Customer Reviews

Definitive Collection

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

 

 

The fact that I've rated "The Definitive Collection" 4 stars (as opposed to 5!) hasn't got anything to do with Pete Townshend not putting out quality music! Some of my favorite songs of his are on here: 'Pure & Easy', 'Rough Boys', 'Mary', and 'English Boy', for instance. His brilliant songwriting ability shows through everywhere, though, even in the songs that aren't particularly my favorites. There are just a few points I've got to share...

The songs on this album are selected from the following albums: Who Came First ('Pure & Easy', 'Sheraton Gibson', 'Time is Passing'), Rough Mix ('Street in the City, 'My Baby Gives It Away', 'Misunderstood'), Empty Glass ('A Little Is Enough', 'Let My Love Open the Door', 'Rough Boys'), All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes ('The Sea Refuses No River', 'Slit Skirts'), Scoop ('Mary'), White City ('Give Blood', 'Face the Face'), The Iron Man ('A Friend is a Friend'), and Psychoderelict ('English Boy').

I knew what I was getting into when I bought this. I chose to buy this album over "Gold" because, as silly as it seems, I wanted to save a few bucks in the short-term. I also figured that I might as well get the cheaper one now because I would surely be buying a couple (or several!) of his other albums in good time. "Who Came First", which I just finished listening to before submitting this review, is a classic album. "Empty Glass" isn't too shabby, either! And, of course, much of Pete Townshend's work in The Who is brilliant.

As opposed to "The Definitive Collection", which has one disc, "Gold" has two. 2-Disc 'Greatest Hits' are usually better than a 1-Disc because they can offer a more comprehensive overview of an artist/band's career, such as The Who's "Ultimate Collection", The Kinks' "Ultimate Collection", The Clash's "Essential Clash", The Fall's "50,000 Fall Fans Can't Be Wrong", and The Cars' "Just What I Needed: The Cars Anthology". I like most of the songs on featured on this one disc collection, but if you really feel that you'll be content with a compilation, go with "Gold", because you'll get a lot more out of it!

For those familiar with Townshend's work with the Who and want a sampling of his solo work, The Definitive Collection is a near perfect solution. All of Townshend's hits are here along with the best tracks from each of his studio albums. Townshend's three album, six-disc Scoop series of demos is represented by only a single track, "Mary", which is probably included because it is one of the few songs written for the Who's Lifehouse project (Who's Next) for which a Who version has never been released. There are no tracks from the amazing Lifehouse Chronicles box set, but, besides "Mary", "Time is Passing" and "Pure and Easy", the centerpiece of Lifehouse, are included. "Pure and Easy" may be the best song Townshend has ever written, and his solo recording is comparable to the Who version released later. There are three tracks from Who Came First, three from Rough Mix, three from Empty Glass, two from All the Best Cowboys, one from Scoop, two from White City, one from Iron Man, and two from Psychoderelict, presented in chronological order. Of course, this album doesn't come close to including all of Townshend's great album tracks or demos, nor are there any of his awesome live recordings. Also, Gold (or the UK Anthology) gives a much more comprehensive overview. But you can't beat the Definitive Collection for a one disc overview of Pete Townshend's brilliant solo career.

I do have to say. Not many people catch Pete Townsend's drift. I am sure you all know that or think that. I do have to say, my DRIFT got a little more QUALIFIED after watching this DVD! He is one smart-mother-f***er! I love it. Let me just say this was an educational experience of him and The Who!

Enough said, get back to me at gregorybardakos@aol.com, I got nothing to hide!

G

Just about any Pete is worth owning. If you like him, write him a letter; I hear he'll respond to just about anyone...

If you only buy one, I'd go with "Empty Glass," but all his cd's (with the exception of the first solo album; for collectors and die-hards only) are definitive rock albums.

This is a great place to start listening to "The Man."

This is Townshend's 4th 'best of' -- really. Are we going to get a 5th and 6th in the next couple of years? Can't wait. In fact, if he keeps it up, he'll have more `best ofs' than albums of original material. Go Pete go!

Besides the scam move, here's a collection to avoid. The beginning itself is lackluster, with the unremarkable "Pure and Easy" and the utterly forgettable "Sheraton Gibson" (which has shown up in all `best ofs' -- does anyone advise the guy?). The thing with Townshend is this. He's either great or merely ordinary, and most of the first can be found on Who albums. With a solo career that seldom rose above the average (Empty Glass being the major exception and Iron Man the great blemish), it is difficult to find justification for these collections which, to top it off, retread the same ground, same tracks again and again. This doesn't look good on anyone, especially an individual as boastful as Townshend. The question, of course, is why doesn't he spend the energy on writing and releasing new stuff? Regardless of how bad it is, it would not only be more honest, but it could even generate interest and some respect.

As a member of the buying public, I find it disgraceful to see 'major artistes' (read wealthy) peddling the same product time and time again, treating as dolts those interested in their material. Get some new ideas Townshend - cuz that's the real problem here -- or just put a lid on it.