Customer Reviews

Recollection: Best of

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Concrete Blonde was one of the best bands of the late 80's/early 90's but unfortunately never got the recognition they deserved. "Recollection" is a wonderful overview of this neglected band.

From the punk/garage sound of the early "Still in Hollywood" (which ranks right up there with X's "Los Angeles" as a civic booster) to the evocative vocal stylings of "Tomorrow Wendy" & "Everybody Knows" the various facets of multi-talented Johnette Napolitano are well represented. Johnette is not only one of the greatest rock vocalists in recent memory, she also wrote or co-wrote nearly all the material on this album. Anyone who has ever heard the amazing "God is a Bullet" can attest to her song writing skills; her singing can ring with fury or croon tenderly as on "Joey".

Rediscover this amazing band with "Recollection" just as I did. You won't regret it!

I first heard of this marvelous band about the same time that most of America did...1990--"Joey". I liked them well enough but it wasn't until about five years later when a friend of mine bought this CD to replace her worn out one. I listened to it and immediately went out and bought my own copy. I made as many people listen to it as I possibly could. Four years down the road I made my girlfriend listen to it (she had never even heard of CB) she instantly loved it and one upped me. She went out and bought "Recollection" which I have since stolen from her. I would have a new favorite track on it daily...which in turn made me go out and buy all of the CB albums so I could hear all the songs that weren't considered "great hits". Needless to say, there isn't much of their music that I don't absolutely love. How could anybody not fall in love with Johnette's phenominal, diverse voice? Even the few songs that I don't particularly care for are worth a few listens. Only Johnette could do such a wonderful cover of "Mercedes Benz", you could almost believe Janis was reincarnated as Johnette. For anyone that even remotely likes this now defunct band...buy this CD and you will be a fan. A couple of candles and this CD and you're looking at the most relaxing evening ever.

I can't imagine why this is currently out of print, but it's the best place to start your "Concrete Blonde" collection for sure. It also takes pretty evenly from their first 5 albums. Included here is "True", "God Is A Bullet", "Joey", "Someday", and "Heal It Up". Everything on here is great, but I do miss "Song For Kim", "Long Time Ago", and "End Of The Line". Also the original "Bloodletting(The Vampire Song)" would be nice, and maybe a b-side like "I Want You". But we do get "Everybody Knows" from the "Pump Up The Volume" soundtrack, and a live "Mercedes Benz", among 16 other tracks. As far as collections go, you may have to settle for "Classic Masters", or "Still In Hollywood", but I would search for this myself.

I was lucky enough to see CB on their first national tour ('87/'88?) in a small club in Rochester, NY with about 10 people(fortunately for me and friend.)
I had their debut album and loved every second of it. We loved our own personal concert and we got to come up on stage and dance with them as they jammed. I've been a fan ever since.
"Recollection" always travels with me in the car......it's my staple.....can't imagine life without it.

I don't often get to say that, but this time I mean it.

It's over two years since I bought this CD, and only just recently have I gotten into it. It's suddenly become one of my favorites.

One thing I am a bit curious about: Why is the version of The Vampire Song on this album call an "edit?" It's a completely different rendition from the one on Bloodletting, and I for one like the Recollection version a LOT better!

I can't wait to get the videos, and check out a few other things, like No Talking Just Head.

And one more thing: Mercedes Benz is about my least favorite track just to listen to, but that doesn't mean it isn't impressive. Johnette manages to out-Janis Janis!

I really liked this CD, i never heard anything about Concrete Blonde before listening to "Joey" in a local radio station here. Then i became interested in listening more songs from Concrete, they are fantastic, "True", "Mexican Moon", "Someday",are really good songs

Concrete Blondes' work has been nothing less than brilliant. Johnette's voice carries through all music barriers. Her music changes through many stages of her life. Every album is a work of art. Jim Mankey's guitar styling is also great. This band will always live on!

Got the cd in record time. Brand new as requested. If you are looking for anything along the lines of "greates hits" then "Recollection" is the way to go. Another great one is the 20th aniversary of Bloodletting that was released in July 2010. Another Concrete Blonde Great!

THIS ALBUM REPRESENTS SUCCINCT INSIGHT INTO THE DECONSTRUCTION OF ONE'S IDEAL : SERIOUS ROMANCE, PERHAPS EVEN THE REINSTATEMENT OF ONE'S TRUE IDENTITY. MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH CONCRETE BLONDE -- CHECKED OUT HER WEBSITE: BEAUTIFUL AND ELEGENT ARTISTRY IINVOLVED. I TRULY ENJOYED EVERY ASPECT OF THIS ALBUM.

Bloodletting is one of my favs. Like I never have gotten tired of it. Despite some outrageous subject matter, it's still something I can put on when other people visit. Who listens anymore, anyway. But they always ask, Who Is This? Fits any mood, like some coffee-table book.
The lyrics are profound, the recording crystal clear, the guitar work is exquisite, the drums are unforgettable, and Johnette's voice . . . beautiful and sensual. (I knew she'd look as good as she sounds).