In the years spent compiling record collections few of us have not had cause to curse the compilation – that ‘Greatest Hits‘ package of our favourite artist that defies logic. Hardly representative of their finest moments, the big-selling single is not necessarily a yardstick for accomplishment – in other words, the best-known work is no certainty of it being the best that act has to offer.
Take, for example, the 1994 release of ‘Bob Seger’s Greatest Hits‘. It has gone on to achieve platinum-rated sales and is by far his most successful album, but inclusion of the contrived ‘You’ll Accompany Me‘ (a top ten 45) ahead of such stellar cuts as ‘Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man‘ or ‘Get Out of Denver,’ hardly make it a definitive collection of his finest songs.
Sometimes a shoddy ‘Very Best of‘ or ‘The Collected Hits‘ is not the fault of the artist, more a consequence of terrible recording deals they signed at the start of their careers. In this respect The Kinks and Rolling Stones were badly served, particularly in the days of vinyl – their early work mercilessly recycled in year-on-year compilations.
Indeed, ‘The Kinks File‘ a double ‘best of‘ set issued by Pye in 1977 (six years after they had left the label) and priced at £1.75 was my first Kinks collection and in retrospect a fine overview of their 64-70 singles output.
But that is not the point. It was one of plenty such repackages over which the group had no control – on selling it to an obsessive collector who made me a ridiculous offer, I likely made as much from the album as Kinks drummer Mick Avory did.
But in the right hands and with a degree of imagination ‘Compilations‘ can serve a useful purpose and in these days of self-isolation and confinement here is a selection to pass the time with.
Be safe and well everyone, heed the medical advice – SAMTIMONIOUS.com recommending one of these to be taken daily.
ELVIS PRESLEY – 30 #1 HITS: From a distance of over 60 years (it is also frightening to reflect he has now been dead as long as he was alive) the passing of time may have lessened the musical and cultural significance Elvis Presley had on the world. But this smartly compiled collection is a joyous reminder of the richness and resonance of his best known work.
As the CD case rightly states: ‘Before anyone did anything, Elvis did everything‘.
JAMES TAYLOR – GREATEST HITS: Proof that in the right hands a ‘Greatest Hits‘ set can be an imaginative work. Rounding up the best of Taylor’s largely excellent 70-76 Warner Bros output, it also includes two beautifully re-recorded songs from his out of print Apple debut.
The set closes with an unreleased ‘live‘ track (a novelty in 1976) that serves well as a bookend – and enticement for completists.
LITTLE FEAT – AS TIME GOES BY: For much of their glorious, but absurdly undervalued career, the fabulous Feat served up a heady mix of funk, country, jazz and rock – this lovingly put together affair showcasing the slide and song writing genius of the much-missed Lowell George.
Not overlooked either are fine contributions from elsewhere in the troupe, although its a shame ‘Roll ‘Um Easy‘ from ‘Dixie Chicken‘ was omitted. That gripe aside, this is gold from start to end – another great Neon Park album cover the final exemplary touch.
NEIL YOUNG – DECADE: Chosen ahead of his later ‘Greatest Hits‘ package, Neil wraps up his first ten years in inimitable style, telling his story in chronological order over three albums (then two CD’s), with all points, Buffalo Springfield, CSN&Y, Crazy Horse not only covered, but explained in his notes with each song.
How he could be so prolific and consistently enthralling would be a mystery – if he had not remained pretty much so ever since.
ROD STEWART – HANDBAGS & GLADRAGS: Selecting the pick of his five albums made in the wonder years of 1969-74 for inclusion on just two CDs would have been a tricky task – but for the most part this effort works a treat.
The faithful will raise an eyebrow at omission of ‘Jo’s Lament,’ yet other than that Rod and his finest wares as a songwriter, interpreter and singer are on display.
THE BEATLES – 1962-1966: While the likes of Bowie and Dylan are usually credited with being the masters of reinvention, on this faultless collection sit back and marvel at the amazing journey taken (in just four years) from ‘Love Me Do‘ to ‘Eleanor Rigby.’
By 1966 this package makes quite clear The Beatles had set standards only they could be confident in matching.
CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL – BAD MOON RISING: Given the sustained brilliance of their singles roster, no album collection is complete without a Creedence entry.
Giving this one the edge is that alongside ‘Proud Mary,’ ‘Travellin’ Band,’ ‘Who’ll Stop The Rain‘ and the all other shining examples of John Fogerty song writing genius, is inclusion of ‘Wrote A Song For Everyone‘ – the most overlooked masterpiece in the Creedence canon.
TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS – GREATEST HITS: Like his idols The Byrds (another act poorly represented in the ‘Best Of’ stakes), Petty was a master of capturing his essence in a three minute single – crisp, engaging and wonderfully crafted.
Expertly plotted from 1976 through to 1992, it concludes with two new songs, one of which, Petty’s own ‘Mary Jane’s Last Dance,’ is a sterling addition to his already impressive repertoire.
THE KINKS – THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION: Split into two discs, the first is two dozen singles taken in order of release – so this being The Kinks it is an essential listen.
Disc two is also rich in splendour with top marks awarded for inclusion of ‘Shangri-La‘ and ‘Celluloid Heroes‘ – but with (Wish I Could Fly Like) ‘Superman‘ it goes for cheap laughs, when far better examples of Ray’s wit and wisdom could have been found.
