Wet Wet Wet Album: “Part One”

I saw Wet Wet Wet early in their career, touring the states to promote their first album, which is the core of this collection. The band was something of an oddity at the time, emerging at the tail end of the 80's new wave heyday and the emergence of stars like Elvis Costello, ABC, Spandau Ballet and Scritti Politti (whose lyrics were the source for the band's name). While many of the new wave bands were reinterpreting soul and R+B using synthesizers and drum machines, and in some cases bringing ska, raggae and punk into the mix, Wet Wet Wet seemed completely without guile, structured as a traditional 60's R+B unit, with guitar, base, drums, keyboards and horn. If those new wave bands, as well as the Beatles and the Clash were indeed inspirational for the band, as they've claimed, it's hard to tell how.

A phenomenon in Europe, Wet Wet Wet never quite managed to crack the US market, and realistically, while they have always aspired to the the great R&B, Motown and Soul of the 1960's and 70's, singer Marti Pellow's pleasant voice just can't compare to the voices of those who influenced him: Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, David Ruffin, Stevie Wonder or Otis Redding. While you can't fault Pellow for trying, Wet Wet Wet has never managed to escape their reputation as imitators. Not unlike Simply Red, Wet Wet Wet has always resembled a male only real life version of the fictional band in the "The Commitments" -- recreating the feel of Soul music, without a clear idea of how to make music that seems authentic or personal. Considering the careers of Van Morrison, Led Zeppelin or Pink Floyd, such a transition is certainly possible. You just won't find that sort of evolution in the collected work of Wet Wet Wet.

It's no surprise that their biggest success came in the form of a cover of "Love is all around us", by the Troggs, which was featured on the soundtrack of the hit film Four Weddings and a Funeral and vaulted Wet Wet Wet to the top of the UK and Euro charts in 1994. Given the nature of their predominant fanbase (countless teenage girls enamoured with Pellow's looks, and Princess Diana), that few of them seemed aware the song wasn't an original.

That doesn't mean that Wet Wet Wet wasn't a competent live act, or that their original material is without merit. In particular the songs "Wishing I was Lucky", "Sweet Little Mystery", and "Temptation" from their 1988 first album, all demonstrate what the band might have become had they remained as a unit with the same sort of soul revisionist zeal they started with, and managed to find an identity of their own.

After the huge success of "Love is all around us" the band essentially became a singles factory, drifting farther and farther toward the middle of the road - easy listening genre. This collection then, represents the band in its earliest and most creatively vital period.

This is the best CD I ever brought. Marti Pellow shines on

this collection of great Wet Wet Wet music ,his voice is so sensual,and sexy,he is such a great singer . The collection of

songs are dynamite!Fans who buy this are in for a huge treat

,the very rare and soulful "I Can Give You Everything" remix

is on this CD,and other great WWW hits. I tell you Wet Wet Wet

was way before their time,if the were to re-release their music

they would be just as popular as they were in the late 80's and

90's! I recommend this collection to everyone! Great CD ,

great music,and Marti Pellow ,what more can I say about that

gorgeous man with that beautiful voice,who is still going strong today! Buy this Cd!!!!!!!!!!!