Customer Reviews

Greatest Hits 1990-1999: Tribute Work in Progress

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While being completely misunderstood by rock music fans and casually dismissed by critics, The Black Crowes managed to produce some high-quality rock n' roll in the 1990s. Sure, they heavily borrow their inspiration from The Rolling Stones and Faces-era Rod Stewart (not to mention Humble Pie, James Brown, Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding); but while band founders (and brothers) Chris and Rich Robinson may not be as talented as their legendary idols, when it comes to paying tribute in rock to the southern black (and white) blues/soul/country artists that influenced Jagger and Stewart, the Georgia-based Black Crowes usually more accurately and reverently hit the nail on the head, and without all of that British sarcasm. So, say what you will about The Black Crowes, but I like this band!

The Black Crowes - Greatest Hits 1990-1999: A Tribute to a Work in Progress (2000) features sixteen digitally remastered songs in chronological order, most of which even casual fans will recognize from AOR radio; the rocking Jealous Again, the sorrowful She Talks To Angels, the soulful Remedy, the gospel-tinged Thorn In My Pride, their energetic hit cover of the Otis Redding classic Hard To Handle, and more.

This compilation is a worthwhile venture for casual fans or for the Black Crowes faithful who want remastered versions of these songs or need to fill gaps of missing songs in their BC collections. The song selection here is solid, and this high-energy and soulful rock n' roll can really get you up and shakin' what you've got. The Black Crowes may never be the world's greatest rock n' roll band, but it's not for the lack of effort. These guys always put 110% into every song!

I will not forgive you
Nor will I accept the blame
I will see you on Good Friday

One day, I heard this wonderful, bluesy funky music coming from my son's room, and like Butch Cassidy asked him "Who are these guys?" He then reminded me we had been to a concert years before when the Crowes opened for the Allman Brothers. I must have been at the food court or in line for the rest room. I ordered the CD. He stole it for his collection I ordered a second copy. When I get a chance to take a long drive in the car, I blast these songs, sometimes listening to Josephine in an endless loop. And we went back to another concert, part of their, sad to say, farewell or hiatus tour.

So I wanted to go way back with some music.. and amazon had many BC cds to choose from and I chose greatest hits tribute work in progress! LOVE! The CD came packaged well and it is just as when we used to have record stores.. packed brand new and perfect! 2 thumbs up!

Im not a critic, I just enjoy music that can place me in a Certain mindset. The CD is filled with the essential tracks that a buyer would expect in a Greatest Hits Cd. The music is deep and soulful Rock, fused with Blues. If you havent sat down in a while in a dark room with a bottle to throw back a few, this is the perfict choice for that atomsphere ....

The 2nd part of this review has to do with the Seller (Go Hastings) When they sent out the first package and they screwd up... they sent a video game instead??? contacted them to let them know of the problem. They refunded the total amount,let me keep the wrong shipment... and sent me my requested CD at no charge!!!!!! Way to go

William Vogt played me this music in the car and saying this is the great Atlanta stuff, but I ain't ever been to Atlanta. I like that song Jealous Again a lot, it rocks me. Sting Me is my favorite Black Crowes song.

Waiting for a Girl Like You of San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners

"Greatest Hits," unfortunately, is the band's definitive album, but only because the public seems unaware, today, of nearly all of the band's work. That's not what I thought would happen the day I saw "Hard to Handle" on MTV for the first time and decided to follow these guys. Through "Remedy," "Wiser Time," and "Good Friday," it seemed like they were significant enough to stand out to future generations. However, by the time of "By Your Side," "Soul Singing," and the Jimmy Page album, it became clear that the band didn't really have staying power. In the era of "Warpaint" and "Frost," "Greatest Hits" doesn't even cover their entire catalog, but there's barely a reason for a volume two (this promises one by claiming it's the first Crowes hits installment), as the group ran out of recognizable songs by the sixth track or so contained here. Of course, that's not the viewpoint of the band's fan base, which devotedly bought every single CD - even "Croweology." However, to the "casual listener," I am sure that there is no need for the band's catalog at all. Radio only plays a few of these songs anyway, so this album is probably the equivalent of the Zombies' "Best of the Zombies" (which I recently picked up and reviewed on Amazon), as both bands are known for 3 songs. This HAS to be the reason that there have been very few Crowes compilations outside of this and a box set, which featured the first four (most successful) albums in their entirety. Get it if you enjoy "She Talks to Angels," as, even though I love this group, I'll bet that and "Hard to Handle" are the only tunes the average listener who has not bought any Crowes before can name today, and if they ever buy "Greatest Hits, Vol. 2" (which would include tracks like "I Ain't Hiding," "Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution," and "Miracle to Me"), I'd be surprised since few folks bought the discs featuring those later tracks anyway. I could picture a covers album on its way, if the band ever reunites, as the albums of new material are meeting with diminishing returns. Actually, the saving grace of this band would have been to have had, from the start, very little commercial success, no airplay or videos, and no major label deals, as the success seemed to trap them into what should, eventually, turn into an "oldies" format highlighted by the material from "Greatest Hits." At that point, people would probably have rediscovered "Three Snakes and One Charm," and there would be a chance of people actually buying "Lions" for the "album" factor. Having "hits" and "success" ended that, though, as exposure never really lasts except in the cases of the mega-groups like the Stones, Doors, etc. Trust me, Justin Bieber won't sell records forever, his sales will curb, and he will be tied into a certain genre and time, just like the Crowes. However, groups like .moe, Galactic, Widespread Panic, etc. never dealt with this kind of career impasse, as they never really had any commercial success anyway. I mean, Widespread may sell tickets to venues, but when was the last time anyone told you they actually heard a Panic album that wasn't recorded by "Panic at the Disco"? If the answer is "ever," I wouldn't believe you.

The cd was just as I ordered; however I was very disappointed in the delivery. I paid for 2 day delivery, and after several calls to dhl delivery service, it was over a week before I received the cd, barely in time for Christmas. I don't think I will order again because of that.