The Essential Cheap Trick [Original recording remastered]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
From the time of their full-throttled 1977 debut (whose shredded, punky demeanor often foreshadowed grunge rock by nearly a decade-and-a-half), Cheap Trick has arguably been one of most resilient and influential (Billy Corgan and Steve Albini have variously sung their praises one side side of the generation gap, John Lennon and Jeff Beck on the other), if critically underappreciated bands of the last three decades. While the Budokan-mania and "Yardbirds play Abba" (in bassist Tom Petersson's estimation) pop of "I Want You to Want Me" will be instantly familiar thanks to their classic rock warhorse status, those unfamiliar with the band's true range and enduring live power (paid ample tribute by stage versions of "Gonna Raise Hell" and a Billy Corgan-guesting "Mandocello" from '98, and the dramatic "Hard to Tell" from their 25th anniversary live show of '99) will find this collection a revelation. Spanning the decidedly mixed blessing of their sole #1 hit "The Flame" and the latter day indie-label exile that's nonetheless produced two of their strongest collections (Cheap Trick and Special One) and featuring a salting of rarities (including the long version of "If You Want My Love" and an outtake of "Walk Away" featuring more upfront vocals by guest Chrissie Hynde), this is the best single introduction to a rock band that defiantly remains one of America's greatest. --Jerry McCulley

Tracks:

ELO Kiddies (Single Version)
Hot Love
He's A Whore
Mandocello (Live)
Clock Strikes Ten
Southern Girls (Single Version)
Downed
Hello There
Surrender
California Man
High Roller
Auf Wiedersehen
I Want You To Want Me (Live)
Ain't That A Shame (Live)
Takin' Me Back
Dream Police
Voices
Gonna Raise Hell (Live)

Tracks:

Way Of The World
Stop This Game
World's Greatest Lover
Everything Works If You Let It (Full Version)
She's Tight
If You Want My Love (Alternate, Extra Bridge Version)
I Can't Take It
Tonight It's You
This Time Around
The Flame
Had To Make You Mine
I Can't Understand It
Can't Stop Falling In Love
Walk Away
Woke Up With A Monster
Hard To Tell (Live)
Say Goodbye
Scent Of A Woman

Amazon.com

From the time of their full-throttled 1977 debut (whose shredded, punky demeanor often foreshadowed grunge rock by nearly a decade-and-a-half), Cheap Trick has arguably been one of most resilient and influential (Billy Corgan and Steve Albini have variously sung their praises one side side of the generation gap, John Lennon and Jeff Beck on the other), if critically underappreciated bands of the last three decades. While the Budokan-mania and "Yardbirds play Abba" (in bassist Tom Petersson's estimation) pop of "I Want You to Want Me" will be instantly familiar thanks to their classic rock warhorse status, those unfamiliar with the band's true range and enduring live power (paid ample tribute by stage versions of "Gonna Raise Hell" and a Billy Corgan-guesting "Mandocello" from '98, and the dramatic "Hard to Tell" from their 25th anniversary live show of '99) will find this collection a revelation. Spanning the decidedly mixed blessing of their sole #1 hit "The Flame" and the latter day indie-label exile that's nonetheless produced two of their strongest collections (Cheap Trick and Special One) and featuring a salting of rarities (including the long version of "If You Want My Love" and an outtake of "Walk Away" featuring more upfront vocals by guest Chrissie Hynde), this is the best single introduction to a rock band that defiantly remains one of America's greatest. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

the essentials, and then some.......2005-02-21

The Essential Cheap Trick is a fine compilation with both the classics ("Surrender," "I Want You To Want Me," "The Flame" etc...) and a lot of really great songs that aren't as widely played in the mainstream and have been somewhat forgotten (of these I recommend "Tonight It's You" and "This Time Around," which is a really beautiful song.) This album covers a period of almost thirty years in the history of one of rock's best kept secrets. It is refreshing and a real treat, and I highly recommend it for both the old fans and the newly curious alike.

Exellent!!!.......2004-11-21

This album gives you the best of both worlds. It gives you the famous/most played favorites (Surrender and I Want You to Want Me [Live]), but also gives you a wonderful combination of other songs that are less played at concerts and other venues (Auf Wiedersehen and ELO Kiddies [Singles Version]).These tracks are interspersed between the other tracks . But then, there are those "rockin' middle ones" (Hello There and ELO Kiddies [Singles Version]). This clean cut system adds up to one rockin' album!

Almost essential........2004-10-09

Sony came close to compiling the best of Cheap Trick, but they included some songs I'd have left off and omitted some tracks I'd have included. So, if you're like me, and you have most everything from Cheap Trick, my suggested compilation would be the following.

