Customer Reviews

No.1's

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

 

 

Scorpions "No. 1's" raised my suspicions a bit as this is yet another of the many compilations released in recent history. However, these suspicions went by the wayside as I scanned the track listings of this 2-disc CD set.

What a breath of fresh air it was to see tracks that hardly appear on the standard Scorpions "greatest hits" releases. The tracks I am particularly happy to see here are: "Lady Starlight", "China White", "When The Smoke Is Going Down", "Coast To Coast (Live)" and the vastly-underrated "I'm Leaving You" among others. The other standard Scorpions fare that you expect to see is also here, like "Rock You Like A Hurricane" and "No One Like You." And even though they probably weren't "No. 1's", it's a bit disconcerting not to see "The Zoo", "Make It Real" or "Bad Boys Running Wild" not be part of a Scorpions collection.

My final analysis? Pick up this CD if you have at least one other Scorpions compilation in your collection, like the 3-disc "Box Of Scorpions". You won't be disappointed.

I can't believe how good these tracks sound! After hearing the disappointing mastering from the Universal label U.S. 2006 'Gold' 2-CD release I was quite happy to hear that EMI had issued a similar 2-CD release in 2006 as well. Thankfully, EMI got it right... at least when it comes to audio quality. The sparkling sound is clear right from the first track on disc 1, "Wind Of Change". Although this recording is only 16 years old (recorded in 1990) I never imagined that it could sound so heavy and full. Previous masters and releases have left me wanting more from the music. The drums are punchy, the bass is grinding, and the vocals soar! Flash back to 1982 when Scorpions scored their very first U.S. Hot 100 chart entry. That track was "No One Like You" and again, like "Change", the song has benefited hugely from this new 24-bit remastering! The sound is wide and full. Compare these masters to those masters on any other releases and the striking difference will be heard. No. 1's is the winner!

THE BAND: Klaus Meine (vocals, guitar), Matthias Jabs (guitars), Rudolf Schenker (guitars) have appeared on all albums... past and present band members include Ulrich Roth (guitars), Michael Schenker (guitars), Francis Buchholz (bass), Ralph Rieckermann (bass), Jurgen Rosenthal (drums), Herman Rarebell (drums), and James Kottak (drums). Hailing from Hannover, Germany.

THE DISCS: (2006) 32 tracks on 2 discs clocking in at approximately 156 total minutes (Disc-1 at 79 minutes, Disc-2 at 77). Included with the discs is an 18-page booklet containing song titles/credits, song lyrics, 2-pages containing all album covers and a band photo. This compilation follows the band from 1979-2000. 24-bit digitally remastered sound. (Import) Label - EMI International.

ALBUM REPRESENTATION: I've identified 25 of the 32 tracks and the albums they come from - Lovedrive (5 songs), Animal Magnetism (1), Blackout (5), Love At First Sting (5), Savage Amusement (3), Crazy World (2), Face The Heat (2), Moment Of Glory (2). Leaving 7 tracks either unreleased or B-sides, or...?

