Customer Reviews

Greatest & Latest

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

 

 

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.

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".

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!

Been a long time since the last live cd was put out out. The band is different but, they don't miss a beat. Old school "Blue Eyed Soul" my dad called them. I just thought they were great musician. Especially, live. Lots of good music here, folks.

This disc didn't disappoint me at all. Timing is everything, at it is reflected on these tracks. Still missing my "School Boys Crush" Live though. but, on this particular Cd they make it happen Plus mine came with a DVD of the show, which was really cool to watch.

Overall, this a good Cd to have in the collection.

heard the "work to do" cut on the radio and had to explore further - was very surprised to find the rest of the album has new stuff in addition to some remakes of their good old stuff. Allan Gorrie's voice is still strong and it cares the album - I wish Hamish was back but you can't have everything. Overall, a great buy in that it's not just another mix of old stuff AWB is still alive and well!

The only song I liked was "Pick up the Pieces."
"Pick Up the Pieces" on the Kenny G Duets album with David Sanborn is a better version of this tune.