Never Say Goodbye: Complete Recordings 1964-66

Why it's taken so long for the Bo Street Runners (BSR) to have their music reissued is a mystery. This legendary mid-60's Mod era band played some pretty tough R&B/Mod style music, even winning the first televised "Ready, Steady, Go!" contest for new bands. This edition (43+minutes) has the band's singles and their rare EP originally issued on the Oak Records label from 1964-1966. The remastered sound is very good. The booklet has an informative essay on the band (including a 'where are they now' section), along with period photos and other ephemera. Tracks 1-4 comprise their rare EP, plus all the band's singles are here including both versions of "Bo Street Runner" (original single and the "Ready Steady Win" version), plus Mick Fleetwood's first recording experience on the single "Baby Never Say Goodbye/Get Out Of My Way", two tracks featuring vocalist Mike Patto (tracks 13-14) with BSR as his backing band, and finally, two tracks (16-17) taken from rare radio sessions.The BSR were similar to other bands of that period like The Artwoods, The Action, and other R&B style bands that were so popular. Besides R&B/blues, BSR played more contemporary covers and singles, most all of them still having their tough, no-nonsense sound. The band had a number of personnel changes but no matter who was in the band their sound never really changed that much except for a few singles that edged into a smoother type of sound. But a single was issued ("Tell Me What You're Gonna Do/And I Do Just What I Want") using studio musicians that altered the the band's sound greatly. Players like Tim Hinckley, Mike Patto, and Mick Fleetwood were in the band at various times, but BSR always tried to keep some of that edgy R&B sound on many of their singles. But for something outside of the R&B mold try "So Very Woman", with it's flute work setting it apart from the band's usual fare. The band always had a solid rhythm section with some good solos from the sax, guitar, or keyboards on various singles. The vocals were pretty similar to other bands of the period when bands were emulating blues/R&B performers. But on songs like "Love" they actually had a lighter, more pop style sound that was a refreshing change--even if the lyrics were typically boy-girl-l love you stuff. What an innocent age.But for fans of '60s Mod/R&B/blues bands this is well worth adding to your shelf of mid/late 60's English bands. Check out the two versions of "Bo Street Runner" to hear how the band's sound changed compared to Willie Dixon's "I Want To Be Loved", which is a tough harmonica/organ-driven workout. And then listen to the radio version of "Baby Never Say Goodbye" for a slice of period Mod/pop/R&B. If bands like The Artwoods, The Action, The Sorrows, and others from that era are your cup of tea, the BSR should be next to them on your music shelf.

though the claim to fame and selling point for this cd in press releases and from rpm seem to pump MICK FLEETWOOD being an original member are fine but the music comes no where near what fleetwwod mac sounded like with peter green but at some points it comes a bit close, over all this is a great mid 60s british release and a very nice collection of MOST of what this short lived outfit recorded for oak records some 50 years a go, i would give this the full 5 stars but through a bit of research and reading i have done on the bo street runners before i bought this cd suggests NOT EVERYTHING they recorded made this cd, there are a couple of missing songs i read about and well i dont want to be to picky but there are no outtakes or demos or anything that has never been released by the bo street runners wich makes this releases even more interesting but i am very pleased with the 43 minutes of music on this cd, as with all rpm releases this comes with a wonderful booklet and great remastering for the ultimate sound wich i something i always have to argue with audophile freaks about, anyway the bo street runners where another fantastic mid 60s uk blues band with a tad of soul added, i would NOT CALL THIS BAND A MOD BAND from that era even though they did have the look as the photos show you, if you where into blues rock with a great twist of hammond organ THEN BUY THIS this is killer british mid 60s blues rock at its best, the only other band i can compare this outfit to and what they sound like is a bit more of a clean less bluesy ANIMALS ( pre eric burdons animals) circa 1963 to 66, if you liked the first wave of the animals this band is very similar to that.

Bo Street Runners was just one of many groups I had heard of in the 60s so I bought this for a bit of fun. I really like it although it is easy to hear why R and B groups like The Stones and The Pretty Things made it and 'the Runners' never made it big. This CD is well worth the price though.

Great beat/mod CD, loved to hear the early Mike Patto stuff, much underated singer.

My dad was the bass player in the band so grew up to this music. It really takes me back, I have always loved blues and the sound of the Bo street runners!

Great Nostalgia

Good album.

... takes me right back