 60 years into their career. Gen Xers should be especially interested; after all, three of the biggest selling singles of the 1980s were covers of TJ&TS songs, namely “Crimson and Clover” (Joan Jett), “I Think We’re Alone Now” (Tiffany), and “Mony Mony” (Billy Idol).