Various artists - British Invasion

For several years in the 1960s, North America really did seem to be under attack.  English musicians began storming our shores in early 1964 with a revolutionary sound that was, ironically, American in origin. It began with the Beatles and continued with the Rolling Stones, the Kinks and the Who. But the British Invasion included many other influential acts who sold more than $76 million worth of records that year in the United States alone.

    A new DVD box set, British Invasion, documents four lesser-known English artists who changed pop’s look and sound. Each DVD includes interviews and full-length performances of rare and classic songs. Taken as a whole, the collection restores some much-deserved lustre to these stars. It’s Gonna Be All Right 1963-1965 shows how Gerry & the Pacemakers briefly rivalled the Beatles with such hits as “Ferry Cross the Mersey” and “Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying.” Listen People 1964-1969 captures the novelty of Herman’s Hermits, who topped the charts with recycled music-hall songs like “I’m Henry VIII, I Am,” while All or Nothing 1965-1968 presents the Small Faces as the epitome of Carnaby Street hipness with Mod clothing and psychedelic nuggets like “Itchycoo Park.”

But British Invasion’s richest gem is Once Upon a Time 1964-1969, which showcases Dusty Springfield as the quintessential White Queen of Soul. To witness Dusty performing her emotive classic “Son of a Preacher Man,” with her bouffant hair, bejewelled vest and billowy sleeves, is to be transported back to music’s golden era.