5 comments about Chicago Box (Bonus DVD).

1. If you want music buy Group Portrait which mercifully ends with Chicago XIV.
   Disc five could and should have be replaced with the bonus material from the individual 1970s cd releases or a soundboard live concert from 1972-3 when the band was at its peak. Chicago XVI or much worse XVII and the rest is work the band should be ashamed of. This trash also brought in legions of dumb bell fans who don't mind a lethal dose of Michael Bolton in their music. Jason Scheff and the egotistical for no good reason gum chewing, scat singing Bill Champlin are the reason many original fans would not consider buying new Chicago product. Chicago was once a tight band that played amazing, complicated arrangements. Now they are their own cover band with sometimes just 2 original members playing formula power ballads to chubby girls who shout Jason! (squeal, giggle, giggle). When it comes to destroying their musical legacy this band has left no stone unturned.
   As for the DVD the short but sweet 1972 concert is what this band was once all about. In true current Chicago fashion it has been properly stunk up with the promo material for Chicago XIII. What were they thinking releasing "Must have Been Crazy" as the single? Who made this video? A high schooler taking a television/video mini-course? Must have been insane is more like it. "Closer To You" would have been a better choice. One thing to be said about the Dacus era is that they sounded much tighter live and seemed to have quit showing up for concerts drunk from what I personally witnessed.



2. If you're a Chicago fan don't bother with any of the many Greatest hits because they can't come close to this box set. It is awesome!!



3. You either love or hate the MOR Chicago sound, from 1969-1973/4 they were innovative and exciting. The decline can be traced to Terry Kath's death and Robert Lamm's decision to take a back seat for the next 30 years. Just buy CTA and see how far they fell....or buy Robert Lamm's solo stuff.



4. This set, to me, is one of their best. I already have many of these recordings, however, it's great having them in one set. The DVD is funny and entertaining.



5. I have met and spent time in the presence of Lord Michael Ramsey and Lady Jane. A delightful couple and saints both in the true sense of the word. I look forward to reading this book and having it in my collection.

5 comments about Long Train Runnin': 1970-2000.

1. While living in the Bay area during the turn of the decades (69-71) there was a fashionable shift in the music scene brought about partly by the so-called "end of the hippie era" and growing social consciousness that (rightly) put those "dazed and confused" years behind.
   Concerts were less a hodge-podge of available acts 'cause promoters had become savy to the ever growing fanbase(s) with similar "vibes". Example: you'd be hard pressed to find a concert billing that paired, say, 'The Moody Blues' with 'Steppenwolf', or 'Black Sabbath' with 'Donovan'.
   
   Out of this music schism people flocked to their favorites and fiercly tribalized behind the sounds that best exemplified their inner state.
   It was this enviorment that gave birth to the Doobie Brothers, who over several years capitalized on the "good vibe" manifesto challenged by the scenes more politically conscious and/or progressive contemporaries.
   Having seen them gigging around the Bay in those early 70's I was well aware of that part of their popularity. I fell away from their music as the 80's approached but heard snippets over the airwaves time and again.
   I was a little concerned as I considered this box if the later stuff would interest me (ie disc 3). Though the Doobies "sound" had morphed somewhat (line-up changes included) I can still see their appeal. There is a consistancy throughout which still harkens back to what I liked way back then. None of their appeal has diminished with me, I STILL find the music uplifting, propulsive, and a darn fine listen.
   
   This is a box set worthy of its subject. Four cds stuffed with music covering a solid representation of the 'DB' sound. A nice fat booklet full of info, all housed in a hefty long box.
   
   I won't quibble about the inclusion/exclusion factor, each to his own. The music is all Doobies and the "vibe" is what made/makes them so popular, still.
   
   All in all a great box set!



