The Vogues - Greatest Hits

Track Listing

1. You're the One

2. Five O'Clock World

3. Magic Town

4. Land of Milk and Honey

5. True Lovers

6. Just the Way You Are

7. Please, Mr. Sun

8. Lovers of the World Unite

9. Just What I've Been Looking For

10. Turn Around, Look at Me

11. My Special Angel

12. Till

13. Woman Helping Man

14. No, Not Much

15. Earth Angel

16. Moments to Remember

17. Green Fields

18. Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye

My Thoughts : The Vogue, formed in 1965, reknown hits for "You're The One" and "Five O'Clock World", "Turn Around, Look At Me", however, their hits are not always featured in those sixties compilations as often as The Turtles, The Lovin' Spoonful, the Mamas and Papas, The Hollies etc. So, purchase this album is a way to showcase thier vocals. And to my surprise!! Beside "You're The One" and "Five O'Clock World", other songs in this album is more than satisfactory. If one preferred a tamer music with the likes of The Brothers Four, The Everly Brothers, The Associations, Gary Puckett & The Union Gapp, Jay & The Americans, then The Vogue will not be a let down. Their sound are rich in mellow and harmony.

As with any Rhino collection, they did a good job selecting the songs even with the second tier hits like "Magic Town", "Land of Milk and Honey" "Woman Helping Man" and the emotional "Please, Mr Sun". Also feature some remake classics like "My Special Angel", "'Til", "Earth Angel" and "Moments to Remember." Overall, this collection is a gem far from the standard rock and pop.

Billy Joel - The Stranger: 30th Anniversary

Track Listing

Disc: 1

1. Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)

2. Stranger

3. Just the Way You Are

4. Scenes from an Italian Restaurant

5. Vienna

6. Only the Good Die Young

7. Always a Woman

8. Get It Right the First Time

9. Everybody Has a Dream [Stranger Reprise]

Disc: 2

1. Miami 2017 [Live]

2. Angry Young Man [Live]

3. New York State of Mind [Live]

4. Just the Way You Are [Live]

5. She's Got a Way [Live]

6. Entertainer [Live]

7. Scenes from an Italian Restaurant [Live]

8. Band Intros [Live]

9. Captain Jack [Live]

10. I've Loved These Days [Live]

11. Say Goodbye to Hollywood [Live]

12. Souvenir [Live]

Disc: 3

1. Stranger [DVD]

2. Just the Way You Are [DVD]

3. Intro [DVD][Live]

4. Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go out on Broadway) [DVD][Live]

5. Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) [DVD][Live]

6. New York State of Mind [DVD][Live]

7. Entertainer [DVD][Live] 8. She's Always a Woman [DVD][Live]

9. Root Beer Rag [DVD][Live]

10. Just the Way You Are [DVD][Live]

My Thoughts : This new boxed set is released to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Billy Joel's breakthrough album "The Stranger". The album, originally released in 1977, made Billy Joel a household name. The first disc is the original album, the second disc is a live recording from his sold out Carniege Hall shows in June of '77. As for the DVD sets, it includes two live promotional videos for "The Stranger" and "Just The Way You Are", a half hour documentary about the making of the album with interviews. Also on the DVD is an additional one hour concert from England.

Overall, as a hard core fan of Billy Joel, this set would be a collectable items. But, it would be repetitive as most of the true fan must have own "The Stranger" remastered edition and some of his other catalogs. So the re-release of this album in an extravagant boxed set is just a money grabber.

Billy Joel - Greatest Hits Vol. 3

Track Listing

1. Keeping The Faith

2. An Innocent Man

3. A Matter Of Trust

4. Baby Grand (duet w/Ray Charles)

5. This Is The Time

6. Leningrad

7. We Didn't Start The Fire

8. I Go To Extremes

9. And So It Goes

10. The Downeaster "Alexa" (Album Version)

11. Shameless

12. All About Soul (Remix)

13. Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)

14. The River Of Dreams

15. To Make You Feel My Love

16. Hey Girl

17. Light As The Breeze

My Thougts : As a continuation from the previous release of "Billy Joel Greatest Hits: Vol. 1-2", this is the 3rd Billy Joel greatest hits album for his career after 1985. Major hits like "The River of Dreams", "We Didn't Start The Fire", "An Innocent Man", "Leningrad", "I Go To Extremes". But I couldn't figured as a greatest hits album, why is "shameless" being selected??

Billy Joel Greatest Hits: Vol. 1-2 (2CD)

Track Listing

Disc: 1
1. Piano Man
2. Captain Jack
3. Entertainer
4. Say Goodbye to Hollywood
5. New York State of Mind
6. Stranger
7. Scenes from an Italian Restaurant
8. Just the Way You Are
9. Movin' out (Anthony's Song)
10. Only the Good Die Young

Disc: 2
1. My Life
2. Big Shot
3. You May Be Right
4. It's Still Rock & Roll to Me
5. Don't Ask Me Why
6. She's Got a Way
7. Pressure
8. Allentown
9. Goodnight Saigon
10. Tell Her About It
11. Uptown Girl
12. Longest Time
13. You're Only Human (Second Wind)
14. Night Is Still Young

My Thoughts : I bought this album over more than decade ago at times when I just started my CD collections. "Billy Joel's Greatest Hits Vol. 1-2" contains all the best songs from his peak years of 1974-1985. All the hits are included in this album, you don't have look further as this is by far the best selections of his songs. But if one is looking for hits after 1985, should go for "Billy Joel - Greatest Hits Vol. 3" release in 1997. Billy Joel is the crooners of the 70's, he is better as a single artist than he is at recording album. All the songs he sings are well-crafted soft rocks ballad. Massive hits like "Just The Way You Are", "Uptown Girl", "Longest Time", "Piano Man", "New York State of Mind", "My Life" are all radio staples and timeless classics. Joel was certainly as complete an artist as the last three decades have produced. Definately you will feel rewarding having this album. RECOMMENDED!!!

Marvin Gaye - Greatest Duets: A Love Songs Collection

Track Listing



1. Distant Lover (featuring Betty Wright)
2. If This World Were Mine (featuring Tammi Terrell)
3. Your Precious Love (featuring Tammi Terrell)
4. Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing (featuring Tammi Terrell)
5. You're All I Need To Get By (featuring Tammi Terrell)
6. Keep On Lovin' Me Honey (featuring Tammi Terrell)
7. Once Upon A Time - (featuring Mary Wells)
8. What's The Matter With You Baby - (featuring Mary Wells)
9. After The Lights Go Down Low - (featuring Mary Wells)
10. So Good To Be Loved By You - (featuring Oma Page)
11. It Takes Two - (featuring Kim Weston)
12. It's Got To Be A Miracle (This Thing Called Love) (featuring Kim Weston)
13. I Want You 'Round - (featuring Kim Weston)
14. Pledging My Love - (featuring Diana Ross)


My Thoughts : One of the specialty of Marvin Gaye is his many duets classics ranging from his signature duet partners Tammi Terrell, follow by Diana Ross, Mary Wells, Kim Weston and Oma Page. His voice blended so well with each female artist and that compliment Gaye's voice even further. Noteworthy mention is Gaye duets with Tammi Terrell, their voices are just so pure, sincere blending like doves. With the bona fide hit, "Ain't no Mountain High Enough" from their first duet album of "United", the studio - Motown followed by 2 more duet albums "You're All I Need" and "Easy" featuring the hits "Ain't Nothing like a Real Thing" and"You're All I Need to Get By".


Kim Weston paired with Marvin to record "It Takes Two." This upbeat, joyous duet is one of Motown's finest moments. The powerful voice of Mary Wells (signature hit "My Guy") is a great counterpoint to Marvin's smooth power. "Once Upon A Time," recorded in 1964, is an interesting song with a cha-cha beat.


