Golden Greats

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Import exclusive, budget price compilation for the film & singing star. Highlights include, 'Powder Your Face With Sunshine', 'It's Magic', 'Love Somebody', & 'My Darling, My Darling'. Standard double jewel case. Disky. 2001.

Tracks:

Solsbury Hill
I Don't Remember
Sledgehammer
Family Snapshot
Mercy Street
Shaking The Tree
Don't Give Up
San Jacinto
Here Comes The Flood
Red Rain
Games Without Frontiers
Shock The Monkey
I Have The Touch
Big Time
Zaar
Biko

Amazon.com

Peter Gabriel has never been one to stand on tradition. The former Genesis singer bends and hammers fashionable pop forms to his liking (à la his massive MTV-fueled hit "Sledgehammer") or uses the obligatory soundtrack assignment to explore the world music that has been his obsession for decades (as in "Zaar" from Passion). This 16-track anthology explores the width--and, crucially, depth--of Gabriel's rich post-Genesis music, from the post-prog obliquities of "Solsbury Hill" and "Here Comes the Flood" to the African musical and political concerns of the title track (available only on this collection) and the epic "Biko." But what makes the compilation even more compelling is the way it eschews the chronology of its decade-plus body of music, instead weaving and segueing Gabriel's music into a tapestry of compelling mood and color. It's a rewarding listening experience for fan and novice alike. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Great collection of hit but..........2007-03-15

If you are a great fan like me and already have all the cd collection, there's no need for this one. You already have most of it, what is missing is "Shaking the tree"... there is a better version of it on "Secret World Live", a piano version of "Here comes the flood" ... there is a better version on Growing up Live (DVD) what's left is a new mix of "I have the touch" and "Zaar" which is not a memorable song.
Be aware also that some of the songs have been edited to a shorter version.

I would add that the hits are not the best songs of Peter Gabriel, the rest of his material is better. This cd is for completist or for someone who want to own only one cd of the artist (which is a mistake !)

This CD is really awsome!!.......2007-01-18

I love Peter Gabriel's music. This CD is a wonderful collection of his best. I would highly recommend it!!!

I didn't say anything..........2006-07-17

I got no means to show identification
I got no papers show you what I am
You'll have to take me just the way that you find me
What's gone is gone and I do not give a damn
Empty stomach, empty head

Previously, I reviewed Kate Bush's The Whole Story, which I picked up, used, to take with me on my recent trip to China. The other used CD I picked up for the trip was Peter Gabriel's Shaking the Tree - Sixteen Golden Greats. Released between his albums So (which I own on audiotape) and Us, this greatest hits collection thereby focuses on Gabriel's earlier career, and tries to "spread the love" a little evenly between all his early albums...which means that the over-played hit song "In Your Eyes" is missing here. Also missing are a few great hits from the later album Us, including "Digging in the Dirt" and "Steam" (good thing I own Us already).

What is here are a collection of great songs. New favourites for me: "I Don't Remember", "Games Without Frontiers", and "Family Snapshot".

I'm not particularly interested in going back and picking up all of the Peter Gabriel albums that ever were, so this collection fills my need quite well, giving me an overview of Gabriel's early career.

Most of the tracks on this one "will shake you " all over.......2006-02-06

Peter Gabriel as a soloartist is quality all over. This "greatest hits" collection, gives you most of the best. To kick of with Solsbury Hill (Track 1) is a wise choise. There`s an uplifting mood all trough the song. It`s simple in it`s build up, and easy to humm along to. Track 2 , I dont remember im sorry to say to "experimental" in a way. To much "blip blop" synth sound, spread all over, and has to much hit`s and misses. But hey soon we are back in business again with Sledgehammer Track 3. Gabriel voice is clear, and has a great rythm and syntheseisers to follow it. Track 4 Family Snapshot is a slow song, which doesn`t take of in the right direction. It has a form of "talking singing" which sometimes is annoying to listen to. Track 5 Mercy Street is moody and very relaxable to listen to. Track 6 Shaking the tree, with Youssou N Dour on vocal has an "african touch" over it, with what we can call "ethnic rythm and vocal" which realy fits as an whole all trough. Track 7 Don`t give up, is anyway the best Gabriel song on this CD. To bring in Kate Bush on vocal t take`s this
one "heaven above" when it come`s to uplifting musical soulfood for your mind. Mindfood in other words. Im sure this one has cured some depression`s, in a cold cold world.
Track 8 San Jancinto, we are back in the departments of "weird sounds and blip blop", but it`s an ok listen. Track 9 Here come`s the flood is very moody and relaxable, and give
you some "freeze" down your back. Track 10 Red Rain, has
a certain quality, but it`s to much instrument`s fighting for theire place in a way. But the melody is good, and easy to remember.. Track 11 Games without frontiers, is one of the weak tracks. Easily forgotten, sorry to say. Track 12 Shock the monkey. Hey, that`s a another story. This one kicks in gear on the first note, and get`s better and better until the end.. Track 13 I have the touch, it`s to experimental for my sake. I don`t find the touch on this one. Track 14 Big Time
is ok. Track 15 Zaar is a weird one. Very experimental with i think everything you can find on syntheseisers sound at the end of the eightes. It`s sound`s sometimes like an early computer goes mad. Not my cup of tea. Track 16 Biko, he`s back in the jungle, with good lyrics, but soundwise it does`nt stand out. Anyway most of the tracks on this one will you put you in great mood As an introduction to Peter Gabriel for "newcomers" this one has it all.(most of the time).