2. The first 3 discs are sort of a "best-of" collection, with a little too much stuff (and not necessarily the best-chosen songs) for the casual fan. The 4th disc, with the rarities, is definitely for the hardcore fan. I own pretty much everything else by the Doobies, so I would have liked to have been able to just get the rarities. I guess that kind of thing wouldn't be expected to sell well enough on its own, though. (BTW, disc 3 also features a couple of "rarities" as well: "Wynken, Blynken & Nod," which was the only decent track on a various-artists kids' songs LP, and the awesomely fun, brand-new cover of "Little Bitty Pretty One.")
   
   Since my interest lies in the rarities, I haven't concerned myself with the other tracks (except for the fact that this set frustratingly misses the opportunity to restore "Neal's Fandango" to the full length version that was on the original STAMPEDE LP but not the CD).
   
   The rarities are often fascinating, and worthwhile beyond their historical interest. Between Disc 4 here and the various unauthorized editions of a set of early demos that exist (EXCITEMENT, ON OUR WAY UP, etc.), it's clear that the Doobies' debut album did not include the best material they had available. Songs like "Four Days Gone" and "Bluejay" are not just good by reject standards -- they're good, period.
   
   Another interesting rarity is the studio version of "Olana." I would have thought the band was breaking up before this would have been recorded. It falls short of the FAREWELL TOUR version (where's that keyboard riff that drives the chorus?), but it almost makes it possible to imagine the Doobies continuing post-Pat Simmons. (Note that I say "almost.")
   
   My only issue with what is and isn't included on the rarities disc is that the so-called "unissued live version" of "Jesus Is Just Alright" is actually the version from the FAREWELL TOUR album.



3. Although they never garnered the critical praise of The Band, Mott the Hopple, CCR there were few bands that could hold a candle to the hit making strength of The Doobie Brothers. This collection gathers up a healthy sampling of their singles, best album tracks and rarities in a four disc set. While I would have paired back the selections from the band's weakest albums (including the awful "One Step Closer") (hence 4 stars), this collection doesn't skimp on the band's worthwhile output from their peak years.
   
   Sound quality is exceptional with a crisp detailed sound not heard before. Since fans will probably be familair with the bulk of the tracks here I'm only going to focus on the fourth disc with the bonus tracks. We get a number of good demos including Pat Simmons' "Daughters of the Sea","Four Days Gone", "Pat's Song"; Tom Johnston's "Osborne" (an early version of "Long Train Runnin'), "Lovin' My Way Back Home", "Peace in the Valley" all of which are strong tunes. "Bluejay" is also quite good and with "Peace in the Valley" one of the highlights here. It's a pity these songs never showed up on an album before now. "Armadillo Death Chang" is interesting as well--Johnston appears to have had a problem with song titles much like George Harrison in many cases as the title has absolutely nothing to do with this rockin' tune.
   
   "Outside of Barstow" is a demo with just Johnston and his guitar and, again, is a terrific little song that should have been revisited. "Spiel" is a John Hartman composition (the only solo composing credit the drummer received)that's really more of a joke track. I haven't listened to "Olana" in a while but this studio version of the Michael McDonald track is better than the live version from the 1983 final tour recording.
   The rest of the material was released in one form or another and these are either demos or alternate versions of the final tracks. We also get demos for "Sweet Maxine", "Shuffle" two demos from Michael McDonald "Takin' It To The Streets", "We Would Sail Away" both of which are strong demos. A Live version of "Jesus is Just Alright" from the live album sessions in 1982.
   
   The booklet has lots of rare photos, interviews and features the band discussing the changes over the years. If you purchased the most recent greatest hits release (2001)the text and photos from the booklet are the same. I was disappointed that there wasn't a DVD (much like the recent Pretenders set) as these guys in their prime were a powerhouse on stage. The four stars reflects the fact that the there could have been more previously unreleased material. I was hoping that the four tracks that Tom Johnston completed for "Livin' On The Fault Line" but withdrawn from the album would have been included but no such luck.



