Customer Reviews

Sixty Six to Timbuktu

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

You can ignore all the crybabies around here who are blubbering about the song selection in this package. First of all, there are two discs, and Disc 2 is where the true treasures abound, while everyone is expecting Disc 1 to be a standard greatest hits package. Our whiny friends apparently didn't notice that this collection is NOT called "Robert Plant's Greatest Hits," and they also didn't notice in the liner notes that Robert himself didn't want to create that kind of package. Sure Disc 1 features a very lopsided compilation of Robert's proper solo work, with the earlier albums being almost totally neglected in favor of the later ones. If that's a problem for you, just listen to the original albums again. Of course, Robert meant for this package to focus on the more adventurous aspects of his music, which can be felt throughout Disc 2, and that's the real reason for this collection's existence.

Zep collectors will be fascinated by the first few cuts on Disc 2, which are long-lost selections from Robert's pre-Zeppelin work. The first two tracks are obscure British singles in which the teenage Robert was trying to be a pop heartthrob and sounded very little like his future blues-metal self. Robert finds his voice in the next two tracks by Band of Joy, his pre-Zeppelin group with John Bonham on drums (one of these two tracks is a surprisingly sinister version of "Hey Joe"). The collection then skips to 1983 and proceeds to take us on a tour of post-Zeppelin tracks that were often so offbeat and adventurous that they didn't even fit onto the solo albums. Here is where Robert fans will be truly reminded of his unappreciated love for the experimental and his mastery of non-Western sounds. Most rewarding are a variety of quirky covers, collaborations with Afro Celt Soundsystem and avant-garde guitar virtuoso Rainer Ptacek, and a live selection from Timbuktu (Mali) that truly integrates the authentic sounds of that land. Prepare for adventure, not a selection of radio hits. [~doomsdayer520~]

In the liner notes, Robert Plant makes much of trying to avoid a commercial success formula to putting together this compilation. That said, this compilation is a bit to heavily weighted toward his later material ('Fate of Nations' (1993) and 'Dreamland' (2002)) and glosses over his earlier material with no entries from his debut, 'Pictures at 11' (1982), and only one enty from the much-underrated 'Manic Nirvana' (1990). Nonetheless, it is a must for fans merely because of the b-sides disk.

In putting together a compilation, an artist basically has two commercially viable choices: (a) putting together a representative anthology with lots of b-sides for serious fans; or (b) putting together a collection of the greatest hits for casual/passing fans. Unfortunately, like many , this one tries to straddle the fence and ends up being incomplete on both fronts. A perfect greatest hits that I could recommend to casual fans would have the following:
1. Burning Down One Side (from 'Pictures at Eleven' (1982))
2. Other Arms
3. In the Mood
4. Big Log (from 'Principle of Moments' (1983))
5. Sea of Love
6. Rockin' at Midnight (from 'The Honeydrippers Vol. 1' (1984))
7. Little By Little (from 'Shakin' n' Stirred' (1985))
8. Heaven Knows
9. Ship of Fools
10. Tall Cool One (from 'Now & Zen' (1988))
11. Hurting Kind
12. Tie Dye on the Highway (from 'Manic Nirvana' (1990))
13. 29 Palms
14. Calling to You (from 'Fate of Nations' (1993))
15. Most High (from 'Walking Towards Clarksdale' (1998))
16. Morning Dew
17. Darkness, Darkness (from 'Dreamland' (2002))

