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Post by SAT-I need more room!! on Jun 30, 2009 12:32:07 GMT -5
Ok I have been slacking BIG TIME around here which isn't right, so I am trying to help make up for it with a new feature. (Dawn, I hope this is the appropriate section to put this in!!)
At one point or another, ALL of us have complained about a new compilation coming out by an artist that was lacking certain songs. Sometimes it was a personal favorite, but others, a big hit was inexplicably (sp?) left off. (George Harrison's latest lacking some Dark Horse hits is a case in point.)
Although the George Harrison situation helped remind me of this, I've been wanting to do this feature for some time now. It'll mostly be my opinion, but I'd sure love to hear others chime in with this!
Well, I'll start in the A's (not at the very beginning, but in there), with Canada's hometown boy, Bryan Adams. (A shout out to Ken!)
His first compilation was So Far So Good. It was a good collection, with a Straight From the Heart/Heaven/Everything I Do rewrite, Please Forgive Me. It included the 3 biggies from Cuts Like a Knife, a decent sampling from Waking the Neighbors, and the one biggie from Into the Fire. Now a diehard, perhaps Ken, would say the lesser hits from Into and Waking should be on here. But we are dealing with a 1 disc collection, so space is an issue.
The real problem with this collection is-where is One Night Love Affair? I know it was the least successful of the six singles on Reckless, but for my money, it's his best song! In it's place, they put Kids Wanna Rock, which I know is a big fave among his fans, but that's better placed in a multi-disc collection.
His next collection was The Best of Me. This one boggles my mind as far as what it was trying to accomplish. It appears to be a companion to the first, but there is overlapping of 5 songs. (Perhaps this was to entice some of his older fans, but there's nothing from Cuts!)
The last one is Anthology. This is a 2 disc set. One Night Love Affair DID make this one-but Kids Wanna Rock didn't. There's 2 pre-Cuts cuts (no pun intended), an additional Into the Fire single, and 5 songs from Waking. Disc 2 has all the hits since So Far, starting with Please Forgive Me, while peppering in some live cuts.
So overall, Anthology is the best bet if you want a career overview with ALL his hits. If you are looking for a one disc set, pick up So Far, and try to find Reckless somewhere cheap! LOL
Opinions? Agree or disagree? (Hope you enjoy this feature!!)
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Post by H2IZCOOL on Jun 30, 2009 15:10:12 GMT -5
Welcome back, Stranger! I've always liked your opinion features, Adam (so did our old friends Shane and Arnie, as I recall.  ) Now unfortunately, I am not familiar with a large portion of Bryan's Songs (hey - get that movie tie-in?), even though his "Summer of '69" is in my top 500. So I'm probably not qualified to bitch or complain about a Bryan song left off a compilation (unless it's Summer of '69 - which shouldn't be left off any Bryan Adams compilation, IMO.) But I'll put a brief 2 cents in about compilations in general - and we've talked about this many times. Good songs are left off and mediocre - or non-hit, non-representitve songs are put in simply so the producer will know that they can come out with another compliation later, and one after that, etc. The only GOOD excuse for songs being left off a compilation is that the compilation comes out before some songs have been recorded. It's all about $$$$. |
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Post by Dawn on Jun 30, 2009 16:47:41 GMT -5
It's strange that Let Me Take You Dancing has never turned up on any of the collections. I've read that Bryan isn't too fond of the track, which likely explains its absence, but still, it was one of his first singles, and deserved a spot on Anthology at least.