4. I found this at a wherehouse club for $38. There isnt a ton of gold to mine (even Michael Macdonalds 'You belong to me' is already on their expanded 20 track Greatest Hits.) I am a big fan of box sets and always ready to listen and learn. Its a good overview including the Michael Mcdonald songs from the 1976 Takin' It To The Streets album and a healthy sampling from Minute By Minute and One Step Closer.



5. Just a quick complaint about a great box set of Doobie magic,one of my fave tracks "Without You" ain't on it, was so disappointed!. But overall a great selection of all their classics and more.

5 comments about Pirate Radio.

1. The video included in the box set is worth the price of the CD. The remastering of the tracks is well done. The original CD release always sounded so flat and lifeless. The only complaint is the use of a crummy demo version of "Precious" my favorite song.



2. I was hoping for rarities, but it mostly has all the songs from the original tracks. The DVD is the most worthwhile part, in my opinion.



3. Chrissie Hynde is fierce. Listening to this collection it's refreshing to realize this music never sounds dated nor were they ever 'punk' - The Pretenders are pure rock and roll. I don't think there is a female singer who can match Chrissie's attitude, delivery and snarl. She is the unchallenged queen of rock and roll!
   
   This box set is very comprehensive and beautifully compiled. Chronologically laid out it is an aural pleasure to listen consecutively to one disc after the other - which is becoming rarer and rarer with these erratic box set releases. The main pleasure is getting to hear her later releases in this context. As a hardcore Chrissie fan I have purchased all her music and I disagree with one of the reviewers who felt her later output was not as dynamic as the earlier releases. I feel she truly found her vocal style and sly delivery the older she has grown.
   
   The set includes great alternate takes and thankfully the non-album soundtrack cuts, most notably her remarkable covers of Dionne Warwick's "Windows Of The World" and Morrisey's "Everyday Is Like Sunday" (listen to the chord similarity to 'Back On The Chain Gang' !)
   
   This is a must own box set and also would make a great gift seeing as it so NEVER sucks! And no one has ever made the phrase F*** off sound so sexy! Thank you Chrissie and the boys.



4. As a lifelong Pretenders fan (yep - I still have all the original vinyl, bought @ Tower Records way back when Lp's were $5.99) I waspsyched to finally see a quality representation of the band's output available - not just Chrissie, mind you, but the BAND as well. Don't mistake - she's a phenomenal writer/performer/musician - it's just that I like to see credit given where deserved - and in Ms. Hynde's case, she couldn't have done better than to be backed-up by her excellent compadres, namely Pete Farndon (RIP), Martin Chambers & James Honeyman-Scott (again, RIP). One caveat though - since so much of this collection features Chrissie & Co. in her post-partum period (i.e. still spry but definitely more mellow) I *DO* wish they'd had the sense to include my personal favorite track from the period, namely "Goodbye" from the GI Jane soundtrack... the public missed the boat by not making this a #1 chart hit as it so clearly deserved. If you missedthis one, by all means do yourselfa huge favor and pick-up the film's soundtrack, featuring TWO excellent Pretenders songs and some other great musical choices, including a killer track from Exene Cervenka's Auntie Christ outfit & much, much more!



5. I got this as a birthday gift, and what a great gift it was. I love the Pretenders, one of my favorite bands of all time. Since I only have two of their albums on CD this was a real treat. I have most of their stuff on vinyl. It's great having all the good songs in one place. I have been listening to this set for the last two weeks, every day. Some of the photos in the booklet are a nice touch. A nice bonus are the previously unreleased covers of "Angel of the Morning" and Warren Zevon's "Reconsider Me", both are great. The sound quality is fantastic, someone put a lot of work into this set, and it shows. A great box set from one of the greatest bands ever.

5 comments about British Invasion: 1963-1967.

1. I've longed for a great compilation of British Invasion tunes - from '63 - '67 or thereabouts. I found it in this compilation. I love the mixture from the more rebellious to the simple pop sound that came over to give us all something to stretch even higher from. Great, simply great tunes. I could listen to these for the rest of my life, and hey - I plan to do just that.



