Customer Reviews

Best of the J Geils Band

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Much better track selection and sound than Flashback and more concise than the box set. Finally a Best Of that is not missing key tracks. Good liner notes too. Highly recommended.

Rhino's 2-disc set left off two songs I really enjoyed. Though they weren't the biggest hits of the group's EMI years, "Come Back" (#32, 1980) was a sharp rock/disco hybrid and "Angel in Blue" (#40, 1982) was a nice slow song about a lady "who never had dreams, so they never came true." I didn't say they're classics, just that I liked them.

The down side is that 2 of the band's 3 biggest chart hits on Atlantic (Must of Got Lost and Lookin' For a Love) are presented in live versions. This is a one-disc collection that's pretty full, however (74 mins.). There wasn't enough room to show off the band's live prowess and still include every studio hit. And the live versions of Lookin' For a Love and Must of Got Lost are really good. Recommendation: enjoy the live stuff here and spring for the other "Best of". (The one with the bowling pins.)

Good selection of their music. Would have rather had less live music however on their more popular songs.

If you are over 35 years old you will remember about 75% of the songs on this compilation. I purchased this CD because my two boys have heard "Centerfold" on the radio and love to sing along. They don't understand the lyrics (not yet anyway,..too early for that conversation) but you have to admit the refrain is infectious. This is a must have CD for "road trips" and/ or decade theme parties (70's and 80's). Not a 5 star from me due to sound quality of live selections.

Many times these types of post career compilations are simply attempts to milk a little more cash after numerous "best ofs" and "greatest hits". However, in the case of J. Geils this is the one true essential disc. It has the big hits, but it also has the classic live tracks that have become rock radio staples. The only thing keeping this from five stars is the lumbering "Teresa" and the needless "Piss on the Wall". Substitute a cut from "Monkey Island" like "Surrender" or "Somebody" and this would be the perfect career summary.

When The J. Geils Band made the leap from Atlantic Records to Capitol/EMI, the hits started coming and the band suddenly became superstars. This best of compiles mainly from those years, and is heavy on the party hits the band had in the 80's. It nicely replaces Flashback and supplements Best of the J. Geils Band from the late 70's.

The good stuff/hits are here. The streak that started with "Love Stinks" and exploded with Freeze Frame are covered. The party classics "Centerfold" and "Flamethrower" are both here, along with many others. The old greasy bar band is represented by "Sanctuary" and "Night Time." But if you're looking for "Must Of Got Lost" or "Give It To Me," you'll have to go back to the Atlantic best of. I am also a bit disappointed that the band's one album minus Peter Wolf, You're Gettin' Even While I'm Gettin' Odd, and its terrific single, "Concealed Weapons," have seemingly been thrown into history's dust-heap.

But at 13 songs with a couple great semi-hits ("Angel In Blue" and "Come Back"), I'm OK with this album. The old-school gritty R'n'B that gave the band their start can still be had for 70's enthusiasts, but this best of still finds Wolf, J.Geils' guitar and magic Dick's harmonica a wicked blast from the past.

This has all the songs I love on one disc...would recommend to anyone who doesn't want to purchase every album J Geils has out.

Why is Give It To Me the short version?

People there is a long version out there but once again Rhino decides not to use it.

It's like reading 1/2 a book.

This is a good all hits cd! I didn't realize some of the songs are live which I would rather have in studio versions but overall this cd is well worth listening to over and over. J Geils is an all time favorite band of mine.

Who hasn't heard "Centerfold," "Freeze-Frame" or "Love Stinks?" Everybody's heard them and I dare say that everybody loves them. Well, this album includes those great songs, and quite a bit more. Yeah, like with all "Best Of" albums, people will always complain about songs that got left off, but in this case I think they produced a really good album.

If you like good 1970s music, indeed the best 1970s music, then get this album. You won't be disappointed!