Overall, this album seems to be incomplete as the album miss out the signature duets "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", and the album should display more duets with Diana Ross as both are reaching the peak success in their career. So having their duets will pay more tribute to the late Marvin Gaye and the legendary Diana Ross.

The Very Best of The Doors

Track Listing

1. Break on Through (To the Other Side)

2. Light My Fire

3. People Are Strange

4. Riders on the Storm

5. L.A. Woman

6. Love Her Madly

7. Back Door Man

8. Touch Me

9. Hello, I Love You

10. Love Me Two Times

11. Twentieth Century Fox

12. The Crystal Ship

13. WASP (Texas Radio and the Big Beat)

14. Peace Frog

15. End

16. Roadhouse Blues [Live]

My Thoughts : I'm not a big fan of The Doors. In fact, I'm the casual fan who hopes to collect greatest hits album of every reknown group in the 60's and 70's. So, for a single disc collections of the Doors is enough for me. But if i find that i'm getting fond of the group, then only i' ll spend further.

Release in 2001, this album is a re issue of the previous double disker in 1985 with abstracted hits. Of course, only the best are presented in this album. Big Hits like "Break on Through", "Light my Fire", "Rider of The Storm", "Touch Me", and "Hello I Love You".

Overall, if one is a casual fan of The Doors or try to know the group. Then "The Very Best of The Doors" is certainly a great package as all the songs are digitally remastered with 16 tracks and it doesn't cost as much as the double disk.

For any hard core fan, the double disk "The Best of the Doors " should not be miss or with the recent release of "The Very Best of The Doors" by Rhino/Wea will also be a good choice as the there's total of 34 tracks compare to 19 tracks in "The Best of The Doors"

Track Listing

CD 1

1. Break on Through (To the Other Side)

2. Light My Fire

3. The Crystal

4. People Are Strange

5. Strange Days

6. Love Me Two Times

7. Alabama Song (Whiskey Bar)

8. Five to One

9. Waiting for the Sun

10.Spanish Caravan

11. When the Music's Over

CD 2
1. Hello, I Love You

2. Roadhouse Blues

3. L.A. Woman

4. Riders on the Storm

5. Touch Me

6. Love Her Madly

7. The Unknown Soldier

8. The End

The Very Best of the Doors (Release in 2007 by Rhino/Wea)

Disc: 1

1. Break on Through (To the Other Side)

2. Strange Days

3. Alabama Song (Whisky Bar)

4. Love Me Two Times

5. Light My Fire

6. Spanish Caravan

7. Crystal Ship

8. Unknown Soldier

9. End

10. People Are Strange

11. Back Door Man

12. Moonlight Drive

13. End of the Night

14. Five to One

15. When the Music's Over

Disc: 2

1. Twentieth Century Fox

2. Love Her Madly

3. Riders on the Storm

4. My Eyes Have Seen You

5. Tell All the People

6. Hello, I Love You

7. Wasp (Texas Radio and the Big Beat)

8. Not to Touch the Earth

9. Soul Kitchen

10. Peace Frog

11. L.A. Woman

12. Waiting for the Sun

13. Touch Me

14. Changeling

15. Wishful Sinful

16. Love Street

17. Ghost Song

18. Gloria

19. Roadhouse Blues

The Lovin' Spoonful - Anthology

Track Listing

1. Good Time Music
2. Do You Believe in Magic?
3. You Didn't Have to Be So Nice
4. Did You Ever Have to Make up Your Mind?
5. You Baby
6. Younger Girl
7. Fishin' Blues
8. Daydream
9. Jug Band Music
10. Didn't Want to Have to Do It
11. Summer in the City
12. Pow!
13. Rain on the Roof
14. Nashville Cats
15. Full Measure
16. Lovin' You
17. Coconut Grove
18. Darling Be Home Soon
19. You're a Big Boy Now
20. Lonely (Amy's Theme)
21. Six O'Clock
22. She Is Still a Mystery
23. Money
24. Younger Generation
25. Never Going Back
26. Me About You

My Thoughts : Carry on with Rhino's great selection, this anthology should not be miss if one is a collectors of classic pop. The Lovin' Spoonful embodied a bright, folk-oriented pop sound, however, their body of works is often underrated. One listen of their songs will find that the tunes are mellow and easy with harmonies. The group formed in 1964, but disbanded in 1968. Within the spans of 4 years. Their tracks have ranged from easy to folk to rock pop.

This album has showcase their vocal and songwriting ability, particularly by John Sebastian. All their masterpieces are here includes, "Do You Believe in Magic," "Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind," "Daydream, "Summer in the City," along with some lesser know hits like "Nashville Cats", "Darling Be Home Soon" and "Jug Band Music"

The Best of Little Anthony & the Imperials

Track Listing

1. It's Not For Me
2. Take Me Back
3. Hurt So Bad
4. Goin' Out Of My Head
5. I'm On The Outside (Looking In)
6. Please Say You Want Me
7. I'm Taking A Vacation From Love
8. My Empty Room
9. Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko-Bop
10. A Prayer And Juke Box
11. Wishful Thinking
12. So Much
13. Two People In The World
14. Tears On My Pillow
15. Traveling Stranger
16. I'm Alright
17. The Diary
18. I Miss You So

My Thoughts : First and foremost, Congrats to The Little Anthony and The Imperials, the group has finally be inducted to the Rock "n" Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. Emerge from the 50's as the Doo Wop, and become soul in 60's, not many Doo Wop groups can sustain the longevity like Little Anthony and The Imperials especially during the era of many one hits wonders. Their first major hits "Tears on My Pillow" reaching no. 2 on the R&B Charts and no. 4 on the pop chart in 1958. Follow by that, the group had their failures and by 1960, they rebouded back with “Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko Bop"that stirs the nation dance craz.

Into the 60's, they had hits “Goin’ Out of My Head”, “Hurt So Bad", "I'm On The Outside (Looking In)" and "Take Me Back". Little Anthony vocal prowess has definately brought the success to the group.

If one is a Doo Wop fan or soulful music, with the same league like The Platters, The Drifters, The Flamingos, The Imposters, etc. then this collection is a great choice.

Tommy James & The Shondells - Anthology

Track Listing

1. Hanky Panky

2. Say I Am (What I Am)

3. It's Only Love

4. I Think We're Alone Now

5. (Baby, Baby) I Can't Take It No More

6. Mirage

7. I Like The Way

8. Run, Run, Baby, Run

9. Gettin' Together

10. Real Girl

11. Love's Closin' In On Me

12. Out Of The Blue

13. Get Out Now

14. (I'm) Taken

15. One Two Three And I Fell

16. Mony Mony

17. Somebody Cares

18. Do Something To Me

19. Crimson And Clover

20. Sugar On Sunday

21. Crystal Blue Persuasion

22. Sweet Cherry Wine

23. Loved One

24. Ball Of Fire

25. She

26. Gotta Get Back To You

27. Draggin' The Line

My Thoughts : Follow by the The Turtles - Greatest Hits introduction, I will continue with Tommy James & The Shondells - Anthology as they are belong in the same league - pop rocks. And co-incidentally, both albums are release by Rhino/Wea. Rhino did a great job of compiling their discography and make a good selections, thereby sincerely presenting their songs in a chronological way and with each songs selected with a good reasons, giving the listeners a more than satisfactory reward by listening to thier albums.

Tommy James and the Shondells put out a string of infectious hits during the second half of the Sixties that are mainstays of classic rock radio stations around the country. And for good reason--these are terrific pop songs! All the big hits are included here, "Crystal Blue Persuasion", "Crimson and Clover", "I Think We're Alone Now", "Mony Mony" , "Hanky Panky", "Mirage"

Of course, sleepers hits are included like "Do Something To Me", "Out Of The Blue", "Say I Am" and "Cellophane Symphony".