2. There are some good songs here, but the third CD is basically a waste. Also, it sounds like some of these selections are not the versions that were played on the radio back then. Some of them are the hit versions, but others do not sound quite right. The third CD should have contained bigger well-known hits from that time, but it just seems to be filler and nothing I care to listened to again.



3. When will someone put only really quality songs on a retrospective CD? This is like every other "history of..." CD I have ever bought: you pay for a bunch of songs to get the few that really matter. A "British Invasion" CD without any of the Beatles early chart-toppers? Kind of silly, really. But I bought it for the few songs I had to have to cover this important era in rock history, and the sound quality did NOT disappoint.



4. This definitive 60s british collection brought back all the memories of growing up in the 60s, which I did. 54 great tunes -- remastered bringing out all of the wonderful music of a simplier time, and a few production defects you can't hear on vinyl.
   
   I loved it and would highly recommend buying this 3-CD collection.
   
   Bruce from Tallahassee



5. This is an excellent compilation of all the top British artists of the 60's and 70's. Great for anyone who appreciates that music era

5 comments about As Long as I'm Singing: The Bobby Darin Collection.

1. Catchy tunes from a bygone era. Even my 14 year old son enjoys listening!



2. This collection of Bobby Darin's best is great, but I can't help but feel it somewhat lacking. Now, don't me wrong, almost every cut on this boxed set is quite excellent. But even so, I can't help but think it could've executed in a much better fashion.
   
   First of all, I don't like the sequencing of the cds. I understand they did it to reprsent Bobby's versatility as an artist, but it comes off as a bit of a hodge-podge. Had I been in charge of putting together this collection, I would've put it together in chronological order, as I feel it would give a better sense of Bobby's growth as an artist over time rather than breaking the recordings up based on genres. It makes for a very incongrous listen.
   
   Secondly, while many if not most of the recordings here are essential, A LOT of great recordings are missing. Bobby's classic renditions of standards such as "More," "On The Street Where You Live," "The Good Life," "The Good Life," "I Got Rhythm," "Moon River," "Call Me Irresponsible," "Goodbye Charlie," "Softly As I Leave You," "Venice Blue," and many others? These are some of Bobby's best and most beloved recordings, but unfortunately did not make the cut.
   
   Also, and I know I will be flamed endless this, but I think a lot of the stuff on the fourth disc could've been extracted to make room for more worthwhile material. Sure, there's some great songs present such as the hit singles "Things," "You're The Reason I'm Living," "18 Yellow Roses," and "If I Were A Carpenter," as well as album tracks like "The Work Song," "Sally Was A Good Girl," "I'm On My Way, Great God", "Simple Song Of Freedom," and his covers of "Reason To Believe" and "Blowin' In The Wind," a lot of these recordings come off as a bit pretentious as if Bobby were seeing "Look at me, I'm versatile!," which he didn't need to do because everyone knew he was already. People will of course disagree with me, but I can think of many more worthwhile recordings that could've been added.
   
   That being said, this is still a very worthwhile collection by one of music's greatest and most underrated pioneers. The packaging is excellent to boot as is the great booklet. I recommend this, even if it is flawed.



3. I keep this 4 CD boxed collection in my car, Obviously it is not everything of Darin but a great selection, and it is with me to & from work. I guess I'm just a compulsive listener of this great entertainer.



4. By FAR AND AWAY one of the finest box sets ever produced about any singer! ALL of Bobby's Best is in here.
   
   There NEVER was another "lounge singer" like Bobby was, period! He had it all, from great "swing" style, to "blues", "classic rock", and "weepies" (if you will)!
   
