The Best of Thunder: Their Finest Hour (And a Bit) | ||||
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Compilation album by Thunder | ||||
Released | 25 September 1995 | |||
Recorded | 1989–1995 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 75:21 | |||
Label | EMI | |||
Producer | ||||
Thunder compilation album chronology | ||||
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Singles from The Best of Thunder: Their Finest Hour (And a Bit) | ||||
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The Best of Thunder: Their Finest Hour (And a Bit) is the first compilation album by English hard rock band Thunder. Released on 25 September 1995 by EMI Records, it features songs from the band's first three studio albums – Backstreet Symphony , Laughing on Judgement Day and Behind Closed Doors – as well as a re-recorded version of "Higher Ground", 1994 single "Gimme Shelter" and new tracks "In a Broken Dream" and "Once in a Lifetime".
A compilation album comprises tracks, which may be previously released or unreleased, usually from several separate recordings by either one or several performers. If by one artist, then generally the tracks were not originally intended for release together as a single work, but may be collected together as a greatest hits album or box set. If from several performers, there may be a theme, topic, time period, or genre which links the tracks, or they may have been intended for release as a single work—such as a tribute album. When the tracks are by the same recording artist, the album may be referred to as a retrospective album or an anthology.
Hard rock is a loosely defined subgenre of rock music that began in the mid-1960s, with the garage, psychedelic and blues rock movements. It is typified by a heavy use of aggressive vocals, distorted electric guitars, bass guitar, drums, and often accompanied with keyboards.
Thunder are an English hard rock band from London. Formed in 1989, the group was founded by former Terraplane members Danny Bowes, Luke Morley and Gary "Harry" James (drums), along with second guitarist and keyboardist Ben Matthews and bassist Mark "Snake" Luckhurst. Originally signed to EMI Records in the UK, the band released their debut album Backstreet Symphony in 1990, which reached number 21 on the UK Albums Chart and number 114 on the US Billboard 200. The 1992 follow-up Laughing on Judgement Day reached number 2, while both albums were certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). All nine singles released from the two albums reached the UK Singles Chart top 40.
Upon its release, Their Finest Hour (And a Bit) reached number 22 on the UK Albums Chart, number 3 on the UK Rock & Metal Albums Chart and number 47 on the Scottish Albums Chart. The album was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), indicating sales of 60,000 units. "In a Broken Dream" reached number 26 on the UK Singles Chart and number 28 on the Scottish Singles Chart, and topped the UK Rock & Metal Singles Chart.
The Official Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales and audio streaming in the United Kingdom. It was published for the first time on 22 July 1956 and is compiled every week by the Official Charts Company (OCC) on Fridays. It is broadcast on BBC Radio 1 and published in Music Week magazine, and on the OCC website.
The UK Rock & Metal Singles Chart and UK Rock & Metal Albums Chart are record charts compiled in the United Kingdom by the Official Charts Company (OCC) to determine the 40 most popular singles and albums in the rock and heavy metal genres. The two charts are compiled by the OCC from digital downloads, physical record sales and audio streams in UK retail outlets. The charts have been published on the official OCC website since 1994 and also appear on BBC Radio 1's website.
The Scottish Singles Chart and Scottish Albums Chart are charts compiled by the Official Charts Company, based on physical and digital sales in Scotland. The Scottish Singles Chart and Scottish Albums Chart are national listings that indicate how sales towards the UK Singles Chart and UK Albums Chart are faring in Scotland. Currently, these charts are based only on paid-for sales so, with the growth of streaming, they only reflect a minority of the music consumption in Scotland which is counted towards the overall UK charts, just as the charts in the late 2000s did not reflect the majority of Scottish sales as they only counted physical sales.
On 11 September 1995, Thunder released a cover version of "In a Broken Dream", originally recorded by Python Lee Jackson with additional vocals from Rod Stewart, as a single. [1] The song debuted at number 26 on the UK Singles Chart, [2] number 28 on the Scottish Singles Chart, [3] and number 1 on the UK Rock & Metal Singles Chart. [4] Two weeks later, the band's first compilation album The Best of Thunder: Their Finest Hour (And a Bit) was released. [1] The album features a selection of tracks from Thunder's first three studio albums – including five from 1990's Backstreet Symphony , four from Laughing on Judgement Day and three from 1995's Behind Closed Doors – as well as "In a Broken Dream", a re-recorded version of "Higher Ground" dubbed "Higher Ground '95", a recording of The Rolling Stones song "Gimme Shelter" (originally released on a various artists single of the same name), and the previously unreleased "Once in a Lifetime". [5]
In popular music, a cover version, cover song, revival, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording by someone other than the original artist or composer of a previously recorded, commercially released song.
