Customer Reviews

Greatest Hits

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

 

 

This is the ultimate collection for Thompson Twins fans around the world, to date.... (Stay tuned for a future box set).

It contains the original UK 12" version of Lay Your Hands on Me, which many fans claim to be their most favorite version of the song as well as their number one favorite song. This 1984 version blows the pants off of the 1985 version.

Also you'll find the original 7" version of Roll Over. Ooooh Baby, pinch me I'm dreaming.

Both version are the pre-Nile Rodgers version. Most Twins fans would also agree that he "ruined" the original flavor of Here's To Future Days with his re-vamping after Tom's collapse. Arista/Camden, please release the original master tapes of HTFD as a new CD....

Also you'll find a new remix of Sister of Mercy.

You'll also find the pre-mix version of Hold Me Now, previously found the the Old Gold 3" Cd Single, as well as a pre-mix verion of In the Name of Love.

Another favorite B-side you'll find is the 7" version of Lucky Day. A quirky song that really enjoy.

Compilation of this disc was done in part with the webmaster of the Unofficial Thompson Twins Website.

OK, first off, let it be known for the not-so-die-hard Thompson Twins buyer that many of the versions of the songs on this CD are not the album (or even radio) versions of these songs that you have heard in the past. Some have been altered only slightly, some much more majorly. If you are looking for a CD with the versions you remember, this likely isn't for you (Arista has a 16 track CD - still in print - that better suits these listeners).

If you're a die-hard Twins fan, this CD becomes much more interesting. Personally, I actually bought this one because I was lacking both "In The Name of Love" and "Nothing In Common" on CD. The version of "In The Name of Love" here is a little more stripped down than the single version and has a slightly longer Shiela E. type drum break out preceding the final run through of the chorus at the end of the song. The version of "Nothing in Common" is similar that it is stripped down somewhat from the 7" vinyl single release (not that it's bad - just different).

The real standouts in terms of alternate versions here are the 12" version of "Lay Your Hands on Me" (this really is the mix that the single release should have been based off of) and the original mix of "King For A Day" (some refer to this mix as the "Fools in Paradise" version). The demo-like version of "Hold Me Now" is also interesting.

A few of the I-could-take-it-or-leave-it alternates include the 7" version of "Sister of Mercy" (the way it was released in Europe which I found inferior to the album version) and the B-side "Lucky Day" (it's certainly not bad, but it's not one of those B-sides that make you feel you've just witnessed the Second Coming when you hear it for the first time). The version of "Don't Mess With Doctor Dream" has been altered from the album version as well (possibly their attempt to make a single mix?) - and the album version is preferable as it flows more smoothly than this mix.

Then there's the included 7" version of "Roll Over". Die-hards all know the story of this song and Tom's exhaustion (this was to be the first single released from "Here's to Future Days" and just prior to the release of the album, Tom collapsed from exhaustion. The Twins took this as a sign and released "Lay Your Hands On Me" instead and even went so far to have later versions of the album drop "Roll Over" altogether). My CD of "Here's To Future Days" does include the track and it's long been one of my favorites, so I was very curious to hear what the 7" would have sounded like back in 1985. While it does sound a little more like "Into The Gap" era TT (meaning less guitar and some additional keyboard filler), I have to admit that I much prefer the version that's on the album (the 7" still has the Steve Stevens guitar solo at the break, but much of the other guitar is omitted). It's not bad (especially if you can't get a copy of "Here's To Future Days" that contains "Roll Over") but I prefer the album version by a decent amount.

Verdict? Casual listeners might not like the non-traditional versions of many of the songs, but core fans will find some worthwile alternate versions of the hits here. Reccommended.

By far the best Thompson Twins greatest hits CD available. While it includes all the usual suspects, it also has some true gems like the original 7" versions of Roll Over, Lies and Sister of Mercy, the B-Side Lucky Day and the original 12" version of Lay Your Hands on Me. On top of that, it has a demo-like version of Hold Me Now.

It would have been an even better CD if it had included The Gap, Passion Planet and some Warner releases such as Sugar Daddy and Come Inside. Other than that it is perfect! Overall a must have for TT fans!