Also worth mentions, "Draggin The Line" a major solo hits by Tommy James is also included. Overall, if you like Turtles, The Lovin Spoonful, The Buckinghams, The Hollies, then this Anthology is not to be miss.

The Turtles - 20 Greatest Hits

Track Listing

1. It Ain't Me Babe

2. Let Me Be

3. Eve of Destruction

4. You Baby

5. Grim Reaper of Love

6. Can I Get to Know You Better

7. Outside Chance

8. Happy Together

9. She'd Rather Be With Me

10. Me About You

11. Guide for the Married Man

12. She's My Girl

13. You Know What I Mean

14. Sound Asleep

15. Elenore

16. You Showed Me

17. Story of Rock & Roll

18. You Don't Have to Walk in the Rain

19. Love in the City

20. Lady-O

My Thoughts : If one is thinking of making a collections of 60's pop, "The Turtles - 20 Greatest Hits" is worth the collection. The Turtles may not be in the same league as the Beach boys or The Beatles or Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, but their genre soon found their own niche in the 60's market, that is Folk Rock, also highly influenced by the British Group like Gerry and The Pacemakers, The Zombies during the wave of the British Invasions.

This album contain 20 tracks displaying chronologically of thier hits from folk-rock version of Dylan's "It Ain't Me Babe." Then follow by "Let Me Be" continued in the same league. They recorded thier own rendition of "Eve of Destructions" which is less than perfect compare to the original version done by Barry Mcguire.

The next songs, "You Baby", the groups has dropped their folk rock style and went for pop-rock. There, follow by their signature anthem "Happy Together" The rest of the hits are here as well: "She'd Rather Be with Me," "You Know What I Mean," "She's My Girl" and "Elenore."

The album also display some of their failed hits like "Grim Reaper of Love", "Can I Get To Know You", "You Baby", but its still worth listening. If one is looking at the album, most will know about 6 to 8 songs which for me is good enough to purchase the greatest hits album.

Yesterday Once More: Greatest Hits 1969-1983

Track Listing

Disc 1

1. Yesterday Once More

2. Superstar

3. Rainy Days And Mondays

4. (Want You) Back In My Life Again

5. Ticket To Ride

6. Goodbye To Love

7. Bless The Beasts And Children

8. It's Going To Take Some Time

9. There's A Kind Of Hush

10. Sweet, Sweet Smile

11. I Won't Last A Day Without You

12. For All We Know

13. Touch Me When We're Dancing
14. Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft (The Recognized Anthem Of World Contact Day)

Disc 2

1. I Just Fall In Love Again

2. This Masquerade

3. Hurting Each Other

4. Please Mr. Postman

5. I Need To Be In Love

6. Make Believe It's Your First Time

7. All You Get From Love Is A Love Song

8. Top Of The World

9. Because We Are In Love (The Wedding Song)

10. We've Only Just Begun

11. Those Good Old Dreams

12. Sing

13. Only Yesterday

14. (They Long To Be) Close To You

My Thoughts : First and foremost, Karen Carpenter possesd a rare vocal ability that none other superstar has, that is - her angelica voice, so pure with open, honest emotion and an ever constant tinge of melancholy/sadness. Secondly, Richard Carpenter wonderful arrangment and composition brings out the best of the duo.

Back in the late 60's, the sister and brother group known as The Carpenters were one of the seventies best loved groups. Their first hit "Ticket To Ride" (a Beatles hit), released in 1969 did moderately well for their label A&M, but it wasn't until 1970 that the song "(They Long To Be) Close To You" shot straight up the charts to number one followed a few months later with another hit "We've Only Just Begun". The following year produced yet more hits for The Carpenters with "Superstar", "Rainy Days And Mondays" and "For All We Know", establishing The Carpenters as one of the most popular groups of the early seventies. Throughout the decade the hits continued and The Carpenters had accumulated 10 gold singles and 11 gold albums in the United States.

For any Carpenters fan, this is a wonderful addition to the collection. Using 27 songs, one gets all of the best Carpenters material. While it is called a Greatest Hits collection, my concern is that so many of the lesser known tracks make the cut. Namely "Back in My Life Again" and "Those Good Old Dreams" were not substantial hits, however, its still a good showcase of her work . Notably missing is the Carpenters' version of "Solitaire" and "A Song For You".

Most of the Carpenters hits release only contain 1 cd which i think do not do the justice like "The Single 1969 - 1981" release in year 2000 which merely contain only 21 songs. But with the release of "Carpenters Gold: 35th Anniversary Edition" in year 2005, notably these double disc certainly has surpasses other previous double-disker, including the formerly just mention in this column "Yesterday Once More : Greatest Hits 1969-1983" .

Carpenters Gold: 35th Anniversary Edition is by far the strongest Carpenters collection available. The album cuts are well chosen, with such old favorites as "Let Me Be The One", "A Song For You" and "Jambalaya". Also previously not release in greatest hits "Mr Guder", "Karen's Theme", "Maybe Its You" and "California Dreamin"

DISC 1

1. Superstar

2. Rainy Days And Mondays

3. Top Of The World

4. Maybe It's You

5. Let Me Be The One

6. Reason To Believe

7. Jambalaya (On The Bayou)

8. Leave Yesterday Behind

9. Your Baby Doesn't Love You Anymore

10. Bless The Beasts And Children

11. It's Going To Take Some Time

12. Rainbow Connection

13. Only Yesterday

14. Sweet, Sweet Smile

15. There's A Kind Of Hush

16. California Dreamin'

17. Solitaire

18. We've Only Just Begun

19. This Masquerade

20. Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft

DISC 2

1. Yesterday Once More

2. Please Mr. Postman

3. Hurting Each Other

4. I Need To Be In Love

5. Merry Christmas, Darling

6. Close To You (They Long To Be)

7. All You Get From Love Is A Love Song

8. Sing

9. Make Believe It's Your First Time

10. Ticket To Ride

11. Goodbye To Love

12. I Just Fall In Love Again

13. I Believe You

14. Tryin' To Get The Feeling Again

15. For All We Know

16. Touch Me When We're Dancing

17. I Won't Last A Day Without You

18. Mr. Guder

19. Song For You, A

20. Karen's Theme (original)

Aretha Franklin - 3O Greatest Hits [Best Of]

Track Listing

1. I Never Loved A Man [The Way I Love You]
2. Respect

3. Do Right Woman - Do Right Man

4. Dr. Feelgood [Love Is A Serious Business]

5. Save Me

6. Baby, I Love You

7. [You Make Me Feel Like] A Natural Woman

8. Chain Of Fools

9. Since You've Been Gone [Sweet Sweet Baby]

10. Ain't No Way

11. Think

12. I Say A Little Prayer

13. The House That Jack Built

14. See Saw

15. The Weight

16. Share Your Love With Me

17. Eleanor Rigby

18. Call Me

19. Spirit In The Dark

20. Don't Play That Song

21. You're All I Need To Get By

22. Bridge Over Troubled Water

23. Spanish Harlem

24. Rock Steady

25. Oh Me Oh My [I'm A Fool For You Baby]

26. Day Dreaming

27. Wholy Holy

28. Angel

29. Until You Come Back To Me [That's What I'm Gonna Do]

30. I'm In Love

My Thoughts : This is by far the most definative collection of Aretha Franklin. Recorded for Atlantic Records between 1967 and 1974. It carries all her best work. First released in 1985, this album still in print today. This Queen of Soul has certainly live up to its name as every songs she sings comes from her heart. Be it heart wrenching, sorrow, or upbeat, The Queen of Soul has given all to you.

