Customer Reviews

Very Best of

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How many people in the USA have actually even heard of Chris Spedding? My experience is hardly anybody. That's a shame because we'd be hard pressed to find another musical artist who seems to have such unpretentious fun plying his trade.

I've be buying a lot of retro 70's and 80's Greatest Hits albums of late, and it's somewhat surprising to only find a handful of songs on each which I'd consider truly worth of such a compilation. Not so with Spedding - of the 23 tracks on this CD, the vast majority of them are just excellent.

Spedding is at his best giving us that driving guitar beat which underscores so many of his tunes. I have a friend at work who had no idea what an outstanding quitarist Spedding is, and after playing just one song ("Wild Wild Women") for him, he was hooked.

Some 25 odd years ago, I was very much into the music scene and was fortunate to see many excellent shows (working at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles helped along in this regard). At a friend's suggestion, I went to see Chris Spedding at a local club, and I was just totally blown away. Despite the passage of time, the memory of that tremendous performance still remains strong.

Earlier, in 1974, Spedding's extraordinary skill was noticed by a well-known lead singer who asked Chris to audition for his band - it was Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones! (Note: Spedding declined due to another obligation)

Suffice to say that this album is the most played import CD in my entire collection - I enjoy it that much.

This 23-track CD really is "The Very Best Of Chris Spedding", and a rip-roaring rock 'n' roll blast. For those unfamiliar with his singing, this is a good crash course. Spedding is better known as a veteran British session man who's worked with many of the greats. His guitar playing turns up on classic albums by John Cale, Roxy Music, Bryan Ferry, Brian Eno, Donovan, Roy Harper, Robert Gordon - and hundreds of others. He's also toured with many of them, in addition to his own solo tours. If you want to be impressed, take a look at the sessions section of the discography on his official website. He even played on the original "Jesus Christ Superstar"!

The first several songs are from his early days, and are rather folky with rock flourishes. Spedding sings with a bit of a Dylan drawl - which he stopped doing after his first 2 albums. "Backwood Progression" (1971) and "The Only Lick I Know" (1972) are very pleasant, but aren't essential Spedding. Both were recorded for Harvest/EMI, and reflect the laid-back stoner vibe of the estimable Harvest's output.

The rest of this CD (starting with the 5th track) was recorded for Rak/EMI. Rak owner Mickie Most had a long history of producing hit singles (Donovan, Animals, Herman's Hermits, Lulu), and was unequaled at bringing out a performer's personality and matching them up with the right material. From '75 to '80, Spedding made 4 albums for Rak - and Most produced the first ("Chris Spedding") and the fourth ("I'm Not Like Everybody Else"). His second album ("Hurt") was produced by Chris Thomas (Sex Pistols, Pretenders) - and his third "Guitar Graffiti" was produced by Spedding himself. All of their best tracks are on this compilation. These records are still the highlight of his career.

Mickie Most turned Spedding into a singing Marlon Brando, and cultivated his image as a sensitive bad boy. With his greased back hair, sharkskin suits and leather pants - Chris looked the part and wrote punky rock/rockabilly songs to support it. He's more or less ran with this ever since.

If anything is under-represented here, it's his fourth album for Rak - "I'm Not Like Everybody Else". Only the last 2 tracks are taken from it, and I seriously believe it contains the best production work Mickie Most ever did. Every song is good. It's Chris' masterpiece, and I'd suggest buying it along with this collection. "The Very Best Of Chris Spedding" is truly great and a whole lot of fun.

Anybody that really knows Chris Spedding in the USA has to know his or her rock roots. Touche'! Chris Spedding is very well known in the British rock scene with Motor Bikin' making it big on the UK Hit Parade. But one tune that Chris Spedding should clearly get more credit for, but seemingly does not, is one of "THE BEST" rock tunes ever written, Theme for an Imaginary Western recorded in 1969 by the BEST musician in the world's first solo album after the break-up of Cream, AKA, Jack Bruces' - Songs for a Tailor. Chris plays guitar on Theme for an Imaginary Western, which has since been, recorded many a time, mostly by but not limited to Leslie West (with and without Mountain). To this very day, when Leslie West plays out live, he still dedicates Theme for an Imaginary Western to his long lost brother and band member Felix Pappalardi (whom also is credited and produced Jack Bruce's solo LP, Songs for a Tailor). Chris Speddings guitar solo on Theme has since been taken to new heights and levels, all in which in my opinion, honor Chris' original guitar piece. Also, for those seeking additional Chris Spedding material, check out Jeff Wayne's - Musical Version of The War of the Worlds. This LP was originally released on vinyl in 1978 but has re-surfaced on to CD and more recently re-mastered on SACD. Chris Spedding can be credited for playing the incredible rendition of the Martian Heat Rays as the Martians attack earth in the classic Orson Wells novel. Jeff Wayne's has even toured live with many of the original band members including Chris Spedding and Justin Hayward. Right now, Jeff Wayne's is doing a 30th anniversary tour in the UK. Wish he'd come to the USA!! The DVD can be purchased of this live show which is mind-boggling, but take note, the last time I looked, it was only available in Region 2 format. It's worth the money just for Chris Spedding even though the complete CD or DVD or show is brilliant. Check out reviews on Amazon or google Jeff Wayne's - Musical Version of The War of the Worlds. Bottom line folks, Chris Spedding ROCKS!

First time i knew about Chris Spedding was in 1977 Bryan Ferry's album In Your Mind. Chris's play here is superb. When the original Cafe Days album was released i bought it inmediately. I was not dissapointed because is a very good album. When the Very Best was released i had great expectations about the album. The album is OK but only presents the early songs (1969-1981). This information is very important to be missed. In my opinion was presented in the back cover of the album deliberated to sell more. Because the dates, Cafe Days and other albums are excluded. Chris Spedding is an excellent music and I recommend to buy at least an album of this artis. Buy if you are looking for the best of this artist, this is not the album to buy. I think you better buy Cafe Jacques Revisited that comes with 6 bonos tracks, of course you miss the early songs. Or buy In Your Mind that is one of the best Bryan Ferry (Roxy Music) albums.