ROLLING STONES – FORTY LICKS: Two score of the most original rock songs ever written, primarily from the rhetoric and riff team of Mick and Keith – rock and ballads, blues and disco, light and shade, heart and soul.
Good sleeve notes from David Wild, but us vinyl veterans were blessed with the brilliant essay by Roy Carr on the sleeve of ‘Rolled Gold‘ – the last word, so to speak, on Stones appreciation.
THE CLASH – THE ESSENTIAL CLASH: Living up to its title, if only two discs of The Clash (just two?) are all you need, then gathered here is most of what made them so magnificent – it even includes a ‘Cut The Crap‘ track (‘This is England‘) to complete the picture.
That aside, the monumental albums and astounding singles are all in evidence, showing why ‘the only band that matters‘ mattered so much.
LINDA RONSTADT – THE VERY BEST OF LINDA RONSTADT: To distil a glittering career down to just twenty three songs would be a tall order for anyone picking through the work of a major artist – but when said artist is the best female singer of the rock era, it becomes even more challenging.
Happily, the compilers here (restricted to a single disc), have prospected well and come up with one nugget after another.
BOB DYLAN – THE ESSENTIAL BOB DYLAN: Selecting essential Dylan for inclusion on just two CDs is quite frankly mission impossible – twenty two and you might be in with a chance.
Sequenced in order from ‘Blowin’ In The Wind‘ to ‘Things Have Changed‘ (2000), come gather round people and listen to the single most important songwriter of the past 60 years redefine the semantics and structure of the popular song.
THE WHO – THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION: With no shortage of Who compilations on the market this comes to the top for heartfelt attempts to be the most thorough.
Everything from that old vinyl treasure ‘Meaty Beaty, Big and Bouncy‘ is included to reinforce what a sublime and innovative singles band they were before Townshend led the tribe into concept territory – ‘Tommy,’ ‘Quadrophenia‘ and in particular ‘Who’s Next‘ represented by their most resounding pieces. Couple of missteps late on, but otherwise impeccable.
Anyone interested in seeing what great rock writing really looks like is advised to seek out the 1976 double album ‘The Story of The Who‘ – the late, aforementioned Roy Carr, surpassing his Stones superlative with a Who essay that almost matches the music for eloquence.
VAN MORRISON – THE BEST OF: Good as gold collection from the Mystic Maestro, this potpourri of the Poetic Champion runs from the edgy R&B of “Them,” picks up a gem or two from ‘Astral Weeks‘ and ‘Moondance‘ before grabbing the most familiar of his 70s and 80s output.
As an entrée to the Caledonian Soulster it serves its purpose – more logical than ‘Volume Two‘ that appeared in the mid-90s, if a little less adventurous.
THE BAND – GREATEST HITS: Compiled along the lines of the 1978 double LP ‘Anthology,’ this is rock music at its most evocative and serene. Emotive lyrics, brilliant ensemble playing, soaring harmonies – the complete package in every sense.
That said, your genial host here at SAMTIMONIOUS.com prefers the ‘Moondog Matinee‘ and ‘Islands‘ selections chosen for the vinyl equivalent – but when all is said and done, its switching diamonds for pearls.
STEELY DAN – THE BEST OF (Then and Now): The rock music equivalent of The Times crossword, piecing together what the Dan were implying in their breath-taking brand of jazz rock, often required seclusion long before a pandemic came along.
Brimming with sophistication and panache, shouting along with ‘Reelin’ in the Years,’ ‘Do It Again‘ and ‘FM‘ will at least inform the neighbours of your good health.
RANDY NEWMAN – GREATEST HITS: They say nobody likes a smart-ass, but we’ll make an exception for this gentleman – his wry, trenchant lyrics will make you laugh, cry, reflect and connect. While ‘Political Science‘ and ‘Rednecks‘ are strictly for discerning adults, being au fait with the ‘Toy Story‘ song will at least endear you to the grandchildren.
THE BEATLES – 1967-1970: Covering the years when the Fabs went up plenty of ladders but down a few snakes, free from the rigours of touring and performing live, imaginations and artistic freedoms run wild – and over two discs is spread some of the most ambitious rock ever recorded.
Even if they occasionally overreach, you can only marvel at the sheer audacity of the agenda they had set themselves.
DAVID BOWIE – BEST OF BOWIE: No matter if the persona is Major Tom, Ziggy Stardust, the Thin White Duke or any of the others, the connection between them all is a welter of the most exhilarating music ever attempted.
Be it proto-punk, soul, R&B or techno, Bowie redrew the boundaries as this near-perfect set attests. ‘There is old wave, new wave and David Bowie,’ claimed his devotees. Put another way, nobody worked at the same level of artistic expression as Bowie – or ever will.
MARVIN GAYE – THE VERY BEST OF: In normal circumstances, 45 minutes spent in this company would be a welcome part of any day – but in these troubled times we need the soothing grooving of Marvelous Marvin more than ever.
From the classic early singles, duets with Tammi Terrell, cultural landmarks of ‘What’s Going On,’ the celebration of sex that is ‘Let’s Get It On‘ it’s all here – the sum total an uplifting remedy for the heart and hips.
This article was first published on 21/3/2020.
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NEIL SAMBROOK is also the author of ‘MONTY’S DOUBLE‘ – an acclaimed thriller now available in paperback and as an Amazon Kindle book.