With the release of the Box sets in 1992 called "Queen of Soul : Atlantic Recording, Aretha Franklin"which carries 4 CD with 88 tracks ride with great packaging and 80 + pages booklet, I would still prefer this 2 CD collection with 30 tracks. Of course, leave the Box Sets to the die hard fan as the sets carries all her Atlantic outputs with the standard hits, and if one is looking more than soul, that is, Gospel singing. This sets will definately be satisfied.

Queen of Soul: The Atlantic Recordings [BOX SET]

Track Listing

Disc: 1

1. I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)

2. Do Right Woman, Do Right Man

3. Save Me

4. Respect

5. Baby, Baby, Baby

6. Dr. Feelgood (Love Is a Serious Business)

7. (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman

8. Soul Serenade

9. Drown in My Own Tears

10. Chain of Fools

11. Baby, I Love You

12. Ain't Nobody (Gonna Turn Me Around)

13. Since You've Been Gone (Sweet Sweet Baby)

14. You Are My Sunshine

15. Going Down Slow

16. Never Let Me Go

17. I Wonder

18. Prove It

19. Good Times

20. Come Back Baby

21. Change

22. You're a Sweet Sweet Man

23. Good to Me as I Am to You

24. People Get Ready

25. Ain't No Way

Disc: 2

1. Think

2. See Saw

3. House That Jack Built

4. Night Time Is the Right Time

5. I Say a Little Prayer

6. You Send Me

7. My Song

8. I Take What I Want

9. I Can't See Myself Leaving You

10. Night Life [Live]

11. Today I Sing the Blues

12. Pitiful

13. Tracks of My Tears

14. River's Invitation

15. Share Your Love With Me

16. It Ain't Fair

17. Sit Down and Cry

18. Honest I Do

19. Weight

20. When the Battle Is Over

21. Eleanor Rigby

22. One Way Ticket

23. Call Me

24. Pullin'

Disc: 3

1. Son of a Preacher Man

2. Try Matty's

3. Thrill Is Gone [From Yesterday's Kiss]

4. Dark End of the Street

5. You and Me

6. Let It Be

7. Spirit in the Dark

8. Why I Sing the Blues

9. Don't Play That Song

10. Young, Gifted and Black

11. Border Song (Holy Moses)

12. Brand New Me

13. You're All I Need to Get By

14. Spanish Harlem

15. Rock Steady

16. Oh Me Oh My (I'm a Fool for You Baby)

17. Day Dreaming

18. All the King's Horses

19. Bridge over Troubled Water

20. Angel

Disc: 4

1. Spirit in the Dark (Reprise) [Live] - Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin

2. How I Got Over [Live]

3. So Swell When You're Well

4. Master of Eyes (The Deepness of Your Eyes)

5. Somewhere Listen

6. I'm in Love

7. Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing

8. Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)

9. Every Natural Thing

10. Without Love - Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin

11. With Everything I Feel in Me

12. Mr. D.J. (5 for the D.J.)

13. Look into Your Heart

14. Sparkle

15. Rock With Me

16. Break It to Me Gently

17. Something He Can Feel

Steve Miller Band - Young Hearts: Complete Greatest Hits

Track Listing

1. Take The Money And Run
2. Abracadabra
3. Rock'n Me

4. Swingtown

5. The Joker

6. Livin' In The U.S.A.

7. Space Intro

8. Fly Like An Eagle

9. Threshold

10. Jet Airliner

11. Space Cowboy

12. Jungle Love

13. Serenade

14. Cry Cry Cry

15. Shubada Du Ma Ma

16. Wide River

17. Wild Mountain Honey

18. The Stake

19. My Dark Hour

20. Who Do You Love

21. I Want To Make The World Turn Around

22. Dance, Dance, Dance

My Thoughts : As a die hard fan of 70's music, its hard not to mention The Steve Miller Band as they are one of legendary rock band of 70's who had created some of the best blues-based rock. The tunes are catchy and upbeat, for sure to brighten up the mood and have some good kick a** dancing.

Essential favorites like "Rock 'N' Me", "Take The Money And Run", "The Joker", "Fly Like An Eagle", "Jet Airliner", "Jungle Love" and Swingtown" are all included. Older favorites like "Space Cowboy" and "Livin' In The USA", and "My Dark Hour" from Miller's earlier career are included as well. "Abracadabra", Miller's major hit, for the first time has included also as prior to the 2 greatest hits release, it was not included.

However, I still prefer Miller's earlier hits like "Going To Mexico", "Steppin' Stone" and "Your Saving Grace", "Heart Like A Wheel", "Give It Up", "Keeps Me Wonderin' Why" and "True Fine Love" which is not included in this album.

Overall, this album is probably the best first purchase for someone who wants to acquire Miller's major hits but have a more comprehensive overview of his career. But for one to truely enjoy his music, that would be Miller's hit from his early career.

For a more comprehensive greatest hits, i would prefer the box sets release in 2008 named Steve Miller Band - Greatest Hits [BOX SET]

Track Listings

Disc: 1
1. Living In the U.S.A.
2. Space Cowboy
3. My Dark Hour
4. Going to The Country
5. Shubada Du Ma Ma
6. Your Saving Grace
7. Fly Like An Eagle
8. Wild Mountain Honey
9. Serenade
10. Dance, Dance, Dance
11. Take The Money And Run
12. Rock 'N' Me

Disc: 2
1. Jungle Love
2. Swingtown
3. Threshold
4. Jet Airliner
5. The Joker
6. Abracadabra
7. Give It Up
8. The Stake
9. True Fine Love
10. Winter Time
11. Rock It
12. Come On In My Kitchen (Live)

Disc: 3
1. Wide River
2. Evil (Live)
3. The Window
4. Gangster Of Love
5. Heart Like A Wheel
6. Roll With It
7. One In A Million
8. I Want To Make The World Turn Around
9. Nobody But You Baby
10. Sugar Babe
11. Cry, Cry, Cry
12. Who Do You Love

For some who prefer to have the "classic" greatest hits release can opt for Steve Miller Band: The Best of 1968 - 1973 and Steve Miller Band - Greatest Hits 1974-1978

Steve Miller Band: The Best of 1968 - 1973

Track Listing

1. The Joker

2. Living In The U.S.A.

3. My Dark Hour

4. Going To The Country

5. Shu Ba Da Du Ma Ma Ma Ma

6. Going To Mexico

7. Come On In My Kitchen (Live)

8. Evil (Live)

9. Song For Our Ancestors

10. Your Saving Grace

11. Quicksilver Girl

12. Seasons

13. Space Cowboy

14. Gangster Of Love

15. Kow Kow Calqulator

16. Little Girl

17. Don't Let Nobody Turn You Around

18. Jackson-Kent Blues

19. Sugar Babe

Steve Miller Band - Greatest Hits 1974-1978

Track Listing

1. Swingtown

2. Jungle Love

3. Take The Money And Run

4. Rock'n Me

5. Serenade

6. True Fine Love

7. The Stake

8. The Joker

9. Fly Like An Eagle

10. Threshold

11. Jet Airliner

12. Dance, Dance, Dance

13. Winter Time

14. Wild Mountain Honey

Barry Manilow Greatest Hits Vol 1. Vol 2 & Vol 3

Track Listing

Disc 1

1. Mandy

2. New York City Rhythm

3. Looks Like We Made It

4. Daybreak

5. Can't Smile Without You

6. It's A Miracle

7. Even Now

8. Bandstand Boogie

9. Tryin' To Get The Feeling Again

10. Some Kind Of Friend

Disc 2

1. Could It Be Magic

2. Somewhere In The Night

3. Jump Shout Boogie

4. Weekend In New England

5. All The Time

6. This One's For You

7. Copacabana (At The Copa) (Long Version)

8. Beautiful Music

9. I Write The Songs

10. You're My Only Girl (Jenny)

Disc 3

1. Ships

2. Let's Hang On

3. Ready To Take A Chance Again

4. Read 'em And Weep

5. Somewhere Down The Road

6. One Voice

7. The Old Songs

8. I Made It Through The Rain

9. Dirt Cheap

10. Memory

My Thoughts : not a good choice for Greatest Hits as it release in Vol 1, 2 and 3 and each album only have 10 songs.

others greatest hits like the "The Essential Barry Manilow" is far off better than this sets which only cost USD14.92 with 34 similar and more songs rather than USD 32.97.

