Best of Scotland

1. Wee McGregor

2. National Emblem

3. Highland Laddie

4. Pipe Medley No. 1

5. Hanover House

6. Quick March Moray Firth

7. St. Patrick's Day

8. River Kwai March

9. Swing of the Kilts

10. March of the Thistles

11. H.M. Jollies

12. On the Square

13. Pipe Medley No. 2

14. My Home in the Green Hills

15. Scotland the Brave

16. Retreat Set

17. Pibroch

18. Miss Kirkwood

19. Battle of the Somme

20. Girl I Left Behind

Best of Scotland,Various Artists,Madacy Records,Int'l & World Music,Pop,Scotland,World Music

Average customer rating: AWB: Pickin' Up the Pieces: The Best of Average White Band (1974-1980) Great Deal Funk In The Trunk Excellent Old school Oh! My! God!

Pickin' Up the Pieces: The Best of Average White Band (1974-1980) The Average White Band Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music Scotland | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music General | Funk | R&B | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music $7.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music R&B | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music International | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $7.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Very Best of Tower of Power: The Warner Years 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of the Ohio Players The Very Best of War Earth Wind & Fire: Greatest Hits The Very Best of Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan ASIN: B0000032VE Release Date: 1992-09-01

Tracks:

1. Pick Up The Pieces
2. Person To Person
3. Got The Love
4. You Got It
5. Work To Do
6. Cut The Cake
7. If I Ever Lose This Heaven
8. School Boy Crush
9. Queen Of My Soul
10. Cloudy (Live Version)
11. A Love Of Your Own
12. Soul Searching
13. I'm The One (Live Version)
14. Get It Up
15. Your Love Is A Miracle
16. When Will You Be Mine
17. Let's Go 'Round Again
18. For You, For Love

Amazon.com

If they'd never cut another track after their monster-grooving, No. 1 R&B instrumental, "Pick Up the Pieces," the Average White Band still would have earned an enduring place in the music pantheon--and the Irony Hall of Fame, the latter due to their improbable Scottish roots. After all, they were six soul-smitten musical journeymen hailing from quarters much nearer the Mull of Kintyre than Motown.

But lest anyone mistake that quirk for a marketing shuck, the funk-drenched love of early '70s black music driving every cut on this well-chosen anthology will set matters straight. Indeed, AWB proves imitation isn't just the sincerest form of flattery. In the hands of seasoned and talented musicians, it can be the sweetest form of inspiration, too. The members' early work in cover bands informs songs like the sweaty workout "Cut the Cake" and tuneful, Marvin Gaye-inspired "Queen of My Soul" and "A Love of Your Own." This album is convincing argument that soul has little to do with the color of one's skin. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

AWB: Pickin' Up the Pieces: The Best of Average White Band (1974-1980).......2007-07-08

When I first purchased this CD, I was immediately floored by the rhythm chops that AWB is so well known. I am new to the funk/R&B scene myself, and I play guitar. AWB's Pickin' Up the Pieces: The Best of the Average White Band (1974-1980) has more than you could want from AWB and contains their most memorable cuts (Pickin' Up the Pieces, and Cut the Cake, my favorites) that inspire old and new funk players to AWB's rhythms. AWB's horn section as well as their vocals provide lead to the backing rhythm guitar work.

Some of their tunes are more complex than others in terms of guitar rhythms, but that is what makes the CD sparkle, both for the tight and intricate bass and guitar, but the well-versed horns that continually pop out at you from the horn section in rhythm.

There are times when the sax player takes solos, but listen to the backing rhythm and it makes more sense.

Personally, I favor the high-charged funk rhythms instead of the ballads, but the ballads just show another side of AWB's versatility.

If you want to take a trip down memory lane and visit some of the 70's best funk and R&B music that even guitarists like me who grew up in that era can enjoy, give the AWB a listen with your media player on "Pickin Up the Pieces" and "Cut the Cake". Two exceptionally organized, well-arranged, and tight guitar, bass, vocals, and horns.

Your answer will be the same as mine if not more appreciative of AWB.

Great Deal.......2007-03-09

Many sites offered my CD but amazon had the best price for the CD and for shipping.

Funk In The Trunk.......2007-01-08

How can the AWB's sound get any fresher?

This excellent remastered collection breathes new life in the classic R&B sound during an era when musicians really mattered. And that is heard in the first cut; the horns and percussion in Pick Up The Pieces groove so hard.

But the band demonstrates their skills on cuts like Person To Person, Work To Do, Cut The Cake and School Boy Crush. Though AWB is still on the road, the live cuts Cloudy & I'm The One gives the listener a taste of how the group sounded on stage back in the day.

The group had such a clean studio sound, which is really brought out in this collection. Though the AWB has several signature songs, there was a lot of quality material recorded from 1974-1980. I cannot recommend a better "best of" package from a group than Pickin' Up The Pieces.

Excellent Old school.......2007-01-03

AWB is a very underrated band. Their talent is definitely for the mature R&B fan who enjoys funk. If this description fits you, you will love Pickin' up the Pieces. There were more great songs on the cd than I expected. "Cloudy" and "A Love of Your Own" were THE slow jams when I was in High School. I am so glad to now have this cd in my collection.