"In a Broken Dream" is a song and single by Australian rock band Python Lee Jackson featuring vocals from Rod Stewart.
Python Lee Jackson were an Australian rock band active from 1965 to 1968, before a brief sojourn in the United Kingdom from late 1968 to mid-1969. The group had recorded a single, "In A Broken Dream", featuring Rod Stewart as guest vocalist in April 1969. The group reformed in 1972 and the single was re-released in August: it peaked at No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 56 on the United States Billboard Hot 100. The group disbanded again later that year. Their early vocalist, Mal McGee (1966–68) died on 17 May 2012.
A greatest hits album was originally suggested to Thunder by EMI Records, their record label at the time, which the band's vocalist Danny Bowes interpreted as a sign that they were "about to get dropped" by the company. [6] Recalling the situation in the group's 2016 biography Giving the Game Away: The Thunder Story, Bowes noted that "my first thought was 'That means we're off the label. They're trying to get the money in before they heave us out the door.'" [6] The band recorded the new tracks "In a Broken Dream", "Higher Ground '95" and "Once in a Lifetime" at Wool Hall Studios in Beckington, Somerset. [6]
A greatest hits album, sometimes called a "best of" album or a catalog album, is a compilation of songs by a particular artist or band. Most often the track list contains previously released recordings with a high degree of notability. However, to increase the appeal, especially to people who already own the original release, it is common to include remixes or alternate takes of popular songs; sometimes even new material will function as bonus tracks. At times, a greatest hits compilation is the original album release for songs that have themselves been released as a single and charted successfully.
EMI Records was a British record label founded by the music company of the same name in 1972 as its flagship label, and launched in January 1973 as the successor to its Columbia and Parlophone record labels. The label was later launched worldwide. It has a branch in India called "EMI Records India", run by director Mohit Suri.
Daniel John ‘Danny’ Bowes was born on 14 April 1960, in West Ham, Essex, England.
The Best of Thunder: Their Finest Hour (And a Bit) was released in the UK and Europe by EMI Records on 25 September 1995. [1] The album debuted at number 22 on the UK Albums Chart, [2] number 3 on the UK Rock & Metal Albums Chart, [7] and number 47 on the Scottish Albums Chart. [8] It was also certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry, indicating sales in the UK of 60,000 units. [9] The album was issued in Japan by Toshiba EMI on 29 November 1995. [10] The album was also reissued in Japan in 2004, featuring the previously unreleased track "Sex Groove". [5] Reviewing the album for AllMusic, Doug Odell described Their Finest Hour (And a Bit) as "a well-rounded collection for diehard fans or a perfect introduction for new ones". [11] The compilation was promoted on its own short concert tour dubbed Their Finest Set (And a Bit), which visited five cities in England between 27 September and 2 October 1995. [12]
The BPI Limited, commonly known as the British Phonographic Industry or BPI, is the British recorded music industry's trade association.
EMI Music Japan Inc. was one of Japan's leading music companies. It became a wholly owned subsidiary of British music company EMI Group Ltd. in June 30, 2007 after Toshiba sold off its previous 45% stake. Its CEO and president was Kazuhiko Koike. When EMI Music Japan was trading as Toshiba-EMI, it was involved with the production of anime. On April 1, 2013, the company became defunct, following its absorption into Universal Music Japan as a sublabel under the name EMI Records Japan.
