Customer Reviews

Anthology (1968-1990)

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There's nothing complicated about Welsh roots-rocker Dave Edmunds. Beginning with his days with Love Sculpture through Rockpile (with Nick Lowe) and as a solo artist, he's been churning out passionate music which is a product of his fifties influences without sounding like a mere rehash of the country, blues and rock 'n' roll music he so obviously loves.

Though not a gifted songwriter (he co-wrote only 8 of the 41 tracks on this collection--most with Lowe), overall he shows impeccable taste in song selection: Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk," John Fogerty's "Almost Saturday Night," Chuck Berry's "The Promised Land," and Bruce Springsteen's "From Small Things, Big Things Come" (a song her wrote for Edmunds)--all of which should have been big hits.

In a perfect world, Edmunds would be known for more than just his lone Top 40 U.S. hit, "I Hear You Knocking," a Smiley Lewis tune he took to No. 4 in 1970. This double-disc set is loaded with should-have-been hits: "I Knew the Bride," which reached the U.K. cart at No. 26, but wouldn't chart in the U.S. until Lowe released his own version of the song; "Queen of Hearts," which went to only #56 (while a note-perfect cover by Juice Newton went to No. 2 two years later!); "Crawling from the Wreckage," or any of a dozen others.

For some reason, chart success eluded Edmunds, but that's not to say there isn't plenty for new and longtime fans alike to enjoy. Of special interest are the non-LP single "As Lovers Do" from 1979, the duet with Carlene Carter "Baby Ride Easy" from her album Musical Shapes, and a stunning Everly Brothers cover, "Crying in the Rain" with Lowe. [You'll have to buy Rockpile's Seconds of Pleasure to get the other three.]

Even on the handful of tracks from Information and Riff Raff, where Jeff Lynne was brought on board to update Edmund's sound in the 80s, he couldn't bury Edmund's rock 'n' roll heart.

All in all this is a great place to get familiar with one of the rock world's best-kept secrets. HIGHLY Recommended

If you are only familiar with Dave Edmunds later work and hits, this collection will not dissapoint you but it will be a revelation to you! I first came to know of Dave Edmunds when we were all bopping to "Teacher, Teacher" off the one and only "official" Rockpile CD, but by then, Edmunds had already amassed over a dozen significant hits in England all of which were more memorable than that cut. Even so, to hear even one Edmunds record was to get hooked if you were a rocker (as opposed to a Mod). This two CD collection has assembled in chronological order, a terrificly representative sampling of Dave Edmunds' output from the late sixties through the early nineties. The accompanying booklet is almost as delightful with its succint insights into the origins of various songs as well as describing Edmunds' evolution from one style to another.

The 1st CD leads off with some cuts from Edmunds' work with Love Sculpture. Listening to the first cut, your heart might sink a little since it's nothing more than a competent record of the time. However, the second record, "The Stumble" is a hard rocking, techinically amazing Guitar instrumental with a bluesy feel. At this point, any listener would have to concede that Edmunds is nothing if not a Virtuoso Electric Guitarist. That feeling is confirmed after listening to the two retreads of classical numbers ALA Emerson, Lake and Palmer. It was playing some gigs with Keith Emerson that gave Edmunds the idea of covering "The Sabre Dance" The exuberence and technical bravado of the piece are stunning. Of course, some people find Showing off like that a turn-off, but Edmunds manages to come across as thoroughly enslaved by the groove and not at all haughty like some other God-like guitarists of the time. The rest of the CD is testimony to Edmunds' ability to mimick the styles of his greatest influences while doing them a little better. We have nods to Smiley Lewis, Chuck Berry and even Phil Spector. Towards the end of the first CD, you can begin to hear the brilliant melding of two minds, as Nick Lowe's presence is felt on cuts like "I Knew The Bride" In the Liner notes, Edmunds states he felt he overdid the Phil Spector Wall of Sound technique on "Born to be With You", but I beg to differ, and differ vehemently. In fact, that cut is dizzingly romantic and so classic sounding one might suspect Spector had mixed it himself if not for a few curveballs Edmund throws in. Of course, that song is taken off of his album AS SUBTLE AS A FLYING MALLET which contains a number of Spector Sound-A-Likes. I was a tad dissapointed that this CD did not include his cover of "Baby I Love You" which charted well in England, but that's a piddling complaint. Of course, most people will treasure most Edmund's version of "I Hear You Knocking" which is a sparsely produced but simply perfect record. Anyone interested in Music Production should play this one over and over again to gain an understanding of when less is more.