Oh! My! God!.......2006-07-13

I bought this for "A Love Of Your Own" & "Queen of My Soul". After I played it, though, there were so many other good songs I couldn't believe it! I knew a lot of other ones from high school, but even the songs I didn't know were good. These guys really have soul. There are a couple of ballads, a couple of covers and even a disco sounding song. Of course you know "Pick Up The Pieces" but that and "Cut the Cake" are the only instrumentals. I'm really glad I got this CD.

Average customer rating: its ok i guess Proclaimer Proclamation! Proclaimers are Just Plain Fun Proclaimers CD Not bad

The Best of The Proclaimers The Proclaimers Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Folk | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music Scotland | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Sunshine on Leith Restless Soul Benny & Joon: Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Born Innocent Benny and Joon ASIN: B000063984 Release Date: 2002-05-20

Tracks:

1. Letter From America
2. There's A Touch
3. Let's Get Married
4. I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)
5. The Doodle Song
6. I'm On My Way
7. King Of The Road
8. Ghost Of Love
9. Throw The R Away
10. What Makes You Cry?
11. Sunshine On Leith
12. When You're In Love
13. Cap In Hand
14. I Want To Be A Christian
15. Act Of Remembrance
16. Lady Luck
17. Make MY Heart Fly
18. The Light
19. The Joyful Kilmarnock Blues
20. Oh Jean

Amazon.com

It's clear from this 20-track retrospective that the Proclaimers have not developed at all since they began recording. Craig and Charlie Reid seem to believe they got it right the first time, and it's difficult to argue otherwise. The Proclaimers have stuck doggedly to their guns, refusing to forsake their treacle-thick Scottish accents (a decision they sing about on "Throw the R Away") or their worldview (witness titles such as "I Want to Be a Christian" or "Let's Get Married"). In their perverse and obstinate way, the Proclaimers are about as rock & roll as it gets. These are simple and direct songs, but they're great simple and direct songs, performed with unashamedly earnest passion by two extraordinary singers whose harmonies merit comparison with those of the Louvin and Righteous Brothers. --Andrew Mueller

Album Description

2002 compilation gleaned from the best of The Proclaimers four studio albums, 'This Is The Story' (1987), 'Sunshine On Leith' (1988), 'Hit The Highway' (1994), 'Persevere' (2001), one EP, 'King Of The Road' (1990), tracks only previously available on film soundtracks (including 'Letter From America', 'I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)', 'Get Ready' (taken from the 'Dumber And Dumber' soundtrack), & three new tracks (produced by Edwyn Collins) exclusive to this release, 'The Doodle Song', 'Ghost Of Love' & 'Lady Luck'. 20 tracks.

Album Details

20 Track Retrospective that Highlights their Hits Since 1987. Mainly Taken from Four Different Albums, features Are Three New Songs plus the Popular Cover of Roger Miller's 'king of the Road'.

Customer Reviews:

its ok i guess.......2007-06-12

geeky guys that can play and sing. a few of the songs are good and folky, but the rest of them seem to have the same themes. you might be better of buying the sound track to the movie you heard their song on.

Proclaimer Proclamation!.......2007-02-02

Either you are a Proclaimer's fan, or you are not. I love them, always have; I find them to be incredibly talented, and I like the fact that their music is somewhat spiritual. I became hooked with 500 miles, and can't get enough of them. I am by no means a country-western fan,(nor do I believe you have to be in order to appreciate the lyrics in King of the Road), but King of the Road is an incredible song, and I think they do an excellent job with it. Should I ever lose my CD collection due to an act of God, such as a fire or tornado, Best of the Proclaimers will probably be one of the first replacements I would make!

Proclaimers are Just Plain Fun.......2007-01-11

Their sense of humor is obvious within the first two tracks. This is made more captivating by a delightful Scottish burr applied in service of playful pokes at young love ("I would walk 500 miles and I would walk 500 more, just to be the man who walked a thousand miles to fall down at your door"). Their musicianship and arrangements are high quality but not so complex as to detract from the entertainment. This generally light-hearted collection won't change the world, but it sure is fun to listen to ... again and again.

Proclaimers CD.......2006-11-03

I bought this for a Christmas present for someone else. I like their music and hope my friend likes this one!

Not bad.......2006-11-03

I learned some things from listening to this CD.
First and foremost, don't buy a 'greatest hits' compilation just because you like (or have only ever heard) one song.
Next, just because Amazon reviewers like an album doesn't always mean that you will, too.

Now that I've gotten that out of the way - this album wasn't really that bad. I didn't like it all that much myself, but it was obvious that these two have talent. Just because I didn't like it doesn't mean that it isn't good. It just wasn't my cup of tea. They have lots of fans and lots of albums - and I DID like 500 miles enough to consider buying one of their albums - this tells me that it's me, not them, that made the equation not work.
But - if anyone else out there is like me and not sure if they will like The Proclaimers beyond 500 miles...consider this:
Do you want to hear the Roger Miller country-western classic 'King of the Road' sung by a duo with thick Scottish accents? If so, then this is your album. It didn't work for me (and I'm no country-western fan by any stretch of the imagination) but it's all about individual choice. If I could carry a tune I'd be singing myself.
As for the last song on the album - Oh Jean - when it hits around the 2:45 mark and it sounds like the song is over as they fade out singing Love You over and over again - I've got some bad news for you. The Love You chant goes on for another 2 minutes and then some. Seriously. The song is more than 5 minutes long, and by the time it hits the 3 minute mark they've already worn out the 'Love You chant' welcome. You'll hear some changes to the background music, but they drone on and on for another 2 minutes or so repeating the same words over and over and over.....just thought I'd warn you. Jean may have let them get lucky with her, but the luck certainly didn't carry over to us.

