? And The Mysterians - 96 Tears (60th Anniv. Deluxe Ed.) [RSD Essential 104 2LP]

The raw-yet-infectious “96 Tears,” with its distinctive organ line was originally released on Pa-Go-Go Records in 1966, but quickly reissued by the more established Philadelphia-based label Cameo-Parkway Records. “96 Tears” swept the airwaves, hitting #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on October 29, 1966, beating out The Monkees, Four Tops, The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, Sonny & Cher, The Beach Boys and many more. Rolling Stone went on to name it one of the Greatest Songs of All Time.

? and The Mysterians’ debut album, also titled 96 Tears, followed in October of ’66 just as the single was crossing the one million sales mark. The LP, filled out with ten more originals — including the Top 40 hit “I Need Somebody” — plus a version of T-Bone Walker’s “Stormy Monday,” peaked at #66.

For its 60th anniversary, 96 Tears has been reissued as a 2LP set featuring an etched B-side on the second LP. This expanded edition includes six bonus tracks, highlighted by the previously unreleased “If You Need Me,” along with additional unreleased alternate and early takes of several songs from the original album.

Etched fourth side.

Tracklist:

A1. I Need Somebody
A2. Stormy Monday
A3. You're Telling Me Lies
A4. Ten O'Clock
A5. Set Aside
A6. Up Side
B1. 8 Teen
B2. Don't Tease Me
B3. Don't Break This Heart Of Mine
B4. Why Me
B5. Midnight Hour
B6. 96 Tears
C1. Midnight Hour (Single Version)
C2. Up Side (Previously Unreleased Alternate Version)
C3. If You Need Me (Previously Unreleased)
C4. Stormy Monday (Previously Unreleased Long Version - Alternate Take)
C5. Midnight Hour (Early Version in Stereo)
C6. 96 Tears (Early Version in Stereo)

UPC: 018771239215
Label: ABKCO
Release Date: 10.23.26
Format: Vinyl