The Definitive Collection

Joe Walsh

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 18, 1997)
• Original Release Date: November 18, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mca
• ASIN: B000002P7L
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,018 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Good-natured rock & roll wise guy Joe Walsh not only made a name for himself as guitarist for The Eagles and The James Gang, but he also had a successful solo career. Known for his self-deprecating sense of humor ("Life's Been Good") and his dirty guitar boogie (the pulsating "Rocky Mountain Way"), Walsh drew a fan base from those who were fond of the harder edge he gave to The Eagles. He was easily one of the better guitarists of his generation, not so much for flashy licks but for his rhythmic sensibilities and awareness of restraint and economy. Yet Walsh continued to view himself as an "Ordinary Average Guy." His keen self-awareness and his understanding of the importance of rock in the overall scheme of things was further evidenced in "A Life of Illusion." Even the title of this collection, Greatest Hits: Little Did He Know shows Walsh, for all of his talent, never lost sight of the fact that it's only rock & roll. The album also contains the memorable "Funk#49," "Bolero," and "Midnight Man." --Steve Gdula

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best available Joe Walsh-compilation, May 4, 2003

By	Docendo Discimus (Vita scholae) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This is the definitive Joe Walsh-collection. The double-disc "Look At What I Did" is simply too much for anyone but the very serious fan (and the very serious fan probably has Joe's studio albums and doesn't need a compilation album).

But this one gets it right. Fifteen songs culled from Walsh's solo career, as well as his James Gang-days (although a real James Gang-lover should probably go get their Greatest Hits in addition to this album).

And all the best and best-known songs are here: "Walk Away", "Turn To Stone", "Help Me Trough The Night", "All Night Long", "Life's Been Good" and ten more. No filler at all, and even though some fans could probably point to one or two tracks that definately should have been here, this will satisfy almost everyone who doesn't want to invest in the original albums.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Perfect, But Pretty Close!, April 30, 1999

By	John J. Wood ([e-mail]) (Plainville, MA) - See all my reviews

As a longtime fan of Joe Walsh's work, this is clearly the best sampler for those looking to explore the guitarist's catalogue. Yet, completists will want to pick this up because of the inclusion of the complete version of "The Bomber" -- with the previously-editied Bolero in the middle. Also of note, it includes Joe's last great song, "The Confessor" (whereas the rest of that album, The Confessor, was rather mediocre) and the studio version of "All Night Long." In terms of compilation, this is far preferable to the disappointing Look What I Did (which suffers from questionable song selections, particularly from the 80s-period on).

Personally, I would have chosen a couple of different tracks -- "County Fair" from So What, for example -- but all of Joe's 70s-period albums from Barnstorm up to But Seriously Folks are well worth picking up anyway.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Collection, June 2, 2004

By	Glenn Nippert "musicologist" (Alpharetta, Georgia United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

When people talk about guitar legends they usually talk about Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Santana, but rarely do they mention the guitar heroics of one of the best-Joe Walsh. Maybe it was his self styled "Ordinary Average Guy" image or some of his jokey lyrics that made critics overlook him in the pantheon of rock greats, but he was definately the people's choice. Joe Walsh is the coolest and this collection rocks the house right out of the gate with "Funk #49" and continues with more groovy tunes from his days with The James Gang through his classic solo hits like "All Night Long", "Life Of Illusion" and the immortal "Life's Been Good". He could get heavy too, like on "The Confessor" which was one of the more ominous sounding rock songs coming out of radios in 1984. Also, in the middle of "The Bomber" he does his own take on "Bolero" that is just as magnificent as Beck's {or Ravel's). Walsh's humor and guitar virtuosity are all well spotlighted here on his greatest performances. A must have for any Classic Rock fan!