If you think you want to get this album - or any other album, for that matter - spend the time and listen to the clips that Amazon posts. I'm usually in too much of a hurry to do that, but from now on I'll do it. I'll keep this CD, and probably listen to it again sometime soon - there really are some songs on it that I like. But I can't honestly say that I was satisfied personally with my purchase. But as I said before, that's just me. You might like it - and I sincerely hope that you do.

And for the record, it would be nice if Amazon reviews could use html tags.

Average customer rating: Great collection from an underrated band For all the time you spit in the rain brakes off The best American folk rock band (from Scotland)! MOney well spent

Hatful of Rain: The Best of Del Amitri Del Amitri Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music Scotland | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Alternative Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: B-Sides Lousy With Love Can You Do Me Good? Change Everything Waking Hours 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Del Amitri ASIN: B00000AFF7 Release Date: 1998-09-14

Tracks:

1. Cry To Be Found
2. Roll To Me
3. Kiss This Thing Goodbye
4. Not Where It's At
5. Nothing Ever Happens
6. Always The Last To Know
7. Here And Now
8. Just Like A Man
9. Spit In The Rain
10. When You Were Young
11. Driving With The Brakes On
12. Stone Cold Sober
13. Tell Her This
14. Move Away Jimmy Blue
15. Be My Downfall
16. Some Other Sucker's Parade
17. Don't Come Home Too Soon

Customer Reviews:

Great collection from an underrated band.......2005-03-21

Del Amitri had a lot of good songs. This compilation gives listeners a nice mixed variety of great music.

All the hits are here and there's also great little known tracks like "Kiss This Thing Goodbye" and "Driving With The Brakes On."

My favorite song on here is the mild hit "Not Where It's At." It's got great vocals, lyrics, music, and harmonies. I never get tired of it.

As I said, this is a great compilation album. It should please die hard Del Amitri fans as well as others who may not be overly familiar with their music. It's definitely worth getting.

For all the time you spit in the rain.......2005-03-14

Listen, no point reading this thing if you're not singing along to 'Always the Last To Know', he he.
Askance takes on bitter break-ups, knives-through-butter guitar lines, a voice that speaks for lovers: do you wanna know more? Do us a favour, you and me, go get this album if you don't own it RIGHT NOW. We can then begin on a Dels journey together.
Oh, hey, Professional Appreciator, thanks for being a fellow Dels fan. You finally understood.

brakes off.......2004-10-30

Del Amitri's song "Driving With the Brakes On" is perhaps the BEST relationship and mood song I've ever heard. ie when he sings "but perhaps I'd been more a man if I stopped it in it's tracks and said, come on, lets go home. But she's got the wheel, and I've just got the things that I've got on". This disc is worth getting for that song alone! The other songs are good too, but that song, when he sings "it's hard to say you love someone, and it's hard to say you don't". Been there!!! Get it, play it, over and over again!

The best American folk rock band (from Scotland)!.......2004-09-09

As a retired college DJ and record/cd collector, I've been exposed to just about every band under the sun. You name it, I've heard it. Enter Del Amitri. If I had to pare down my music collection of thousands of records and cds to just one band, Del Amitri would be the last band standing. They are that good.

This best of collection is a great introduction to Del Amitri's brand of american folk rock. It is, however, just that... an introduction. To call 17 songs a "best of" with a band as good as Del Amitri is like kicking 17 deck chairs off the Titanic. In a word... pointless.

Del Amitri is, acoustic guitar bliss, sweetly sarcastic lyrics, soulful harmonies, and a standout lead vocalist that should rightfully be called the Sinatra of folk-blues rock. Take away all my post punk, 70's rock, alternative garage grunge, etc.. Those others are all good, but they're not Del Amitri.

MOney well spent.......2004-06-01

Do your self a huge favor and buy this CD even if you are only remotely familiar with this group.This CD is a great collection of tuneful, souflul, sometimes heartbreaking,and other times upbeat songs which are catchy without being sophomoric, and only gets better with each play. This has been my number one CD for the last 3 years or longer. I never tire of it, and bought almost all their other stuff since then, but this is truly the creme de la creme. Enjoy

Average customer rating: Multi -Label Lulu CD Best Of IS The Best! Terrific sound quality! To Lulu with Love That's MS. Lulu To You! 60s Pop Diva's Best

From Crayons to Perfume: The Best of Lulu Lulu Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music Scotland | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Girl Groups | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music British Invasion | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Rhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Ultimate Petula Clark Ultimate Collection The Very Best of Dusty Springfield To Sir, With Love The Greatest Hits ASIN: B0000033EZ Release Date: 1994-11-15

Tracks:

1. Shout
2. Leave A Little Love
3. To Sir With Love
4. The Boat That I Row
5. Dreary Nights And Days
6. Best Of Both Worlds
7. Me, The Peaceful Heart
8. Boy
9. Sad Memories
10. Morning Dew
11. Without Him
12. Oh Me Oh My (I'm A Fool For You Baby)
13. Hum A Song (From Your Heart)
14. After The Feeling Is Gone
15. Everybody's Got To Clap
16. Watch That Man
17. The Man Who Sold The World
18. The Man With The Golden Gun
19. Don't Take Love For Granted
20. I Could Never Miss You (More Than I Do)

Album Description

"Lulu, you and I were born in the same pool. Honey, you got soul!" -James Brown. This is the first best-of featuring this '60s star-20 songs crammed on one CD spanning almost 20 years of her career.