AllMusic is an online music database. It catalogs more than 3 million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musical artists and bands. It launched in 1991, predating the World Wide Web.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Dirty Love" | Luke Morley | 5:25 |
2. | "River of Pain" | Morley | 3:37 |
3. | "Love Walked In" | Morley | 6:22 |
4. | "Everybody Wants Her" | 4:29 | |
5. | "In a Broken Dream" | David Bentley | 5:46 |
6. | "Higher Ground '95" | Morley | 4:24 |
7. | "Backstreet Symphony" | Morley | 4:30 |
8. | "A Better Man" | Morley | 3:40 |
9. | "Gimme Shelter" | 5:25 | |
10. | "Like a Satellite" | Morley | 4:52 |
11. | "Low Life in High Places" | Morley | 4:09 |
12. | "Stand Up" |
| 4:00 |
13. | "Once in a Lifetime" | Morley | 4:45 |
14. | "Gimme Some Lovin'" | 3:49 | |
15. | "Castles in the Sand" | Morley | 4:36 |
16. | "She's So Fine" |
| 5:32 |
Total length: | 75:21 |
Japanese reissue bonus track | ||
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No. | Title | Length |
17. | "Sex Groove" |
Notes
Backstreet Symphony is the debut studio album by English hard rock band Thunder. Recorded in 1989 at Great Linford Manor Studios in Milton Keynes, it was produced by former Duran Duran and The Power Station guitarist Andy Taylor, then mixed by Mike Fraser at AIR Studios in London. The album was initially released on 5 March 1990 by EMI Records in the UK and Capitol Records in the US, and was later re-released the following year in the US by Geffen Records.
Behind Closed Doors is the third studio album by English hard rock band Thunder. Recorded between May and August 1994 at various studios, primarily Southern Tracks in Atlanta, Georgia, it was produced the band's lead guitarist Luke Morley and Mike Fraser, the latter of whom also mixed the album at the Record Plant in Los Angeles, California. The album was released on 23 January 1995 by EMI Records in Europe and Japan, and was not released in the United States.
Laughing on Judgement Day is the second studio album by English hard rock band Thunder. Recorded between February and June 1992 at Outside Studios in Checkendon, it was produced the band's lead guitarist Luke Morley and Andy Taylor, then mixed by David Bascombe at AIR Studios in London. The album was released on 24 August 1992 by EMI Records in Europe and Japan, and by Geffen Records in the United States.
Iron Maiden is the debut studio album by the English heavy metal band Iron Maiden. It was issued by EMI on 14 April 1980 in the UK, and a few months later in North America, originally on Harvest/Capitol Records and subsequently Sanctuary Records/Columbia Records in the US. The North American version also included the song "Sanctuary", previously released in the UK as a non-album single. In 1998, along with the rest of the band's pre-1995 releases, Iron Maiden was remastered with "Sanctuary" added in all territories. It is the band's only album to feature guitarist Dennis Stratton.
Gina G is an Australian singer who represented the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo 1996, with the song "Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit", which reached #1 in the UK singles chart. The song remains the last UK Eurovision entry to top the UK charts. The song also reached the US top 20 in 1997 and earned her a 1998 Grammy Award nomination for Best Dance Recording. Her other UK Top 30 hits are "I Belong to You" #6 (1996), "Fresh" #6 (1997), "Ti Amo" #11 (1997) and "Gimme Some Love" #25 (1997).
"Knockin' on Heaven's Door" is a song by Bob Dylan, written for the soundtrack of the 1973 film Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid. Released as a single, it reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Described by Dylan biographer Clinton Heylin as "an exercise in splendid simplicity", the song, in terms of the number of other artists who have covered it, is one of Dylan's most popular post-1960s compositions. In 1990, the band Guns N' Roses released a cover version to chart success.
Mikael Höglund is a Swedish bass player, previously of the bands Tryckvåg, King Rat and Thunder, appearing on the 1995 album Behind Closed Doors, Live Circuit and Their Finest Hour...and a bit, Live at the BBC (1990-1995). He also appeared several times with Swedish cover band Pumpbolaget.
The discography of Foo Fighters, an American rock band formed in 1994 by Dave Grohl, consists of nine studio albums, four extended plays (EPs), six video albums, and 36 singles. The current Foo Fighters line-up consists of Grohl, Taylor Hawkins (drums), Rami Jaffee (keyboard), Nate Mendel (bass), Chris Shiflett (guitar), and Pat Smear (guitar).
