The Albums 1976-81

This set would be worth getting if only for the "Six-A-Side" compilation and the "Together Again" album. There are also some nice bonus cuts, including a very good demo version of 'Hello Nadine.' The only downside is that the booklet is not as good as the one in the Dawn set, lacking labels on the photos & a group member 'family tree'. Still, "Albums 1971-1976" is a neat boxed set you should be able to get for a bargain price of a little over $20. (If you were to get only one set, yes, the Dawn set is the better of the two)

Mungo Jerrys last Top 20 hit single in the UK was in 1974 so you would think that this release featuring their albums from 1976-81 might seem somewhat redundant. However, it actually provides ample proof that not only was their output as proficient as the previous 5 years but also that the quality of the songs, despite the lack of hit singles, was as strong as ever. The most noticeable difference is the loss of their distinctive jugband/barrelhouse sound which has been replaced predominantly by a more basic, straight forward rock n roll sound, no doubt influenced by the rock n roll revival that emerged in the UK around this time. Not that their distinctive sound has disappeared altogether. Songs such as Hello Nadine, Hello Its You Again, Summertime Holiday & My Chair offer fond but brief recollections of those classic hits from yesteryear.Similarly to the previous Dawn Albums Collection Box Set we have been spoilt with a detailed booklet of photos and liner notes plus 5 albums worth of music comprising 80 tracks, 26 of which are bonus tracks. This release has the added attraction of possibly being more of a collectors item then the previous box set due to the rarity value of the albums featured. These include 1976’s Impala Saga with infectiously catchy songs like the single Hello Nadine, Just Wanna Dance With You & Never Mind I’ve Still Got My Rock n Roll. The Ray Dorset and Mungo Jerry album features a non stop succession of good time rock n roll ravers such as Sugar Mama, Baby Ride my Train and We’re OK. Lovin in the Alleys… is one of my favourite Mungo Jerry albums with the band dabbling in everything from mainstream rock. pop, folk, blues & disco to garage rock, white soul, hard rock & rock n roll. The album includes catchy, good time favourites such as Heavy Foot Stomp, Just Cant Say Goodbye, Lovin in the Alleys & Dragster Girl & concludes with 2 T.Rex influenced songs We’re Gonna Boogie & I Do What I Want. The Six- a-Side rarities album of LP tracks and B-sides will also be of interest to collectors and includes Feel Like I’m in Love, the song Ray Dorset originally intended for Elvis but instead made its way to Kelly Marie, who with a sprinkling of disco dust, achieved a smash hit with it in 1979. The album also features wonderfully catchy songs like Dancing in the Street, Gone To Malaya, It’s a Secret, Lana, Sur Le Pont D’Avignon, Hello Its You Again and Real Had a Good Time.The box set concludes with 1981’s Together Again, originally released only in Mainland Europe. It could be argued that this is Mungo Jerrys most grown up album but for me it lacks any really identity or direction. Apart from a brilliantly inspired reggae version of Bob Dylans Knockin on Heavens Door (released as a single in South Africa) we have a largely forgettable collection of MOR bland pop, folk rock and cheesy disco. The bonus tracks offer some redemption with the excellent Lets Get Started and the last track My Chair (for some reason omitted from Amazons track listing) at least ensures the album finishes on a high note.In truth, many of the best songs featured in this box set can be found on the previously released Best of the Polydor Years album which may suit less ardent fans of Mungo Jerry but for a definitive and complete collection of their music during this period this box set is a must

Haven't heard any of these albums so I can't wait to play them. Really love their music.

Very good and funny Mungo!

I had never heard the later Mungo Jerry recordings and was pleasantly surprised by this set, very enjoyable.

Alles sin bester Ordnung! Ok!