Great music but not a great compilation of Peter Gabriel.......2006-01-14

Peter Gabriel is in my humble opinion a monument in the rock scene, from his days in Genesis to his solo work. Gabriel has two compilations out on his solo work, this one and 2003's 2 CD "Hit: The Definitive Peter Gabriel" (which is far from definitive).

"Shaking the Tree" (16 tracks, 77 min.) was originally released in 1990 and is now available in remastered sound. But is it a good compilation? Alas, it is not. That said, there is a lot of great music on here. There are 5 tracks from Gabriel's 1986's commercial breakthrough album "So", but "In Your Eyes", a major hit is not on here. Even more troubling is that there is not a single track from 1978's "Peter Gabriel 2": no "On The Air" and no "D.I.Y.", both hits, as minor they were. (As an aside, PG2 was equally ignored entirely for the 2003 "Hit" compilation. I guess Peter doesn't like that album?) For die-hard Gabriel fans (count me one), the reason to own this is the inclusion of "Shaking the Tree", a "Biko"-like song you can't find anywhere but here, and the new recording of "Here Comes the Flood", as a piano-and-vocals only cover, just great.

It is clear to me that the definitive Peter Gabriel "best of" is still to be released. Both this album and 2003's "Hits" have serious flaws. That said, there is no question there is a lot of great music on here. As to "Shaking the Tree": only for die-hard Gabriel fans.

Average customer rating:

Scatalogical tales from the Old West...
I Don't Like Country, But I Do Like Ween
end of confusion
Like A Blizzard in Georgia
Fresh new direction for Ween

12 Golden Country Greats
Ween
Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Chocolate and Cheese
The Mollusk
Pure Guava
White Pepper
The Pod

ASIN: B000002HM0
Release Date: 1996-07-16

Tracks:

I'm Holding You
Japanese Cowboy
Piss Up A Rope
I Don't Wanna Leave You On The Farm
Pretty Girl
Powder Blue
Mister Richard Smoker
Help Me Scrape The Mucus Off My Brain
You Were The Fool
Fluffy

Customer Reviews:

Scatalogical tales from the Old West..........2006-08-24

I remember when this disc came out Rolling Stone magazine reviewed it by giving it an extremely low rating (something like one or one and a half stars) and completely trashed Ween and this album, which pretty much convinced me to go get it. The reviewer attempted to justify his position by stating that Ween's tendencies towards misogyny and junior high school humor were inappropriate (geez, thats what I LIKED about this disc) and didn't work as parody due to the fact that they had rounded up such renowned Nashville session musicians to make the music. I knew that any magazine that badmouthed every album that Zeppelin put out in the 70's and insisted that Britney Spears was going to be the next Whitney Houston in the late 90's couldn't possibly understand Ween, so I went out and picked up a copy immediately. This album puts me in hysterics every time I hear it, and you don't have to be a fan of country music to like it, cause I certainly am not into country music at all. Ween, however, leave their mark on the genre with this one. "Piss Up a Rope" has to be one of the funniest things I've ever heard; I played it for a group of friends one night at a party and everybody completely lost it. "Mr. Richard Smoker" is another one that could be labeled offensive by some, but always makes me laugh. Obviously the norm for Ween is completely off the wall, and you have to keep that in mind when you listen to some of their music. Ween manage to lampoon the country genre with their lyrics while employing some of it's best musicians, and the musicianship on this disc is (unsurprisingly) superb. If you have a sense of humor, pick this one up. If you take your music cues from sources like Rollling Stone magazine, then enjoy your Justin Timberlake CD. (I think Rolling Stone compared his solo album to "Innervisions", what a surprise.)

I Don't Like Country, But I Do Like Ween.......2006-06-20

As far as albums go, this one is a hard one to review. Ween's fans are typically hardcore, and so are country fans, but uniting the two is where the trouble lies. Odds are there are some who are both, but what about the rest of us?

I will admit that my own rating above is due mainly to my feelings about country music in general, and less about my enjoyment of Ween's eclectic, mock-intellectual, and sometimes ridiculously playful style.

As far as the lyrics go, you've got the usual levels of Ween's absurdity mixed with a combination of sly and in-your-face humor. "Japanese Cowboy," "Piss Up A Rope," and "Mister Richard Smoker" bear the most obvious strokes of Ween's style. "Piss Up A Rope," in fact, is the signature song of the album, and the funniest (and there are some pretty hilarious songs on this record).

The rest of them, however, are a bit more slippery when it comes to pinning them down to tastes. Aside from "Piss Up A Rope," "Fluffy" is the most obviously satirical. Beyond that, it really does sound like a country album. I imagine if you were to slip it into a jukebox in a good-ole-boy bar down south, songs like "I Don't Wanna Leave You On The Farm," "Pretty Girl," and "You Were The Fool" would slip right into the atmosphere with narry a bump. Aside from their sometimes avant-garde lines, these songs sound the most like legitimate country. Considering that Ween brought in some time-tested Nashville talent to help with the album (Buddy Spicher, Charlie McCoy and Russ Hicks, among others), it's no surprise that their country sound is not only authentic, but also well-done.

And, really, as far as the notes themselves go, Ween displays its typical level of musical genius, just in a down-home modality that either you like or you don't. True country fans, and those who enjoy following the tonal acrobatics of this incredibly talented band will take to the new John Deere aura just fine. I myself don't care for country, no matter how funny or tongue-in-cheek it may be. For that reason, I give the album three stars.

But I give Ween's talents and their nimble, creative spirit two enthusiastic thumbs up. I am still impressed by their virtuosity and diversity. I applaud Ween's abilities and also their refusal to allow themselves to be pigeonholed into any category. This is a nearly flawless album, truth be told, but it is still, and ultimately, a country record. If you're like me and you just don't like country music, this album won't give you too much to change your mind, but there are some great and hilarious songs worth listening to. But if you are a hardcore fan of either Ween or country, you won't be disappointed.

end of confusion.......2005-06-11

the '12' in "12 Golden Country Greats" refers to the number of musicians they had on the record; not the number of songs.

