Georgie Fame – 20 Beat Classics

Georgie Fame – 20 Beat Classics

20 Beat Classics is a superb collection of recordings from Georgie Fame and The Blue Flames, bringing together 20 of the British singer, pianist and Hammond organ player's most memorable performances. Originally released in 1980, the compilation draws on Fame's hugely influential 1960s work, showcasing his distinctive fusion of American R&B, soul, jazz, ska, blues and British beat music.

Georgie Fame was one of the key figures in Britain's early R&B and mod scene, developing a unique sound heavily influenced by American soul, jazz and rhythm & blues. With The Blue Flames, he became a major attraction on London's club circuit, particularly at the legendary Flamingo Club, where their energetic performances helped establish Fame as one of the leading British interpreters of American-influenced music.

The collection opens with the instantly recognisable Yeh Yeh, Fame's first UK No. 1 single with The Blue Flames in 1965. The song topped the UK Singles Chart for two weeks and perfectly captures his ability to combine soul, Latin rhythms, jazz and British beat into something completely distinctive.

Get Away is another major highlight, becoming Fame's second UK No. 1 in 1966, while the collection also includes Do Re Mi, Get On The Right Track, Baby, Ride Your Pony, Moody's Mood For Love and Funny How Time Slips Away. The mixture of original material and inventive interpretations of American soul, blues and jazz standards demonstrates the extraordinary breadth of Fame's musical influences.

Side B continues with Sunny, Sitting In The Park, Green Onions, In The Meantime and Fame's energetic take on James Brown's Papa's Got A Brand New Bag. Blue Monday, Pride & Joy, Pink Champagne, Let The Sunshine In and I Love The Life I Live complete the collection, making this a particularly strong overview of Fame's classic period.

For collectors of Georgie Fame vinyl, 1960s British R&B, mod, soul and beat music, 20 Beat Classics is an excellent way to explore the sound that made Fame such an important figure in British popular music. His combination of Hammond organ, soulful vocals, jazz sophistication and infectious rhythms makes this essential listening for fans of Georgie Fame, The Blue Flames, Van Morrison, Booker T. & the M.G.'s, The Animals and classic British R&B.

Tracklist

Side A

1. Georgie Fame And The Blue Flames – Yeh Yeh
2. Georgie Fame – Getaway
3. Georgie Fame And The Blue Flames – Do Re Mi
4. Georgie Fame – My Girl
5. Georgie Fame And The Blue Flames – Sweet Things
6. Georgie Fame And The Blue Flames – Point Of No Return
7. Georgie Fame – Get On The Right Track, Baby
8. Georgie Fame – Ride Your Pony
9. Georgie Fame – Moody's Mood For Love
10. Georgie Fame – Funny How Time Slips Away

Side B

1. Georgie Fame – Sunny
2. Georgie Fame – Sitting In The Park
3. Georgie Fame And The Blue Flames – Green Onions
4. Georgie Fame And The Blue Flames – In The Meantime
5. Georgie Fame – Papa's Got A Brand New Bag
6. Georgie Fame – Blue Monday
7. Georgie Fame – Pride & Joy
8. Georgie Fame And The Blue Flames – Pink Champagne
9. Georgie Fame – Let The Sunshine In
10. Georgie Fame And The Blue Flames – I Love The Life I Live