Customer Reviews

Rarities (Dig)

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

 

 

I was so happy to receive my copy of this album! For Indigo Girl Fans, it's a wonderful treat. I am so happy to see "I don't wanna talk about it" from the Philadelphia Soundtrack. It has to be one of my favorites. I am also loving "Clampdown", "Mona Lisa and Mad Hatters" (never heard this one before). I also love "Point Hope", "Let me go easy".
I enjoy the demo of "Ghost" but my favorite is still from the 1200 Curfews live album. They are a "live" band and their songs have an energy when they sing live that you just don't hear with studio recordings. If you are new to Indigo Girls, 1200 Curfews is the album to start with. I am not in love with "Free in you Remix" or "Free of Hope". The remix of "Free in You" reminds me of when U2 did their POP album-yuck. I don't enjoy the techno sound except maybe in 80's music. "Free of Hope" is just...not enjoyable. But the other 16 tracks on this album are wonderful and so fun to listen too.
I do not agree that they are "lackluster, but dated, as singer/songwriter/guitarists". I think their latest new album "All that we let in" is a strong argument disagreeing with that statement. I have LOVED their last two albums "Become You" and "All that we let in". I think the older they get, the better their music gets.I really enjoy hearing them using more banjo, mandolin, accordian, ect. The folk music sound is just delightful with their harmonies.
Their concerts are awesome and there is nothing better than seeing them live. They are wonderful. And they play for their fans and they put this album out just for us. It's hardly an attempt to become "relics". It's a fun album to have for those of us who love those odds and ends songs that we don't hear often. Enjoy!!

I consider myself a die-hard (seasoned) fan, and I was greatly disappointed in this collection. More than two-thirds of the songs are previously released, so I was glad I could only purchase the 6 songs I needed. Most of the 6 actual "new" tracks are available in a poorer quality elsewhere. I am not criticizing the Indigo Girls for this redundant release, they asked their fans to vote on the songs we most wanted on this collection. This collection will seem weak and unrepresentative to the novice listener; as the duo has said many times "Rarities" demonstrates their growth as songwriters and performers.

The overall message is: this collection is for the middle, those of you that fall somewhere between a novice and die-hard fan. If your rarities collection already includes most of the songs on "Rarities," then buy the few songs you need individually. If you only own 1 or 2 Indigo Girl CDs (or tapes), then skip this one for now and go with something else like "Retrospective," "All That We Let In," or "Come On Now Social." You will be much happier in the long run, as those CDs are more representative of the duo's songwritting and abilities. However, if you own most of their CDs and you are interested in understanding their development and influences (that you don't already know), then I highly recommend this collection.

While I think the Editor's Notes are harsh, and likely not the words of a fan, if you're just learning about Indigo Girls and want to get a taste of their music, this is not the place to start. For die hard fans, you're going to love it. It's an opportunity to experience another side of Indigo Girls from cover tunes to alternate mixes and previously unreleased songs.

And as an aside to the editor, this duo has not "hit the doldrums." Refining technique and crafting beautiful compositions, they keep getting better and better! They are a classic team in the worlds of alternative and folk music and are in no way in danger of becoming relics.

I adore the Indigo Girls and have everything they've put out, so this was a must-buy for me. However, it's the least likely CD I'd play out of theirs. They're still in good form on this one, but it lacks the consistency of a regular Indigo Girls album.

I dont understand the coments the reviewer said. This is truly a gift for true Indigo Girls fans. Their live shows are terrific and nothing is better than listening to their music live.

Rarites give us some great covers, especially Mona Lisa and Mad hatter, and Uncle Johns Band, and some early songs never released. There are a few clunkers, like "Let me go easy" and "Walk your valley" but to hear their version of "Ramblin round" makes you forget the few clunkers.

I highly recommend this cd to all Indigo Girls fans! If you want to become a fan....go see them live.

My favorite new song in this new Indigo Girls collection is "Let Me Go Easy," a wonderfully engaging and meaningful song
that I keep going back to again and again. I have been an avid
listener to their music for ten years now, and I own all of their studio albums, as well as several other collections.
Even with this background, this song has risen to near the top
of my favorites list. Not to be missed!

I've heard a bootleg version of "Finlandia," but that version is
not nearly as beautifully realized as the rendition included in this collection. Another wonderful track!

"Uncle John's Band," which, although available perhaps from other sources, was not a part of my collection before getting this, is another really enjoyable song. I especially like
the pacing of the vocal on the line, "I live in a silver mine /
And collect berrys too."

I haven't had the chance to thoroughly digest the CD yet, but
other tracks that stand out to me so far "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters," "I Don't Wanna Talk About it" and "Clampdown" (chillingly relevant with Bush and his ilk having so much power).

There are at least three songs I would have loved to have seen included here, though: "Blood Quantum," "Letter to Eve" and
"Wisteria." Had they been included, my rating probably would have been five stars.

If you are a longtime Indigo listener, don't miss this one.
You will really want to "Let Me Go Easy" and the wonderfully
rendered "Finlandia" especially.

Releasing an album of rarities sounds like a good idea - for diehard fans only. Some of those diehard fans already own all the stuff released on such packages, while others haven't managed to put their hands on all the tracks. All in all, it's usually a good deal. Much of this applies to the Indigo Girls' "Rarities" package; it's an honest deal for all of those who fell in love with this underrated duo's complex vocal harmonies, pop-folk sensibility and unique songwriting abilities.

However, like most rarities compilations, listening to this album all the way through is a strange aural experience. One minute you find yourself singing along to casual folk stuff like "Let me go easy" or "Walk your valley", and the next minute you get hit by head-scratching numbers like "I'll give you my skin" or by the awful and unnecessary remixes of "Shed your skin" and "Free in you". There are some beautiful inclusions on this 18 track package, but you will have to dig a little deeper than usual to find them.

The completists will still be happy with this mixed bag of rarities, live tracks and vintage stuff. But those wishing to be introduced to this outstanding, creative duo would be wise to rather go with "Swamp Ophelia", "All that we let in", "Rites of passage" or their self-titled debut.

Although some of the songs on this Rarities CD have been released before, or at least heard by me before. I always love a new girls CD. I love track 3! It's been in my CD player for weeks now and I am not tired of it yet. I highly recommend this CD if you are a TRUE Indigo Girls Fan!

After reading several reviews I realize many people don't UNDERSTAND the true artistry of emily Sailers and Amy Ray...The Indigo Girls. The fact that they are now releasing demos and songs of duets with other fine artists ( IE ani Difranco, Michael Stipe) is a wonderful thing. In fact they should it more. I would like to see the IG release a whole CD of nothing but old folk songs done with other artists ( Ie the water is wide, kid fears etc). Their harmonies and vocal range have always be their forte. If you truly want to enjoy and understand the indigo girls listen to them repeatedly, listen to how the melodies are constructed, listen to the words, the meaning behind what they sing about, the passion...absorbe the music into your soul, and after you have found a new appreciation then re-write your reviews.

These are wonderfully written songs by some of the best. The air of soulful harmony the Girls bring to each song is just perfect. Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters is better than any version Elton John ever did. This is one of my most-played collections.