Like A Blizzard in Georgia.......2005-06-02

Ween has always occurred to me as a musical chameleon. You want thrashy, idiotic punk? Ween can do that. Do you want a moving, emotional ballad? Ween can do that, too. Do you want an obviously drug-fueled voyage into dissonant sound and grating, nonsensical vocals? Ween can serve that up hot with a side of grits.

So, it shouldn't seem strange that Ween can do country, and country is what you get in 12 Golden Country Greats. Now, country is a genre of music I tend to admire from afar - I never want to get too close, lest I start feeling urges to square-dance with a ten-gallon hat and tight jeans. So having Ween do a country album gave me the excuse to get into country, even if it was largely the Ween version. But then again, a little parody never hurt anyone, and this album is a must for Ween fans and anyone who wants a little absurdity with their country.

Ween pulls off the endeavor by bringing in a bunch of ringers (some of whom they name during songs), who obviously have the whole country thing down to a T. Although Dean Ween is by all accounts one of the most talented guitar-Gods around (or, at least, by all my accounts), he probably couldn't handle a steel guitar too well, so Ween took this concept to its logical conclusion and brought in fiddlers, steel guitarists, a drummer, etc., which give almost all the tracks a good, solid grounding in the basics of the genre. The Ween-ness is brought in courtesy of the lyrics; for a Ween album, the vocals are mostly straight and modulation-free, so it's up to the lyrical content to remind you that yes, these are the same guys behind such timeless classics as Touch My Tooter and Fat Lenny.

The lyrics make the album, sometimes going light on the absurdity (Japanese Cowboy, Powder Blue) to laying it on thick (You Were the Fool, I'm Holding You) to just being downright hilarious (Piss Up a Rope, Help Me Scrape the Mucous Off My Brain). For Ween fans, I suspect, the lyrics are where it's at, because even after you know what Ween is going to say in a given song, it's still somehow fresh and funny the tenth time you hear it. The lyrics shine for most of the time in 12 Golden Country Greats, with comedy being the main aim, though sometimes the only joke is "hey, look, we're doing country!"

Musically, the songs are generally catchy and well-paced. Since I don't know country very well, I can only postulate that the songs reflect a range of country styles within country itself - nowhere is this more apparent than in the cheerfully homophobic Mister Richard Smoker, which seems to be plucked out of the days of ragtime, and the almost normal I Don't Want to Leave You On the Farm, which I can only assume is closer to bluegrass. I could be wrong, but I don't really care. The only song that really drags for the casual listener not familiar with Ween's forays into the lengthy, annoying song that never seems to end (Black Jack, anyone?) is Fluffy. But Fluffy is probably the funniest piece here, and sucks you in to its world of lazy front porches and excited dogs with its slow-motion, warped approach.

So, overall, this album is musically solid, lyrically brilliant, funny, and delightfully misnamed. Where the remaining two golden country greats went, only Ween knows, but Gene and Dean turn in a 10-song tribute/mockery of country that stands out as being both authentic and ridiculous. On a personal note, I was once dating a girl who was a true country fan. Wondering if she might like this album, I played it for her. She was horrified. But, as I said before, if you're a fan of Ween, this album cannot be missed, or left on the farm.

Fresh new direction for Ween.......2005-05-22

I would have to say that I highly enjoy listening to this album, it brings out the lighter side of brown that is Ween. I'm Holding You puts you in the mood for some good counrty twang, then it jumps into Japanese Cowboy with some excellent slide playing. Piss Up A Rope is always a chuckler and you start to see the zaniness come out in the lyrics and keyboard solos. Mr. Richard Smoker invokes some kind of homoerotic tendencies, but a damn good song nonetheless. Fluffy, Powder Blue, and Jerry don't exactly hold up later on in the CD, but they redeem themselves with a beautiful rolling acoustic groove on You Were The Fool. Defineitely worth a listen!!

Average customer rating:

Disc One great, Disk two.....so-so....
But there's so much more!
All the classic instrumentals
Brings back great memories

50 Golden Greats
The Shadows
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Shadows - The Final Tour
The Shadows' Greatest Hits
The Final Tour
40 Golden Greats
Walk Don't Run

ASIN: B00004U9MR
Release Date: 2000-08-07

Tracks:

Apache
Man Of Mystery
The Stranger
F.B.I.
Midnight
The Frightened City
Kon-Tiki
The Savage
Shadoogie
Wonderful Land
Sleepwalk
Guitar Tango
The Boys
Dance On
Foot Tapper
Atlantis
Shindig
Geronimo
Theme For Young Lovers
Perfidia
Mustang
Cosy
Nivram
Little B
The Rise And Fall Of Flingel Bunt
Rhythm And Greens
Genie With The Light Brown Lamp

Tracks:

Mary-Anne
Stingray
Don't Make My Baby Blue
War Lord
Thunderbirds Theme
I Met A Girl
A Place In The Sun
The Dreams I Dream
Maroc 7
Slaughter On 10th Avenue
Something
Let Me Be The One
Don't Cry For Me Argentina
Theme For The Deer Hunter (Cavatina)
Rodrigo's Guitar Concerto De Aranjuez
Riders In The Sky
God Only Knows
Going Home
Albatross
Nights In White Satin
Whiter Shade Of Pale
Imagine/Woman
Memory

Album Description

UK collection of all the great's from one of the world's foremost insrumental groups. Released to commemorate the 40th anniversary of their hit, 'Apache'. This compilation features all their chart successes including their instrumental interpretaions of 'Nights In White Satin', 'Whiter Shade Of Pale', 'Thunderbirds Theme' and 'God Only Knows'. 2000 release. Double slimline jewel case.