I'm absolutely delighted with this entire disc, having been a Thompson Twins fan for over 25 years. This review contains comments ONLY on a single song.

"Hold Me Now" was a hit single in the U.S. in 1984 and the song has appeared on many compilations since then. Due to the ubiquity of the song, I simply skipped over it when I first got this new CD as I REALLY didn't want to hear it again, not to mention that I feel that the "Twins" had much better material in their catalogue.

However, I was listening to this CD in my car last night and the darned song cued up. "Oh no, not THIS one" thought I, but I let it play, expecting to hear the same tune which has been imprinted in my brain for a quarter of a century.

That's when I entered The Twilight Zone.

This is a significantly different version than the single release in the U.S. in (at first glance) subtle ways.

To begin, the absence of the delicate piano lines in the introduction is startling as I've always considered this to be one of the signatures of the song.

The ONLY percussion in the intro is the triangle, kick drum and the guiro (omitting the shaker, castanet and woodblock). MORE importantly, the single version has the guiro panned to the right and that's where it stays throughout the song. THIS version has the guiro beginning in the LEFT channel where it then pans across the stereo spectrum to the right. The next time it plays, it starts in the right channel and pans left. Lather, rinse, repeat.

One of my favorite phrasings of the song is the introduction of the high-hat (that little "clickity-click, clickity-click") at the end of the measure right before the downbeat where the vocal starts. THIS version has a "click click" right before the familiar phrase.

The bassline is precisely the same as the "original".

The vocal track is NOT at all the same as the one most people are familiar with, and this can easily be noticed throughout the song - beginning with the very first line!

The single version has Tom sounding a little (tired?), especially on the word "picture" where he delays the second syllable ("pic - ture"). THIS version has him right on point hitting every syllable of the first line in eighth-notes. There are many other variances on the lead vocal throughout the entire song.

I suspect that this was a guide vocal or an initial take. It was completely re-recorded for the single edit.

The "Whoa whoa whoa" at the end of the second chorus (going in to the bridge) is now just a solo vocal from Tom (without the vocal harmonies) and does NOT have all of that reverb at the tail end of the phrase - it merely ends.

The beginning of the final chorus part OMITS Joe's first "Hold me in your loving arms, hold my cold and tired heart" and cuts in right at "Oh won't you stay with me".

There are MANY other variances between this "demo" and the "official single" and I've had a wonderful time switching between the two to discover them. For a group which hasn't produced any new material in seventeen years, I'm pleased to discover something "new".

Overall, this appears to be a "demo" (albeit a very HIGH quality one) and showcases quite strongly the role a producer plays - Alex Sadkin did an exceptional job with the "Twins" and it's a real shame that we'll most likely NEVER hear how "Here's to Future Days" SHOULD have sounded before Nile Rodgers helped destroy the groups career.

Of course, your mileage may vary.

For the casual listener, probably any Thompson Twins hits collection would be sufficient. For interested fans of the band, this is essential because it contains a lot of unusual material, like "Lucky Day", which was originally the B-side to the single "We Are Detective". Probably the biggest coup this collection pulls off is the inclusion of the original version of "Roll Over", which was pulled from retail shops the day of its release and subsequently has become one of the most sought-after collectors items from this band. There's also a previously unreleaed and unheard version of "Sister of Mercy". As for the rest of it, the hits are all here, and it even contains the original UK version of "Lay Your Hands On Me". How could you go wrong?

There was a time in my life when I had 99% of all the Twins releases on vinyl. The Twins fanclub also introduced me to abbreviating song titles with just the first letter of each word. Fans, I am speaking to you here. This disc contains several noteworthy cuts for the diehards.

The version of ITNOL is similar to how they played it live. There was a hits CD released circa 1995 that contained a longer version of this complete with that wild breakdown towards the end. I have never regretted selling a CD more than that one (let me know if YOU have it!), have never seen it again or found another disc with this version...but the one contained on this disc I am reviewing is pretty close. Had that long mix been here, this would have been five stars all the way for me.

They did use the alternate mix of HMN for this disc. Cool.

Unusual mix of "Sister Of Mercy" I've never heard before. Was hoping for the original single version, which has a dramatic intro different from the album mix (again similar to their live shows).