The second CD is perhaps a little more accessible but still has a couple of surprises such as the achingly poignant acoustic duet with Nick Lowe on "I'll Do My Crying In The Rain". This cut illustrates how perfectly their two voices are matched and how, over the years, the two working together have created something that is more than the some of it's parts. Again, on all of the cuts, we see Edmund's technique on full display. I especially enjoyed his Power-pop rendition of Creedence's "Almost Saturday Night" which foreshadows his later work with Jeff Lyne on "Slipping Away" and other hits which are also present on the last half of the second CD. His shuffle treatment of "Singing the Blues" is just.. amazing and reminds you that for all the High-Tech-iness of the Lynn produced cuts, it's Edmunds' solid guitar and straightforward vocals that forms the foundation of his appeal as musician. SOme people might listen to "Queen of Hearts" and think Edmunds ripped off Juice Newton, but it should be remembered that it is, in fact, the other way around. Listen to his version, look at the date it was cut and you'll realize that Juice simply reproduced his unique arrangement and aped even his vocals and delivery. He mentions this in his comments but doesn't seem bitter. I bring this up to point out that Edmunds' Country and Rockabilly roots are present on this 2nd CD in a big way with a couple of cuts that could easily have been top country hits. A nice duet with Carlene Carter (Nick Lowes wife) and an ironic ballad sample this side of Edmunds' talent.

Overall, this Set is not only a great representation of Dave Edmunds' various styles and progression but it also would make an excellent introduction for listeners who are only familiar with his later work. The cuts are wellchosen and leave you wanting more. Amazon has a fairly good selection of some of the Albums worth seeking out in addition to this set, but this one set should provide you with many hours of listening pleasure and the price is very agreeable. You should not hesitate to order this since it's easily worth twice the price. Dave Edmunds has been singlehandly keeping the traditional Rock and Roll flame burning in small clubs for decades and he deserves his place next to Clapton and other Guitar Gods on your CD Shelf. Listen and enjoy. HAIL EDMUNDS and forgive my lousy spelling!

The Dave Edmunds Anthology is an outstanding collection, if you are a Edmunds fan you will have heard (or already own) most of this material, but if like me, I purchased this to "retire" my old and worn Dave Edmunds vinyl collection....Great stuff for any fan of Rock n Roll/Roots rock.....GET IT !!!!!

This is a really good anthology of Dave Edmunds, as to be expected from Rhino. It contains all his best work: from his breakthrough cover versions of Smiley Lewis's "I Hear You Knockin'" and Chuck Berry's "Promised Land" to his later - but equally fantastic - work like "High School Nights" and "Closer To The Flame." Also contains a few countryish gems including the catchy "Baby Ride Easy," a duet with Carlene Carter.

If you like old-style rock 'n' roll or just plain ol' good music, get this CD!

Dave was a brilliant musician - you might describe him as an electric guitar virtuoso - and a good singer (though some of the early tracks are instrumentals), whose records often reflected his fifties influences, but his music always sounded fresh and exciting.

His first success came with Sabre dance, an incredible cover of an old instrumental that reached the top five in the UK and was quite unlike anything else in the late sixties pop charts. He had no further success until I hear you knocking topped the British charts in 1971 and also a huge hit in America. This song was originally written and recorded by Smiley Lewis but was also an American hit for Gale Storm. However, Dave Edmunds made the song his own with his high-energy performance. Later in the seventies, Dave had further British success with Girls talk (an Elvis Costello song) and Queen of hearts, an original song that later became a huge American hit for Juice Newton. It is ironic that his biggest success as a recording artist was with a cover version, but that when he did come up with a great original song, it was somebody else who had the American hit. Baby ride easy is a country duet with Carlene Carter that is unlike anything else here.

Some great covers are included in this anthology, often better than the original, including Promised land, Born to be with you, Singing the blues, Crying in the rain, Almost Saturday night and The race is on - so there's some rock'n'roll, some blues and some country in there. Bruce Springsteen wrote From small things big things come for Dave to record.

