Greatest Hits [EMI]

Personnel: Charles "Chas" Hodges (vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards); Dave Peacock (vocals, violin, bass guitar); Mick Burt (drums).
Liner Note Authors: Mark LaMarr; Charles "Chas" Hodges.
Recording information: EMI Abbey Road Studios, London, England (1979-2005).
Arrangers: Dave Peacock; Charles "Chas" Hodges.
This Greatest Hits collection from British novelty duo Chas & Dave (singer/guitarist Charles "Chas" Hodges and singer/bassist Dave Peacock) starts appropriately with "Gertcha," a song that became a regional phenomenon when it appeared in a commercial for "John Courage" beer in the early 1979. More commercial work for the brewing company followed, including sudsy renditions of the duo's "Margate" and "Rabbit," also included here. The pair's amiable blend of rock & roll and bar band blues kept them on the charts (or at least pub jukeboxes) for nearly four decades, and while distinctly English, their bawdy humor and good-natured ribbing transcend its cockney origins. ~ James Christopher Monger