There were two 12" mixes of LYHOM from late 1984, this is one of them. Later, it was remixed again for the album with yet another 12" mix following. If you've seen the video in the USA, you'll note they are in their late-1984 outfits (as seen on SNL), but the audio is the 1985 remix.

The mix of KFAD used here is the original single edit when it was titled "Fools In Paradise" (which was also on that 1995 disc with ITNOL I mentioned). It was originally the flip side of "Roll Over"...which, I just cannot believe, it also contained on this disc in its original single version. It is NOT the same version issued as a promo 12" in the USA (with the known version of KFAD on the flip) when the album Here's To Future Days came out. Both "Roll Over" and "Fools In Paradise" are here in their original single versions. Just goes to prove if you wait long enough, anything can happen. This single pairing has been one of the most elusive recordings in their catalogue (along with the original 12"...their 1988 hits package did include the longer version of "Fools In Paradise"). The Twins had UK concert dates lined up in the sping of 1985 just before this single was to be released, but Tom Bailey collapsed & the dates were cancelled, as was the single (a handful made it out, of course & are prized treasures)...to make up for it, ticketholders for the dates were offered a highly limited edition live album which had a really cool cover. Now THERE is something someone needs to put out on CD.

Another A & B-side team on this disc are "We Are Detective" & "Lucky Day". The inclusion of "Nothing In Common", the Twins first post-Joe Leeway release from the film of the same name, proves this disc is totally geared towards the fans & I can only hope there are more surprises like this in the future. The Twins tended to remix every release, so that the single was always different from the album, the 12" different from both & so-on. They were not afraid to release TWO 12" versions of the same title if need be! There are some fantastic deluxe edition reissues to be had with that in mind, should anyone with that kind of pull be reading this!

I have taken great pleasure in the Greatest Hits CD by the Thompson Twins. It had a song on it that I have wanted for a very long time.... One of the best CDs I have purchased. You won't regret spending a few dollars on buying it.

This is the ultimate collection for Thompson Twins fans around the world, to date.... (Stay tuned for a future box set).

It contains the original UK 12" version of Lay Your Hands on Me, which many fans claim to be their most favorite version of the song as well as their number one favorite song. This 1984 version blows the pants off of the 1985 version.

Also you'll find the original 7" version of Roll Over. Ooooh Baby, pinch me I'm dreaming.

Both version are the pre-Nile Rodgers version. Most Twins fans would also agree that he "ruined" the original flavor of Here's To Future Days with his re-vamping after Tom's collapse. Arista/Camden, please release the original master tapes of HTFD as a new CD....

Also you'll find a new remix of Sister of Mercy.

You'll also find the pre-mix version of Hold Me Now, previously found the the Old Gold 3" Cd Single, as well as a pre-mix verion of In the Name of Love.

Another favorite B-side you'll find is the 7" version of Lucky Day. A quirky song that really enjoy.

Compilation of this disc was done in part with the webmaster of the Unofficial Thompson Twins Website.

I was in Manchester (UK) during Christmas 2004 and walked into the HMV in the city center. While browsing for whatever I saw this CD in the "T" section. For what I can only call a day dreaming time warp session in the aisle, I was propelled back to 1985...San Diego, California...the place...The Hotel Cortez Ballroom. It was there that I saw the Thompson Twins in concert for the first time. People...those were happy times! A year later they played the SDSU Bowl with Madness and The Police. Pfft!!! Good times I'm telling you.

I've seen a lot on concerts in my day (watched U2 open yes OPEN for The J. Giles Band at the San Diego Sports Arena when their CD "October" came out and they literally blew the doors off the headliner. Also saw The Smiths play live at a club in Tiajuana, Mexico) but the Thompson Twins concerts were perhaps the most memorable ones I went to in the 80's bar none.

The music on this CD brings back a lot...a lot of very good memories and I'd like to thank Tom, Allanah, and Joe for the music and a past that will never be again.

Honestly, I just bought this CD to round out my 80's collection, and because I still have fond memories of a few of their tunes. But they can't compare to other groups like REO Speedwagon and Def Leppard. Still, for some great memories of the 80's, this CD will work.