The Finer Things [BOX SET]

Steve Winwood

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 21, 1995)
• Original Release Date: March 21, 1995
• Number of Discs: 4
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Island
• ASIN: B000001DZI
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #97,151 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Steve Winwood's 3 CD The Finer Things kind of runs out of gas somewhere around the two-hour mark, but, hey, that's inevitable: The guy got way too popular for his own good. The best stuff here is the drug-addled early Traffic stuff, though one wishes they'd have found a spot for the live versions of "Dear Mr. Fantasy" and "Gimme Some Lovin'" from the poorly-recorded but quite inspired Welcome to the Canteen. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Box Set Set Ever, December 22, 2000

By A Customer

Like my title says, "Finer Things" is simply the best box set ever put together. While many many many artists nowadays have put together some kind of box set, few artists truly deserve one. Steve Winwood, however, I'm happy to say is one of them. This is mainly due to the fact that he's been in a lot of bands as well as having a successful solo career. Because of this, he's very difficult to compile in a one CD collection and in fact, nobody has ever tried. Sure there's been a great Spencer Davis collection, a number of Traffic compilations of varying degrees of value, and a good collection of solo songs that cover his solo debut through his biggest seller, "Back In The Highlife." However, there is no single collection aside from this one which covers his Spencer Davis Group, Blind Faith, solo and, Traffic work in one place. And frankly, this can only be done in four CD's. Universal did release a new Steve Winwood CD that covers the early part of his career (Spencer Davis Group, Blind Faith, and Traffic) a few months ago under that "Millenium Collection" banner but to get a true retrospective, you really need the solo material which is great as well. Perhaps Universal is planning a second Millenium Collection for Steve?

This collection has all the songs you know, but even rewards the serious fan with fantastic rarities, especially from the Blind Faith period. Every Winwood fan must hear the live cover of the Rolling Stones' "Under My Thumb" at least once and the electric version of "Can't Find My Way Home" is absolutely essential, perhaps even better than the classic acoustic version--no joke. The only thing I would have liked to have seen--and this is a minor detail--is "Here Comes A Man" from Traffic's 1994 album which came out a year before this box set. But the bottom line is that this collection is not to be missed if you're a big fan of all stages of his work. However, if you want to save a few bucks, you can get the Millenium Collection CD and "Chronicles" to get a decent bare-bones overview of his career in 2 CD's.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great music, great value, October 13, 2000

By	Dennis Johnson "weathered prog rock fan" (Arlington, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In addition to having superbly remastered music, this boxed set boasts exemplary packaging. All four CDs exceed 77 minutes, the track selections are excellent, and even the breaks between discs are logical. The non-detachable 48-page booklet has a generous helping of photographs, and the text is very concise. All in all, this is an inviting slice of history in an appealingly presented package. I wholeheartedly recommend it!

NOTE: Those who are budget-minded and/or solely interested in Winwood's work with Traffic may want to consider "Feelin' Alright," a recently issued single-disc compilation. A 2CD Traffic compilation called "Smiling Phases" was released in 1991, but it was not remastered and is now out of print.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Greats of Today & Yesterday, March 12, 2006

By	Michael Styers "BrokWing" (Orlando, Fla) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This reminds us how much Steve Winwood did for music & the music industry. Many people are living a comfortable retirement overlooking Haight & Ashbury from the talents of musicians like Steve Winwood. He reminds the old vets of R&R how great he was, even at the young age of The Spencer Davis era, & up to today's new releases. This Box Set repsents those early years & is a great introduction for the ones that weren't born when Dear Mr. Fantasy was the hit song of the season. The sad reminder is how much we lost with the loss of Wood & Capaldi. If you enjoy grass roots music and talent or want to be introduced to it at its best, this CD set is a good start. Its not music hidden or covered up with digital tweeking. This man & his band mambers played "Music" - Not A Computer Software Program that can make any fool sound good. Thank goodness for people like Steve Winwood, Robert Palmer, Eric Clapton & the likes of John Mayall. Not lip sincing acts such as Madonna & Ashlee Simpson. Maybe one day raw talent will once again be required before you can accept a Grammy.