Artists who have WAY too many compilations

[AKA]

"'Greatest Hits' albums are for housewives and little girls." -- Bruce McCullough, The Kids In The Hall

It's getting pretty sad. Every time I go to the record store, I see many artists who have more "best-ofs" in their catalog than actual albums. It's almost as though the record companies think that people would rather buy five or six compilations with the same songs than just buy the actual albums.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not against compilations altogether. In fact, I like them. They give one the ability to determine whether or not they want to delve further into an act's back catalog. But why do some bands have two or three compilations on the shelf with mostly the same material? It's ridiculous. Let me give you an example:

The Doors. They recorded six studio albums prior to Jim Morrison's death in 1971. At a record store near you, you can currently choose from the following compilations. Don't worry; in case you're wondering, they all include "Light My Fire."

The Best Of The Doors (1985)
The Doors: Original Soundtrack Recording (1991)
Greatest Hits (1996)
The Best Of The Doors (2000; different from 1985 version)
Greatest Hits (2000; different from 1996 version)
The Very Best Of The Doors (2001)
Legacy: The Absolute Best Of The Doors (2003)

And those are just the ones that are still in print. There have been many Doors best-ofs that have been deleted over the years, mostly ones that came out prior to the CD age.

The Beach Boys don't exactly keep their compilations to a minimum, either. Look below. Once again, these are only the ones that are in-print.

Endless Summer (1974)
California (And Other) Girls (1987)
Do It Again (1992)
Greatest Hits 1961-1963 (1994)
The Best Of The Beach Boys (1995)
Greatest Surfing Songs! (1997)
The Greatest Hits Volume 1 (1999)
The Greatest Hits Volume 2 (1999)
The Greatest Hits Volume 3: Best Of The Brother Years (2000)
Beach Boys Classics Selected By Brian Wilson (2002)
Sounds Of Summer (2003)
And, coming this fall, 40 Top 40s (2003)

But it gets even more ridiculous. Sublime, an act that only recorded three studio albums before the tragic death of leader Bradley Nowell in 1996, has two compilations(!) available.

Greatest Hits (1999)
20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Sublime (2002)

I know the concept of compilation albums has three goals. One is to appeal to those who just want the hits and can't stand to listen to anything that's not played on the radio. The second is to lure in people who are curious about a particular act, but don't wish to dive right away into an album. Finally, record companies know that "the completist" will buy anything released by their favorite band, even if it doesn't contain anything new. That equals bucks.

But this causes oversaturation, not to mention redundancy. The Beatles had a problem with this in the '70s. Following their breakup, Capitol Records kept releasing compilation after compilation without the band's permission. In the '80s, Paul, George, Ringo, and Yoko gained control of the catalog via a court decision, which is why in 2003, there are "only" three Beatles "greatest hits" compilations available (1973's 1962-1966 and 1967-1970 sets and 2000's phenomenon The Beatles 1).

Doesn't oversaturatoin hurt the industry in the end? Could this be one of the reasons the RIAA is complaining about declining sales? Perhaps.

But my take on the whole "greatest hits" album situation is that this might be what's causing the music industry to become so bland. Nobody wants to take any chances with anything except what's released as a single.

Instead of advertising this "Absolute Best Of The Doors" on TV, Elektra, why don't you instead tell me about the remastered Doors studio albums during my commercial break? There are six of 'em, and they don't include all the same songs. Instead of trying to coax people into rebuying songs they've heard a zillion times, why don't you rely on the strengths of the many lesser-known, but equally great, tracks to get new fans?

[ABlairican Pie]

I hate "Greatest Hits" albums. It doesn't tell enough about the artist. I'd rather buy the entire albums with different songs.

I think there is another purpose for "Best Of" albums: contractural obligations, maybe? I'm wondering, twenty years after the breakup of ABBA, there were tons of compilations by them. That's one artist I've seen that happen with.

[AKA]

Originally posted by Captain ABlairica
I'd rather buy the entire albums with different songs.

Exactly!

[The Obsolete Man]

Kiss has about a dozen greatest hits compilations...