Live is the second live album by English hard rock band Thunder, and the first released outside of Japan. Recorded over four shows in November 1997 at Wulfrun Hall in Wolverhampton and Shepherd's Bush Empire in London, it was produced by the band's lead guitarist Luke Morley and engineered and mixed by Mike Fraser. The album was released by Eagle Rock Entertainment on 16 February 1998. An accompanying video was released by Eagle Vision on 28 March 1998.
The discography of Biffy Clyro, a Scottish alternative rock band,consists of seven studio albums, three live albums, seven compilation albums, five extended plays (EPs), 35 singles, 33 music videos and six other appearances. Biffy Clyro were formed in 1995 in Kilmarnock by vocalist and guitarist Simon Neil, bassist James Johnston and drummer Ben Johnston. They released their debut EP thekidswhopoptodaywillrocktomorrow in 2000 through Electric Honey and later signed with Beggars Banquet Records. The band's debut full-length album Blackened Sky was released in March 2002, reaching number 25 on the Scottish Albums Chart and number 78 on the UK Albums Chart. The Vertigo of Bliss followed in 2003, with the album's single "Questions and Answers" the band's first to reach the top ten of the Scottish Singles Chart. The band's third and final album with Beggars Banquet, Infinity Land, was released the following year. The singles "Glitter and Trauma", "My Recovery Injection" and "Only One Word Comes to Mind" all reached the top ten in Scotland, as well as the top 30 on the UK Singles Chart.
Bang! is the ninth studio album by English hard rock band Thunder. Recorded at Walton Castle in Clevedon, North Somerset, it was produced by the band's lead guitarist Luke Morley. The album was released in the UK by STC Recordings on 3 November 2008, and later in Europe by Frontiers Records and in Japan by Victor Entertainment. The album was released alongside the extended play The Joy of Six, containing six previously unreleased tracks.
Robert Johnson's Tombstone is the eighth studio album by English hard rock band Thunder. Recorded at Chapel Studios in South Thoresby, Chez Bez and Tackle Out Studios in London, and the El Relaxo villa in Mijas, Spain, it was produced by the band's lead guitarist Luke Morley. The album was released in the UK by STC Recordings on 30 October 2006, in Europe by Frontiers Records on 10 November, and in Japan by Victor Entertainment on 26 February 2007.
Shooting at the Sun is the sixth studio album by English hard rock band Thunder. Recorded from October to December 2002 at Jacobs Studios in Farnham, it was produced the band's lead guitarist Luke Morley and engineered and mixed by Rupert Coulson. The album was initially released online by the band's own label STC Recordings on 3 March 2003, followed by a physical release in Japan by Victor Entertainment on 5 March and in Europe by Frontiers Records on 7 April.
The Thrill of It All is the fourth studio album by English hard rock band Thunder. Recorded between April and May 1996 at Rockfield Studios in Monmouth, Wales, it was produced the band's lead guitarist Luke Morley and mixed by Rupert Coulson at London's Trident 2. The album was initially released in Japan by Victor Entertainment on 1 September 1996, with the European release by Castle Communications following on 2 February 1997.
The Magnificent Seventh! is the seventh studio album by English hard rock band Thunder. Recorded from June to August 2004, it was produced the band's lead guitarist Luke Morley and engineered and mixed by Rupert Coulson. The album was released in the UK by the band's own label STC Recordings on 21 February 2005, in Europe by Frontiers Records the following day, in Japan by Victor Entertainment on 28 March and worldwide on iTunes on 13 April.
Giving the Game Away is the fifth studio album by English hard rock band Thunder. Recorded in April 1998, it was produced the band's lead guitarist Luke Morley. The album was initially released in Japan by Victor Entertainment on 24 February 1999, with the European release by Eagle Records following on 15 March 1999. Giving the Game Away was the last studio album Thunder released before breaking up for the first time the following year.
Wonder Days is the tenth studio album by English hard rock band Thunder. Recorded in late 2014 at Rockfield Studios in Monmouth, Wales, it was produced by the band's lead guitarist Luke Morley and released internationally by earMusic in February 2015. Wonder Days was the first Thunder studio album to be released since Bang! in 2008, as well as the band's first release on earMusic with whom they signed after returning from their second breakup in 2014.
"Lights Out" is a song by English hard rock band Royal Blood, released as the first single from their second studio album How Did We Get So Dark? on April 14, 2017.