Post by SAT-I need more room!! on Jul 7, 2009 17:22:20 GMT -5
Hey, we started with A, so here I go to the extreme opposite end!
ZZ has had essentially 4 different compilations. (I'm not including Six Pack, which was 6 albums remixed or One Foot in the Blues which is a blues collection-and didn't even include Waitin' For the Bus/Jesus Just Left Chicago!)
The first of was their Best of collection. This one was released so early on, not only does it NOT contain their MTV era stuff, it doesn't even include their late 70's stuff! I can't picture anyone buying this today on CD, other than a ZZ Top die-hard completist.
The next collection was Greatest Hits released in 92. This would be good as they had pretty much run their course as a mainstream, hit-making act. But their are problems.
For one, it's lacking several songs. One is their cover of I Thank You (and it can't be because it's a cover since Viva is on here!). It's also missing the aforementioned Waitin'/Jesus. Ok, not technically a "hit", it's still essential ZZ and could have replaced a couple other songs.
From the MTV era, it's left out TV Dinners, Velcro Fly and Stages. The first two I don't like (Velcro Fly, good God!), but I thought Stages was a good song!
The next problem is, other than Cheap Sunglasses and I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide, the 70's songs are all remixed. I know this didn't sit well with many fans.
The next collection was 2003's box set, Chrome, Smoke & BBQ. Now being a 4 disc set, they were able to include everything, and as far as I can tell, they did! They included early stuff left off GH (Waitin'/Jesus, Beer Drinkers, Arrested, It's Only Love, etc), including ALL the biggies from the MTV, and they seem to all be in their original form.
And something Ken complained about, and I agree wholeheartedly, is when record companies include a live or "alternate" version of a well known song instead of the regular version. He suggested adding the other version as a bonus. That's what they did here with a live Cheap Sunglasses and 4 "dance" remixes. (So funny thinking of ZZ doing dance songs!) So I applaud them for doing that right.
A year later, and this goes back to what Ed said about record companies making more money, they put out a 2 disc version of the box. (Numerous acts have done this over the years, like Yes, as a sort of alternative to expensive box sets.) Rancho Texicano delivers all the early favorites and almost every MTV era hit. (TV Dinners didn't make the cut for some reason. No biggie for me.) Interesting to note that Planet of Women and Give it Up, good enough for the 1 disc GH did NOT make this 2 disc collection. The live Cheap Sunglasses and 2 dance mixes roung out the collection.
So basically, we have a collection made too soon, a collection lacking in early hits while remixing what they did choose, an expensive box set designed for die-hards, and a concise, 2 disc collection touching on just about every good point.
Agree, disagree?
ZZ has had essentially 4 different compilations. (I'm not including Six Pack, which was 6 albums remixed or One Foot in the Blues which is a blues collection-and didn't even include Waitin' For the Bus/Jesus Just Left Chicago!)
The first of was their Best of collection. This one was released so early on, not only does it NOT contain their MTV era stuff, it doesn't even include their late 70's stuff! I can't picture anyone buying this today on CD, other than a ZZ Top die-hard completist.
The next collection was Greatest Hits released in 92. This would be good as they had pretty much run their course as a mainstream, hit-making act. But their are problems.
For one, it's lacking several songs. One is their cover of I Thank You (and it can't be because it's a cover since Viva is on here!). It's also missing the aforementioned Waitin'/Jesus. Ok, not technically a "hit", it's still essential ZZ and could have replaced a couple other songs.
From the MTV era, it's left out TV Dinners, Velcro Fly and Stages. The first two I don't like (Velcro Fly, good God!), but I thought Stages was a good song!
The next problem is, other than Cheap Sunglasses and I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide, the 70's songs are all remixed. I know this didn't sit well with many fans.
The next collection was 2003's box set, Chrome, Smoke & BBQ. Now being a 4 disc set, they were able to include everything, and as far as I can tell, they did! They included early stuff left off GH (Waitin'/Jesus, Beer Drinkers, Arrested, It's Only Love, etc), including ALL the biggies from the MTV, and they seem to all be in their original form.
And something Ken complained about, and I agree wholeheartedly, is when record companies include a live or "alternate" version of a well known song instead of the regular version. He suggested adding the other version as a bonus. That's what they did here with a live Cheap Sunglasses and 4 "dance" remixes. (So funny thinking of ZZ doing dance songs!) So I applaud them for doing that right.
A year later, and this goes back to what Ed said about record companies making more money, they put out a 2 disc version of the box. (Numerous acts have done this over the years, like Yes, as a sort of alternative to expensive box sets.) Rancho Texicano delivers all the early favorites and almost every MTV era hit. (TV Dinners didn't make the cut for some reason. No biggie for me.) Interesting to note that Planet of Women and Give it Up, good enough for the 1 disc GH did NOT make this 2 disc collection. The live Cheap Sunglasses and 2 dance mixes roung out the collection.
So basically, we have a collection made too soon, a collection lacking in early hits while remixing what they did choose, an expensive box set designed for die-hards, and a concise, 2 disc collection touching on just about every good point.
Agree, disagree?
I was checking out the song selection earlier and I'm very happy with it. Those dance / 12" remixes might put off some fans, but remember how popular those 12" singles were in the 80's? so I'm thinking those fans who are "completists" might be quite happy they were included.
