[Uncle Erik]

Though best of/greatest hits discs are sometimes looked down on, there are many of them. Which ones do you own and think are particularly good?

Recently, I've been spinning the Talking Heads' Sand in the Vaseline two disc set and really love it.

If there's a compilation, best of or greatest hits CD that you love, post it here and let's talk about them.

I'd prefer the conversation stay on recommendations and discs you love. If you think these discs are an artistic travesty, please start another thread for that discussion.

 

[Cankin]

U2 - The Best of 1980-1990

 

[electropop]

George Duke - Three Originals (I love the blues, she heard my cry; The Aura will Prevail; Liberated Fantasies) Produced around his prime time when he played for Zappa, for instance. Featuring musicians like Alphonso Johnson, Leon "Ndugu" Chancler, Airto Moreira, Lee Ritenour, Johnny Watson, George Johnson...


After these records mr. Duke started going towards the 80s straight-forward funk scheme, as everyone else.

 

[CandlePower]

The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Smash Hits
Grateful Dead - Skeletons From the Closet
Bob Dylan - Greatest Hits Volumes I and II
Rolling Stones - Hot Rocks

 

[fuseboxx]

are we talking compilation albums of selected songs? or do box sets of essential albums count?

 

[Valens7]

My favorite is The Sound of the Smiths. It's a wonderful compilation of the band's work. It also sounds fantastic, thanks to a well-executed remastering of the tracks on the album. Last and not least, the band was involved in its creation. That doesn't happen very often.

It's a real blast to listen to.

 

[scott_d_m]

Neil Young - Decade

 

[NacMacFeegle]

Two from my collection which I love:
This are Two Tone.
The Stranglers - Greatest hits 1977 - 1990
All the good noise with none of the crap!

 

[buddhashenglong]

Jimi Hendrix - Blues. "Hear My Train A Comin' (electric)" is a furious, passionate, epic saga of solo fire that ties this collection of covers and originals together. "Born Under A Bad Sign", and "Voodoo Chile Blues" are also sick with it.

 

[jsaliga]

I'm generally not a big fan of single or two disc compilations. But I have a few that I really like:

The Hollies - On A Carousel, 1963-1975: The Ultimate Hollies (Raven)
The Rascals - Anthology (1965-1972) (Rhino)
Tommy James and the Shondells - Anthology (Rhino)
Jerry Lee Lewis - 25 All-Time Greatest Sun Recordings (Varese Sarabande)
Dick Dale - King of the Surf Guitar: The Best Of Dick Dale & His Del-Tones (Rhino)
Link Wray - Rumble! The Best of Link Wray (Rhino)
The Ventures - Walk -- Don't Run: The Best of the Ventures (Capitol)
Johnny Mercer - Capitol Collector Series (Capitol)
Kay Starr - Capitol Collector Series (Capitol)
Bobby Darin - Mack the Knife: The Best of Bobby Darin, Volume 2 (Atco)

--Jerome

 

[dBel84]

Two of my most played and loved compilation discs
1. TAS 2006 (The Absolute Sound 2006)
2. RMAF 2008 ( compilation handed out at Rocky Mountain Audio Fest last year )

I listen to the Linn Records Summer collection series often too.
..dB

 

[Sennshead]

James Taylor-greatest hits

 

[Happy Camper]

Cream
Cat Stevens
Simon & Garfunkel
SRV
Mamas & Papas

 

[tru blu]

Think we've been here before, but…quite a few of these are from music that's pre-album era. I'd generally send folks to great albums by, say, Burning Spear or Leonard Cohen.

James Brown - Star Time
Burning Spear - Harder Than The Best
Leonard Cohen - The Essential…
Sam Cooke - Portrait Of A Legend, 1951 - 1964
Billie Holiday - The Ultimate Collection
Billie Holiday - Love Songs
Billie Holiday + Lester Young - A Musical Romance
The English Beat - What Is Beat?
Fela Kuti - The Best Best of Fela
Peggy Lee - Ms. Peggy Lee
Bob Marley - Legend
Youssou N'Dour - Best of 80's
New Order - Substance
Iggy Pop - Choice Cuts
Tito Puente - The Essential…
Sly and the Family Stone - Greatest Hits
Hank Williams - 40 Greatest Hits
Tom Zé - Massive Hits: The Best of…

 

[rosgr63]

Bob Marley - Legend
War - Deliver the Word
Chayanne - Grandes Exitos
CCR - Willy And The Poor Boys