Collected Works of the Roches [Original recording remastered]

Roches (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 9, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Rhino / Wea
• ASIN: B0000B1A5W
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #137,478 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Hammond Song

2. Mr. Sellack

3. The Troubles

4. The Train

5. The Married Men [Live]

6. One Season

7. Nurds

8. The Hallelujah Chorus

9. Losing True

10. Want Not Want Not

11. Keep on Doing What You Do/Jerks on the Loose

12. Love Radiates Around

13. Another World

14. Face Down at Folk City

15. Love to See You

16. Big Nuthin'

17. Everyone Is Good

18. Ing

19. A Dove

Editorial Reviews

These off-kilter folk-pop songs shine with sisters Maggie, Terre, & Suzzy's sublime harmonies & poetic charm. Spanning 1979-1992, this single-disc collection gathers 19 songs from both their MCA & Warner periods, including the Robert Fripp-produced 'Hammo

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Introduction to a Great Group, October 5, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Collected Works of the Roches (Audio CD)

The title of this collection is misleading; it should be called SELECTED Works of the Roches since this is a sampling not a gathering of everything they recorded. But that's my only gripe with this wonderful compilation, which, unlike most such projects, really does offer the best of the best, and which should please both those new to the group and longtime fans as well. The songs are culled from 6 studio albums from 1979 to 1992, from their debut The Roches through A Dove, and are ordered chronologically. (Not represented here: 1986 EP No Trespassing, 1990 Christmas album We Three Kings, 1994 children's album Will You Be My Friend, and their final - and weakest - album 1995's Can We Go Home Now.) Many of their best songs really are here - Hammond Song, Mr. Sellack, One Season, Losing True, Another World, Love to See You, A Dove. Two of their best albums are the most heavily represented here, with 5 songs from their their debut and 4 from 1982's Keep On Doing. It's nice to see that the greatly underappreciated (and now out of print) Another World also is represented with four songs. In case you're wondering, there is only one previously unreleased selection -- a live version of the great Married Men, which gives a sense of how brilliant these sisters were in person. In an ideal world, Rhino would next release a entire concert album.

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, October 13, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Collected Works of the Roches (Audio CD)

Buy this CD and take a trip through some of the most original tunes, best harmonies, eclectic stylings, and moving lyrics that you will experience. One of my favorite groups, I have all the Roches CD's including some recent solo efforts, and this compilation gives a good representation, heavier on some of the early works but rightly so. It's impossible to cull all the best efforts ( some that are missing, "Bobby's Song", "Quitting", "Speak", "Merciful God", "Factory Girl") but this presents some highlights. This is music that transcends the passing fads and one-hit wonders so prevalent today...music which has stood the test of the last 10-20+ years and continues to stay near the top of my play list. Enjoy...

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a fitting compilation, August 30, 2006

By 

Scott B. Saul "opinionated, yet truthful, mu... (COOPER CITY, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Collected Works of the Roches (Audio CD)

The Roches are ultra talented, excellent musicians, stunning vocalists, wonderful songwriters and a very interesting and rich band. However, they are probably not for everyone. Do not evaluate them by 30 second samples on this web site b/c their songs have drama and substance and they need to develop over their proper timespan.

This is whimsical folk, beautiful melodies and heartfelt harmonies. This is nothing to rock out to although the musicianship is on par with anything that is out there.

The Roches are for people that enjoy beauty.

"Love Radiates" could melt the coldest heart. It is such a terrific and beautiful melody.

I saw them live (circa 1995) and they were tremedous. The vocals and musicianship are not the results of studio tricks. Their "Hallelujua chorus" is the equivalent to listening to Hendrix. It was a sight to be seen.

As you can see, I love the Roches. This is an excellent representative of their best songs. The 3 part harmonies, raw accoustic guitar, Robert Fripp infused guitar, its all there. This is the cream of their work.

If you go to their website, their participation in music is so earnest. If you want an autographed glossy of them, just e-mail and ask and you shall receive.

I wish they were still together and wish they toured outside of the northeast.

The Roches have always been the critics darlings and they absolutely deserved their praise!

Their best works are the Robert Fripp produced works, "The Roches and "Keep on Doing".