I Am P.J. Proby / P.J. Proby

P.J. Proby's first two albums, I Am P.J. Proby and P.J. Proby, are collected on this single disc. Before these records, he had primarily been known as a songwriter and these were supposed to establish him as a performer. Although he had a number of hits in Britain, he didn't have much success in America, apart from the minor hits, "Hold Me" and a cover of West Side Story's "Somewhere." Both albums were post-British Invasion pop/rock, with lots of sugary melodies and ringing guitars. Though they have their moments, each one is riddled with filler, which is what makes the two-fer a bargain. The highlights of both discs combine to form one strong album.