Anthology [Import]

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
One of the first active Krautrock units, Amon Düül grew out of a multimedia artist commune in Munich that mixed radical political criticism with a unique vision of free-form improvisation tied to American psychedelic rock, especially compared to the avant-garde inclinations of other space rock units like Tangerine Dream and Cluster. Such open-ended and non-musical origins made the later activity of the group quite confusing, as a quartet of (slightly) more musically inclined members branched out in 1969 as Amon Düül II. Meanwhile, the original Amon Düül continued releasing albums. Retro Gold. 2005.

Tracks:

Fallout
Can't Stand Losing You
Next To You
Roxanne
Truth Hits Everybody
Hole In My Life
So Lonely
Message In a Bottle
Reggatta De Blanc
Bring On the Night
Walking On the Moon
Don't Stand So Close To Me
Driven To Tears
Canary In a Coalmine

Tracks:

De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da
Voices Inside My Head
Invisible Sun
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
Spirits In the Material World
Demolition Man
Every Breath You Take
Synchronicity I
Wrapped Around Your Finger
Walking In Your Footsteps
Synchronicity II
King Of Pain
Murder By Numbers
Tea In the Sahara

Album Description

The Police celebrate the 30th anniversary of their recording debut with their first double-disc CD "best of" collection entitled, The Police. The 28 songs bring together the biggest hits from the band's five original studio albums and includes their very first single, 1977's "Fall Out."

From that rarity to one of the most-remembered and most performed rock ballads of the `80s, 1983's "Every Breath You Take," The Police spans the group's six-year journey from sweaty clubs to sold-out stadiums - establishing them as one of the definitive and most popular rock groups in the world.

Customer Reviews:

Literate, poetic...great pop/rock 4.5 out of 5.......2007-07-13

I'm not giving this cd 5 out of 5 because of some issues about the sound...the first cd seems to lack presence in the sound and there is some distortion in the first track of disc 2 [I listen to cds on good quality headphones and I feel that these sound issues could be eliminated if people did the same prior to releasing cds].

Anyway, The Police are perhaps THE major British band of the 1980s. Looking at the credits in the double cd, it seems that lead singer "Sting" pretty much did everything himself...from writing the songs to arranging the music.

Many of the songs on this compilation show Sting to be the former English teacher that he was...from his superior way with words, to his literary allusions.

The highlights of the first cd for me are:

Can't stand losing you-a song about breaking up. The 'voice' of the song sounds like a pouty teenager and is amusing for its melodrama. Suicide is mentioned in this song. This topic seems fertile for rock. E.g. Metallica have the beautiful and absolute classic song "Fade to black", with its adult sensibility; and Megadeth have "A tout le monde", which, like this Police song, seems to have a teenage 'voice' singing. Both latter songs have melodrama, but The Police give their song a nice dose of humour.

Roxanne-perhaps the song which broke the band, especially in the UK. It's about the boyfriend of a prostitute, I think. Along with the song above, it is one of the strongest songs on the first cd. It has a nice mixture of a vulnerable 'voice' doing the singing, and the pounding, repetitive lyrics of the chorus.

Two other songs from the first cd which take my fancy are "Message in a bottle" and "Walking on the moon". Both songs are more towards the "ballad" end of the pop/rock spectrum. The latter song, particulary, illustrates Sting's great lyrical imagery...i.e. he likens walking, when one is in love, to walking on the moon...brilliant use of lyrics and imagery.

The second cd contains most of the songs that I particularly like from this band. "De do do do, de da da da" is a terrific song about how the powerful use language for their own benefit. Many years ago I wasn't very keen on this song, as it SOUNDED like non-sense [and going on the title too]. Listening to this song years later, you appreciate the depth of meaning it has behind it. Nice turn of phrase "Poets, priests and politicians, have words to thank for their positions". Sting doesn't seem to include pop/rock stars!

"Invisible sun" has a terrificly eerie opening [not unlike Synchronicity II...in fact, the intros could just as easily be used to introduce darker themes and music, but settles for terrific pop/rock]. I'm not so keen on the chorus of Invisible Sun, but I really like the verses and the ambiance of the introduction.

"Spirits in the material world" is another highlight from the second disc.
It exemplifies an attractive trait of this band...mixing up the hooks in one song. The song is catchy from the start, with nice melodies [vocal], but it really picks up when a NEW melody [keyboard] is introduced in the latter part of the song. This song may be the one where Sting's glib political views are at the fore ["Our so called leaders speak. With words they try to gaol you. They subjugate the meek, but it's the rhetoric of failure"]. That's a VERY nice turn of phrase, but, like I say, rather glib and lacking in hope for the political process.