Disc One:

1. ELO Kiddies
2. Oh, Candy
3. Hot Love
4. He's A Whore
5. Mandocello
6. Hello There
7. Downed
8. Oh Caroline
9. Southern Girls
10. Come On, Come On
11. Surrender
12. On Top Of The World
13. How Are You?
14. Dream Police
15. Voices
16. I Know What I Want
17. I Want You To Want Me (Live)
18. Ain't That A Shame (Live)
19. Stop This Game

Disc Two:

1. If You Want My Love
2. She's Tight
3. Up The Creek
4. Y.O.Y.O.Y.
5. Tonight It's You
6. Mighty Wings
7. The Flame
8. Don't Be Cruel
9. Ghost Town
10. Back 'N' Blue
11. Can't Stop Fallin' Into Love
12. My Gang
13. Ride The Pony
14. Shelter
15. Baby No More
16. Wrong All Along
17. It All Comes Back To You
18. Scent Of A Woman
19. If I Could

I believe this track line-up to be more satisfying, and more varied that what the record company chose. Of course, you'll have to make up your own mind before purchasing this collection.

Great set........2004-07-16

I have two Cheap Trick LPs, but I didn't have any Cheap Trick CDs until today. This is a really good collection, BUT there are a few cuts missing, like "Up The Creek", "Mighty Wings", which is from the "Top Gun" soundtrack, and their cover of "Don't Be Cruel". They also should've added "Lookin' out for Number One", because even though I have only heard that one a few times, I remember liking it. Still, I recommend this collection though. I didn't listen to the last three songs on Disc 1, and also on Disc 1, I didn't listen to the whole thing of Track 15, but I DID listen to every track on Disc 2. I recommend this album, it's a great collection. Next I gotta get their "One On One" album.

Not really that "Cheap"........2004-03-30

Though not perfect as always, it is roughly 36 of their best tracks. Most casual fans might be happy with the single disc "Authorized Greatest Hits", but if you need more, here it is. All the "Cheap Trick" you know, and then some. Included are the hits "Dream Police", "Surrender", "The Flame", and a live "I Want You To Want Me", among many others. With so many songs here, I don't know why only one is from the "Lap Of Luxury" album. Where is "Ghost Town" or "Don't Be Cruel"? Also no "That 70's Song". Otherwise this is pretty sweet. It's definitely their most essential 2-disc collection.

Average customer rating:

Essential Rock
Stevie Ray Vaughn , Bob Dylan , Santana , Cheap Trick , The Clash , Electric Light Orchestra , Cyndi Lauper , Ozzy Osbourne , The Byrds , and Men At Work
Manufacturer: Legacy
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000R0ECEI

Product Description

TRACK LISTING: [1]. Pride And Joy - Stevie Ray Vaughn & Double Trouble [2]. Girls Just Want To Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper [3]. Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is A Season) [Mono] - The Byrds [4]. Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan [5]. Oye Como Va - Santana [6]. I Want You To Want Me (Live) - Cheap Trick [7]. Turn To Stone - Electric Light Orchestra [8]. Crazy Train - Ozzy Osbourne [9]. London Calling - The Clash [10]. Down Under - Men At Work

Average customer rating:

Essential Rock
Various Artists , Stevie Ray Vaughan , Cyndi Lauper , The Byrds , Bob Dylan , Santana , Cheap Trick , Electric Light Orchestra , Ozzy Osbourne , and The Clash
Manufacturer: Columbia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000JQY1HS

Product Description

Stevie Ray Vaughan "Pride & Joy", Cyndi Lauper "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun", The Byrds "Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There is a Season) (Mono)", Bob Dylan "Like a Rolling Stone", Santana "Oye Como Va", Cheap Trick "Surrender (Live)", Electric Light Orchestra "Turn to Stone", Ozzy Osbourne "Crazy Train", The Clash "London Calling", Men at Work "Down Under"

Average customer rating:

Essential
Cheap Trick
Manufacturer: Sony Japan
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Power Pop | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Arena Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00024ZAV8
Release Date: 2004-08-02

Tracks:

ELO Kiddies
Hot Love
He's a Whore
Mandocello
Clock Strikes Ten
Southern Girls
Downed
Hello There
Surrender
California Man
High Roller
Auf Wiedersehen
I Want You to Want Me
Ain't That a Shame
Takin' Me Back
Dream Police
Voices
Gonna Raise Hell
Don't Be Cruel
Way of the World
Stop This Game
World's Greatest Lover
Everything Works If You Let It
She's Tight
If You Want My Love
I Can't Take It
Tonight It's You
This Time Around
Flame
Had to Make You Mine
I Can't Understand It
Can't Stop Falling into Love
Walk Away
Woke Up with a Monster
Hard to Tell
Say Goodbye
Scent of a Woman
Magical Mystery Tour

Album Description

Japanese pressing of 2004 compilation includes two exclusive bonus tracks, 'Don't Be Cruel' & 'Magical Mystery Tour'. CBS.

Album Details

Japanese Version of the Double CD Collection featuring a Bonus Track

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