AEROSMITH The Essential The Byrds 3.0 - 2011 US limited edition 3-CD compilation set
Format: CD Condition: New Year of Release: 2011 Cat. No.: 0923392 Label: Columbia
Over the course of three discs and 36 songs, almost all the heavy-hitters are hauled out for Essential Aerosmith, from "Mama Kin" to "Jaded," including both versions of "Walk This Way."
Some of the songs are presented in a remixed form -- "Draw the Line," "Pink," "Just Push Play" -- but all of the new mixes are good, possibly even improvements, and the newer song, "Girls of Summer," is strong (its companion, "Lay It Down," isn't as noteworthy).
So, all the parts are in place -- why doesn't it feel definitive, then? After all, there are no big songs or hits missing (apart from the cover of "Come Together," which isn't much of a loss), just fan favorites and album tracks like "Lick and a Promise," and "Chip Away the Stone".
The reason it doesn't feel definitive is that the classic Columbia recordings are wrapped up by track ten, and then the best of their late-'80s comeback is wrapped up by the end of the first disc, which leaves disc two pretty much devoted to everything from 'Get a Grip' on -- an era not widely considered their best, even though it had a number of hits, plus a couple of good songs along the way ("Crying," "Deuces Are Wild").
So, even though this delivers everything it should and will certainly be the one Aerosmith disc most casual listeners will need, it doesn't quite capture the essence of the band the way their greatest albums do (whether they're 'Rocks' or 'Pump').
~ Review byStephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi
TRACK LISTING:
CD 1:
1. Mama Kin 2. Dream On 3. Same Old Song And Dance 4. Seasons Of Wither 5. Walk This Way 6. Big Ten Inch Record 7. Sweet Emotion 8. Last Child 9. Back In The Saddle 10. Draw The Line (Remix) 11. Dude (Looks Like A Lady) 12. Angel 13. Rag Doll 14. Janie's Got A Gun 15. Love In An Elevator 16. What It Takes
CD 2:
1. The Other Side 2. Livin' On The Edge 3. Cryin' 4. Amazing 5. Deuces Are Wild 6. Crazy 7. Falling In Love (Is Hard On The Knees) 8. Pink (The South Beach Mix) 9. I Don't Want To Me A Thing 10. Jaded 11. Just Push Play (Radio Remix) 12. Walk This Way 13. Girls Of Summer 14. Lay It Down
CD 3:
1. Lord Of The Thighs 2. Toys In The Attic 3. You See Me Crying 4. Baby, Please Don't Go 5. Devil's Got A New Disguise 6. Walk This Way (Live Version)