In many people's books this may not qualify as a true greatest hits cd. The songs on disc 1 don't necessarily relate to chart success as much as they are Plant's personal favorites. But they are a good overview, especially since most of these tracks are from his later solo efforts, which I consider more polished efforts. Most people who are fans of Plant are going to have many of these songs anyway. The real surprise for me was the disc 2 compilation of Plant's early pre-Zep era songs and rarities and side project material. Since I was a boy and dinosaurs still walked the earth I've been listening to Robert Plant from that classic 1969 first Zep record to a more subdued Plant and his 8 post-Zep solo albums. But I had no idea he was so active before his Zepplin days. This disc starts in 1966 with recordings from his band the Tennessee Teens, where he cut the tracks "Our Song" and the Young Rascals classic "You Better Run", which is a little more rocked up version than the original. He then moved on to the band called Band Of Joy. This was a nice rockin' little band who cut the tracks "Hey Joe" and an interesting hard rock version of Stephen Stills "For What It's Worth" which offers up some mean no frills guitar work. He also sang for the Russian blues king Alexis Korner in 68' on the killer blues tune called "Operator" before moving on in 69' to a group called the New Yardbirds, aka Led Zepplin. These early gems alone are worth the price here. But you also get some rare songs off of various sountracks and tribute albums that he's done over the years. The standouts being "If it's really got to be this way" from his tribute to country soul man Arthur Alexander. Other highlights is a 1985 side project called the Crawling Kingsnkes with Phil Collins and rockabilly great Dave Edmunds called "Philadelphia Baby" which along with "let's have a party" and "let the boogie woogie roll" represent his 50's early rock and roll influences. This disc has everything from r&b, blues, rockabilly and Zepplin like hard rock in chronological order from 1966 to a killer song he did in 2003 called "win my train fare home" live from Timbuktu. But it flows nice and is never boring. Plant is really an expert on the different genres of music. And it's pretty obvious he loves his rock and roll history and influences that he's learned along the way. This also contains some very witty and humorous liner notes by Plant. He's one heck of a great music critic, and he knows his stuff. I walked away from this with a much bigger respect of this rock icon. Anyone interested in the roots of Robert Plant is sure to enjoy this cd. In my opinion one of the best rock reissues that I've ever heard. Highly recommended!

When I saw the song listing for this album a few weeks back I had the same feeling as I did when the "Van Halen: Best of volume 1" came out - who put this together and what criteria was used? When I found out that Plant put it together himself, I was perplexed.
Now I want to go on record that I have practically everything Plant has ever recorded, and most of what's on here is excellent. But is it truly representative of Plant as an artist? It seems that Plant wanted to highlight the eclectic nature of his work, which I agree is one of his strengths. However, songs like "slow dancer", "in the mood", "horizontal departure", "watching you", "come into my life" and "network news" are easily superior to some of what's included on disc one, and more importantly, give a more accurate picture of the Robert Plant musical persona. At the very least, "upside down" should have been switched to disc 2 and one of the songs which I mentioned put in it's place.
Of course, it should be said that anyone can put together their own collection of favorite Plant songs by virtue of the cd burner. What I'm thinking of is the young music fan of the future who 20 years from now probably won't be able to find Plant's back catalogue but will only have access to this. For them, they'll only be getting half the story.

This collection is a nice concept. Plant has recorded seven solo albums over the last 20 years, in addition to a few side projects with Jimmy Page, so the time was right for a best of CD. And this collection separates itself from others in that it features one entire disc of bonus material from Plant's pre-Zep days and various post-Zep projects. Its also nice that songs are included from 'Dreamland', which is not on the Atlantic label. It is equally nice that only there is only one song (the tedious "Little By "Little") from 'Shaken N Stirred', Plant's worst solo effort.

As for the rest of the collection, I wondered why discs like 'Fate of Nations' are represented with five tracks while 'Pictures at Eleven' has none. I always felt that 'Pictures', while not spectacular, is underrated. Its release in 1982 was very low-key and it seemed like an attempt was made at the time to keep expectations down. While far from a Led Zeppelin sounding disc, it has the closest Zep sound of all Plant's solo releases (his music became progressively more AOR as the 1980's went on). I particularly like "Slow Dancer", which has a Zep-like guitar, vocal, and strings arrangement. And the single "Burning Down One Side" is worthy of inclusion along with "I'm In the Mood" from his second solo release. I also think that "Far Post" which was recorded during the 'Pictures of Eleven' sessions but released initially as a B-side on a 12" single in Europe and later on the flip side of the "Big Log" single in the US, should have been added, along with "I Get A Thrill" from the 1984 Honeymooners EP. At the very least, I would jettison "If I Were A Carpenter" and one or two others from this release in favor of any of the above. Those additions would have merited a 5 star rating.