Album Details

Compilation that Includes the Shadows Best Known Work with their Instrumental Interpretations of Such Classic Songs as the Moody Blues', 'Nights in White Satin', 'Whiter Shade of Pale'by Procol Harum and the Beach Boys Classic 'God Only Knows'.

Customer Reviews:

Disc One great, Disk two.....so-so...........2007-06-13

This is a two cd set, with the 1st cd containing early tunes of the Shadows. They are all here, Apache, Man of Mystery, Midnight, Kon-tiki etc... Good surf stuff and is The Shadows at their best.

The second cd are mostly remakes of standards, (Riders in the Sky, God only knows, Imagine etc...). I really like their version of "Albatross". The 2nd cd is "ok", but I got the "Shadows are go!" cd and really, all their best original work is on that one cd. They play the cuts well here, but really...some of it almost sounds like elevator musak.

I would not have bought this cd set, knowing that all my favorites of the Shadows were already here from my initial purchase. But there are 50 tunes here and it rounds out the collection.

Joe

But there's so much more!.......2005-05-10

A great compilation...but there's so much more! (that's
why I only gave four stars). Both the original Shadows' stuff and their masterful covers never fail to please. These CDs are a teriffic addition to any collection...even if you've heard most of them before.

(By the way, the cover of Mark Knopfler's marvellous 'Going Home' is in and of itself worth the price of the album. Enjoy.)

All the classic instrumentals.......2004-02-07

In the early sixties, instrumental hits were a regular feature of the pop charts in Britain and America. There were several great instrumental artists around. America had Duane Eddy, Floyd Cramer, B Bumble and the Stingers and the Ventures, to name a few. Britain had the Shadows and the Tornados. While the Tornados were very successful at the time, most notably with Telstar, the Shadows remained successful for the rest of the century.

The Shadows were also Cliff Richard's backing band and played on most of his hits in the fifties and sixties. Like Cliff, they made little impact in America but any Americans who enjoy the Ventures and Duane Eddy ought to give the Shadows a listen.

This compilation has all their big UK instrumental hits of the sixties and seventies including Apache, Man of mystery, FBI, Wonderful land, Dance on, Foot tapper and Don't cry for me Argentina. They also experimenting by doing a few vocal tracks and some of those are included here, among them being Mary Anne (a UK top ten hit), Don't make my blue, I met a girl, Dreams I dream and Let me be the one (their 1975 Eurovision song - like so many other Brits, they came second). The vocal tracks are good but it is their instrumental skills on which their reputation is built.

Most of their big hits came early in their career. In the eighties and nineties, they gave up worrying about hits and contented themselves with making albums of cover versions. A few covers selected from these albums round off this excellent collection. Among them is Albatross, an early Fleetwood Mac tune that always sounded very like a Shadows track, so it was an obvious tune for them to cover.

The Shadows, like most pop groups, has had its share of line-up changes. Hank Marvin and Bruce Welch , two of the original members, remained with the group throughout. The other two original members, Jet Harris and Tony Meehan, left early on, They teamed up as a duo and had some UK hits of their own including Diamonds. Of the other members that came and went, John Farrar is perhaps the most famous. He joined in 1970 but eventually had to leave because of other commitments - he became producer and songwriter for Olivia Newton John.

If you enjoy guitar instrumental music of the sixties, you'll love the Shadows. This compilation contains all the essentials, though a lot of Shadows music is available on CD for those who wish to explore further.

Brings back great memories.......2000-10-07

In 1962, I was an Air Force brat (actually, we were all pretty well behaved) teen living in Germany and developing my musical tastes. The Ventures were popular in the States and my brother I owned all their albums. What our stateside friends never knew was the Shadows and their clean, cool guitar sound. Instrumental music is never huge, and the British Shadows never made it across the pond. Too bad. Their music is fine.

Funny thing is that same year some group calling themselves the Beatles had a song called "Love Me Do" on Armed Forces Radio. I liked it. Two years later, they did make it across the pond. And how.

I had forgotten about the Shadows until today, when I read an interview with Peter Frampton in the LA Times. He mentioned his high regard for Hank Marvin of the Shadows, and that sent me to Amazon to see if their music was available on CD. Good news for me. Good news for anyone who likes straight ahead, pure rock guitar.

Tracks:

Repetiton
Industrial Estate
Rowche Rumble
Fiery Jack
How I Wrote 'Elastic Man'
Totally Wired
New Face In Hell
Prole Art Threat
Lie Dream Of A Casino Soul
Classical
Hip Priest
Man Whose Head Expanded
Kicker Conspiracy
Eat Y'self Fitter
c.r.e.e.p.
No Bulbs
Spoilt Victorian Child
Cruiser's Creek

Tracks:

Us 80's/90's
Mr Pharmacist
Living Too Late
Hey Luciani
There's A Ghost In My House
Hit The North
Victoria
Telephone Thing
High Tension Line
Free Range
Why Are People So Grudgeful?
Behind The Counter
M5
Feeling Numb
The Chislers
Powder Keg
Masquerade
Touch Sensitive
Crop Dust
Susan Vs Youth Club
Green Eyed Loco-Man

Album Description

The definitive Fall anthology, this 39 track double cd spans the illustrious career of one of rock music's most important bands. Of all the late-'70s punk and post-punk bands, none are longer-lived or more prolific than The Fall. Throughout their career, the band underwent a myriad of lineup changes, but at the center of it all is vocalist Mark E. Smith. With his caustic, acerbic wit and inimitable vocal style, Smith has become a cult legend in alternative rock circles. This double cd set , at the bargain list price of $16.98, is the ultimate collection for both newcomer and veteran fan alike. "Led by acid-tounged poet Mark E. Smith, whose caustic lyrics and accented, amelodic vocals provide the Fall's primary features, the Fall has created a huge body of unique, adventurous and challenging rock. From its experimental beginnings, the Fall has continued to explore and grow stronger...the Fall has made a crucial difference in modern music." Trouser Press

Customer Reviews:

It has the two hits........2007-04-28

Cruisers Creek and Hit The North are on this compilation. That's about all for The Fall.