COMMENTS: There's a handful of Scorpions compilations out there on the market. I researched many and finally settled on the 2-disc "Gold" (with 34 tracks, and much better coverage of their 70's material). And, within a few weeks I just happened to stumble across this "No.1's" package. I compared the track listings and they were vastly different. Between "Gold" and "No.1's" there are 19 different songs that are on one, but not the other. So, for the Scorpions fan, there's easily room for both of these in your collection. The title of this release is a misnomer - this is not strictly the band's #1 songs (if it were, this disc would be a heck of a lot shorter). THE GOOD: Most of the standards are here - "Wind Of Change", "No One Like You", "Holiday", "Still Loving You", "Rhythm Of Love", ""Rock You Like A Hurricane", "Big City Nights", "Blackout", "Loving You Sunday Morning", etc. There are some quality other picks here as well - "I'm Leaving You", "You And I", "China White", "Always Somewhere", "White Dove", "Coming Home", etc. Interesting package - it stands a good half an inch taller than the standard CD case. The front cover artwork is cool and the tri-fold cardboard is thick and sturdy (however, the booklet is awkwardly glued to the center portion of the case). The remastered sound is crystal clear. The track listing is downright off the wall - good for some, but perhaps not for those looking (only) for their more radio-friendly hits. That's what makes this release a must have - there are so many deep album cuts and non-hits here. THE BAD: The booklet is severely lacking - I like knowing what songs came from which albums, year released, perhaps even the song/album chart success, and a historical footnote (however long or short) on the band. This "No.1's" gives you the song lyrics, and the year it was remastered (relevance?) and that's about it. In general, this mix leans toward their 80's and 90's material... so much of the early and mid 70's was passed on. "Animal Magnetism" once again is snubbed with only one song (though an amazing choice with "Lady Starlight"). I gravitate toward the compilations that go in chronological order - this "No.1's" is not presented in album order. Several key songs are missing ("The Zoo", "Lovedrive", "Arizona", "Dynamite", "Tease Me Please Me", "Bad Boys Running Wild"), but I feel perhaps that's the beauty of this release. Also, if you're looking for a compilation featuring a broad overview of Scorpions albums, you will find several releases here with no representation at all - "Fly To The Rainbow", "In Trance", "Virgin Killer", "Lonesome Crow", "Taken By Force", "Unbreakable", and understandably "Eye II Eye". Too bad - I really feel some of the great songs from "Unbreakable" (2004) belong on a Scorpions mix somewhere, and this "No.1's" seemed like the perfect fit. OVERVIEW: I'm a Scorpions fan from the late 70's... I have most of their albums on disc (old and new)... and along with "Gold", there's still room for this "No.1's" on my shelf (4+ stars).

Comparing the mastering on this CD set to the 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Scorpions, and it blows 20th Century away. Like everyone else, I can't believe "The Zoo" was left off this set, and not too happy that "No One Like You" and "In Your Park" were similarly snubbed. "In Your Park" doesn't appear on any greatest hits except for Hot & Slow: Best Masters of the 70's.

Blackbeard's current Scorpions Greatest Hits
01) Through My Eyes
02) Under The Same Sun
03) Wind Of Change
04) Holiday
05) Rock You Like A Hurricane
06) Always Somewhere
07) In Your Park
08) Loving You Sunday Morning
09) Still Loving You
10) No One Like You
11) China White
12) Alien Nation
13) The Zoo
14) When the Smoke Is Going Down
15) New Generation

I included two songs from Unbreakable, their latest release because they are worthy (Through My Eyes, New Generation)

this scorpions remaster totally blows away anything ive heard before.the clarity is awesome!the song list is great too.this album is not being distributed in europe,probably some legal thing.some of the songs from lovedrive are alternate versions(always somewhere,holiday.)this cd was made in the phillipines.its not a 20 bit remaster,its a freaking 24 bit remaster.this is the one to own.buy it before some lawsuit yanks it off the market!this cd comes with a black only cover.that suits the product,mysterioous and sonically scarythis is a classicwork! buy the thing and keep it tucked away safeley.

Though I've been a longtime Scorpions fan, I haven't gotten much into their later material. In fact, I basically stopped at Love at First Sting, and only have Face the Heat after that. This is a really good compilation though of the later material, along with a little from Taken By Force and Lovedrive.

The two best aspects of this are the sound quality (great, truly remastered) and decent variety of heavy songs and mellower/ballad songs. It should appeal to those who like either (or both) ends of the spectrum.

What's really amazing is how the oldest songs sound now, with the digital remastering. Probably most noticeable is the oldest (Born to Touch Your Feelings). It now sounds like it could have been recorded more recently, and you can hear lots more tasty elements in the song. The acoustic guitar(s) upfront, the soaring Roth electric guitar in the background. Very beautiful and vivid.

Seems like I found this in the store for a single-CD price, so I'm a little surprised at the cost here. Maybe I got it when it first came out, and was at a promo cost.

The only minor complaint is that it would have been great to have had more liner notes, and pictures.

This is the best sounding compilation of some of the Scorpion's biggest hits and incidentally contain almost all of my favorites which the other compilations miss one or another. The title is a misnomer though because factually not all the songs were number ones on the charts but that does not take away from the value of this pack at all. The 24 bit digital remastering is fantastic and you won't believe how good the songs sound. However, as an exception on some songs I missed the faded mellow of the original versions since I was used to them - so the striking clarity and sharpness of this version put me off in the beginning - ex. Always Somewhere ... the original version has a haunting mellow echo effect which is pure bliss. Overall, however, this is a must buy for a Scorpion fan.