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Post by Ken on Jun 30, 2009 19:22:50 GMT -5
Hey Adam!  Welcome back!!! I had to have a look at the tracklistings to refresh my memory of what's included on each disc. A couple of things bother me about "The Best Of Me" collection, 1) That the "Unplugged " version of "I'm Ready" is included instead of using the studio version. There is nothing wrong with the "Unplugged" version at all, it's great, I like it very much, but I hate when they replace the studio version with a live version, if you want to do that, add the live version as a bonus track, otherwise give me the studio version! 2) I've always thought that "The Best Of Me" was supposed to be a "step up" or a more in depth collection over "So Far So Good" but, like you mentioned there are no tracks included from Cuts", a huge mistake, someone dropped the ball when they compiled this. I agree with Dawn, Bryan apparently isn't fond of"Let Me Take You Dancing" but to be complete it should have been included, after all it is a career spanning comp. Nice to see "Remember" from Bryan's 1980 self titled album included as well, I like it! If someone was to ask my opinion about which comp to buy, I would recommend for a single disc collection - "So Far So Good" ok, it's not perfect, it is missing a few tracks (I would have also added "Hearts on Fire" and "Victim of Love" from Into The Fire) but, what is included is fantastic, it's a solid collection. If the person wanted a more well rounded collection, no doubt, the "anthology" is the way to go! Sorry to be so long winded lol! I couldn't stop typing! |
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Post by SAT-I need more room!! on Jul 2, 2009 12:33:03 GMT -5
Welcome back, Stranger! I've always liked your opinion features, Adam (so did our old friends Shane and Arnie, as I recall. ) Now unfortunately, I am not familiar with a large portion of Bryan's Songs (hey - get that movie tie-in?), even though his "Summer of '69" is in my top 500. So I'm probably not qualified to bitch or complain about a Bryan song left off a compilation (unless it's Summer of '69 - which shouldn't be left off any Bryan Adams compilation, IMO.) But I'll put a brief 2 cents in about compilations in general - and we've talked about this many times. Good songs are left off and mediocre - or non-hit, non-representitve songs are put in simply so the producer will know that they can come out with another compliation later, and one after that, etc. The only GOOD excuse for songs being left off a compilation is that the compilation comes out before some songs have been recorded. It's all about $$$$. Well, Ed gave the general opinion about all compilations, so I guess I can just end this feature. LMAO!!!!! You're right though, it IS to make more money. That's why collection "two", while eliminating some songs from collection "one" will then add songs that collection "one" was missing. Plus, they sometimes sneak in newly recorded or unreleased tracks. But I'm continuing on with this feature next week, so  !!!! |
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Post by Pete70s on Jul 2, 2009 20:21:10 GMT -5
Great idea for a new feature, Adam!
I didn't know Bryan Adams had 3 compilations out. I never was a big fan of his style (I always lumped him somewhere between Bruce Springsteen and Corey Hart, neither of which I ever cared much for). However, I did like a couple of the hits off of "Reckless" ("Run To You" and "Somebody" in particular, due to memories of when they were hits). Both of these are on "So Far So Good", which I believe I borrowed from Dave at some point. Never heard any of the hits off "Into The Fire" (was BLISSFULLY ignorant of anything on pop radio after '85!). And the movie hits, Puh-lease!!!
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Post by 55dodger on Jul 2, 2009 22:21:34 GMT -5
Good to have you back Adam.
So Far, So Good is the only Bryan Adams I own. It's good enough. Don't really know much of his other stuff. The only way I'd get Anthology is if I found it at a used cd joint for an amazing price.
BTW: How are the Cubs doing?
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Post by dave910 on Jul 4, 2009 23:23:51 GMT -5
Adam,
It's great to have you back and I hope you had a great 4th! The only the CD I own from Bryan Adams is the "So Far, So Good" hits collection. I agree that the CD could have been more complete, it clocks in around 65 min. Still labels were dealing with cassettes to please that audience. Yes, it's my gripe that labels should include all the hit singles on one disc if possible. Adams was a big staple on top 40 as well as rock stations in the 80's. I guess if you want a comprehensive collection, the anthology is the best bet.
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Post by SAT-I need more room!! on Jul 6, 2009 16:11:30 GMT -5
It's strange that Let Me Take You Dancing has never turned up on any of the collections. I've read that Bryan isn't too fond of the track, which likely explains its absence, but still, it was one of his first singles, and deserved a spot on Anthology at least. Dawn-I'll have to give that track a listen since I do have his first couple on vinyl. |
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Post by Jughead on Jul 6, 2009 21:51:17 GMT -5
I don't own any of those Bryan Adams compilations, so I cannot really comment on them...but I do have Bryan Adams' Unplugged album, which is more or less a recording of his appearance on that show. Great music though...I'm actually one of those who prefers the acoustic version of "I'm Ready" than the studio version. And, yes, Ed...Summer of '69 is on this album too...first cut, actually. |
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Post by SAT-I need more room!! on Jul 7, 2009 17:04:13 GMT -5