An Introduction...of Sorts.......2007-04-10

When I began to delve into the music of The Fall, I was quite impressed with the band's diversity in instrumentation, style, lyrics, and various other aspects. After reading a bit of background information, I then found that The Fall had gone through about fifty different musicians in the course of it's existence, with only a handful being an active creative force for an album (or more) at any given time. Mark E. Smith has 'sacked' quite a number of them, being displeased with their attitude or performance, and has garnered the reputation of not being the easiest musician to work with. However, as the enigmatic songwriter and lead vocalist of this unusual group, he has remained from the band's formation in 1976 through to The Fall's most recent studio album release, 'Reformation Post TLC', in 2007! That's some serious dedication.

With such a long-spanning existence, there are loads of studio albums, live albums, compilations, etc...Where does one even begin? That's what I was wondering, until I stumbled upon this 2-CD compilation, '50,000 Fall Fans Can't Be Wrong'. The Fall is obscure to listeners of mainstream music, especially those in America. There have been instances when songs such as The Fall's covers of The Kinks' "Victoria" and R. Dean Taylor's "There's A Ghost in My House" climbed up fairly high on the music charts in the UK, as well as a scattered assortment of other singles. I find it unfortunate that The Fall's cover songs were generally better-received on the charts than the original material that The Fall released as singles...there's a lot of good stuff to be heard!

Speaking of songs released as singles, '50,000 Fall Fans Can't Be Wrong' includes a good many of them, as well as some songs that were album-exclusive. Due to the sheer number of songs that The Fall has released, it must have been an alarming task for whoever had to put this compilation together! However, I must say that this serves as a pretty good introduction for a new listener; it's priced rather nicely and includes 39 songs! My personal favorites are: "Totally Wired", "Cruiser's Creek", "U.S. 80's-90's", "Victoria", and "Free Range". Of course, fans will gripe about certain songs being left off of this compilation, but that's somewhat inevitable, due to the vast catalogue of Fall songs in existence. Overall, most of the 'key' songs are here, regardless of whether they are more memorable singles and/or favorites amongst fans.

The Fall has shown many different sides throughout the years, which is partly due to having such an array of different musicians involved. Not only that, but Mark E. Smith's lyrics and direction has grown and changed in so many different ways that I don't even know what genre I'd label The Fall as. As Mark E. Smith has said in past interviews, he is not concerned about any kind of 'music scene' that might be happening; he would rather be focusing on creating new music in his own way, regardless of whatever 'scene' might be popping up someplace. A given music scene might seem exciting for awhile...only to fade away and be replaced by another. But, here's The Fall! Despite the ever-changing roster of musicians, Mark E. Smith, as the talented, knowledgeable front-man, has definitely shown that he has a handle on what he's doing.

So, if you like this compilation, what next? The Fall's 'This Nation's Saving Grace', a favorite of Fall fans and critics alike, would be a good selection from the myriad of studio albums available. The album, as a whole, is quite interesting to listen to, and includes some rather good tracks that aren't on '50,000 Fall Fans Can't Be Wrong', such as "Bombast", "L.A.", and "My New House". For even more Fall, 'The Complete Peel Sessions', though expensive, is a comprehensive 6-CD box set spanning from 1978-2004. Regardless of what route you decide to take in listening to this band, you'll find that there's a lot of interesting music to explore, and...you probably won't hear any other band like The Fall.

Tossed about like Johnson's current endowment.......2005-12-08

Was, is and will always be worthy of our attention. Amazon Rules suggest 75 to 300 words when submitting an assessment of a product but this collection is beyond description. I might ramble further about the ramifications of this product's impact on the early 21st century but I feel time is too valuable. You must obtain this collection immediately.

If you're not satisfied with this purchase, I suggest rebirth or a venture into advanced mechanization, exploitation or debauchery.

A VIOLATION OF ALL WE HOLD SACRED.......2005-12-03

Why must Mark E. continue to torment us so? The only band to lay more "music" to vinyl than the Grateful Dead, and with no end in sight. No musician is more responsible for the ongoing violation of Mother Gaia and the mobilization of vast armies to secure resources to make more records: why do you think the UK is in Iraq? Enlightening us to The Monks is not enough! Any two-bit Mancunian ink-stained wretch could transmogrify rock n' roll long after Manchester United is forgotten. For Allah's sake, the dude doesn't play a guitar and is turning into a hunchback! When will the sonic rapture cease? And who decided to defile the memory of Nudie Cohen? Go ahead. Be a yob. Buy this and turn into some fey Brahmin who thinks Madonna isn't British. I'm warning YOU!!

A great price for a lot of great tunes........2005-09-18

I remember a review of a new Fall release (by Fred Miller?) that
began with the sentance: "I always expect the next album by The Fall to suck, but it never does".
The Fall alwats skirts the
fringes of pop and appears ready to teeter, but they never do.
This compilation is the proof. The Fall always remain an interesting and rewarding listen.

