- Audio CD (Aug 25 1992)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Format: Import
- Label: Geffen Records
- ASIN: B000000OPM
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Audio Cassette | LP Record
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
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Product Details |
Track Listings
| 1. Hong Kong Garden |
| 2. Mirage |
| 3. The Staircase (Mystery) |
| 4. Playground Twist |
| 5. Love In A Void |
| 6. Happy House |
| 7. Christine |
| 8. Israel |
| 9. Spellbound |
| 10. Arabian Knights |
Product Description
From Amazon.co.uk
Preposterous as it might seem in retrospect, Siouxsie & The Banshees were the last of the UK's first generation punk bands to secure a record deal; the hippie-bloated record industry was, frankly, terrified of them. Their stark, minimalist collision of ice-pick guitar and pounding drums, allied to Siouxsie's macabre, murder-in-the-nursery lyrics and untameable demeanour of brooding impenetrable cool were regarded as nothing more than commercial poison. But when Polydor finally took the plunge in 1978 they were amply rewarded when the band's debut single "Hong Kong Garden" immediately gravitated to the UK top ten. More hits followed and Once Upon A Time is a captivating compilation of the very best of them. From the clanging majesty of "The Staircase (Mystery)", the towering menace of "Playground Twist" and the measured schizophrenics of "Christine" to the glorious sensuality of "Arabian Nights", the distilled exhilaration of Once Upon A Time remains utterly essential. --Ian Fortnam
Album Description
Import pressing of the new wave/punk icons' 1981 compilation. Out of print domestically!
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
A great place to start!
Dec 19 2003
Format:Audio CD
I was only slightly familar with their music, mostly familar with their image. But I adore punk, so I gave this CD a try. It is a great place to start, and something I would defintely suggest to others.
Sweet Sioux.
Dec 3 2003
Format:Audio CD
And the futile quest for my irretrievable youth marches on! Lately, I have been buying up some of the favorite music of my youth. Though I loved Siouxsie & The Banshees when they appeared on the scene, I actually never heard a big selection of their music. So, Siouxsie's "The Singles" seemed a good place to start. The thing which surprised me the most upon hearing these songs, most of which are around twenty years old, is how fresh and timeless they sound. Since I am not a "Siouxsie" expert, I cannot tell you the pros & cons of this collection, and what should or should not have been included. I can only say that I have had this c.d. a week now, and, I can't stop listening to it! Her ethereal sound is addictive. For me, there are very few bands who, along with having such a distinct sound, also make music which weaves such a spell. And also, for me, Siouxsie was as definitive a Punk sound as The Sex Pistols. I love all the songs on this collection. I was most familiar with "Christine" and "Spellbound". Upon hearing "Israel" for the first time, I have come to the conclusion that this is one of the most beautiful songs ever. Also, I especially like "Arabian Nights", and "Hong Kong Garden." And, "Love In A Void" reeks of Punk, as much as any Ramones tune. Again, as I am not a Siouxsie expert, I can only say that I thoroughly enjoyed and continue to enjoy this collection. It is a good place to start, and only makes me want to hear more of the efforts of the lovely Miss Sioux and her wailing spirits.
Tight High Energy Punk
May 3 2003
Format:Audio CD
I actually have never heard any other music by SATB. This album was my first and last taste of their music. I absolutely love this album, and one reason I haven't sought out more of their music is I feel there is no way their other albums will be able to compare to this little masterpiece of a CD. The CD does feel short, but each song is a tight little punk rock masterpiece.
Although the songs are great, I think that special mention must go the production on these tracks. An enormous amount of energy is gleaned from what really amounts to a very simple combination of elements. The relentless drive of the band's rhythm section must also get special mention for propelling this music forward and keeping this music from ever really sounding old or ponderous like so many other 'goth-punk' bands from the 80's.
If you are looking for energetic music with a unique sound, then you should do yourself and get this album ASAP.
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Most recent customer reviews
The Best Place To Start!!!
If you have never heard of Siouxsie And The Banshees, then this is probably the best place to start. This disc covers their first three years. Read more
Published on Aug 9 2002
to the guy who was being pedantic...
"She's a Carnival" isnt't on Twice Upon A Time - The Singles actually, only available on it's parent album "A Kiss in the Dreamhouse. Read more
Published on July 20 2002 by Ms Molly
A fine collection of early singles from an influential band
A (perhaps too) concise overview of the Banshees' first four years of recorded work, back when the band were helping shape what would become known as post-punk (and when they were... Read more
Published on Aug 18 2001 by Martin J Flanagan
Documents An Evololution Of A Great Band
Firstly I would like to make a couple of point accross to other reviewers.'Carnival' from the album 'A Kiss In The Dreamhouse' are not included in this album, but rather in the... Read more
Published on July 28 2001 by mike
INTELLIGENT EARLY PUNK
This album is a good showcase of early Banshees only but of course not representative of their full career which started moving in different directions after the release of this... Read more
Published on Jun 22 2001 by Pieter
Lopsided incomplete representation of SATB's early period
Listening to the albums gives a much different picture of the group than this collection does.
Once Upon a Time lacks depth. It is rather superficial. Read more
Published on April 13 2001 by Sereneghost
Top Banana!
Insightful, intelligent gut-churning stuff...in today's facile pop-economy, it's reassuring to know that Sioux is still a milestone to be respected. Read more
Published on May 12 2000 by phil evans
I really liked this.....
I have mostly listend to Siouxsie & the Banshees later music. I love songs like "Carousel" & "Peepshow" really good. Read more
Published on Jan 15 2000 by "nicolissi"
If you like your Siouxie in small doses
Siouxie Sioux is as electric, captivating and full of shit as Jim Morrison, Alice Cooper and Ozzy Osbourne ever were (that's a compliment) and this best-of Banshees collection... Read more
Published on Aug 18 1999
brings you back to your puck rock days of the 80"s
I had this album long time ago and would drive around in my car jamming to it all day..Now i have the CD of it and i still drive around jamming to it at 30 .. Read more
Published on Jun 13 1999 by s68nurse@aol.com
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