There are many other great tracks here, too numerous to mention. They are by no means all covers. This is by far the strongest anthology of Dave's music that I've come across. If you enjoy early rock'n'roll, especially Elvis in the fifties, you will surely enjoy Dave's music.

As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" and a former radio disc-jockey, I am often asked to write and or discuss various music supplies and recordings from the 60's and 70's.

"The Anthology (1968-1990)" [BOX SET] contains forty-one tracks and for many artists it would be at least thirty-five too many. Luckily, for us Dave Edmunds is unique and the plethora of material is all thrills with no fill.

The inclusion of both the music of Love Sculpture and Dave's subsequent projects enhances the legitimacy of the release to an even higher plateau.

For those of you that haven't experienced the earlier side of Edmunds one listen to "Sabre Dance" will be a wake-up call. It is relentless rock and roll in your face with a bite. Quickly Edmunds diversity is showcased because the next tune is the Gershwin song "Summertime." The mood changes from glad to sadness and Edmunds six string reflects the emotions. "I Hear You Knockin" has been a stable on Classic Rock stations since its inception. The construction of the instrumentation and vocal delivery immediately impacts the brain. When the songs with Nick Lowe take center stage it is blatantly apparent that Edmunds has the unique ability to pay homage to his fifties roots but in such a way those that grew up on 60's and 70's rock and roll embrace the sound. "Here Come The Weekend" and "I Knew The Bride" are examples. "Trouble Boys" is one of those rock and roll tunes that capture a moment. The end result being free from the slightest flaw. When Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk" hits the speakers you are listening to one of the finest covers ever. The energy and conviction is superlative. Speaking of interpretations. How about the vision Dave had for "Queen Of Hearts?" Juice Newton (Major hit) saw it one way and Edmunds took it to a different path. His version of the Hank DeVito song could rank as the most underrated tune on the collection. "Singing The Blues" has been recorded a zillion times with brilliant versions from Guy Mitchell to Paul McCartney. Edmunds leaves his imprint with a terrific rendition. John Fogerty's "Almost Saturday Night" normally wouldn't sound proper coming from any other artist. Edmunds leaves enough of the Fogerty calling card to keep the version superlative. As you get near the end of the material the Edmunds penned tunes "Information" and "High School Nights" will satisfy your craving for his material.

From Love Sculpture to a solo road and a pile or rocks, this is as good as it gets.


Enjoy the music and be well,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"

Rhino does it again. This covers everything with 41 songs from Love Sculpture to Jeff Lynne. Includes a 52 page booklet with great liner notes but even better each song is covered individually and discussed by Edmunds and/or Billy Bremner. Something that surprised me is how little Edmunds wrote, only seven songs and they were co-written. I have never been a big Edmunds fan (I think like the Everly Brothers he's a little too white for my taste) but I do appreciate his talent and I find his music growing on me (like the Beach Boys & The Dead) as I grow older.

This is almost the definitive dave edmunds collection. It contains almost all you need. The almost faultsless Rockpile LP's are well represented and have aged splendidly.

Dave Edmonds is an enigma. From Love Sculpture to Rockpile he has focused on capturing elements of the bands and producers he listened to as a child. What's hard to figure out is Dave's appeal. He's not a great vocalist, but he has passion. He's not a great guitar player, but invests every note with meaning. He's not a great song writer, but every song counts. All of this adds up to his unique personna and perspective as producer/performer.

When I say he isn't great at any of the above skills it's not meant as a slap. Indeed, it is the fact that he doesn't command those skills that makes him so unusual. It's as if, recognizing his shortcomings, he pulls it altogether. Give me a Dave Edmonds outtake any day of the week over the drivel produced by the Stones (at least since Sticky Fingers). Dave's committment commands respect and the sum of his talent is worth more than the parts.

Of course, if you are reading this review, you probably have heard of him.
I suggest you get this CD and proselytize.

I was playing it at work when one of the younger kids walked in and his jaw dropped in amazement.

Dave Edmunds had a long career staying just below the radar.
But his work is top notch, better than most who "made it big".

I am replacing my old vinyl with CD's and this is a great deal.
Also working on replenishing my Nick Lowe collection.