   *(note)
   My only comment on this box is this....(I bought it hoping that the song "Here I Am" was included in it...it is not)...But, if you do a search here at Amazon for "You're The Reason I'm Living/I Wanna Be Around", it will take you to this wonderful double album, containing "Here I Am", plus many more GREATS that will "fill out" this box! Trust Me on THIS ONE, folks! You're gonna love this box (and the noted separate album(s). ~operabruin



5. If you missed some songs ,in this Collection you can find all .

5 comments about Collected Works.

1. If you are old enough to remember Simon and Garfunkel being together, you cannot go wrong with this. It is the kind of collection where virtually every song brings back memories (there are about half a dozen songs on three disks that I did NOT put on my IPOD). I loaned my first copy out and it never came back, so I bought another. If you are a fan, this is a must have.



2. What can I really say about this collection? I grew up on this music. I loved it as a small child and have only grown to love it more, as years go by. My love for Simon and Garfunkel is kind of like the love I have for my 60 year old Coach bag. Yep, you guessed it, the word is TIMELESS.
   
   My one criticism about the recording quality within this set, is that the volume travels considerably from song to song, meaning that sometimes you have to turn up the volume to hear well, other times it is WAY TOO LOUD. I think that the song to song volume could have been regulated better.
   
   I've lost my harmonica, Albert!



3. So many memories with the listening to of these songs. Hard to name a favorite, but standouts for me have always been (Scarborough Fair, April Come She Will, El Condor Pasa(If I Could), Bookends Theme, The Sounds Of Silence, At The Zoo, The Boxer) to name but a small few. All five original albums, from 1964 to 1970 in one. A real musical bargain.



4. It sure is a lovefest here with all the 5 star reviews. And the fact that I'm giving this just 3 stars will be blasphemous to many who read this. Have you ever noticed how most of the 5 star reviews are by the hardcore fans, written for other hardcore fans who already own all this. But I press on: Why do you think that Simon And Garfunkel's original Greatest Hits LP is one of the best (and best selling) greatest hits albums? And why do you think, in the cd age, that their record company has released a bunch of other "Best Of" compilations? I mean do you really need a 2 cd best-of compilation when you can buy their whole output on 3 cd's? The truthful answer to these questions is that their best songs are amazing and timeless, BUT many of their other songs are mediocre and dated. My experience with S&G is as follows. I absolutely love the Greatest Hits cd, to the point where I wanted more so I bought an expanded best of cd. I also really liked that, although some of the new (to me) songs were not as good. Then I bought this 3 cd set of their whole output and was largely disappointed. Yes, there were a few new songs that I really liked, but also quite a lot of things that are not that good. They are 35 years old and don't hold up to their best work. Amidst all the unequivocal endorsements I offer a little advice. If you are not a huge fan you probably don't need all this,and worse, won't like it.



5. Are you a big S&G fan? I know I am...an hugely avid one in fact. Well then my advice to you is NOT to buy some silly compilation with only the big hits and a few "unreleased extras " *cough-oldfriendsboxset-cough*. This is a great resource, a good solid 3-disc set with ALL FIVE complete S&G albums. Think of it as a CONSOLIDATION of all three in a more affordable format. (It's also great if you have all their albums on your old LPs and you want to switch over to CD but not break the proverbial bank.) Obviously, this set contains all the hits, as well as all the album tunes, many of which are dazzlingly unappreciated. The best part of this set is that it includes the least-known album "Wednesday Morning 3AM," which is a beautifully simple, accoustic, and earnest album. (Without being painfully earnest--it's great music too!) SO, if you're looking for the definitve S&G resource, start here with this set of ALL the ALBUMS. Maybe later someone will give you some "unreleased stuff" for your birthday or something if you really pine for it.

5 comments about Blue Guitars.

1. The music contained in this huge set of Cd's is truly amazing - in quality and breadth of styles included.
   
   I was already a Chris Rea fan but this work pushes into areas that commercial single CD's tend to avoid. He does this without the work being too heavy - it therefore would be appropriate as a first buy of Chris Rea and also for someone who was not that much into the blues.
   