Most of my Fall collection is on vinyl. I repurchased a few favorites on CD: Wonderful and Frightning World, Bend Sinister,
This Nation's Saving Grace. The 50,000 Fall Fans compilation
was a great chance for me to pick up digital copies of many other
favorite songs and hear a few tunes from recordings that are not
in my collection in any media.

This CD is a great deal. A double CD by a great group at a single CD price. If you are a newcomer to The Fall,
this is a good starting point. If you are already one of the 50,000 (like me) the price is a good insentive to
pick up the singles that are not already in your collection. Favorite track: 'Hey, Luciani'.

Average customer rating:

Great collection of hit but...
This CD is really awsome!!
I didn't say anything...
Most of the tracks on this one "will shake you " all over
Great music but not a great compilation of Peter Gabriel

Shaking the Tree: Sixteen Golden Greats
Peter Gabriel
Manufacturer: Geffen Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

So
Us
Turn It On Again: The Hits
Passion
Hit

ASIN: B000000OS5
Release Date: 1990-12-29

Tracks:

Solsbury Hill
I Don't Remember
Sledgehammer
Family Snapshot
Mercy Street
Shaking The Tree
Don't Give Up
San Jacinto
Here Comes The Flood
Red Rain
Games Without Frontiers
Shock The Monkey
I Have The Touch
Big Time
Zaar
Biko

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Great collection of hit but..........2007-03-15

This CD is really awsome!!.......2007-01-18

I love Peter Gabriel's music. This CD is a wonderful collection of his best. I would highly recommend it!!!

I didn't say anything..........2006-07-17

Most of the tracks on this one "will shake you " all over.......2006-02-06

Great music but not a great compilation of Peter Gabriel.......2006-01-14

50 Golden Greats: The Complete Early Years

Average customer rating:

Every song from the first half of her career

50 Golden Greats: The Complete Early Years
Patsy Cline
Manufacturer: Empire Musicwerks
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Country | Styles | Music

Nashville Sound | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music

General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music

Classic Vocalists | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Rockabilly | Oldies & Retro | Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Patsy Cline - The Definitive Collection
25 All-Time Greatest Recordings: The 4-Star Years
Patsy Cline's Greatest Hits
Live at the Opry
Gold

ASIN: B000EMGAE4
Release Date: 2006-03-28

Tracks:

Hidin Out
Turn The Cards Slowly
A Church, A Courtroom, And Then Goodbye
Honky Tonk Merry-Go-Round
I Love You Honey
Come On In
I Cried All The Way To The Altar
Stop, Look And Listen
Ive Loved And Lost Again
Dear God
He Will Do For You
Walkin After Midnight
The Heart You Break May Be Your Own
Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
A Poor Mans Roses
Today, Tomorrow And Forever
Fingerprints
A Stranger In My Arms
Dont Ever Leave Me
Try Again
Too Many Secrets
Then Youll Know
Three Cigarettes In An Ashtray

Tracks:

That Wonderful Someone
In Care Of The Blues
Hungry For Love
I Cant Forget
I Dont Wanta
Aint No Wheels On This Ship
Stop The World
Walking Dream
Cry Not For Me
If I Could See The World
Just Out Of Reach
I Can See An Angel
Come On In
Let The Teardrops Fall
Never No More
If I Could Only Stay Asleep
Im Moving Along
Im Blue Again
Love Me, Love Me Honey Do
Yes I Understand
Gotta Lot Of Rhythm In My Soul
Lifes Railway To Heaven
Just A Closer Walk With Thee
Lovesick Blues
How Can I Face Tomorrow
There She Goes
Crazy Dreams

Album Description

Perhaps the greatest voice that ever graced a country record, Patsy Cline left her unique impression on the music world and inspired reverence in her millions of adoring fans. Her popularity has only grown over the years - new artists have covered the songs that she made famous and each year more music lovers of all genres are turned on by her incredible voice.

Presented here are the legendary Everest / Four Star recordings in their un-altered entirety finally available on a superbly remastered 2 CD set. These classic recordings will also be a big hit among the alt-country set as they are the rootsiest recordings Patsy ever made.

Classic country - pure Patsy.

Customer Reviews:

Every song from the first half of her career.......2006-10-19

Please note that this is a re-issue of a long-out-of print double CD (Crazy dreams - the Four Star years) with exactly the same track listing but different packaging.

Patsy's recording career lasted from 1956 to 1963 and was divided between two record labels - Four Star and Decca, the switch occurring in 1960. Most of her success came with Decca but this collection focuses on the Four Star recordings, for which this is the best ever released, containing every song she ever recorded for the label, superbly re-mastered. There are extensive liner notes including session details for these recordings, even including an outline of her career with Decca. The style of Patsy's music on Four Star was solidly traditional country with none of the strings that were used on her Decca recordings.

Patsy's only hit during her time with Four Star was Walking after midnight, a song that Patsy later re-recorded for Decca. Part of the reason for Patsy's limited success (and the main reason that she eventually left Four Star) was that she was only allowed to record songs for which the record label held the publishing copyright. Despite this limitation, there are many excellent songs here.

Apart from Walking after midnight, the most famous original song here is the classic ballad, Just out of reach, a song that has often been covered by country, pop and soul singers. Now, why wasn't Patsy's recording a hit? Among the other great songs here are Pick me up on your way down, A poor man's roses (later covered by Reba McEntire, a huge fan of Patsy's music), In care of the blues and Come on in.

Towards the end of Patsy's contract with Four Star, the label relented and she was able to record some other songs including covers of Lovesick blues, Life's railway to heaven and Just a closer walk with thee. It was too late. Patsy moved to Decca and suddenly became a major star by recording some of the best original songs available.