Neil Diamond - The Greatest Hits (1966-1992)

Track Listing

Disc 1

1. Solitary Man (Album Version)
2. Cherry, Cherry (Album Version)

3. I Got The Feelin' (Oh No, No) (Album Version)

4. Thank The Lord For The Night Time (Album Version)

5. Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon (Album Version)
6. Kentucky Woman (Album Version)

7. Shilo (Album Version)

8. You Got To Me (Album Version)

9. Brooklyn Roads (Live)

10. Red, Red Wine (Live Version)

11. I'm A Believer (Live Version)

12. Sweet Caroline (Live Version)

13. Soolamon (Live Version)

14. Cracklin' Rosie (Live Version)

15. Song Sung Blue (Album Version)

16. Play Me (Album Version)

17. Holly Holy (Live Version)

18. Morningside (Live)

19. Crunchy Granola Suite (Live Version)

Disc 2

1. Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show (Live Version)

2. I Am...I Said (Live Version)

3. Be (Album Version)

4. Longfellow Serenade (Album Version)

5. Beautiful Noise (Album Version)

6. If You Know What I Mean (Album Version)

7. Desiree (Album Version)

8. September Morning (Album Version)

9. You Don't Bring Me Flowers (Duet with Barbra Streisand) (Album Version)

10. Forever In Blue Jeans (Album Version)

11. Hello Again (Album Version)

12. America (Album Version)

13. Love On The Rocks (Album Version)

14. Yesterday's Songs (Album Version)

15. Heartlight (Album Version)

16. Headed For The Future (Album Version)

17. Heartbreak Hotel (Duet with Kim Carnes)

18. All I Really Need Is You (Album Version)

My Thoughts : Yes!!! Finally, a full Neil Diamond greatest hits is here !! And so I thought, but after playing thru, it was rather dissapointing. Don't get me wrong!! I love Diamonds but the album display of Diamond early's hits is mostly from Live versions. I believe a live concert of your favourite artist is a great experience - when you are actually there - but rarely translates well to record. So, the CD ends up selling back as a second hand dealer years later...

So, to replace my collections for Neil Diamond, I end up purchase 2 albums of him. They are many Neil Diamond greatest hits collections, some single or double. for a Single disc collection, it couldn't cover his hits good enough. But for a double CD collection, definately they will throw in the live versions again.

After searching, i ends up buying "Neil Diamond - His 12 Greatest Hits" and "Classics: The Early Years"

Track Listings
1. Sweet Caroline
2. Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show
3. Shilo
4. Holly Holy
5. Brooklyn Roads
6. Cracklin' Rosie
7. Play Me
8. Done Too Soon
9. Stones
10. Song Sung Blue
11. Soolaimon
12. I Am.. I Said

Track Listings
1. Kentucky Woman
2. Cherry, Cherry
3. Solitary Man
4. You Got to Me
5. I Got the Feelin' (Oh No, No)
6. Thank the Lord for the Night Time
7. I'm a Believer
8. Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon
9. Shilo
10. Do It
11. Red, Red Wine
12. Boat That I Row

Bee Gees Greatest

Track Listings

Disc: 1
1. Jive Talkin'
2. Night Fever
3. Tragedy
4. You Should Be Dancing
5. Stayin' Alive
6. How Deep Is Your Love
7. Love So Right
8. Too Much Heaven
9. (Our Love) Don't Throw it All Away
10. Fanny (Be Tender with My Love)
11. Warm Ride

Disc: 2
1. If I Can't Have You
2. You Stepped In My Life
3. Love Me
4. More Than A Woman
5. Rest Your Love On Me
6. Nights on Broadway
7. Spirits (Having Flown)
8. Love You Inside Out
9. Wind Of Change
10. Children of the World
11. You Should Be Dancing Remix
12. If I Can't Have You Remix
13. Night Fever Remix
14. How Deep Is Your Love Remix

My Thoughts : Nothing have to be said about this great Album!! The album has been around for ages since its first print in 1979 and the cover is instantly recognizable. I had this album about a decade ago (no digitally remastering, of course)when i was able to purchase with my hard earned cash. Till today, it is still one my most precious album.

Declared as the Bee Gees Greatest, however, it is still not as hits before 1975 are ignored. The hits mostly are recorded from 1975 to 1979. Most famous hits are "Jive Talking", "Night Fever", "Tragedy", "You Should Be Dancing", "Stayin' Alive" and "How Deep is Your Love". These 6 tracks are a bona fide hits as its associate with the movie "Saturday Night Fever" and the disco era of the late seventies. Till today, you can still hear these track in the Bistro and Pub to reminisce back in the disco scene.

With the new release of 2007 Bee Gee Greatest, 30 years after the Saturday Night Fever, the songs has proven to be timeless. In addition to the originals, the album has also given special treatment by remastered and remix to "You Should Be Dancing", "If I Can't Have you", "Night Fever", "How Deep Is Your Love".

If you prefer Bee Gees earlier hits, you can opt for "Best of Bee Gees" which original release in 1969 and still in print today. and "Best of Bee Gees Vol 2" which release in 1973.

Track Listing

1. Holiday

2. I've Gotta Get a Message to You

3. I Can't See Nobody

4. Words

5. I Started a Joke

6. Tomorrow, Tomorrow

7. First of May

8. World

9. Massachusetts

10. To Love somebody

11. Every Christian Lion hearted Man will Show You

12. New York Mining Disasters 1941

Track Listing

1. How Can You Mend A Broken Heart?

2. I.O.I.O.

3. Don't Want To Live Inside Myself

4. Melody Fair

5. My World

6. Let There Be Love

7. Saved By The Bell

8. Lonely Days

9. Morning Of My Life

10. Don't Forget To Remember

11. And The Sun Will Shine

12. Run To Me

13. Man For All Seasons

14. Alive

Anthology: Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons

Track Listings
1. Sherry
2. Big Girls Don't Cry
3. Walk Like a Man
4. Candy Girl
5. Marlena
6. Dawn (Go Away)
7. Stay
8. Ronnie
9. Rag Doll
10. Silence Is Golden
11. Save It for Me
12. Big Man in Town
13. Bye, Bye, Baby (Baby Goodbye)
14. Girl Come Running
15. Let's Hang On
16. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right - The Wonder Who?
17. Working My Way Back to You
18. Opus 17 (Don't You Worry 'Bout Me)
19. I've Got You Under My Skin
20. Tell It to the Rain
21. Beggin'
22. Can't Take My Eyes Off You - Frankie Valli
23. C'mon Marianne
24. Will You Love Me Tomorrow
25. Who Loves You
26. December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)

My Thoughts : The hugh success of Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons are all owed it to Frankie Vallie trademark falsetto voice and The Four Seasons unique blend of harmonies. Valli ethereal high notes buttressed by the backgroud chanting of the Four Seasons underpinned by the tragicomic bass has produced an upbeat and energetic form of dance music during those days. From 1962 to 1967 the Four Seasons had eighteen Top Twenty hits, making them the most popular group in the history. All the great hits and their lesser known hits are crammed onto this single CD which makes a great bargain!!

Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons are the trademark of the sixties. For some who like to relive the past, this album is definately a great choice.

The only problem is this album does not include Frankie Valli top solo hits like "My Eyes Adored You", "Swearin To God" and "Grease", but with the release by Rhino in 2003, fans can opt to purchase "Very Best of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons"

Track Listings
1. Sherry
2. Big Girls Don't Cry
3. Walk Like A Man
4. Candy Girl
5. Dawn (Go Away)
6. Ronnie
7. Rag Doll
8. Save It For Me
9. Bye, Bye, Baby (Baby Goodbye)
10. Let's Hang On (To What We've Got)
11. Working My Way Back To You
12. Opus 17 (Don't You Worry 'Bout Me)
13. I've Got You Under My Skin
14. C'Mon Marriane
15. Can't Take My Eyes Off You - Frankie Valli
16. My Eyes Adored You - Frankie Valli
17. Swearin' To God (Single Version) - Frankie Valli
18. Who Loves You
19. December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night)
20. Grease - Frankie Valli

Definitive America

Track Listings
1. Horse With No Name
2. I Need You
3. Sandman
4. Ventura Highway
5. Don't Cross the River
6. To Each His Own
7. Only in Your Heart
8. Muskrat Love
9. Rainbow Song
10. She's Gonna Let You Down (Single Edit)
11. Tin Man
12. Lonely People
13. Sister Golden Hair
14. Daisy Jane
15. Woman Tonight
16. Today's the Day
17. Amber Cascades
18. God of the Sun
19. Political Poachers
20. Survival
21. Last Unicorn
22. You Can Do Magic
23. Border

My Thoughts : If you are a fan of Seventies Soft rock genre like Bread, England Dan and John Ford Coley, Carpenters, Steely Dan, then America is another collection not to be miss out. America brings the style of soft-rock harmony music thanks to Crosby, Stills and Nash. They had two number one hits (A horse with no name, Sister golden hair) and several top ten hits including I need you, Ventura highway, Tin man, Lonely people and You can do magic.

This is the definitive collection of their music, containing all the tracks that they are famous for and some other great songs that might encourage some to explore their music in greater depth. If you only ever buy one collection of America's music, this is a good one to choose. However, this album has since been discontinued. Alternatively, you can opt for "America - The Complete Greatest Hits"

Track Listings
1. Horse With No Name
2. Sandman
3. I Need You
4. Everyone I Meet Is from California
5. Ventura Highway
6. Don't Cross the River
7. Only in Your Heart
8. Muskrat Love
9. Another Try
10. Tin Man
11. Lonely People
12. Sister Golden Hair
13. Daisy Jane
14. Woman Tonight
15. Today's the Day
16. Amber Cascades
17. California Dreamin'
18. You Can Do Magic
19. Right Before Your Eyes
20. Border
21. World of Light
22. Paradise

Every Great Motown Hit of Marvin Gaye

Track Listings
1. How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)
2. Your Precious Love - Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell
3. Ain't That Peculiar
4. If I Could Build My Whole World Around You - Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell
5. That's the Way Love Is
6. You're All I Need to Get By - Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell
7. I'll Be Doggone
8. I Heard It Through the Grapevine
9. Too Busy Thinking About My Baby
10. What's Going On
11. Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing - Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell
12. Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)
13. Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)
14. Trouble Man
15. Let's Get It On
16. Distant Lover
17. Got to Give It Up, Pt. 1

My Thoughts : There are plenty of Marvin Gaye Compilations available. Most are single disc or box sets and some even cover only certain genre of his songs like love songs, early hits and duets. However, this album spans his careers. A terrific, if concise, overview of the genius of Marvin Gaye. Originally released in 1983, these tracks have been remastered and sound simply amazing.

His tranquil voice and his songs of love, fun, poverty, and war make his music an inspiration to all ages. There is just so much passion in his voice with all of his songs it makes you just wants to sing. I first bought this album back in 1995, no idea how great this CD was except a few songs that has been playing on the radio. After listening thru, it makes me want more of Gaye's album. So eventually, i started collect his other album, namely : The Complete Duets (with Tammi), Marvin Gaye Early Hits, Marvin Gaye Loves Songs and Marvin Gaye Duets, and if financially permits, The ultimate "Marvin Gaye Box Sets".

This album, classic and priceless. This CD perfectly captures his amazing legacy and I believe there is only one word to describe it, GREATNESS. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

Back to Mono (1958-1969) [BOX SET] - Phil Spector

Disc: 1

1. To Know Him Is To Love Him - The Teddy Bears

2. Corrine, Corrina - Ray Peterson
3. Spanish Harlem - Ben E. King

4. Pretty Little Angel Eyes - Curtis Lee

5. Every Breath I Take - Gene Pitney

6. I Love How You Love Me - The Paris Sisters

7. Under The Moon Of Love - Curtis Lee

8. There's No Other Like My Baby - The Crystals

9. Uptown - The Crystals

10. He Hit Me (It Felt Like A Kiss) - The Crystals

11. He's A Rebel - The Crystals

12. Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah - Bob B. Soxx And The Blue Jeans

13. Puddin' N' Tain - The Alley Cats

14. He's Sure The Boy I Love - The Crystals

15. Why Do Lovers Break Each Other's Hearts - Bob B. Soxx And The Blue Jeans

16. (Today I Met) The Boy I'm Gonna Marry - Darlene Love

17. Da Doo Ron Ron - The Crystals

18. Heartbreaker - The Crystals

19. Why Don't They Let Us Fall In Love - Veronica

20. Chapel Of Love - Darlene Love

21. Not Too Young To Get Married - Bob B. Soxx And The Blue Jeans

22. Wait Til My Bobby Gets Home - Darlene Love

23. All Grown Up - The Crystals

Disc: 2

1. Be My Baby - The Ronettes

2. Then He Kissed Me - The Crystals

3. A Fine, Fine Boy - Darlene Love

4. Baby, I Love You - The Ronettes

5. I Wonder - The Ronettes

6. Girls Can Tell - The Crystals

7. Little Boy - The Crystals

8. Hold Me Tight - The Treasures

9. (The Best Part Of) Breakin' Up - The Ronettes

10. Soldier Baby Of Mine - The Ronettes

11. Strange Love - Darlene Love

12. Stumble And Fall - Darlene Love

13. When I Saw You - The Ronettes

14. So Young - Veronica

15. Do I Love You? - The Ronettes

16. Keep On Dancing - The Ronettes

17. You, Baby - The Ronettes

18. Woman In Love (With You) - The Ronettes

19. Walking In The Rain - The Ronettes

Disc: 3

1. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - The Righteous Brothers

2. Born To Be Together - The Ronettes

3. Just Once In My Life - The Righteous Brothers

4. Unchained Melody - The Righteous Brothers

5. Is This What I Get For Loving You? - The Ronettes

6. Long Way To Be Happy - Darlene Love

7. (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons - The Righteous Brothers

8. Ebb Tide - The Righteous Brothers

9. This Could Be The Night - The Modern Folk Quartet

10. Paradise - The Ronettes

11. River Deep-Mountain High - Ike & Tina Turner

12. I'll Never Need More Than This - Ike & Tina Turner

13. A Love Like Yours (Don't Come Knockin' Everyday) - Ike & Tina Turner

14. Save The Last Dance For Me - Ike & Tina Turner

15. I Wish I Never Saw The Sunshine - The Ronettes

16. You Came, You Saw, You Conquered - The Ronettes

17. Black Pearl - Sonny Charles And The Checkmates

18. Love Is All I have To Give - The Checkmates

Disc: 4

1. White Christmas - Darlene Love

2. Frosty The Snowman - The Ronettes

3. The Bells of St. Mary - Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans

4. Santa Claus is Coming to Town - The Crystals

5. Sleigh Ride - The Ronettes

6. Marshmallow World - Darlene Love

7. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - The Ronettes

8. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - The Crystals

9. Winter Wonderland - Darlene Love

10. Parade of the Wooden Soldiers

11. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Darlene Love

12. Here Comes Santa Claus - Bob B. Soxx and The Blue Jeans

13. Silent Night - Phil Spector and Artists

My Thoughts : I have always love box set. It is a collectible items showcasing some rich diversity of an artist throughout the years of hard work.

