The Tages - Fantasy Island: The Complete Recordings, Vol.3, 1967-1968 (1994 EMI Svenska) Flac & mp3@320

The final of the three volumes on EMI (the others being Don't Turn Your Back and In My Dreams) covering Tages' entire 1960s discography is wholly devoted to 1967-1968 recordings, jamming 32 tracks onto one CD. As Tages were always one of the most Anglophile of '60s Continental bands (and one of the best such outfits), it's no surprise that this finds them evolving from their more Merseybeat/mod-oriented origins toward more ornately produced, at times baroque pop-psychedelia that was quite similar in many respects to records made in that style in the U.K. during the same period. As with their earlier efforts, these aren't quite satisfying on the whole, but are dotted with quite a few good-to-respectable songs, even if the highlights aren't as high as the best tracks they managed on their previous discs.

If there's an overriding criticism, it's that while Tages were as adept as any European band from outside the U.K. in emulating British rock trends, they did so in such a concerted and eclectic manner that they didn't project nearly as strong a unique personality as those groups that served as their inspirations. Their spring 1967 album, Contrast (contained here in its entirety), for instance, is all too apt a title, containing bouncy soulful pop ("Every Raindrop Means a Lot," one of their most popular songs, and "I'm Going Out"); bad American soul interpretation ("Sister's Got a Boyfriend"); appealing if wimpy melodic pop balladry ("Wanting"); "One Day," which almost sounds like a Zombies outtake if not for the strange accordion solo during the instrumental break; and spooky Zombies-ish near-psychedelia ("Hear My Lamentation"), among other things.

Elsewhere there's a weird song apparently about a transvestite, "She Is a Man," and from their dedicated attempt to crack the British market, a cover of a song co-written by the young Peter Frampton, "Halcyon Days." Yet if you do have the stamina to make it through all three of these compilations surveying the entire Tages discography -- admittedly something few listeners outside Scandinavia are likely to do -- the group's very willingness to try so many approaches with so much professionalism does grow on you, even if Tages lacked the finishing touches to put themselves into the international big leagues.(allmusic.com)

The Tages was naturally one of the strongest european bands outside of britain and their songmaterial is partly very impressive as well as their arrangements were quite good . I post all three volumes of the complete recordings. If you wonder why i start with vol.3 it's because i listen at the moment to vol.3 and thought, why not begin with the third part. Vol.1 and 2 will follow tomorrow. Hope you like it

Viel Spass
               Frank    Flac part1 &  Flac part2  & Flac part3       mp3@320