Category Archives: Compilation Albums

Richard & Linda Thompson – The Island Record Years (Compilation Album)

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The CD Cover

The CD Cover

When Richard Thompson left Fairport Convention in 1971 he worked with his then wife Linda and released six albums of original compositions that met with commercial apathy. The first three were cut for Island, whereas the final three were released under the Chrysalis label. This compilation gathers together the most salient tracks from their first three records, as well as two songs from Richard’s first solo album (Henry The Human Fly, released in 1972 – a very whimsical record that sold abysmally).

It is often debated whether these three albums indeed represent the Thompson’s finest moments on record or not. I have not listened to the Chrysalis recordings so I can not say for sure, but what I have noticed is that whenever you watch a Richard Thompson documentary the songs that are always featured with wife Linda are the ones found on this compilation. Continue reading →

Queen’s Greatest Hits I & II (1995) – Compilation Album

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This 2 CD Set Was released By Hollywood Records In The Year 1995

This 2 CD Set Was released By Hollywood Records In The Year 1995

Queen made a music lover out of me. Here. I said it. At no point before did music matter so much to me as when I listened to this double set that I bought through eBay when I was just starting out down the musical lane.

I was a 90s teenager. I grew up with this music. This was a compilation I had to have. This is a compilation that every person who claims to feel even the slightest shred of emotion when he listens to music must own. Continue reading →

Simon & Garfunkel Greatest Hits (1972) – Compilation Album

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This Is The Cover Of The LP. The CD Is The Same But Does Not List The Tracks.

This Is The Cover Of The LP. The CD Cover Is The Same Except That It Does Not List The Tracks On The Left.

Being a lyricist, I was always interested in Simon & Garfunkel. I intended to buy the two-disc “Essential” and when I failed to find it I went for this single-disc compilation. And you know, I think it was a good rush move if I ever made one.

This was the first Simon & Garfunkel compilation ever released. Columbia Records issued it in 1972, and the fact that it is still in print can be attributed to the inclusion of live versions and rare takes you can not find anywhere else. For instance, several live cuts come from a reunion concert that took place the year the album was released, whereas I understand that the version of “America” available here is a rarity. Continue reading →

Once More With Feeling (Placebo) – Compilation Album

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The CD Cover

The CD Cover

I became acquainted with Placebo quite recently. I caught “Follow The Cops Back Home” on the radio and I have to say that it sparked my interest in a vibrant way indeed. Last year (2008) I finally made up my mind and purchased this “Singles” collection. It covers the years 1996 – 2004, and a new song named “Twenty Years” is included for collectors.

Placebo is a band of its own. They have a distinctive image themselves (which I don’t like but I respect) and they come up with a sonic landscape where glam and punk structures are placed in the same plane without ever cancelling each other out. Continue reading →

Compilation Albums – General Introduction

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If you live in Uruguay, there are albums that are impossible to get your hands on. And I am not talking about obscure artists – it is even difficult to find the regular studio albums that artists of the caliber of The Who or Stevie Wonder released. That speaks for itself, and it does so in a voice I’d rather not hear.

What you can find, however, are compilation albums for artists whose individual records can not be purchased no matter how good or relevant they are. Continue reading →