Customer Reviews:

Multi -Label Lulu CD Best Of IS The Best!.......2007-06-30

There is not a CD of Lulu's that is more career encompassing than this CD. It features ALL of her biggest & best hits in the US, including many only found on this CD. I love it for the songs that she did for ATCO, which include the phenomenal OH ME OH MY [ I'M A FOOL FOR YOU BABY ] - blue eyed soul at it's best. AFTER THE FEELING IS GONE is another great song too! Of course, it has every US hit from all the labels she recorded for on this from SHOUT through TO SIR WITH LOVE to I COULD NEVER MISS YOU [ MORE THAN I DO ].

Next, we need the original ATCO albums released on CD - NEW ROUTES and MELODY FAIR. It is inexplicable how these classic albums from 1969 & 1970 are not on CD yet anywhere in the world! Lulu continues recording and touring , and is certainly visible & viable in the world today. Look at her appearance on AMERICAN IDOL. Let's hope some label issues her ATCO recordings in full soon. Long overdue Lulu.

This CD is a must!

Terrific sound quality!.......2006-06-20

"To Sir With Love" is so clean, it's sounds as if you're in the studio. Comes as no surprise to this reviewer, always having good luck with Rhino releases. Collectors will also like the fact this CD includes Lulu's last hit from the early 80's: "I Could Never Miss You", a hard to find single until Rhino included it in the compliation.

To Lulu with Love.......2003-12-21

In the camp between the hipsters and squares, Lulu, the daughter of a Glaswegian butcher, was in the latter category along with Nancy Sinatra, Dusty Springfield, and Petula Clark, who did harmless inoffensive pop. She could do a nice lilting strings ballad like "To Sir With Love" or could let loose with her Petula Clark/Ronnie Spector-ish vocals on the soulful "Oh Me Oh My (I'm A Fool For You, Baby)." Chartwise, she didn't score too many Top 40 hits, but since when is that THE measure for how respected an artist is?

Her time with the Luvvers is represented by her cover of the Isley Bros.' classic "Shout," which although it didn't do well on the charts, became the song she became most associated with in the UK. Her voice is really scratchy and shrill in this song, but it doesn't detract from the song. Here are the highlights.

"Leave A Little Love", her first solo single, hit #8 in the UK and demonstrated her ability to sing nice pop ballads backed with vocalists and piano.

Her biggest and only #1 US hit, the ballad "To Sir With Love" from the movie she also co-starred in, is a tribute to a teacher who teaches Judy Geeson's character to grow up "from crayons to perfume". Originally the B-side to her cover of Neil Diamond's "The Boat That I Row" the US DJ's played it and made into a hit. The soaring vocals, strings, and guitar embodies the epitomy of 60's pop, coming as it did in 1967. She does a competent version of the Diamond song, featuring the organs made popular in that decade, and it made to #15 on the US charts.

The engaging "Me The Peaceful Heart" a #9 UK single, bombed at #53 in the US, shows her wondering why bad things happen to her, but she takes it all in style. Songs like the rocking "Boy" and "Sad Memories", with a folky twinge, "Morning Dew", with horns and orchestra a la Nancy Sinatra's middle period, and Harry Nilsson's "Without Him" were all done in 1968, showing her versatility in doing varied styles.

Two songs with the Dixie Flyers, "Hum A Song (From Your Heart)" and the ballad "After The Feeling Is Gone" are included, and shows her leaving the 60's pop scene, embracing more string arrangements and a Southern soul sound. Such is also the case with the harmonious and clapping "Everybody's Got To Clap", written by her husband, Maurice Gibb of the Bee Gees.

In the 70's, she covered a few Bowie songs of which "The Man Who Sold The World" and "Watch That Man" are included, featuring backing vocals from Bowie, himself a fan of Lulu, and produced by Bowie and Mick Ronson. The musicians were the Spiders, BTW. And she joins the hallowed few who does a James Bond song, the brassy "The Man With The Golden Gun."

However, her ballad single from Elton John's Rocket label, "Don't Take Love For Granted" and her single from Alfa Records, the #18 "I Could Never Miss You (More Than I Do)" shows her vocals matured and at their best, with the strings backing making these the best songs on this collection, rivalling "To Sir With Love."

And this is a Rhino compilation, so the Billboard chart position for each song is listed. However, why exclude her highest charting UK hit, the #2 "Boom Bang-A-Bang"? After all, she is an islander. Lulu may not have had the legendary reputation and smooth vocals of Dusty Springfield, but she held her own in the 1960's and 1970's.

Oh, and trivia: Lulu got her name who her manager said of her, "she's a lulu."

That's MS. Lulu To You!.......2003-11-12

Remember that perky little blonde/redhead from the sixties that sang, "To Sir With Love"? Oh yeah. Well, she never disappeared - only in the old USA. That girl born Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie in 1948 had her first big hit, "Shout" (Isley Brothers) in 1967 at the age of fourteen. That song alone regularly sold enough copies to be in Britain's TOP 200 for the following 20 years!