During the Peak years of Phil Spector, he has produced some of the finest pop music. This collection is in chronological order for the first three CD's which feature the cornerstone of any collections of 50's and 60's music. The fourth CD is his famous Christmas album, which is available separately for those who don't want the other music.

Phil's first success was with To know him is to love him (Teddy bears). Other early classics include Spanish Harlem (Ben E King) and I love how you love me (Paris sisters) but he is best remembered (apart from the Christmas album) for producing the Crystals, Ronettes and Righteous brothers.

Most of the tracks spawn over the 3 CD features the sounds of girl groups, The Crystals and Ronettes, The Checkmates and The Treasure which makes me think of The Best of Girl Groups Series release by Rhino in year 1990.

The Crystals are represented here by classics such as Da doo ron ron, Then he kissed me and He's a rebel. Whereas, The Ronettes are represented here by their signature hits, Be my baby and Baby I Love You. Both girl groups are superb however, The Ronettes hits are pale in comparison to The Crystals. The Righteous brothers recorded their two most famous tracks with Phil Spector, these being You've lost that loving feeling and Unchained melody. Others worth mention are Darlene Love, Gene Pitney, Curtis Lee and Ike and Tina Turner.

The rendition of their Christmas songs is superb. All the songs are sings with brilliant and energy in compare to the traditional Christmas tunes. This is a brilliant boxed set and a fitting tribute to one of the most important producers in pop music history.

The only problem is the songs are not jumbled properly. I would prefer to hear different artist in every number instead of 3 songs continously by 1 artist, so that it could appear not so boring.

The Ultimate Collection : Jackson 5

Track Listings

1. I Want You Back
2. ABC
3. Love You Save
4. I'll Be There
5. It's Your Thing
6. Who's Lovin' You
7. Mama's Pearl
8. Never Can Say Goodbye
9. Maybe Tomorrow
10. Got to Be There
11. Sugar Daddy
12. Rockin' Robin
13. Daddy's Home
14. Lookin' Through the Windows
15. I Wanna Be Where You Are
16. Get It Together
17. Dancing Machine
18. Life of the Party
19. I Am Love, Pts. 1 & 2
20. Just a Little Bit of You
21. It's Your Thing [The J5 in '95 Extended Remix]

My Thoughts : This is The Only Jackson 5 album you ever need. The hits--and they are all here--were undeniably great. Even though they are re-release by other labels, with a four-disc collection, but that is only for true die hard fans. Everything anyone else would want from the Motown era Jackson 5 (except of Michael's solo hit Ben) is right here.

However, this Ultimate collection has it re-release in 1996 with a new cover (as shown on the right) and the same set of songs.

The Very Best of England Dan & John Ford Coley

Track Listings

1. I'd Really Love to See You Tonight
2. Nights Are Forever Without You
3. Lady
4. Showboat Gambler
5. Prisoner
6. Westward Wind
7. It's Sad to Belong
8. Soldier in the Rain
9. Gone Too Far
10. We'll Never Have to Say Goodbye Again
11. Who's Lonely Now
12. Some Things Don't Come Easy
13. What Can I Do with This Broken Heart
14. Love Is the Answer
15. Why Is It Me
16. Part of Me, Part of You

My Thoughts : This collection of their very best hits contains some of their most memorable songs: Their first and follow-up singles "I'd Really Love To See You Tonight" and "Nights Are Forever Without You". ED & JFC also struck it rich with the following: "We'll Never Have To Say Goodbye Again", "Gone Too Far", "It's Sad To Belong" and "Love Is The Answer". But, not only do you get the above mentioned AOR/Top 40 songs featured here, you also get the country-esque "Lady" and "Showboat Gambler", including a little disco flavor in "What Can I Do With This Broken Heart", as well as many other hidden gems performed in a style that only England Dan & John Ford Coley can muster.

England Dan and John Ford Coley made some great music that should appeal to fans of Bread in particular, but also to fans of great seventies pop music in general.

Anthology : The Bread

Track Listing

1. Make It With You
2. Dismal Day
3. London Bridge
4. Anyway You Want Me
5. Look What You've Done
6. It Don't Matter to Me
7. Last Time, The
8. Let Your Love Go
9. Truckin'

10. If

11. Baby I'm a-Want You

12. Everything I Own

13. Down On My Knees

14. Aubrey

15. Diary

16. Sweet Surrender

17. Guitar Man

18. Fancy Dancer

19. She's The Only One

20. Lost Without Your Love

My Thoughts : Between Bread and the Carpenters, they were responsible for creating some of the loveliest melodies and soft rock classics of the seventies.

Lead vocalist and guitar player David Gates wrote all the group's hits. The band rarely stepped outside its role as pop balladeers--and certainly not on their singles. [The lone exception was 1971's "Mother Freedom," which only went to No. 37 and is not included here.] Album tracks like "Fancy Dancer" show that Bread could rock when it wanted to, but they're best known for make-out classics like "Make It with You," "It Don't Matter to Me," "If," "Baby I'm-A Want You" and "Everything I Own." These are all pop gems. Nobody recorded as many memorable mellow pop standards as Bread. RECOMMENDED

The Definative Collecton : Steely Dan

Track Listing

1. Do It Again
2. Dirty Work
3. Reelin' in the Years
4. Bodhisattva
5. My Old School
6. Rikki Don't Lose That Number
7. Black Friday
8. Bad Sneakers
9. Kid Charlemagne
10. Deacon Blues
11. Peg
12. FM
13. Hey Nineteen
14. Babylon Sisters
15. Cousin Dupree
16. Things I Miss the Most

My Thoughts : This is a good compilation for the new generations who wanted to get to know more about "Steely Dan". But if you are true fan, its better off purchase the "Citizen Steely Dan: 1972-1980" box set which contains ALL of Steely Dan's official studio-released work from that period of time. However, it could cost a small fortune. Alternatively, you can purchase "Steely Dan - Greatest Hits " that release CD format in 1993 which have a more genuine selections of their hits.

Track Listing

1. Do It Again
2. Reelin' in the Years
3. My Old School
4. Bodhisattva
5. Show Biz Kids
6. East St. Louis Toodle-Oo
7. Rikki Don't Lose That Number
8. Pretzel Logic
9. Any Major Dude Will Tell You
10. Here at the Western World [#]
11. Black Friday
12. Bad Sneakers
13. Doctor Wu
14. Haitian Divorce
15. Kid Charlemagne
16. Fez
17. Peg
18. Josie

The Very Best of The Doobie Brothers

Track listing

Disc 1
1. Listen to the Music
2. Jesus Is Just Alright
3. Rockin' down the Highway
4. Long Train Runnin
5. China Grove
6. South City Midnight Lady
7. Another Park, Another Sunday
8. Eyes of Silver
9. Nobody
10. Black Water
11. Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While)
12. Sweet Maxine
13. I Cheat the Hangman
14. Takin' It to the Streets
15. Wheels of Fortune
16. It Keeps You Runnin

Disc 2
1. Little Darling (I Need You)
2. Echoes of Love
3. What a Fool Believes
4. Minute by Minute
5. Dependin' on You
6. Real Love
7. One Step Closer
8. Wynken, Blynken & Nod
9. Keep This Train A-Rollin
10. Here to Love You

11. You Belong to Me
12. The Doctor
13. South of the Border
14. Need a Little Taste of Love
15. Dangerous
16. Rollin' On
17. Ordinary Man

My Thoughts : In one neat little 2-CD set, "The Best of the Doobie Brothers" compiles virtually all of their best tracks in one package. Best of all, it captures the near schizophrenic nature of the band as they veer from classic rock to blue-eyed soul and then back again. The early Doobie Brothers leaned heavily on the songwriting abilities of Tom Johnston. Hits like "Listen to the Music," "Long Train Runnin'," "China Grove" and "Another Park, Another Sunday" were all written by Johnston, and they represent some of the best pop music from the early seventies.