Perhaps the band's biggest hit is "Every breath you take". This song isn't one that has ever really grabbed me. To me it's like the curate's egg...good in parts. An Australian equivalent would be Mondo Rock's "Come said the boy"-both bands had monumentally great pop/rock songs, but their most successful songs were not the ones I rated as great. Anyway, The Police's ballad is perhaps growing more on me now...it's 'good' bits are making the song gel better now, for me, perhaps.

"Wrapped around your finger" is another very good Police song, and which has those literary allusions I spoke of earlier "Caught between the Scylla and Charibdes". Perhaps my favourite Police song of all is "King of pain", which also has some literary allusions that I know of "There's a king with his eyes torn out" and some that elude me "There's a skeleton choking on a crust of bread". Both these songs illustrate the great thing about Police songs...how they change gears, so to speak, by changing tempo or pitch or melody. The bit in King Of Pain where this happens is where Sting raises his voice higher and starts the line about the King. Reading the lyrics, I saw that it was more gruesome than I remember, but nonetheless beautiful to listen to.

"Synchronicity" is one of the band's more adventurous sounding rock songs but they carry it off with aplomb.

I do remember hearing somewhere about the song "Murder by numbers" causing controversy in the US and the band's response to this. Having read the lyrics that come with this cd, I see that the band is right to defend the song, but perhaps they only have themselves to blame by making the point of their song towards the end, making it difficult to come by, perhaps. It is also another politically glib song by Sting, though perhaps containing a germ of truth.

Lastly, I did find "Walking in your footsteps" to be a lyrically interesting song. Perhaps it is Sting likening humans to dinosaurs...with us heading for extinction too, like the dinosaurs, if we keep toying with nuclear power.

In conclusion, this is a terrific buy for people into lyrically sophisticated music with catchy pop/rock that is also sophisticated. I do find the drumming sound by this band to be satisfying and their melodies gorgeous when they're at their best. It's just a pity though that on occasion it sounds like the master tapes are in fact LP records...with dust or scratches on them.

P.S. if you like poetic music, I recommend and have reviewed:

Patti Smith's album Horses.

If you like political music, I recommend and have reviewed numerous albums by Midnight Oil here [highly recommended are their albums "10-1" and "Diesel and dust".

I've reviewed Metallica and Megadeth albums here too.

Best rhythm section in rock........2007-07-08

I wouldn't give you more than 50 cents for Sting, but listening to Copeland and Summers on this compilation confirms that they are/were the best rhythm section in rock - or, at the very least, one of the best. Focusing on their playing throughout these 28 tracks is a real delight. I don't know of many other bass/drum duos who can make so much happen so economically.

Buy and get a master class in how to make a rock rhythm section work to perfection.

Excellent compilation that could have been perfect with some additional songs...4 1/2 stars.......2007-07-06

A perfect excuse to exploit their catalog again, A&M/Universal (or whatever the congolmerate is called now)has put together a terrific compilation of the band's album tracks and hits. It appears that the masters used for the album reissues from a couple of years ago are the source here as they sound excellent and exactly the same as the previous set. This is a huge improvement over the various single disc sets released since 1986.

"Fall Out" was their first single and has only appeared on their four disc anthology on CD before this. We get 6 songs from the band's first album "Outlandos d' Amour" 4 tracks from their second album "Regatta De Blanc" their second album, 5 tracks from "Zenyatta Mondatta" their third album, 4 tracks from their fourth album "Ghost in the Machine" and a whopping 8 tracks (most of the album!)from "Synchroncity". We don't get anything from their soundtrack album "Brimstone and Treacle" (which includes the terrific song "I Burn For You") nor anything from their live album. Also missing are b-sides to most of their singles some of which are outstanding.

With 14 songs on each disc there was some room for additional tracks some of which might not have been big hits but deserved a larger audience. "I Burn For You","Bombs Away", "Darkness", "Nothing Achieving" and "Visions of the Night", "Low Life", "The Bed's Too Big Without You" (which they are playing on the tour) are among the songs that probably should have been included.

As mentioned the sound is very good on these discs although there isn't a mastering credit. It does sound very similar to the individual re-releases from a couple years back and has slightly better detail than the boxed set released 14 years ago. The later recordings benefit the most from the remaster although all the songs sound fine. It would have been nice to have comments for each song and more in the way of liner notes on the recordings but that doesn't detract from this anthology. I suspect that there are rarities out there (such as demos, etc.) that could have been added to entice fans who have their other releases but none are here.