She's recorded hit songs (on this set) written by Neil Diamond, Don Black, Mark London, Harry Nilsson, the Bee Gees, David Bowie and John Barry. The latter writer gave her, "The Man With The Golden Gun", a Bond film classic theme song. Oddly enough, Bowie was a big Lulu fan and helped her release, "Watch That Man" and "The Man Who Sold The World". Her song choices range from ballads to rock and roll standards. In the sixties she was virtually protected by the likes of the Rolling Stones and the Beatles who she had toured with. She was a legend as a teenager.

This collection of twenty songs is great, even if it only goes as far as 1979. However, Lulu continued past that to this very day. If you can find her UK LP recording of "Independence", it is well worth the cost. Lulu proves that as a little Scottish lass, she is still at top form in her fifties. She has that kind of voice.

60s Pop Diva's Best.......2002-08-30

For Lulu fans this is a great CD. It includes recordings of "Shout," "To Sir With Love," and "The Man Who Sold the World." The CD presents Lulu with all the energy, and lust for life that her fans expect.

Average customer rating: Big Country's Populist Sampler Long Live Big Country A Solid Collection Sad end to a promising career The Band That Had It All

The Best of Big Country Big Country Manufacturer: Island / Mercury ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music Scotland | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music International | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Crossing Steeltown The Best Of A Flock Of Seagulls The Best of Simple Minds Seer ASIN: B000001E2E Release Date: 1994-02-22

Tracks:

1. Harvest Home
2. Fields Of Fire (400 Miles)
3. In A Big Country
4. Chance
5. Wonderland
6. East Of Eden
7. Where The Rose Is Sown
8. Just A Shadow
9. Look Away
10. The Teacher
11. One Great Thing
12. King Of Emotion
13. Broken Heart (Thirteen Valleys)
14. Peace In Our Time
15. Save Me
16. Heart Of The World
17. Republican Party Reptile

Customer Reviews:

Big Country's Populist Sampler.......2007-03-12

In the best traditional of Rock-n-Roll, Stuart Adamson/Big Country wrote and sang about and FOR the poor and working class, even as the rich and powerful reaped the profits. "Where the Rose is Sown", "Peace In Our Time" and "Post Nuclear Talking Blues" leave no doubt what they thought of war. It's too bad that "All Go Together" didn't make this collection, as it accurately foreshadows the global warming, which the scientific community agrees is underway right now. "Republican Party Reptile" describes a man who stuffs corporate kick-backs into offshore bank accounts while confident that plastic surgery will keep his wife looking young.

Long Live Big Country.......2006-12-11

This is no ordinary Pop Big 80s Collection, for Big Country was not an ordinary 80s band. Another review said " This Band Should have been Huge" and I say yes 10000 per cent. They had everything that should have made them alongside U2 as a power band of Celtic origins.
The Videos of Fields of Fire and In a Big Country show scenes of Scotland as well as them desplaying stories, for In a Big Country they are in search of a treasure with a mistchevous Girl running in competition against them; when Fields of Fire is about the band being on a train and them seeing a Bagpipe Player, when then they see a WW2 Battle, while in all of this it is all just how a child plays innosently with his Train set.
Many videos have the band just playing while others have the band again telling stories, and Look Away is one such video and song, for the song is about an outlaw and his love and him dying as he is captured and finaly hung for his crimes, although in the video he was really forced to fall to his death from a hillslope, when in escape. He was also originally to be shot and supposedly by the family of the man who the Outlaw killed in a drunken rage. The video was made very well but half in a studio and half out in the areas of Scotland supposedly around Glasgow and Edinburgh.
I can go on for hours of all the songs, but in closing the song of Where the Red Rose is Sown is a song that reminds me of the Patriotism that is needed today in our fight againt our enemy.
This is a great collection.

A Solid Collection.......2006-01-07

If you're a Big Country fan and own all their CDs, stay away because you'll already have all of the songs on the CD. If you're a casual Big Country listener, this is the CD for you. Awesome collection of BC's best. If you only want one BC album, purchasing this is the way to go. All of their best music is on this disc. But my advice is to spend some extra cash (even go into the zShop) and buy the first 4 studio albums instead, along with the last studio album. I always find greatest hits albums a little pretentious, especially when the band only has 2 or 3 "legitimate" hits.

Sad end to a promising career.......2005-04-14

When "In a Big Country" first came blasting out of stereo's in 1983, it seemed like Big Country the band would be the next big thing. Unfortunately, their often political/social music had a hard time finding an audience in the greed of the 80's. Although they never repeated the success of "In a Big Country", those of us who followed their career still delighted in songs such as "Fields of Fire" and what I consider to be their best song ever, "Look Away". Lead singer Stuart Adamson's tragic death on December 16, 2001, makes the fact that they never duplicated their early success even sadder.

For those of you just looking for "In a Big Country", you might want to try to find that song on an 80's compilation. This CD is truly for the Big Country enthusiast. The songs all pretty much have that same Scottish beat, which may have also hampered their success here in America. Continued chart success depends on the ability to change with the times. Irish rockers U2 have stayed in the mainstream because they have experimented with different styles of music and different sounds.

As I grow older, it seems somewhat sad that so many artists I idolized in the 80's pass on without much notice (Robert Palmer, Laura Branigan, etc.) It is bittersweet to put on this CD now and listen to all the energy and youthful enthusiasm this band put into their music 20 years ago. For fans of this music, buy this CD and enjoy the memories of a time gone by.

I only give the CD 3 stars because the band really did not have enough hits to warrant a higher ranking.

