Customer Reviews

Little River Band - Greatest Hits

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was excited to find a collection of Little River Band music on CD. I was even more excited to find that it included my personal favorite, "A Long Way There." When I received it, I listened and realized something was wrong with that cut - on the LP, it was 8:49 in length; on the CD it was only 4:12. For some reason, they cut the middle out of this wonderful song. The remaining tracks sounded fine. Little River Band always had their own sound and I am still delighted to have them on CD, just disappointed that the music industry saw fit to butcher one of the compositions for whatever reason - as if their marketing people can improve music by cutting it to fit. Gentlemen in the *music industry*, if you are going to ruin a piece of music in the future, just leave it off.

Little River Band is one of the earliest Aussie bands that made huge success in US charts during 70s though early 80s. Particularly late 70s hit sensation was remarkable. I can say this compilation is a nice proof how the musicians of the era created excellent songs still memorable to music fans. CD version from '82 original greatest hits has less tracks than the recent extended version. Yet 12-track version is more than enough for you to enjoy their music. Because all 12 songs are so great.

Among their great songs I would pick...

REMNISCING: This nostalgic hit no doubt represents their entire music career. Also one of the most hard-to-remember-title songs.

LONESOME LOSER: A touch of Styx or Kansas dramatic progressive hard rock style. I used to misrecongnize this song as Kansas's CARRY ON WAYWARD SON.(Introducing part is so similar).

TAKE IT EASY ON ME: Feel of westcoast rock, somewhat Eagles or Jackson Browne styled.

LADY: Masterpiece ballad track that can easily rival Eagles and Abba.

Verdict: Shorter than recent version but still keeps core hits.
Rating: 92 out of 100
Recommended: Anyone who like late 70s rock. Particularly Eagles, Doobie Brothers, and some of Styx fans.

Missing only two minor U.S. hits ("We Two" and "You're Driving Me Out of My Mind"), this is a superb collection of songs by the AC-popsters from Down Under. To reach the American Top 20 a total of 10 times is astounding, and since the CD includes only one disposable song ("Down on the Border"), it's a great deal.

Thanks for sending out the CD so quick and in great shape. Can't beat the price!!!!

For real LRB fans, the fact that this CD contains an far-too-short edited version of "It's a Long Way There" is reason enough to avoid this one. That cut was their magnum opus - how disappointing to have it truncated.

I originally purchased this album because I remembered a couple of songs, and I got it for a really good price. Then, as I listened to the CD, I realized that I had heard most of the songs on this CD. That's when it hit me that the Little River Band was one of those groups whose music had been a presence on my radio in the late 70s and early 80s, and still are on pop-rock and classic rock stations, and I'd just never paid much attention to the music other than thinking how listenable it was.

The music is good, which at first might make you wonder why the Little River Band isn't one of rock's greats. Part of the problem may have been that they were in the right place at the wrong time. The Little River Band was churning out rock music in the age of disco. Bad timing/good timing. Bad timing because they had decent music that, while having an occasional flavor of disco, remained pop-rock. Good timing because those of us that weren't disco fans were listening to the alternatives, Little River Band being one of those.

If you listen to classic rock or remember the 70s very well, most of these songs will be familiar. My favorites are "Cool Change", "Take it Easy on Me", "Lonesome Loser", and "Reminiscing". These are all middle of the road rock songs, occasionally tending toward light rock.

Are these great rock songs? No. Little River Band was a product of its time, and had little effect on the direction of rock music, and were one of a number of good musicians that always are the music of the moment. However, the songs are very listenable and enjoyable. If you like Al Stewart (another under-appreciated and barely remembered artist from this era)and Chicago from the late 70s, you should enjoy this compilation of Little River Band's hits.

the sound quality is excellent. so clean and crisp. but the original versions of man on your mind, night owl and take it easy on me are other versions. not to my likeing.

This is mellow rock at its best. I have always liked anything The Little River Band has put out. My favorite tracks are Lonesome Loser, Reminiscing, Lady, Happy Anniversary, Help Is On Its Way and The Night Owls. These are truly LRB gems. They are a true down to earth band with a big sound to them. Reminiscing is about a man who wants his girl to go walking through the park with him and reminiscing about all the good times they had together. Happy Anniversary is about a man wishing his wife a Happy Anniversary and he can't get her off his mind. These two are true love songs. Lady is another love song. This man is telling his wife or girlfriend that he loves her reguardless of what she thinks. Lonesome Loser is about a man who has lost at love and he is very lonesome for affection and he can't get it. All in all The Little River Band will always be one of my favorite bands.

Anyone who was around during the seventies will love this cd. It's jam packed with all your jukebox favorites. I just saw them in concert last night and they still have it! Buy it and do a little "reminiscing".

This is one of my favorite CDs. I like every song on it, with the exception of "Happy Anniversary", which I can't stand. I never heard the LP version of this album so I can't comment on any changes made to certain songs. If you enjoy soft rock, you will not be disappointed with this CD.