I can only think there must be some contractual reason for Robert's first album being ignored in this set. There were a handful of great tunes on "Pictures at Eleven," and one or two more on the single(s) B-sides, as I recall (although that's 20 years ago!). Even so, "66" is a fine compilation and stands as testament to what a truly great singer Robert is--the early tunes on Disc 2 are utterly fantastic, the raw power of his caterwauling vocals is mesmerising--shockingly good. I mean, who in today's rock market can even approach this talent? Nobody. (I had to pull my car over when I first heard those early tracks. "Hey Joe" wipes out the Hendrix version--at least vocally. And "Louie, Louie" is power without the cheese.) No kidding: They grab your attention, even that of jaded, cynical listener like myself. And almost 40 years later, Plant's voice (notably on "Darkness, Darkness" and "Song to the Siren") is still riveting, though in a completely different way--an expressiveness and emotional quality that I think is unmatched--nuanced and artful, an instrument. Yes, the stuff from the late '80s and 90s is spotty; sometimes the material is not worthy of Mr. Plant's gifts, and the arrangements too often chug like a rusty train. But there are plenty of good cuts here, and Robert supplies a revealing personal commentary on his career's twisting path. One heartbreaker is the liner notes picture of Robert playing and laughing with his young son, who died tragically at an early age many years ago. Plant eloquently captures the sadness and hope in "I Believe," a beautiful song in an eclectic retrospective. If I had been asked, I would have said there should be a third disc, for the early stuff. The voice is worthy of awe; it is a voice generations will revere. Doubt it? Ask Cadillac. Better yet, listen to the commercials.

What can you say about a collection of rock's greatest vocalist?
The remastering which takes place was done with considerable care and the song selection is very strong. I would have to say that if you don't care for what Mr. Plant has done here you just don't get it. What is wrong with rarities and songs which stray off the beaten path? If you are a real fan you most likely have the cd's anyway. Like they say, if you don't like the show, change the channel. I choose to watch. Very highly recommended. Thanks Robert.

The concept is great. The execution is pretty good. There's something here for everyone - if you're new to Robert Plant or if you're an old fan. But ultimately, this feels more like a sampler than a greatest hits collection which it should have been.

Glaringly absent are some of Plant's best songs from his first album - Pictures at Eleven. As well as other strong tracks over the years. Ultimately, this collection leans heavy towards latter Plant work from Fate of Nations and Dreamland.

CD 2 has some ultra rare tracks. The sound quality ain't great but it's there. Zep fans will enjoy it but somehow repeat listening may take more time. Tracks like "Hey Joe" take you back to a pre-Zep Plant at full power. There are many other nice tracks which ended up on B-movies like Porky's. "Road to the Sun" is a great rock track that incredibly, was buried somewhere in Plant's early 80s catalogue.

Conclusion: the album won't provide a complete picture of Plant's full repertoire (but what possibly can?) but will provide some pieces to the missing links of his career.

I've been waiting for a collection of Robert Plant's biggest hits for years...and finally it arrives...without one of his biggest and best loved songs, "In The Mood." How could he have disrespected his fans so much as to have left that song off? And where are "Burning Down One Side," "Pledge Pin," and "Hurting Kind?" Those were all bona-fide hits!!! And, since "Sea Of Love" was graciously included on here, where is the follow-up, "Rockin' At Midnight?" There is WAY too much from "Fate Of Nations" on this album. The exlusion of those other vital tracks is a major, major, major flaw. This is a prime reason why people burn their own CDs.

No "In The Mood"? No "Burning Down One Side"? Nothing at all from Pictures At Eleven? For shame, Atlantic Records. A pox on you.

A decent collection, but most Plant fans will already own most of disc 1. It would be nice if the powers that be would release disc 2 on its own.