Customer Reviews

The Best of Suzanne Vega: Tried and True

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

This was the first compilation of Suzanne Vega`s best songs released in 1998; featuring songs from her first 5 albums, two new recordings and the rare "Left of Center" from the soundtrack "Pretty in Pink".

It`s always a matter of taste which songs are actually the best; in my opinion this album does the job pretty well.

From her debut album "Marlene on the Wall", "A Small Blue Thing" and "The Queen and the Soldier" (her great song about power, loyalty and honesty) are obvious choices. I would not have minded "Cracking" being there too, but these 3 songs represent that album perfectly.

From "Solitude Standing" it`s the same; the best songs are there, but a few more would not have harmed the collection.

I have always considered her third album "Days of Open Hand" her weakest; it seems the compiler of this album feels the same since he`s only selected "Book of Dreams" from the album. "Tired of Sleeping" would also have been a good choice.

On "99,9 F" Vega experiments with new sounds and rhythms. When the album was originally released, I was not so sure if I liked her direction; now it`s my favourite and the title track, "Blood Makes Noise", "In Liverpool" and "When Heroes Go Down" are all great tracks.

The slightly "jazzy" "Nine Objects of Desire" is represented by "World Before Columbus", "Caramel" and "No Cheap Thrill". It`s a good album, where most song could have deserved selection. My favourite "Headshot" is not here, but then I have the original album already.

Both new songs "Book and a Cover" and "Rosemary" are good which was fine for me, since I had already bought her original albums.

This CD is highly recommendable, and if you want more of the same, you can seek out the 2 CD "Retrospective" or simply buy her original albums - they are all worth it.

First of all ... this is an extraordinary collection of songs, and if you have liked just a few of Suzanne Vega's songs, you should by this record ... it's more than worth it.

My complaints are as always the song selection. Yes, I know Tom's Dinner was a hit in that crappy remix version, but the original A Capella version is just much better. And include the groovy instrumental version ... love that one. Also, I sorely miss the song 'Solitude Standing' - this was actually released as a single, and was always one of my favorites from that album, and I can't for the life of me see why it wasn't included.

Other songs could have been left out. Caramel is ok, though I don't like it that much. Worse however is the utterly boring Book Of Dreams, that I think is only anoying. The new song Book & A Cover is also pretty uninspiring.

Finally I'm not content with the song arrangement. The stunning The Queen And The Soldier deserved to have closed the album - I love Rosemary, but it's not really an album closer. The Queen And The Soldier is about the ultimate album closer, so that's a bit frustrating.

All that being said, this reopened my eyes to the fantastic Solitude Standing album (which I grew up with, since my parents loved it) and offered me a bunch of for me hither to unknown gems like '99.9 F', 'Blood Makes Noise', 'Left Of Center', 'In Liverpool', 'World Before Columbus' and not least 'The Queen And The Soldier' - so I can only recommend it.

"Luka" isn't exactly one of my favorite songs, but Suzanne Vega is certainly one of my most favorite artists. Her "Nine Objects of Desire" is one of my great all-time favorites, because of the poetry of the lyrics, and the very clever instrumentation. It's the album that made me look for more work by this very unique and creative artist. And I found them here in "Best of Suzanne Vega: Tried and True". My favorite songs from "Nine Objects" are here, (the seductive bossa nova "Caramel" which I really really love, and "World Before Columbus") as well as some of her old songs which I began to hear with a new ear, like "Left of Center", and some new ones (to me, at least) like the thumping "Blood Makes Noise", "Small Blue Thing", "In Liverpool" and "99 degrees F". The writing of the songs is intelligent and consistently strong throughout. That the lyrics are set to wonderful music--each song a jewel in its unique setting--and interpreted by Vega's clear, silky vocals, are the attractions that make this album a must-have.

I have been a Suzanne Vega fan since for about six years now; I hesitated to buy this album because I already own all of her albums, but it was well worth it! These are definitely her greatest songs and the variety shows her versatility, from folk ("Gypsy" - my favorite!) to sort of "industrial" pop ("Blood Makes Noise"). Her voice is so soothing... The two songs at the end are so beautiful, especially "Rosemary" - what a perfect way to close the album! I would recommend this album to everyone; Suzanne Vega's due for a revival, big-time!!!

As a Suzanne Vega fan, I can say that many of her best songs are missing in this otherwise fine, diversely ordered collection. The disc runs a little over an hour in length and the songs could have been featured without sacrificing others.

My advice, especially to U.S. residents who only have access to this disc as an import (aka overpriced), I'd recommend purchasing at least three of her albums (they're about ten dollars a piece; I especially recommend "Nine Objects Of Desire") and end up spending a similar amount rather than this selective album, that nevertheless contains quality music from the classiest, most tender and consistent voice of adult pop for almost two decades now.

Since this review was written, a new Suzanne Vega recompilation has been made available in the U.S.

I never really rated Suzanne Vega as exceptionally talented until I saw her in concert in 1997 & was blown away. Since then my admiration has unwavered & this cd is my fave one to play as it contains most of my fave Suzanne songs (save Birthday from 9 Objects of Desire & Solitue Standing), including all the hits, notably Left of Center, Tom's Diner, the eloquent Luka, No Cheap Thrill.....the list goes on & on. This Best Of truly lets audiences discover the consistency of Vega's folk-type songs over the course of all her albums & reminds the world that there is indeed a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Stunning

It's funny that for someone with such unthreatening looks , Suzanne Vega has been singing over the years for various dark themes such as lost limbs("Men In A War") , suicide attemps("Fifty fifty chances") , aids victims ("Blood makes noise") and tranvestite tales("As Girls Go")all done with the coolness of her steel persona.Ofcourse the question about this best of complication is not if the songs included here are indeed good(since they undeniably are) . It's just that one would wish that other great stuff would be present too like My Favourite Plum , Room Off The Street , Headshots , Language , Knight Moves and As Girls Go.

Very catchy tunes , great lyrics . Lots of oldies in this one . Nostalgic . If you're planning to buy one Suzanne vega CD , let it be this one .

A very nice selection of Suzanne's songs, like a "conversation" about various feelings that can follow one another in life - All these feelings expressed through very well-written songs - And, at the end of the album, "Rosemary" with its warm tones and its wonderful rhythm. Suzanne's CDs are just treasures.

This is a perfect summary of Suzanne's work up till now, with most of her materpieces represented. In buying it, you are buying a condensation and summary of 4-5 albums.

The album opens with "Luka", a sweet and powerful song about an abused girl.

Next comes "Tom's Diner". I prefer the original vocal version (available on the "Solitude Standing" album), but this version is quite as good.

"Marlena On the Wall" is my S.V. favorite. A cool, sweeping song.

"Caramel" is a quiet and simple song.

So is "Small Blue Thing".

"99.9F" is a change in Suzanne Vega's sweet, quiet style. "You seem to me like a man on the verge of burning..."

So is "Blood Makes Noise".

"Gypsy" is another sweet and melodic song from "Solitude Standing". Also one of my favorites.

"The Queen and the Soldier" is a deeper song, deserving more than one hearing.

In a whole, this album is one of the best I ever bought/heard. Recommended to all lovers of sweet and cool music.