Once Michael McDonald came aboard, though, the band's dynamic shifted dramatically toward west-coast soul, featuring mega-hits such as "What a Fool Believes," "Takin' It to the Streets" and "It Keeps You Runnin'." Throughout the set, permanent member Patrick Simmons provides the occasional gem and a change of pace with songs like "Black Water" and "South City Midnight Lady." All are included here, making this a one-size-fits-all collection for fans who want to hear the hits.

Complete Greatest Hits : Gordon Lightfoot

Track Title

1. Early Morning Rain
2. For Lovin' Me
3. Go-Go Round
4. Canadian Railroad Trilogy
5. Pussywillows, Cat-Tails
6. Bitter Green
7. If You Could Read My Mind
8. Summer Side of Life
9. Cotton Jenny
10. Beautiful
11. Sundown
12. Carefree Highway
13. Rainy Day People
14. The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
15. Race Among the Ruins
16. Daylight Katy
17. The Circle is Small
18. Baby Step Back
19. Stay Loose
20. Restless

My Thoughts : While 1999's 4-CD collection "Songbook" is a comprehensive look at this terrific Canadian singer/songwriter, Rhino does an excellent job of distilling that sprawling collection to twenty tacks covering songs from his United Artists, Reprise and Warner Bros. releases.

There are quite a few Gordon Lightfoot songs that I really like (e.g., ""Early Morning Rain," "Rainy Day People," "If You Could Read My Mind"), and his voice is a very distinctive, resonant, and soulful. Those three songs are enough to earn this compilation its first three stars.

In 1970, Lightfoot signed with Warner Brothers subsidiary Reprise (highlights of his twenty-plus years at this label make up the remaining fourteen tracks found here). Soon after signing with Reprise, Lightfoot began to make a name for himself as a singer with the introspective top five hit "If You Could Read My Mind." He also continued to write songs that were popularized by others, such as the enclosed "Cotton Jenny" for fellow Canadian Anne Murray.

In the early 70s, singer-songwriters became the rage in popular music and Lightfoot certainly contributed to the movement's success with the big hits "Sundown," "Carefree Highway," and "Rainy Day People." His 1976 six minute-plus epic "Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald" would prove to be Lightfoot's artistic peak as well as his final major commercial success, although he would continue to make some fine music during the rest of the `70s.

Lightfoot's `80s output is represented here by the set's two most generic, forgettable recordings: "Baby Step Back" and "Stay Loose." The compilers of this collection would have been better off ditching those tracks and selecting a couple of the countless gems not included from his United Artists tenure, such as the breezy "Did She Mention My Name" or "Black Day in July," an intensely hypnotic account of the '67 race riots in Detroit (get the double-disc United Artists Collection for a thorough overview of this period).

Complete Greatest Hits concludes on a positive note with "Restless," a 1993 ode that finds Lightfoot descriptively ruminating about looking forward to the future while not forgetting the past. It reminds us of what a special observer and documenter he has been of life's events, both monumental and trivial.

The Portrait of Bing Crosby

Track Title

Disc: 1
1. Please
2. How Deep Is the Ocean?
3. Dancing in the Dark
4. Sentimental and Melancholy
5. On the Sentimental Side
6. Don't Be That Way
7. Blue Hawaii
8. Silver on the Sage
9. Song of the Islands
10. Last Round-Up
11. Black Moonlight
12. Someday, Sweetheart
13. I've Got the World on a String
14. Did You Ever See a Dream Walking?
15. Dinah - Bing Crosby, The Mills Brothers
16. Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
17. Pennies from Heaven
18. Down the Old Ox Road
19. Maybe
20. Thanks
21. In My Merry Oldsmobile
22. Moonlight Becomes You
23. Remember Me
24. It's Easy to Remember

Disc: 2
1. Sweet and Lovely
2. Too Romantic
3. This Is My Night to Dream
4. Temptation
5. Try a Little Tenderness
6. Stardust
7. Sweet Leilani
8. I'm an Old Cowhand (From the Rio Grande)
9. Goodnight Sweetheart
10. Funny Old Hills
11. Too Marvelous for Words
12. Out of Nowhere
13. I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance With You
14. Apple for the Teacher - Connee Boswell, Bing Crosby
15. Sweet Georgia Brown
16. If You Should Ever Need Me
17. Still the Bluebird Sings
18. Were You Sincere
19. Sing a Song of Sunbeams
20. You're Getting to Be a Habit with Me
21. Only Forever
22. You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby
23. Moon Got in My Eyes
24. White Christmas

EXPERIENCE HENDRIX : THE BEST OF JIMI HENDRIX

TITLE TRACK

1 . Purple Haze

2. Fire

3. The Wind Cries Mary

4. Hey Joe

5. Billy Roberts

6. All Along the Watchtower

7. Stone Free

8. Crosstown Traffic

9. Manic Depression

10. Little Wing

11. If 6 Was 9

12. Foxy Lady

13. Bold as Love

14. Castles Made of Sand

15. Red House

16. Voodoo Child (Slight Return)

17. Freedom

18. Night Bird Flying

19. Angel

20. Dolly Dagger

21. Star Spangled Banner

My Thoughts : As a single-disc compilation, Experience Hendrix: The Best Of is an easy not so hard to beat thing. Drawing from all the original digitally remastered reissue MCA albums. This 20-track collection contain his hits of all the major highpoints in Hendrix's career songs like "Purple Haze", "Foxey Lady", "All Along The Watchtower", "Little Wing", "Red House", "The Wind Cries Mary", "Manic Depression" a live version from Woodstock of "Star Spangled Banner" and "Angel". It gives an accurate impression of why Jimi Hendrix was so revolutionary and influential in rock music history itself. All of his completed studio recordings are mandatory listening. As it is for a terrific guide introduction to this legendary guitarists own groundbreaking work!

VERVE JAZZ MASTERS 13 - ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM

TITLE TRACK


1. Corcovado

2. Vivo Sonhando

3. So Danço Samba

4. Desafinado

5. Águas de Março (Waters of March)

6. O Grande Amor

7. Agua de Beber

8. Chovendo Na Roseira

9. O Morro Não Tem Vez

10. Fascinating Rhythm

11. Insensatez

12. Inütil Paisagem (Useless Landscape)

13. O Morro Não Tem Vez

14. Por Toda a Minha Vida

15. Triste

16. Borzeguim

My Thoughts : Words aren't enough to describe this album. It's an album that is an experience. Each and every song affects the emotions and soul. All the tune represents the true parade of the best themes of this inspired composer. We will enjoy the lovable candor and warmth of this legendary figure of the Brazilian song. There is not once a minor track. Each one to its own possesses the magic flame of that kaleidoscopic land of myths and legends. There are instrumentals as well as vocals, making this a great album with a mix of different Jobim styles feat artist like Luis Bonfa, Stan Getz, and Astrud Gilberto. A must-have for Jobim and/or bossa nova fans!!!