http://www.amazon.com/exe...ce&s=music

It kind of looks interesting but I find it pretty surprisng that a major artist like Springsteen doesn't have any control of these things. I was pretty shocked when they released an unoffical Prince "Best Of/Hits" albums. Does anyone have any control over collections like these. I just don't see them doing something like this to Madonna (of course, they wouldn't do an "Essentail Madonna" becuase she isn't on Columbia). It really appears to be getting out of hand.

I assume that you are talking about the essential Bruce collection but I cannot be sure as your link doesn't work. Anyway...why don't you think he has no control? He personally chose the songs on the third disc and wrote the liner notes so it seems that he backs the project.

I've always found the "Essential" collections to be really cool anthologies, more often than not including rare tracks and obscure non-single gems, usually involving the artist's participation. Liner notes are always a pleasure to read on these things and the selection of pictures is always cool. What's the problem with "The Essential Springsteen"?

Anxiety said:

Co-sign.

Also these sets always sound great.The fairly recent Sly set is the only remastered Sly on the market (at the moment).The Springsteen set should be cool to have,at least until they get around to remastering his catalog.

The Essential Sly set is sublime.

Check out the Terence Trent D'arby set too, especially if you can grab the one with the bonus disc. Rarities abound on that one.

The Essential Clash is pretty awesome, too. For folks just starting to get into them, it's really got all you need.

It's really obvious that people who love music and care/know about the artists put these collections together. When I get a bit more $$$, I'd love to get the Essential Johnny Cash, Miles Davis and Janis Joplin sets. Yum.

Guess I'm off base then. I like the "Essential" collections but basically they are a rip off if you already own a hits collection from the artist and in most, if not all, cases the artists already have a "Greatest Hits/Best Of" I would like if these songs had more minor hits. In some cases, they pad the collections with album tracks and not even great album tracks at that. I just don't understand why everyone is digging the idea of an artist/label releasing many "Greatest Hits" collections basically collecting most of the same songs with only a few exceptions.

VinnyM27 said:

I think it depends on the artist and it also depends on what you're looking for. For example, the Essential TTD is a fan's wet dream where I'm concerned, because it does have minor hits and rarities, and it sequences the material in a way that takes you through his career in a way that makes you hear his chart smashes in a whole new way. Same with the Essential Sly Stone - the sound on that set is just phenomenal, and clearly it was put together with a love of the music. On the other hand (and I know this isn't part of the same collection, but it's the first example I could think of), something like "The Very Best of Prince" is a useless mish mash of songs that fans already have three or four copies of already, and is completely useless to anyone who already bought The Hits/The B-Sides. Of course, that collection might be of use to a casual music fan who just wants "Let's Go Crazy" and "1999" on the same disc for cheep. It's all relative I suppose...

Anxiety said:

I would always reccommend these "Essentials" sets.I have yet to be dissapointed with one and I have several.They always have excellent sound and usually provide a well planned overveiw of the artists career.As youve pointed out, the Sly set is outstanding.The EWF and Stevie Ray sets kick too.
[This message was edited Sat Nov 1 21:29:04 PST 2003 by MrTation]