   Truly enjoyable - and the book and paintings is an added huge bonus!



2. Why Chris Rea has never toured the States is a mystery. I can't find the words that could possibly pay justice to this man. He has an amazing voice, plays a mean guitar, composes great songs and yet is unknown in this country. I just don't get it. But for those who want to see what England has somehow managed to hide all this time (an undiscovered gem), check any one of his albums out. You'll soon be asking the same question.



3. As a blues lover, I accidentally discovered Chris Rea on a compilation blues album that included '90's Blues' that gained my attention. Having listened to some of his other output, my feeling was that he was an artist who had some feeling for the blues. On an internet crawl last year I discovered the `Blue Guitars' album and after reading the reviews had to buy a copy. This is an incredible undertaking: 128 songs on 11 Cds based on the history of the blues. Each CD features one historical and geographical environment. The album comes in a hard cover book (unfortunately the CDs tend to fall out), that includes an interview with Chris Rea, paintings by Chris, a description of each album's basis, lyrics and includes a history of blues instruments used. Also included is a DVD detailing the production of an earlier CD, `Dancing down the road'.
   
   The first album, `Beginnings' blew me away. The album gives you a feel for the misery and despair suffered by people captured and transported. In addition it highlights the hope that the slaves envisioned via religion and the misunderstanding of their situation. The album is especially inspired as a result of the use of African instruments. This CD alone made the album worthwhile providing brilliant blues playing and incredible blues lyrics.
   
   The second album, `Country Blues' does not general reach quite the same heights. However, it is still superb, particularly `KK Blues'.
   
   Unfortunately the other 9 Cds do not reach the same level. Each CD has some high points and some sparkling moments, but never reach the same high point that the `Beginnings' album reaches. Many of the CDs provide a musical style, while probably accurate, does not appeal to my music tastes.
   
   In general, each subsequent album gets slowly poorer. The biggest disappointment is the last album `60s & 70s'. I grew up in this era and discovered the blues. Unfortunately, this CD offers blues that I do not identify with.



4. It is a fantastic collection of Chris Rea interpretation of the different Blues.
   I love Chris voice and his daring lyrics. With this collection Rea moved way up in the world of meaningful songs and music. BRAVO CHRIS



5. I find this music to be very enjoyable. This is the most I have paid for any group of music. Chris Raye's music is blues but not is the strictest sense of the blues. Another CD by Chris Rea is Highway to Hell. This was my first experience listening to him. Also very enjoyable. I find that I listen to at least one of these CDs every day. Well worth the money.

5 comments about The Anthology (1968-1990).

1. As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" and a former radio disc-jockey, I am often asked to write and or discuss various music supplies and recordings from the 60's and 70's.
   
   "The Anthology (1968-1990)" [BOX SET] contains forty-one tracks and for many artists it would be at least thirty-five too many. Luckily, for us Dave Edmunds is unique and the plethora of material is all thrills with no fill.
   
   The inclusion of both the music of Love Sculpture and Dave's subsequent projects enhances the legitimacy of the release to an even higher plateau.
   
