Tommy Roe

Tommy Roe is kind of an intersting footnote to '60s music. He was primarily known as a "bubblegum" singer, meaning there wasn't a particular edge to his music, both sonically or lyrically. He was known for three hits: "Sheila," "Dizzy," and "Sweet Pea," but he had enough stuff for a greatest hits album, which I've been listening to.

He was around at the same time as The Beatles, and it's interesting how the British invasion groups were influenced by American R&B artists, but then American singers like Roe were influenced by The Beatles, without the R&B edge. "Sheila," from 1962, is probably the hardest-edged on the album, as it begins with a kind of tribal drum beat. In fact, the best of Roe's stuff all begin with a distinct drumbeat.

"Sweet Pea" is from 1966, and is the kind of song that recalls playing 45 RPM records on a Close-and-Play. It is a great song, though, with a beat that seems to start off on the wrong note. For maximum effect, watch Samantha Morton dance to it in the film Jesus' Son.

Roe's lasting legacy will probably be Dizzy, a number one hit from 1969. It, too, begins with a solid drumbeat, but then adds strings, and each verse, which begins with Roes singing: "Dizzy, I'm so dizzy" moves up another key. I could put this song on repeat for quite a while.

There are a few other cuts on the album that I didn't know that are quite good, especially "Jack and Jill" "Hooray for Hazel," and "Heather Honey."