If you are new to Patsy's music, I recommend that you should first look for a collection of her Decca music including such classics as I fall to pieces, Crazy and She's got you. If you want to explore further, you will enjoy this.

20 Greats from the Golden Decade of Power Pop

Average customer rating:

Incomplete, narrowly-focused collection of '70s power pop

20 Greats from the Golden Decade of Power Pop
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Compilations | Rock | Styles | Music

Power Pop | Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Roots of Powerpop
Destination Bomp
Smashes Crashes and Near Misses
Everywhere at Once
Don't Push Me Around

ASIN: B000A0GP4U
Release Date: 2005-07-19

Tracks:

Go All the Way - Raspberries
In The Street (single version)- Big Star
What I Like About You - The Romantics
Couldnt I Just Tell You - Todd Rundgren
Shake Some Action - Flamin Groovies
Come Out And Play - The Paley Brothers
Better Take It Easy (single version)- The SpongeTones
Surrender - Cheap Trick
You Oughta Know - The Pop
Yellow Pills - 20/20
Stop! Wait A Minute - Pezband
She Say Yea - The Scruffs
Precious To Me - Phil Seymour
Rock and Roll Girl - The Beat
Its Too Late (UK single version)- The Searchers
Im On Fire- Dwight Twilley Band
Good Girls Dont -(single version)The Knack <
Too Late - Shoes
Let Go - Dirty Looks
Baby Blue - Badfinger (Live recording from the Agora Ballroom,

Album Description

Power Pop is a cross between the crunching hard rock of The Who and the sweet melodicism of The Beatles and The Beach Boys, with the ringing guitars of The Byrds thrown in for good measure. Power Pop bands filled a void left by The Beatles when they broke up in 1970. Throughout the early '70s, several bands, most notably Badfinger, Raspberries and Big Star, established the sound of Power Pop, with a whole array of like-minded bands emerging in the later part of the decade. Groups like Cheap Trick, The Knack, The Romantics, Dwight Twilley, Raspberries, and Badfinger had the biggest hits, but The Flamin' Groovies, Shoes, and 20/20 among others became Power Pop favorites.

This is the first comprehensive single disc overview of Power Pop ever assembled. It includes just about every major band of the genre and is filled with non-stop Power Pop classics.
Featured here are several tracks previously unavailable on CD, including the single version of The Knack's Top 10 hit "Good Girls Don't," the UK single version of the great 1979 Searchers track "It's Too Late," and "You Oughta Know" by The Pop.
Also included is the rare single version of Big Star's "In the Street," used as the raucous theme of That '70s Show as performed by Cheap Trick.

Customer Reviews:

Incomplete, narrowly-focused collection of '70s power pop.......2005-07-21

Any kind of "genre" collection is bound to disappoint, as this one does. But on the plus side, the single version of Big Star's "In the Street" is worth the price of this CD alone, it being a looser take than the LP version. It's great to have both Phil Seymour's and The Dwight Twilley Band's (featuring Phil Seymour) hits on the same CD. "It's Too Late" by The Searchers is an inspired choice, but many of the songs here lack enough appeal to want to hear them more than once. And then there's "What I Like About You" by The Romantics, which is overly familiar from way too many plays through the '80s to the present. For a power pop collection to really be comprehensive,
there should be other key artists represented, such as Stories ("Take Cover" or "Top of The City"), Canadian rocker Pagliaro ("Some Sing, Some Dance" or "Lovin' You Ain't Easy") and Crabby Appleton ("Go Back"). British popsters The Hollies ("Won't We Feel Good" or "Out on the Road"), The Marmalade ("Radancer"), and its spinoff Blue ("Little Jody") made some great recordings that easily fit into the "power pop" category as well. This collection seems a bit too Americanized whereas it should be more global. But 50% of this CD is essential stuff.

Average customer rating:

Only 2 Channel, and no In Your Eyes!
Fantastic SACD!!!!
Don't get ripped off!
No surround, no hybrid, poor quality SACD
A fabulous tree of classics on one CD!

Shaking the Tree: 16 Golden Greats
Peter Gabriel
Manufacturer: Interscope Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Us
Dark Side of the Moon 30th Anniversary Edition
So
Up
Texas Flood

ASIN: B000092Q8J
Release Date: 2003-04-29

Tracks:

Solsbury Hill
I Don't Remember
Sledgehammer
Family Snapshot
Mercy Street
Shaking the Tree
Don't Give Up
San Jacinto
Here Comes the Flood
Red Rain
Games Without Frontiers
Shock the Monkey
I Have the Touch
Big Time
Zaar
Biko

Customer Reviews:

Only 2 Channel, and no In Your Eyes!.......2006-06-11

A. How could PG release a greatest hits CD and not include his biggest hit??? 1 Answer comes to mind. Wants to make people have to buy this AND So.

B. How could you release this on SACD, and not remix it for 5.1 surround???

Poor.

Yes, what's on it is good, and the sound is pretty good. If you can get it cheap, buy it, if not, don't waste your money.

Fantastic SACD!!!!.......2006-06-05

This was never advertised as a multi-channel SACD and I am glad that they didn't try to reformat it. The definitive edition of Peter Gabriel's work is all on SACD now and are must-haves for any fan with an SACD player. What many people do not realize about SACD is that the sampling rate is 2.8 MILLION samples-per-second as opposed to a normal CD which is only 44.1 THOUSAND sps. It is as close to an analog stream that you can get.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. If you don't have a good ear for audio and a good stereo system to listen to high-definition audio on then obviously you will not hear the difference. But for Audiophiles? A dream come true.
Don Kelly and Bill Bennett have tin ears and have NO idea what they are talking about.