   For those of you that haven't experienced the earlier side of Edmunds one listen to "Sabre Dance" will be a wake-up call. It is relentless rock and roll in your face with a bite. Quickly Edmunds diversity is showcased because the next tune is the Gershwin song "Summertime." The mood changes from glad to sadness and Edmunds six string reflects the emotions. "I Hear You Knockin" has been a stable on Classic Rock stations since its inception. The construction of the instrumentation and vocal delivery immediately impacts the brain. When the songs with Nick Lowe take center stage it is blatantly apparent that Edmunds has the unique ability to pay homage to his fifties roots but in such a way those that grew up on 60's and 70's rock and roll embrace the sound. "Here Come The Weekend" and "I Knew The Bride" are examples. "Trouble Boys" is one of those rock and roll tunes that capture a moment. The end result being free from the slightest flaw. When Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk" hits the speakers you are listening to one of the finest covers ever. The energy and conviction is superlative. Speaking of interpretations. How about the vision Dave had for "Queen Of Hearts?" Juice Newton (Major hit) saw it one way and Edmunds took it to a different path. His version of the Hank DeVito song could rank as the most underrated tune on the collection. "Singing The Blues" has been recorded a zillion times with brilliant versions from Guy Mitchell to Paul McCartney. Edmunds leaves his imprint with a terrific rendition. John Fogerty's "Almost Saturday Night" normally wouldn't sound proper coming from any other artist. Edmunds leaves enough of the Fogerty calling card to keep the version superlative. As you get near the end of the material the Edmunds penned tunes "Information" and "High School Nights" will satisfy your craving for his material.
   
   From Love Sculpture to a solo road and a pile or rocks, this is as good as it gets.
   
   
   Enjoy the music and be well,
   Craig Fenton
   Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"



2. The Dave Edmunds Anthology is an outstanding collection, if you are a Edmunds fan you will have heard (or already own) most of this material, but if like me, I purchased this to "retire" my old and worn Dave Edmunds vinyl collection....Great stuff for any fan of Rock n Roll/Roots rock.....GET IT !!!!!



3. Rhino does it again. This covers everything with 41 songs from Love Sculpture to Jeff Lynne. Includes a 52 page booklet with great liner notes but even better each song is covered individually and discussed by Edmunds and/or Billy Bremner. Something that surprised me is how little Edmunds wrote, only seven songs and they were co-written. I have never been a big Edmunds fan (I think like the Everly Brothers he's a little too white for my taste) but I do appreciate his talent and I find his music growing on me (like the Beach Boys & The Dead) as I grow older.



4. This is almost the definitive dave edmunds collection. It contains almost all you need. The almost faultsless Rockpile LP's are well represented and have aged splendidly.



5. Dave was a brilliant musician - you might describe him as an electric guitar virtuoso - and a good singer (though some of the early tracks are instrumentals), whose records often reflected his fifties influences, but his music always sounded fresh and exciting.

   His first success came with Sabre dance, an incredible cover of an old instrumental that reached the top five in the UK and was quite unlike anything else in the late sixties pop charts. He had no further success until I hear you knocking topped the British charts in 1971 and also a huge hit in America. This song was originally written and recorded by Smiley Lewis but was also an American hit for Gale Storm. However, Dave Edmunds made the song his own with his high-energy performance. Later in the seventies, Dave had further British success with Girls talk (an Elvis Costello song) and Queen of hearts, an original song that later became a huge American hit for Juice Newton. It is ironic that his biggest success as a recording artist was with a cover version, but that when he did come up with a great original song, it was somebody else who had the American hit. Baby ride easy is a country duet with Carlene Carter that is unlike anything else here.

   Some great covers are included in this anthology, often better than the original, including Promised land, Born to be with you, Singing the blues, Crying in the rain, Almost Saturday night and The race is on - so there's some rock'n'roll, some blues and some country in there. Bruce Springsteen wrote From small things big things come for Dave to record.

   There are many other great tracks here, too numerous to mention. They are by no means all covers. This is by far the strongest anthology of Dave's music that I've come across. If you enjoy early rock'n'roll, especially Elvis in the fifties, you will surely enjoy Dave's music.

5 comments about Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

1. Brought this game for a friend. He loves it. States the graphics are great. Price was great compared to store prices. Game arrived undamaged.



2. ok ok ok you do NOT make a GTA CD box with country music in it i mean come on. Mabye when your playing the game but i dont think its right to have one hole frickin' CD dedicated to country music in a GTA box. Also Radio Los Santos has to share a CD with Playback. Obviously the only reason your gana buy this is because of the great rap and mabye for the old school dance music you might share with your parents... NOT LOL!!!
   Finally they also cut out some of the best songs from the game
   which include "187" Snoop Dog and Dr. Dre, "The Ghetto" (my favorite song) Too Short and many more. Even though they did have did have Slick Rick, Kid Frost and 2pac. There just wasnt enough rap in this box. If they took out the country and had Radio Los Santos have its own CD this would be perfct!