The Band That Had It All.......2004-07-21

I can not say enough good things about Big Country. Music that stirs the soul, with awesome guitar work, meaningful lyrics, and drums that just drive. This CD stays in my CD changer.

One down side to the Best Of, is the drum work in the beginning of "In A Big Country" is cut short.

Aside from that criticism, I highly recommend The Best Of.

One of the best tracks on this CD is "Just A Shadow". Giving this song a listen is more than worth the price of the CD.
Give it a listen!

In my listmania list I placed The Best Of Big Country as No. 1 for music with meaning.

Average customer rating: + 1/2 stars...Satisfying Single Disc Anthology

The Best of 1970-1982: Days Gone Down Gerry Rafferty Manufacturer: Raven [Australia] ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music Scotland | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Right Down the Line: The Best of Gerry Rafferty: Very Best Of City to City Greatest Hits by Alstewart Best of the Dream Weaver ASIN: B000EWBMEW Release Date: 2006-05-01

Tracks:

1. Please Sing A Song For Us - The Humblebums
2. Blood And Glory - The Humblebums
3. Steamboat Row - The Humblebums
4. Can I Have My Money Back?
5. New Street Blues
6. Mary Skeffington
7. Sign On The Dotted Line
8. Stuck In The Middle With You - Stealers Wheel
9. Everyone's Agreed That Everything Will Turn Out Fine - Stealers Wheel
10. Who Cares? - Stealers Wheel
11. Right Or Wrong - Stealers Wheel
12. Star - Stealers Wheel
13. Baker Street
14. Right Down The Line
15. Night Owl
16. Get It Right Next Time
17. Royal Mile (Sweet Darlin')
18. Bring It All Home
19. Sleepwalking
20. Home And Dry
21. Days Gone Down (Still Got The Light In Your Eyes)

Product Description

THE HUMBLEBUMS 1970
1. Please Sing A Song For Us
2. Blood And Glory
3. Steamboat Row
GERRY RAFFERTY 1971
4. Can I Have My Money Back?
5. New Street Blues
6. Mary Skeffington
7. Sign On The Dotted Line
STEALERS WHEEL 1973-75
8. Stuck In The Middle With You
9. Everyone’s Agreed That Everything Will Turn Out Fine;
10. Who Cares?
11. Right Or Wrong
12. Star
GERRY RAFFERTY 1978-82
13. Baker Street
14. Right Down The Line
15. Night Owl
16. Get It Right Next Time
17. Royal Mile (Sweet Darlin’)
18. Bring It All Home
19. Sleepwalking
20. Home And Dry
21. Days Gone Down (Still Got The Light In Your Eyes)

Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

+ 1/2 stars...Satisfying Single Disc Anthology.......2006-06-19

This is essentially a rerelease of Raven's 1997 Gerry Rafferty CD, CLOWNS TO THE LEFT, JOKERS TO THE RIGHT 1970-1982 (which is still in print). What gives the nod to DAYS GONE DOWN is that they deleted three album tracks from the earlier anthology to add Stealers Wheel's second hit "Star" as well as Rafferty's 1979 hits "Home and Dry" and "Days Gone Down (Still Got the Light in Your Eyes)."

DAYS GONE DOWN covers the same time period (1970-1982), so you still get tracks from his stint with The Humblebums (tracks 1-3), his first solo album (tracks 4-7), Stealers Wheel (tracks 8-12), and his post-Stealers Wheel solo albums (tracks 13-21).

I have no complaint with four tracks being culled from his pre-fame solo album CAN I HAVE MY MONEY BACK, but CITY TO CITY was an equally strong album and it is only represented by the hit singles "Baker Street" and "Right Down the Line." This really should have been a two-disc collection, but as it stands it has all the hits and a sampling of tracks from throughout Rafferty's career. As great a song as "Baker Street" was, this album makes clear that Rafferty was no one-trick pony. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Average customer rating: Amazing for the newbies....lacking for the hardcores! Balladeer & Rocketeer

Bouillabaisse: The Best of Fish Fish Manufacturer: Snapper UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music Scotland | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Return to Childhood Return to Childhood [Region 2] Somewhere Else Marillion: Live From Loreley Clutching at Straws ASIN: B000AR9ZAO Release Date: 2005-10-25

Tracks:

1. Just Good Friends
2. Shot the Craw
3. Gentleman's Excuse Me
4. Kayleigh
5. Solo
6. Incomplete
7. Company
8. Fortunes of War
9. Our Smile
10. Lavender
11. Lady Let It Lie
12. Cliche
13. Scattering Crows
14. Tara
15. Caledonia
16. Raw Meat

Tracks:

1. Big Wedge
2. Credo
3. Incommunicado
4. Goldfish and Clowns
5. Long Cold Day
6. Brother 52
7. Clock Moves Sideways
8. Perception of Johnny Punter
9. Moving Targets
10. Plague of Ghosts: Old Haunts
11. Plague of Ghosts: Digging Deep
12. Plague of Ghosts: Chocolate Frogs
13. Plague of Ghosts: Waving at Stars
14. Plague of Ghosts: Raingod Dancing
15. Plague of Ghosts: Wake Up Call (Make It Happen)
16. (VI) Wake Up Call (Make It Happen)

Album Description

For the first time a double CD collection that encompasses the career of the most successful progressive rock singers since Peter Gabriel with Genesis. Bouillabaisse - The Best Of Fish features the massive Marillion hits Kayleigh, Lavender and Incommunicado through to the singers more recent solo material which still brings out the fans in droves. 32 tracks. Deluxe Digipack

Album Details

A Collection that Encompasses the Career of the Most Successful Progressive Rock Singers. Features the Hits Kayleigh, Lavender and Incommunicado.

