Music lovers: who's in your collection that's not in anyone else's?

[RZM]

102. You really don't meet too many CW fans.

I was lucky enough to see them on their very last tour in 2000, shortly before they broke up. Awesome set. They worked in almost all of my favorites.

CW is a good example of a band that was intended and expected to be a lot bigger, but failed to take advantage of opportunities at the crucial moment. They got a lot of critical praise for 'Chrome' in 1993 and their record company positioned them to break through on their follow up in 1995, 'Happy Days.' They actually got a lot of exposure that year. They opened for Live on their summer arena tour, which was a choice gig. Though Live faded not long after, they were actually one of the biggest rock bands out there in 1995. CW's video was played on MTV and even got the Beavis and Butthead treatment.

Everything was in place for them to break out, but it didn't happen. My theory is that it was because 'Happy Days' turned out to be their worst album. It only had a couple good songs and it was way too long. Though they rebounded with a strong album in 1997, by then it was too late. Their window of opportunity had passed.

If you haven't done so already, you should check out the Catherine Wheel Cover Compilation:

http://www.cwcovercomp.com/

Many of the covers aren't that great and some are downright bizarre. But there are few gems there. My favorite is the piano and voice only version of 'Spin'.