3. That about says it all. Now I respect the quality products from Rockstar, although this isn't one of them. Why again must some of the best songs from the radio station be missed out again? I remember the days of Vice City, singing along to the tracks which were unavailable on the soundtrack when it was released separately. Thankfully not many were missed out and I was available to obtain them another way legally. However a huge amount are missed this time. I don't know if it's down to record companies or the artists not letting their songs be placed on or some random with a distaste for the public but one thing's for sure it certainly is inconvenient. Ah well, there's always next time.



4. Well well well. This is the uber game with the uber sound track right? In some respects it is, 8 discs, better cover art and more songs for almost the same price. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, was a smash success for many reasons, one of them in my opinion was the inclusion of the music. I guess I'm a closet 80's music person since I didn't know much about it, but after that game I was out in the store checking out Flock of Seagulls albums. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is a great game but I guess I'm not a fan of the 90's as I thought I was, especially music. The discs are set up like music cds, I miss the D.J. interface that Vice City had for each disc, made it personal in a way and the inclusion/exclusion of certain songs can be maddening. I mean why have "Welcome 2 the Jungle" on the commercials but not the ultimate soundtrack? Sure licensing issues aside, I enjoy the pack but again I guess I found out I'm not a 90's type music guy. The only big disappointment on the disc was K-Rose, the country disc. 99% of the songs were not even close to that decade. . . Not to say I want *gulp* Acky Breaky Heart, but hey, it's the time not the quality of music. Good price for the amount of music but not the same for fans of the Vice City ultimate pack.



5. I can see why you might buy this if you don't own the game and just like the songs on the mix, but if you own the PC version of the game you can just listen to the tracks in the car or extract them to Ogg Vorbis and expand them onto CD if you want to.
   
   So I can't really see why if you own the PC game you'd still buy this.
   
   Having said that, I like the selection, and like the Vice City box set (which you can extract to MP3 from the PC game) it has slightly different DJ chatter, which is always funny.
   
   Just try to behave yourself when you put it in your car stereo. Remember, you're NOT playing the game then. It's real life.

4 comments about 1940's Christmas.

1. This was an excellent set of CD's and quite a value, as well. I have thrown three seperate parties using these CD's in the past month and I have received nothing but praise from my guests. WONDERFUL!



2. I have a large variety of Xmas music but found this set disappointing. Disk 1 is ok, and the other 2 are fair. Some of the recordings are poor as one of the other reviewers mentioned. Other Xmas music will probably deliver a better value.



3. I swore I would never buy a LaserLight anything again. They have to be the worst of repackagers. Horrible mastering, ugly artwork, no liner notes of any sort and absolutely no thought to the material. Alas, I didn't check the label before I clicked. Only one of the CDs is a 1940s compilation. A Sinatra/Crosby compilation and a Glenn Miller Christmas collection are discs two and three. Half of the Sinatra/Crosby disc is from an old broadcast (actually I think it is from their Christmas special - if so. it isn't even 40's). The quality is really, really bad. The Glenn Miller disc is actually a radio program and unless there is a secret Christmas message in Little Bug Jug, the Christmas label is a bit deceptive.
   
   Check out the offerings from ASV - their discs are always high quality.



4. This is the greatest Christmas music..I look forward to listening to it every year! It recalls the WWII era in the most touching way - sentimental favorites like Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and I'll Be Home for Christmas are mixed with some more whimsical tunes like It Happened in Sun Valley (my personal favorite)... It swings and warms and evokes great emotion...I can't say enough...

   It is something that I think everyone should have in their collection at Christmastime!!