Despite its misleading title and packaging -- Then and Now is not a best-of disc featuring the original Vanilla Fudge lineup -- this may be one of the best tribute albums you're bound to hear. Vanilla Fudge, still led most notably by drummer/vocalist Carmine Appice, began building its reputation in 1967 on a thick, churning and slowed-down version of The Supreme's "You Keep Me Hangin' On" (which was in turn covered by Samantha Fox, but that's for a different review - or not). Other sludgy renditions of hits by other artists soon followed, including "Eleanor Rigby" by The Beatles, "People Get Ready" by The Impressions, "She's Not There" by The Zombies and "Season of the Witch" by Donovan. All this time, however, Vanilla Fudge was establishing its own sound, bolstered by electrifying live performances that reportedly scared off other bands that refused to tour with the Fudge.
Then and Now features Appice reunited with original bassist/vocalist Tim Bogert, original guitarist/vocalist Vince Martell and new keyboardist/vocalist Bill Pascali. The album includes recently rerecorded versions of many of classic covers, plus "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" (which Appice co-wrote with Rod Stewart), and Vanilla Fudge's take on two catchy boy-band tunes: "I Want It That Way" by The Backstreet Boys and "Tearin' Up My Heart" by N'Sync. But don't scoff. Those pop songs - like most Vanilla Fudge treatments - are dripping with molten and gooey guitar and organ solos that add soul and depth to the performances.
Are these versions better than the original ones by the original artists — or even than the original Vanilla Fudge versions? Probably not. But by making some surprising selections and managing to still sound beefy and more than competent in the process, Appice and Co. are at least proving that this Vanilla Fudge hasn't lost its flavor yet.
Track Listing:
1) You Keep Me Hangin' On
2) Tearin' Up My Heart
3) Shotgun
4) People Get Ready
5) Take Me For A Little While
6) Good Good Livin'
7) I Want It That Way
8) Need Love
9) Eleanor Rigby
10) She's Not There
11) Season of the Witch
12) Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?
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