Don't get ripped off!.......2004-07-20

This is just a re-hash of the stereo CD, it's not "re-mastered" for multi-channel playback. You'd be much happier with Pink Floyd's 30th Anniversary Edition of the album "Dark SIde Of The Moon" or the Eagles "Hotel California" or Elton John's "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"; these artists took the time and spent the money to do SACD right. Peter Gabriel is just trying to suck more money out of your pocket without any value added in return. Sure it's a slightly better recording than the original CD but certainly not worth buying again.

No surround, no hybrid, poor quality SACD.......2004-07-11

Plays only on sacd players, does not have the 5.1 or 6.1 sound most SACDs have, and if you check around on the internet - the sound is not much better than a regular cd. Funny since 3 (aka Melt), 4 (aka Security) and So sound fine.

Great material - but don't bother. Get the individual albums (except the first two which also sound poor in SACD format).

I guess that is what you get if you come out with the new technology before most other people - it is imperfect at first. A for effort, though.

A fabulous tree of classics on one CD!.......2004-03-29

Although his solo career had been going for only 13 years and five albums at this point, Peter Gabriel put out so many rich and noteworthy songs at this point that it was a worthy idea of putting together a compilation of selected tracks from all but two (PG 2 and Birdy) of his albums from 1977's "Rainy Windshield" album through his 1989 ground shattering soundtrack "Passion: Music For The Last Temptation Of Christ". This collection compiles 15 tracks from his first 13 years of his solo career and a previously unreleased song and crams all of them onto 77 and a half minutes of not only entertaining but also thought-provoking and colorful music unrivalled by most peers. Unlike what most likely most other reviewers may be aware, I wouldn't call this a "best of" nor even a "Greatest Hits" collection even though most of his most popular songs are on here. In fact, I think it was wise not to call it either of these titles and instead call it "16 Golden Greats" which all of the songs are indeed.

There are plenty of reasons to buy this collection even if you already own most of his regular studio albums. This isn't necessarily a cash-in album because not all of the songs are necessarily sound like their album counterparts. Some may be a bit surprised at the dramatically altered version of "I Have the Touch" that is on this CD. The "Hit" album released in 2003 may have replaced this album in many ways but this CD is worth having for the title track "Shaking the Tree". The title track is a really beautiful, uplifting anthem that finds Gabriel moving further into African rhythms and haunting Pygmy voices. I really love this track a lot and justifies getting this album. This song perfectly merges right into the beauty and hopeful heartbreak anthem that is "Don't Give Up".

My favorite of the altered tracks is a beautiful and haunting rendition of "Here Comes The Flood". The original version on his 1977 debut album is a really excellent and powerful rock anthem with an awesome 1970s classic rock tinge to it but also some gospel elements too. This 1990 rendition finds Gabriel right down in front of the piano and microphone and the result is a beautiful and haunting version of an already excellent song. It's really amazing to hear this song in a totally different light but maintaining all of the spirit of the original version. This is a highlight track on this collection. The mellow beauty of HCTF melts away into the coming thunderstorm of a classic that is entitled "Red Rain".

"Red Rain" to me is the single that deserved being on this collection the most of all. This song is just amazing beyond anything that Peter Gabriel has ever done before, or even since then and to me, it is one of the most innovative popular songs that have ever been written. It is a massive rainstorm of washing synthesizers, a highly intense and passionate melody and extraordinary vocals. "Red Rain" may have been categorized under the popular music category but let me tell you, this song is commercial pop music at its absolute best. Who would've guessed that popular music could actually reach such enormous depth of beauty, emotion, drama on such a scale as this song. To me, this song evokes images of a severe thunderstorm especially towards the latter half of the song and the lyrics are just incredible! To me, this is Gabriel's best song of his entire career. Just for an extra note, I actually really dislike that they reversed the order of "Here Comes The Flood" and "Red Raid" on his most recent "Hit" compilation so that HCTF comes after RR and I find it rather jarring in my opinion. That's why I like STT a little more than "Hit".

Many have complained about the questionable omission of the song "In Your Eyes" from this album. I personally can't deny that even I am slightly baffled at the omission of this song but like another reviewer somewhere said, this was a very personal song for him around the time of writing and recording it and that the marriage that inspired this song eventually disintegrated shortly after therefore he had two choices between "Mercy Street" and "In Your Eyes" and he chose the former for this collection. Perhaps another reason he didn't put this song on this collection was to keep "So" from going out of print because of all of it's singles winding up on here. Even without "In Your Eyes" on here, "Shaking The Tree" for what it is, already eclipses more than half of his 1986 masterpiece "So" so I am now content with this album for what it is and I now understand why he omitted the song from here.

This album is a bit jumpy at times and the styles of sounds that are on this album sometimes end up clashing with each other such as when "Solsbury Hill" going right into "I Don't Remember". The version of this track has those infamous guitar riff ending echoing away and instead of fading away into the night, the guitars get louder and louder until it suddenly cuts off into the humor of "Sledgehammer". It's a bit jarring in my opinion. I like the original versions of both tracks but these single versions are good too. The problems with the vastly different styles of this album though are complemented with the closing track "Biko". This is a very disturbing but thought-provoking track that is a tribute to the assassinated South African Civil Rights leader Stephen Biko. The song is very bleak in nature with oddly distorted buzzing guitar riffs and African drums to convey the darkness of that terrible time in history. It was a very smart move to put this track on the last slot because to be honest, I can never imagine "Biko" not being the closing track to any album, regular or compilation album.