Greatest & Latest

Average White Band | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 19, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Liquid 8
• ASIN: B0007ZEO28
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,651 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #62 in Music > World Music > Europe > British Isles > Scotland

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Besides an excellent name, what Average White Band has going for it is timeless, grown-up funk. The trouble with Latest & Greatest, though, is that it cinches together a myopic sample. While the disc doesn't lack for length (16 tracks) or talent (in addition to the usual lineup, Chaka Khan and Daryl Hall step in for a couple of groovy joints) or special features (a bonus DVD is included), it's limited by the era it culls, 1989 to 2003. The AWB calling card "Pick Up the Pieces," presented in a "NuJazz" but still deeply satisfying mix, perks ears as early as track two, but by the time we reach "Do Ya Really" —does anybody remember "Do Ya Really?" —we can't help wishing the door to this best-of had been propped open wider, allowing entry to such earlier AWB staples as "Cut the Cake" and "Queen of My Soul." That said, somebody involved in this disc's sequencing was onto something: Midway through, when mild dissatisfaction is about to set in, the powerful grooviness of "Oh Maceo" —lookout —comes along to save the day. There's a track to prove that when you fortify the funk, all is forgiven. --Tammy La Gorce

Product Description

The most influential and highly regarded white funk band of the 1970s, the Average White Band was formed by a bunch of R&B enthusiasts from Scotland. Features the songs 'Spirit Of Love', 'I Wanna Be Loved', & 'Let's Go All The Way'. Includes bonus DVD. Liquid 8. 2005.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Latest & Greatest?, April 27, 2005

By 

James Alburton "James A" (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Greatest & Latest (Audio CD)

Overall Review

I have to admit that while I am a avid R & B, soul and especially funk fanatic there is always a special place in my musical tastes for this type of music. So, Average White Band, the guys responsible for the CLASSIC funk song "Pick Up The Pieces" fit well within that range. Their newest release, due April 19th, is Greatest and Latest. Well titled, the album is a collection of prime moments in their 16 year history along with a couple new tracks and a few unreleased live recordings. Honestly, it may be the funk leanings of my tastes, but they really seem to shine the best on the faster paced funk numbers. Still, even when the music doesn't gel as well as other times, it still works. The collection includes a bonus DVD (although my review copy did not - so I can't comment on that) and should make a great addition to the collection of AWB fans and fans of R & B and soulful funk in general.

Track by Track Review

Spirit of Love (with Chaka Khan & Ronnie Laws): With an acapella intro, this funky cut is a cool one that feels a little like The Doobie Brothers at times. It's poppy, but still has some meat to it. It has a very cool bridge and a rather electronic texture at time. This has a nice sax solo.


Pick Up the Pieces: This classic funk cut should be recognizable to everyone, and it still has it. The sax solo on this jazz inspired funk piece is exceptionally tasty.


In The Beginning (live at the Mt. Fuji Festival, Japan): A killer funk bass line starts this fast paced live jam. It includes a nice scat with the sax and the vocals following each other.


Let's Go All the Way (with Chaka Khan): This is a sultry jazzy ballad with a very cool vocal arrangement.


I'll Get Over You: This cut is rather generic with an '80's rock style. It has its moments, but is just a little too cliched.


Love at First Sight (with Alex Ligertwood): Another slower cut, this is a rather cool balladic groove.


Every Beat of My Heart (with Klyde Jones): This slow one is solid, but doesn't do much for me. Still the vocal arrangement is powerful.


When We Get Down To It: A mid tempo piece, this one has a cool groove, and is pretty potent.


Oh, Maceo (live at the Fillmore Auditorium): Another live one, horn starts this and the band join in for a killer funk grind. This jam is one of the strongest on the album.


Do Ya Really: Another killer funk groove; this also is a highlight of the collection. The horn section really smokes.


I Wanna Be Loved (featuring Daryl Hall): This is another slower cut, and quite soulful. It is better than some of the slower pieces on the album, and has a nice sax solo.


Window to Your Soul: Another slow one, this has a classic '70's R & B sound, funky and sultry. This one is very cool.


Living in Colour: With a rather Latin rhythm, this one is somewhat jazzy. It's not bad, but not the strongest material on show. The vocals are truly its saving grace.


Work to Do (Nu-Jazz Mix): Back into faster territory, this is another jazz-oriented cut. It is a fairly smooth and entertaining piece, although not a real standout.


Love Won't Let Me Wait: The slowest piece on the disc; this ballad is a bit weak.


Let's Go Round Again (live at The London Empire): Another live one, the funk lives again on this fast paced romp. This killer jam has a great arrangement, and while there are better choices for album closer, this works pretty well.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Highlights Of The Later Years, May 7, 2005

By 

A. S. Tilles - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Greatest & Latest (Audio CD)

What the Amazon reviewer apparently didn't recognize is that this compilation isn't meant to be a career-ranging overview. Rather, it focuses on AWB II, the years when the band re-formed after breaking up. AWB I has been the focus of at least 7 different compilations at my last count. So, that compilation has been done to death. AWB II material has been released on a variety of labels (much of it hard to find), so its helpful to have the best of that material compiled onto a single disc. For the "average" fan that isn't interested in having it all, buy the two disc "In The Beginning" and "The Greatest & Latest" and you'll have everything that you need, other than "You're My Number One" from "Cupid's In Fashion".

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's cooool! A little bit of everything...check it out!, July 12, 2005

By 

Xavier J. Grubba Jr. "lay back" (sterling heights, mi usa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Greatest & Latest (Audio CD)

I love work to do & pick up the pieces...it's got a Jazzy new sound! Let's go aroung again live! among the other tunes...it's a real treat!