Giving CD Compilations a Bad Name
When I was working the clubs, I spent a lot of money on compilations. In the era before Napster and iTunes, comps were the most cost-effective way to build up a library that would make the kids dance. Greatest hits collections by specific bands were also an essential part of the roadcase
Most of these collections–especially the British ones–we very good. But every once in a while, I’d get boned with a CD that didn’t contain the songs I expected. Instead of the disc containing the proper version of a song, it would turn out to be: (a) an unwanted live track; (b) a re-recording; (c) some weird alternate mix; or (d) an edit that no one in their right mind would play in public. You couldn’t help but feel ripped off–especially if it was one of those $35 imports.
Here’s a recent example that’s actually doing rather well on the charts.
Your first clue should be that this three-disc set (Wal-Mart is carrying it) carries a price of $5. A bargain–or an indication of crap that may lie within?
If you picked the latter, you’re correct. This comp–released by Play 24-7–looks great at first glance. The problem, though, is that pretty much every track is an awful re-recording (i.e. not the originals that everyone knows) or a bad live version
You’ve been warned.
Disc 1:
1. Howard Jones “Everlasting Love”
2. Irene Cara “Flashdance…What A Feeling”
3. Starship “We Build This City”
4. Joe Jackson “Is She Really Going Out With Him?”
5. Debbie Gibson “Only In Your Dreams”
6. Odyssey “Back To My Roots”
7. Taylor Dayne “Tell It To My Heart”
8. Go West (Live) “King Of Wishful Thinking”
9. Chaka Khan “I Feel For You”
10. Kool & The Gang “Celebration”
11. The Escape Club “Wild Wild West”
12. The Motels “Only The Lonely”
13. Kim Carnes “Betty Davis Eyes”
Disc 2:
1. Level 42 (Live) “Lessons In Love”
2. Howard Jones “No One Is To Blame”
3. Night Ranger (Live) “Sister Christian”
4. Bow Wow Wow “I Want Candy”
5. Katrina formely of Katrina & The Waves “Walking On Sunshine”
6. Debbie Gibson “Lost In Your Eyes”
7. Modern English (Live) “I Melt With You”
8. Big Country (Live) “In A Big Country”
9. T’Pau “Heart & Soul”
10. Chaka Khan “I’m Every Women”
11. Level 42 (Live) “Something About You”
12. Dionne Warwick “That’s What Friends Are For”
13. Starship “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now”
Disc 3:
1. Marvin Gaye “What’s Going On”
2. Kool & The Gang “Cherish”
3. Flock Of Seagulls “Wishing (If I Had A Photograph Of You)
4. Howard Jones “Like To Get To Know You Well”
5. Chic “Le Freak”
6. Go West “We Close Our Eyes”
7. Limahl “Too Shy”
8. Kool & The Gang “Fresh”
9. Bow Wow Wow “Go Wild In The Country”
10. Level 42 (Life) “Running In The Family”
11. Howard Jones “What Is Love”
12. Sinitta “Toyboy”
13. Odyssey “Native New Yorker”
