Super Fantastic Mega Smash Hits! (1995)
Technically, It’s A Concept Album
It was probably a funny idea in the board room. An album of old hit songs (some kinda dopey) by young, alternative artists (circa 1995), topped off with a sleeve that replicates the cheapie K-Tel hits collections of the 70s. Sales-wise, the cover might have been a little too convincing, to the point that many serious buyers ignored this set, just like those K-Tel originals. But it must have worked some magic, as Pravda Records released a handful of follow-ups with the same concept. Even re-issuing (or pre-issuing, it’s hard to tell) this CD with added material.
THE SLUG – Hooked on a Feeling (3:15)
BO BUD GREENE – Don’t Go Breaking My Heart (3:23)
SHADOWY MEN ON A SHADOWY PLANET – Popcorn (2:19)
THE NEW DUNCAN IMPERIALS – Convoy (3:50)
SMASHING PUMPKINS – Jackie Blue (3:52)
RED RED MEAT – I’m Not in Love (4:57)
SOUTHERN CULTURE ON THE SKIDS – Venus (3:48)
VIC CHESNUTT – The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia (4:36)
FIGDISH – Kung Fu Fighting (3:40)
THE SNEETCHES with SHOES – I Wanna Be With You (3:08)
POSTER CHILDREN – I Feel Love (4:59)
SUSAN VOELZ – Ode to Billy Joe (6:20)
REX DAISY – Welcome Back (2:48)
UNCLE TUPELO – Movin’ On (3:30)
THE FASTBACKS – Rocket Man (4:01)
11 Comments
Find it HERE.
Haven't seen Rex Daisy's name in a while.
Sweet. I was hoping you guys would be back. You guys are the ones who are super fantastic mega smashy awesomely great !
Not all of us were immumne to the cheesy cover. I didn't buy this, but have the similar "Twenty Explosive Dynamic Super Smash Hit Explosions" referenced in your Amazon link.
I swore by the K-Tel collections in the Seventies. There was no better way to get the current hits. The "That's What I Call Music" people have a similar idea and although they also have cheesy covers they aren't as kickass as K-tel.
The problem with this cover (and series) is that it's too K-TEL. At first glance, it looks like the real thing. The Now That's What I Call Music people took it a marketing step further. They've developed a "brand" name. I don't think that series will ever end, as their sales are staggering. Thanks for the comments.
Is it so K-TEL that all the songs are "edited" versions?
I found a bunch of K-TEL albums in a used record store a while back for $1 each (or maybe it was less) and was surprised how many of the songs were even shorter than the *single* versions.
I guess I'll have to listen.
Didn't know K-TEL did that.
Well, great comp. I'd never hope to hear Venus like that. Have you some more of this kind ?
Doc Muller
I gotta say that the re-issue or whatever is vastly superior, due to the addition of Cheer-Accident's amazing rendition of the 'Theme From Shaft'
Thanks, this is fun!
As for having shorter versions of the hits on the K-Tel albums, yes, they did that quite often and they were not the only ones.
I remember having a 25 Golden R & R Hits album that had 2 songs edited down to just over half a minute!
Looks good. Thanks.