This is a very good set for fans looking for the bulk of the best album tracks and hits. The packaging includes a one sheet with some credits on it that folds out into a replica of an early concert poster for the band. The slip case is kind of cool as well. When you slide the holder out of the slipcase the band's songs are listed on the yellow cover (and you can see them when you hold it up to the light).

Another Greatest Greatest Hits...........2007-07-03

The Police were and still are my all-time favorite band. But the last thing I need is another hits collection. I think we're up to four greatest hits packages with this band. C'mon guys! Break out the rarities and unreleased stuff. I know there's a ton. Perhaps this collection was put together to help booster this summer's reunion tour - like they needed any help with that. I still give it 5 stars - these songs are some of the best ever recorded in my opinion. Andy, Stewart and Sting will always rock!

Must have Police Set.......2007-07-01

back in the day I was a Big time Fan of the Police. I always dug there Jams and Grooves. "Every little thing she does is magic", Canary in a Coalmine" was my jam back in the day. Spirits in the Material world, Every Breath you take,Roxanne,etc.... are all here. the Grooves and Versatility Highlighted by the songwriting of Sting and the chemistry of the Musicianship truly made for some tight Jams. the Police in some ways were the link between the Clash,U2 ,Red Hot chilli Pepers and No Doubt on some levels. they Bridged quite a few themes and styles that worked. this is the best overall set that best Highlights there Greatest Hits.

Average customer rating:

a good starting place.
I second Mike S.
Even thought "This Ole Cowbay" was left out...still a 5 Star
After see them in concert
Great Listening

Anthology: The First 30 Years
The Marshall Tucker Band
Manufacturer: Shout Factory
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000771T2E
Release Date: 2005-02-01

Tracks:

Take The Highway
Cant You See
24 Hours At A Time
Fire On The Mountain
Too Stubborn
A New Life
Long Hard Ride
Everybody Needs Somebody
In My Own Way
Where A Country Boy Belongs
Heard It In A Love Song
Ill Be Loving You
Searchin For A Rainbow
Windy City Blues
I Should Have Never Started Lovin You

Tracks:

Running Like The Wind
Cattle Drive
Last Of The Singing Cowboys
Foolish Dreaming
Ride In Peace
Silverado
Good Ole Hurtin Song
Anyway The Wind Blows Rider
Going Down The Road Feeling Bad
Stay In The Country
Driving You Out Of My Mind
If That Isnt Love
Face Down In The Blues
Time Dont Pass By Here
Ramblin
Texas On My Mind
Ride Of Your Life
Enhanced content: Fire On The Mountain (bonus live video clip)

Amazon.com

There have been plenty of attempts to anthologize this venerable Southern band's extensive catalog, but this is the first one to get it right. Spreading 32 tracks from just over 30 years of albums across two discs, the immaculately sequenced compilation plays like a well-conceived piece. From the flute-dominated "Take the Highway," the opening cut of their 1973 debut, the Marshall Tucker Band avoided the typical Southern-boogie-rockin'-guitar path later epitomized by their more rowdy brethren the Outlaws, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Molly Hatchet. Rather, Tucker presented a more laid-back, country-based approach, highlighted by the jazzy playing of woodwind player Jerry Eubanks and drummer Paul Riddle.

Although the Capricorn/Warner Bros. decade that ended in 1983 accounts for the bulk of these selections, the last half of the second disc presents a revamped lineup led by sole original member/lead singer Doug Gray, continuing the musical legacy with remarkably engaging results. The 24-page booklet featuring a detailed history, a live CD-ROM track, and crisply remastered sound further enhance the experience that finally bestows upon this underrated band the comprehensive, classy, and long-overdue retrospective it deserves. --Hal Horowitz

Album Description

The first collection to feature hits from their entire career!

Along with Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Allman Brothers, The Marshall Tucker Band is the definitive Southern rock band. Over their storied career, they've seamlessly blended rock, country, jazz, pop, blues and soul into a beguiling blend of the best music that The South — and America — has to offer. The 2-disc Anthology is the first collection to pull together the highlights from their 30-year career.

It contains not only their biggest hits—"Fire On The Mountain," "Heard It In A Love Song," "Last Of The Singing Cowboys," "Can't You See," "Take The Highway"—but also such fan favorites as "Where A Country Boy Belongs," "I Should Have Never Started Lovin' You," and "Cattle Drive." Since MTB's on-stage prowess is legendary, a live video clip has been included as a bonus.