Customer Reviews:

Amazing for the newbies....lacking for the hardcores!.......2006-05-15

I have been a fan of FISH since his days with Marillion. I already own much of what is represented here, and only purchased for the exclusive edits, the song "Caledonia" and the beautiful packaging. Disc one is absolutely brilliant...some of his best work. I have a few big gripes about this collection that kept me from making this a 5 Star. What happened with disc two? Where is "Familly Business"? I would have rather seen the re-recorded versions (from Yin/Yang) for the old Marillion tracks...not that they are inferior, but the re-recorded versions seem a bit more representational of where FISH is now. I would have liked to see some rarities as well...perhaps "Poet's Moon". The entire "Plague of Ghosts" isn't necessary...a nice edit of "Digging Deep" and "Raingods Dancing" would have been enough. Snapper has put out some nice box sets lately (Katatonia's "Black Sessions" with DVD(!) and My Dying Bride...) and I was expecting a little more. This IS a great release, but as a hard core fan I was hoping for more goodies. If you are new to FISH, I suggest you start here.

Balladeer & Rocketeer.......2005-11-02

First let me say that there are not enough stars available to properly praise this CD. The first disc is the Balladeer and it really shows off the genious that is Fish by placing side by side some of the best ballads of his career. Fish has written some of the very best love songs EVER! Very, very touching and moving to the soul. His wit and gift for words is second to none. These are not poppy ballads that are just gloss, they are firmly grounded tunes based deep in reality and with emotional depth, clarity, and wise lyrics. The kind of thing that you don't get with much of today's music. The second disk is the Rocketeer and of course it rocks with some of Fish's most powerful tunes. An overall view of an extemely talented, wise and gifted man, not to mention an incredible vocalist and performer. Very nice package with great artwork by Mark Wilkinson.

Average customer rating: The Big Music Too many styles

The Best of The Waterboys 81-90 The Waterboys Manufacturer: EMI Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music Scotland | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music Rock | Celtic | International | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Alternative Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Fisherman's Blues The Whole of the Moon: The Music of the Waterboys & Mike Scott This Is the Sea A Pagan Place Room to Roam ASIN: B000007O1N Release Date: 2003-12-02

Tracks:

1. A Girl Called Johnny
2. The Big Music
3. All The Things She Gave Me
4. The Whole Of The Moon
5. Spirit
6. Don't Bang The Drum
7. Fisherman's Blues
8. Killing My Heart
9. Strange Boat
10. And A Bang On The Ear
11. Old England
12. A Man Is In Love

Album Description

UK reissue of 1991 compilation for the Celtic alternative rock act. 12 tracks, 'Girl Called Johnny', 'Big Music', 'All The Things She Gave Me', 'Whole Of The Moon', 'Spirit', 'Don't Bang The Drum', 'Fisherman's Blues', 'Killing My Heart', 'Strange Boat', 'And A Bang On The Ear', 'Old England' & 'Man Is In Love'.

Album Details

1990 Collection of the Band's Best as Recorded for Chrysalis/Ensign Records from the 1980's Decade. Includes Great Tunes from Mike Scott and Co. Like "Fisherman's Blues", "Strange Boat", "a Girl Called Johnny" and Many More.

Customer Reviews:

The Big Music.......2003-04-02

At their best, The Waterboys matched the brilliance of founder Mike Scott's heroes like Patti Smith and Van Morrison, in creating poetic masterpieces with a spiritual essence/trancendent quality - "the Big Music" as Scott calls it. Examples are the dark, powerful Killing My Heart, the gentle ballad The Whole Of The Moon and the soaring Spirit. At their worst, they gave us singalong Celtic Folk like And A Bang On The Ear and others, but even these are rendered memorable by catchy melodies and the wonderful mix of instruments. Most of the songs fall somewhere inbetween, although the melodic A Man Is In Love and All The Things She Gave Me also stand with the Big Music. I'd really like to give it four stars, but an album with classics like Killing My Heart or Spirit deserves the full five!

Too many styles.......2001-08-15

I ordered this CD after having heard several cuts from "Fisherman's Blues," such as "Sweet Thing," "A Bang on the Ear," and the title track. I knew that the emsemble evolved through different styles in these ten years, but boy howdy, I didn't know just how much it evolved. The first several tracks are brash college-band tunes, albeit with Scott's more mature touches. I only enjoyed the more Celtic and folk flavored later tracks, and I therefore find myself skipping through the CD quite a bit. That being said, if you dig the early INXS sound, the earlier efforts are superb. The CD is absolutely an accurate representation of the group's music from '81 to '91, it just wasn't quite what I had hoped. The Waterboys just went through too many phases growing up. Caveat Emptor.

