THE TROPICS: Anthology 1965-1969

The Tropics

Anthology 1965-1969

© 2003 Charlie Souza (c)(p) (634479565045)

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

SPECIAL: 10% discount if you buy more than one copy of it today!

(About MP3 downloads at CD Baby)

60's pop rock - beatles ~ byrds ~ stones ~ zombies ~ 60's rock ballads ~ columbia records artists and 1966 international battle of the bands first place winners, chicago illinois.

notes

This album of original recordings has recently been digitally re-mastered as of 06/01/07.

All 17 songs are available at Apple iTunes
(see links below)

Based out of Tampa Florida, The Tropics began as a seven piece horn band featuring Mel Dryer on lead vocals, Buddy Pendergrass on guitar and Spencer Hinkle on drums, with Wayne Guida on Trumpet and Ronnie Ferrer on sax. In 1965, the band changed styles, and became a Beatle type band, adding Eric Turner on guitar and Charlie Souza on Bass, dropping the horns and hiring a new drummer, Bobby Shea, They took on manager Margie Sexton, owner of the famous "SURFER'S CLUB," at Madeira Beach, Florida, a teen-age night club in the mid 60's.
In 1966, The Tropics, AKA "The Bitchin' Red Band" when playing on the Pier in Cocoa Beach, Florida, won The International Battle of the Bands held at the famous McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. The Band took first place over more than 1000 bands, which included such names as Chicago and Tommy James & The Shondells. Out of that came a recording contract with Columbia Records in New York and the single "Take the Time," produced by Teo Macero, which made it to the top of the charts and got a 92 on Dick Clark's American Bandstand! The origional recording of "Time" is on this CD.
The Tropics Documentary Video is available at the Tropics Website. www.charliesouza.com
~~~~~~~~~~
On this 17 song CD The Tropics Anthology 1965 - 1969, you'll find most all of the origional recordings of the records made by the band, some on Major labels like Columbia Records and Laurie Records in New York, and Malaco Records in Jackson Mississippi, and some on local Florida labels such as Thames Records. A well known pop rock band in the South East from Chicago to New Orleans!
All songs are the ORIGIONAL RECORDINGS of Florida's number one Show Band in 1965 through 1972, The Fabulous Tropics!

~~~~~~~~~~

reviews

Please log in to review this album.

  • Re-living my youth as we speak. Outstanding! (the CD and my youth)
    author: John

    Re-living my youth as we speak. Outstanding! (my youth and the CD)

  • "As time's gone"¡¡¡¡, the greatest song i've ever heard.
    author: Roberto Gonzalez Gómez - From Spain

    How difficult is to find an original copy of "As time's gone"¡¡¡¡, the greatest song i've ever heard. From Spain: Roberto Gonzalez Gómez

  • I must of seen the Tropics 50+ times. I don't think The Beatles sounded better l
    author: JT

    I bought the original singles from M. Sexton in the sixties. I played in bands that covered those songs. I want more, Black jacket woman,For a long time and Time. I was at the reunion gig and got the CD and a t-shirt. It is my favorite shirt. They were a great band!

  • From an old friend
    author: Billy Corbi

    There was a war amoung bands in the sixtys. I was in one of those bands, and I thought we were the best until I heard the Tropics. I've played with many great artists, but find myself listening to you again. It still touches my soul. I thank you for the music, and for living your dream. Rock on my friend. Billy Corbi

  • The great sounds of the Tropics
    author: Mac Davis

    The Tropics played at our Junior-Senior prom in 1966. This CD captures the great music they made from the haunting Black Jacket Woman to the driving rock of Summertime Blues-Land of a Thousand Dances. This was the best dance band in Florida at the time and we were honored to have them play for us. With this CD anyone can now get a taste of their sound and experience their talents. Thanks CD Baby!

  • The 1965-1969 compilation is an absolute joy.
    author: Edward Tanner

    The Tropics 1965-1969 compilation cd is an absolute joy. I confess to being a longtime fan of these guys. I saw them many times between 1966 and 1969, during my high school years in central Georgia and I have combed record bins for their 45s for thirty years, with little success. The release of this cd has satisfied my quest. "Time" was released in 1966 on Columbia. It was rated 94, I think, on American Bandstand and it should have been a megahit. For those who love the Zombies, you've got to hear this song. It is as good as, and in the same vein as, "Time of the Season"; but was recorded three years earlier. There is not one flaw in this tune. The vocals are great, the arrangement is beautiful and the musicianship is way beyond what bands were doing in 1966. My other personal favorites on the cd are "As Time's Gone", "For a Long Time" and "Tired of Waiting for You". "As Time's Gone" is a raw but tuneful rocker. Comparisons to the Stones and early Kinks are tempting, but, this tune has something different in addition to the energy of the aforementioned British bands. "For a Long Time" harkens to "8 Miles High", with a twelve-string guitar solo and a similar rhythm guitar part that listeners will doubtlessly recognize, but the Tropics drive much harder than the Byrds. I have a weakness for the droning Vanilla Fudgey version of "Tired of Waiting for You"; it was a highlight of their shows. On the whole, the rest of the songs range from much better than most to really, really good. In my mind, the ones I've referenced here are true classics although other Tropics fans will justifiably prefer and rave about "I Want More", which is a darn good rocking song, and "Black Jacket Woman", a cool, mournful ballad. One of the great shames of the 1960s is that these guys didn't make it to the top. Thanks to bassist, composer and vocalist Charlie Souza, guitarist extraordinaire Eric Turner and the other guys for putting this together and to CD Baby for getting it to the public. Do yourself a favor. If you like essential 1960s groups like the Beatles, Byrds, Zombies and Kinks and the exhuberance shown by young bands on the Gear Fab and Nuggets compilations, buy this now. And turn it up!

  • I can't get enough of "I want More", the energy and drive in this 1965 classic s
    author: Dan Glass an old "Trop-Head"

    After 30 years I now have all of the Tropic's classic hits on one CD. It has become my very own fountain of youth. Each time I listen to this CD, I experience visions and sounds of long forgotten youthful memories of my mid Sixties evenings spent dancing and listening to the songs of the Tropics. This Anthology CD is a twice in a lifetime experience, thanks to the Tropics then and now.

  • THANK THE TROPICS FOR THE BEST 2 YEARS OF LIVE MUSIC IN MY LIFE 1966/76. Melbour
    author: Dan Glass

    Everything the Tropics did was great, inclulding all the covers. The tropics sound unreal on the Still Get a Chill CD. Live your dream is awesome, The Rose is super, Nine ball is terrific, DO NOT EVER STOP THE MUSIC IT IS A GIFT. SOMEBODY ONCE WROTE "IT IS HARD TO KEEP A GOD MAN DOWN". I BELIEVE THAT IS TRUE TOO. THANK THE TROPICS FOR THE BEST 2 YEARS OF LIVE MUSIC IN MY LIFE 1966/76. Melbourne, Cocoa, Cocoa Beach, and anywhere else we cound drive to where the Tropics were playing.

  • It really took me back to a very good place in my life
    author: B. Creais

    Dear Charlie & Eric: I received my copies of The Tropics Anthology yesterday and I had to drop you a note to thank you. It really took me back to a very good place in my life - when I closed my eyes I could see you all playing at the armory and the Surfers club - it is truly wonderful and there are really no words to express my gratitude to all of you for the wonderful memories. Many, many thanks. With all good wishes, Bonnie-Jean Creais

email

Please log in to email this artist.