Hey Adam! Welcome back!!! I had to have a look at the tracklistings to refresh my memory of what's included on each disc. A couple of things bother me about "The Best Of Me" collection, 1) That the "Unplugged " version of "I'm Ready" is included instead of using the studio version. There is nothing wrong with the "Unplugged" version at all, it's great, I like it very much, but I hate when they replace the studio version with a live version, if you want to do that, add the live version as a bonus track, otherwise give me the studio version! 2) I've always thought that "The Best Of Me" was supposed to be a "step up" or a more in depth collection over "So Far So Good" but, like you mentioned there are no tracks included from Cuts", a huge mistake, someone dropped the ball when they compiled this. I agree with Dawn, Bryan apparently isn't fond of"Let Me Take You Dancing" but to be complete it should have been included, after all it is a career spanning comp. Nice to see "Remember" from Bryan's 1980 self titled album included as well, I like it! If someone was to ask my opinion about which comp to buy, I would recommend for a single disc collection - "So Far So Good" ok, it's not perfect, it is missing a few tracks (I would have also added "Hearts on Fire" and "Victim of Love" from Into The Fire) but, what is included is fantastic, it's a solid collection. If the person wanted a more well rounded collection, no doubt, the "anthology" is the way to go! Sorry to be so long winded lol! I couldn't stop typing! Ken-on your first point, I agree about having the "live" version instead of the studio. (You will see me expand on that in my next post on this feature!) Of course there are exceptions; Frampton, Seger, Ridin' the Storm Out, etc, where the live version is pretty much set in stone as the "definitive" version. The single disc collection IS good overall, it's just One Night Love Affair is his best!! LOL |
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Post by Ken on Jul 8, 2009 2:01:55 GMT -5
Hey Adam! Welcome back!!! I had to have a look at the tracklistings to refresh my memory of what's included on each disc. A couple of things bother me about "The Best Of Me" collection, 1) That the "Unplugged " version of "I'm Ready" is included instead of using the studio version. There is nothing wrong with the "Unplugged" version at all, it's great, I like it very much, but I hate when they replace the studio version with a live version, if you want to do that, add the live version as a bonus track, otherwise give me the studio version! 2) I've always thought that "The Best Of Me" was supposed to be a "step up" or a more in depth collection over "So Far So Good" but, like you mentioned there are no tracks included from Cuts", a huge mistake, someone dropped the ball when they compiled this. I agree with Dawn, Bryan apparently isn't fond of"Let Me Take You Dancing" but to be complete it should have been included, after all it is a career spanning comp. Nice to see "Remember" from Bryan's 1980 self titled album included as well, I like it! If someone was to ask my opinion about which comp to buy, I would recommend for a single disc collection - "So Far So Good" ok, it's not perfect, it is missing a few tracks (I would have also added "Hearts on Fire" and "Victim of Love" from Into The Fire) but, what is included is fantastic, it's a solid collection. If the person wanted a more well rounded collection, no doubt, the "anthology" is the way to go! Sorry to be so long winded lol! I couldn't stop typing! Ken-on your first point, I agree about having the "live" version instead of the studio. (You will see me expand on that in my next post on this feature!) Of course there are exceptions; Frampton, Seger, Ridin' the Storm Out, etc, where the live version is pretty much set in stone as the "definitive" version. The single disc collection IS good overall, it's just One Night Love Affair is his best!! LOL About the live versus the studio version - Yes, I totally agree in some cases there are exceptions like those examples you've listed. KISS is another good example with Rock and Roll All Night. Yes, once again I agree 100% One Night Love Affair is a fantastic song and a big fave of mine and easily should have been included! |
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Post by SAT-I need more room!! on Jul 22, 2009 14:57:40 GMT -5
Great idea for a new feature, Adam! I didn't know Bryan Adams had 3 compilations out. I never was a big fan of his style (I always lumped him somewhere between Bruce Springsteen and Corey Hart, neither of which I ever cared much for). However, I did like a couple of the hits off of "Reckless" ("Run To You" and "Somebody" in particular, due to memories of when they were hits). Both of these are on "So Far So Good", which I believe I borrowed from Dave at some point. Never heard any of the hits off "Into The Fire" (was BLISSFULLY ignorant of anything on pop radio after '85!). And the movie hits, Puh-lease!!! Thanks Pete! I'm havin' fun with it! Yeah So Far is certainly good enough for the casual fan-except for One Night Love Affair being missing! LOL! (Actually heard that on the classic rock satellite station at the place I work out the other morning.) |
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Post by SAT-I need more room!! on Jul 22, 2009 15:00:00 GMT -5
Good to have you back Adam. So Far, So Good is the only Bryan Adams I own. It's good enough. Don't really know much of his other stuff. The only way I'd get Anthology is if I found it at a used cd joint for an amazing price. BTW: How are the Cubs doing? Thanks Woody! I think when I first "went missing", you hadn't been on in awhile, so it's good to see you too! Yeah Anthology would be a lot easier to get at a cheaper price! Are you bein' funny or do you really not know? LOL!! Well luckily, other than the last 2 games, we're doing ok, just as Milwaukee has been doing poorly, so who knows! |
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Post by SAT-I need more room!! on Jul 22, 2009 15:01:15 GMT -5
Adam, It's great to have you back and I hope you had a great 4th! The only the CD I own from Bryan Adams is the "So Far, So Good" hits collection. I agree that the CD could have been more complete, it clocks in around 65 min. Still labels were dealing with cassettes to please that audience. Yes, it's my gripe that labels should include all the hit singles on one disc if possible. Adams was a big staple on top 40 as well as rock stations in the 80's. I guess if you want a comprehensive collection, the anthology is the best bet. Thanks! My 4th was good! That's true about the length of the disc. The pack in a lot more these days. |
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) Now unfortunately, I am not familiar with a large portion of Bryan's Songs (hey - get that movie tie-in?), even though his "Summer of '69" is in my top 500.
!!!!