Average customer rating: Silly Wizard ... Scottish-style Celtic folk music Great Takes on Traditional Scottish Music A band with fire and soul! Worth every ounce of praise I can heap upon it. Appropriately titled! This is "The Best of Silly Wizard"

The Best of Silly Wizard Silly Wizard Manufacturer: Shanachie ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Irish Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Scottish Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music Ireland | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music Scotland | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music New Age | Celtic | International | Styles | Music Fusion | Celtic | International | Styles | Music Celtic New Age | New Age | Styles | Music General | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music Celtic | Europe | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Wild & Beautiful Caledonia's Hardy Sons So Many Partings Kiss the Tears Away Fire in the Glen ASIN: B000000E7E Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. The Valley Of Strathmore
2. Donald McGillavry/O'Neill's Cavalry March
3. A.A. Cameron's Strathspey/Mrs. Martha Knowles/The Pitnacree Ferryman/The New Shillin'
4. The Fishermen's Song
5. The Queen Of Argyll
6. Finlay M. MacRae
7. The Pearl
8. Isla Waters
9. Mo Chuachag Laghach (My Kindly Sweetheart)
10. Broom O' The Cowdenknowes
11. Green Fields Of Glentown/The Galtee Reel/Bobby Casey's Number Two/Wing Commander...

Customer Reviews:

Silly Wizard ... Scottish-style Celtic folk music .......2006-10-18

These guys are amazing. This marvelous compilation captures Silly Wizard at their rambunctious peak. Right away you'll notice vocalist Andy M. Stewart is at his very best, as are they all. The songs on this CD are wonderful. The Fisherman's Song is a haunting song about men being lost at sea and the wives & children they leave behind. Here is a bit of the lyrics.

"By the storm-torn shoreline a woman is standing
The spray strung like jewels in her hair
And the sea tore the rocks near the desolate landing
as though it had known she stood there.

Chorus:
For she had come down to condemn that wild ocean
for the murderous loss of her man,
His boat sailed out on Wednesday morning
And it's feared it's gone down with all hands."

This CD is great. Grab one you'll be glad you did!

Great Takes on Traditional Scottish Music.......2006-02-23

I bought The Best of Silly Wizard to get a copy of "The Valley of Strathmore," Andy Stewart's ballad done in the traditional style of Scottish music. The rest of the CD is just as fine. Makes one just pine for a wee bit of the Highlands!

A band with fire and soul!.......2004-01-01

I'm not sure this album represents all the "best" of Silly Wizard but it's an earthy, rollicking-good-romp all the same. Standout tracks include the rousing renditions of "Queen of Argyll" and "Donald McGillavry", the poignant "Valley of Strathmore" and "Finlay M. MacRae", and of course the virtuosic dances on tracks 3, 9 and 11. No booming bass here--the sound of this primarily accoustic band tends toward the treble side, featuring the finger-flying accordion playing of Phil Cunningham and the folksy tenor voice of Andy M. Stewart. But the well-crafted harmonic structures supporting their melodies are always engaging, holding a listener's attention and moving each piece along to a more than satisfying conclusion. Interestingly, like another of the group's Shanachie releases that I have ("Wild and Beautiful"), "Best of ..." begins with a wistful love song rather than an energetic dance set--a fitting opening considering the honest, heartfelt sentiment that Silly Wizard brings to their music. (I suppose the approach also hearkens back to the "days of yore", before albums were marketed via computer systems designed to grab maximum attention with only the first few listen-able tracks ...) On this recording, core group members Phil Cunningham, Andy M. Stewart, Martin Hadden and Gordon Jones are joined by guitarist Bob Thomas and fiddler Johnny Cunningham. For another "Best of"-style recording of this band's favorite works, try their 1988 Green Linnett recording, "Live Wizardry".

Worth every ounce of praise I can heap upon it........2003-10-02

I remember this album when it was first released in 1985 and in the 18 years since, I have found few albums in the genre that rival it. It is a fantastic selection of Silly Wizard's work. The "Queen of Argyll" is my absolute favorite love song of all time with lyrics like "All the roses in the garden bow and ask their pardon for not one could match the beauty of the Queen of all Argyll". If that doesn't conjure the image of a red haired Scottish beauty strolling in a garden or meadow, I don't know what does. Amazon gives us a space of 1,000 words to express our opinion in a review, but ten times that many praises might begin to express how I feel about this album ... even after all these years since I first heard it.

Appropriately titled! This is "The Best of Silly Wizard".......2003-01-23

I love this CD, in fact this is my second copy, having worn the other one out completely. When I need a pick me up, this is the CD I reach for!

Average customer rating:

Very Best of Jimmy Somerville: Bronski Beat and the Communards Jimmy Somerville Manufacturer: Wea International ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Dance Pop | Compilations | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music Scotland | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Dance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Best of OMD ASIN: B000078JJS Release Date: 2002-10-15

Tracks:

1. Smalltown Boy
2. Dont Leave Me This Way
3. Aint Necessarily So
4. Never Can Say Goodbye
5. You Are My World
6. Theres More To Love (Than Boy Meets Girl)
7. Why
8. You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)
9. Read My Lips (Enough Is Enough)
10. Hurt So Good
11. Comment Te Dire Adieu
12. To Love Somebody
13. For A Friend
14. I Feel Love Johnny Remember Me
15. So Cold The Night
16. Tomorrow
17. Disenchanted

Album Description

Full title - Very Best Of Jimmy Somerville, Bronski Beat & The Communards. A collection of his best moments including tracks from Bronski Beat, The Communards & Jimmy Somerville's solo career. 17 tracks in all. Warner. 2002.

Album Details

A Collection of his Best Moments Including Tracks from Bronski Beat, the Communards and Jimmy Somerville's Solo Career.

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