Alive
Alive 2
Double Platinum
Killers
Smashes, Thrashes, and Hits
Alive 3
Greatest Kiss
The Box Set
You Wanted The Best, You Got The Best
Kiss' Greatest Hits
Millennium Collection: Best of Kiss
Symphony: Alive IV

...I'm probably missing one or two. And most of these only cover the make-up years, with nothing from the 80s or 90s.

[Penny Lane]

There's no way a Beatles Greatest Hits could be done!Every one of their songs is a "greatest hit"!:p





:notworthy :notworthy :notworthy :notworthy

[AKA]

Originally posted by Penny Lane
There's no way a Beatles Greatest Hits could be done!Every one of their songs is a "greatest hit"!:p

I agree, but...

Hey Jude (1970)
1962-1966 (1973)
1967-1970 (1973)
Rock & Roll Music (1976)
Love Songs (1977)
Rarities (1980)
20 Greatest Hits (1982)
The Beatles 1 (2000)

[TJL]

That's a funny article. It does bring up some good points.

It seem like nowadays if an artist gets three albums under hisor her belt, then it's okay to crank out a greatest hit package.

How many Greatest Hits/compilation albums does Garth Brooks have?
What about Mariah?

[Hollow]

Theres a stupid infomercial about the best song of the 70's and it says "you could spend hundreds of dollars buying all these song but for each one you have to buy the whole album but these are all in one CD" or whatever, who cares if you have to buy the whole album, what if you like it? worst excuse ever.

[AKA]

Here I am, bumping up an old thread, so I can link you to this very funny piece (http://www.itsthego.com/features/doorsbestof/).

[Dean Winchester]

Donna Summer has released 4 studio albums (not counting her Xmas cd) in the last 20 years... yet look at all the compilations

On The Radio... 1979
Walk Away... 1980
The Summer Collection... 1985
The Dance Collection... 1987 (a decent GH and different from the norm as it is a collection of her 12" mixes)
This Time I Know It's For Real... 1991 import only (containing only 1980-1989)
The Donna Summer Anthology... 1993
Endless Summer... 1994
Greatest Hits... 1998
The Millennium Collection... 2002
The Journey... 2003
The Ultimate Collection... 2003 import only

that's 11 right there

[vashti1999]

Originally posted by BuffySlayer79
Donna Summer has released 4 studio albums (not counting her Xmas cd) in the last 20 years... yet look at all the compilations



You beat me to it, I was gonna say the same thing. But I can stand one more Donna compilation: it should be an either 3 or 4 cd collection, including the full length versions of all singles and essential tracks. None of the current Donna compilations are perfect because there's always something left off each one.

[vashti1999]

Originally posted by AKA
Here I am, bumping up an old thread, so I can link you to this very funny piece (http://www.itsthego.com/features/doorsbestof/).

Funny article AKA, I like that end paragraph:

what is the ******* difference between "the best of the Doors" and "the absolute best"? In releasing "the absolute best" are you admitting that you ****** the last one up?

[Shine]

The reason there are so many Doors "best of's" is to fill Ray Manzarek's pockets with as much cash as possible. That guy has been in it for the money for years, not out of any respect for Jim and the music.

[Dean Winchester]

Originally posted by vashti1999
Funny article AKA, I like that end paragraph:

what is the ******* difference between "the best of the Doors" and "the absolute best"? In releasing "the absolute best" are you admitting that you ****** the last one up?

I bet "Even Better: Nothing Is Better Than This Best Of The Doors" will be around the corner

[AKA]

Here are a few more offenders. Again, I'm only listing compilations that are in-print.

The Rolling Stones:
Big Hits (High Tide And Green Grass) (1966)
Through The Past, Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2) (1969)
Hot Rocks 1964-1971 (1971)
More Hot Rocks (Big Hits And Fazed Cookies (1972)
Rewind: 1971-1984 (1984)
Singles Collection: The London Years (1989)
Jump Back: The Best Of The Rolling Stones (1993)
Forty Licks (2002)
Singles 1963-1965 (2004)
Singles 1965-1967 (2004)

The Who:
Meaty Beaty Big And Bouncy (1971)
Thirty Years Of Maximum R&B (1994)
My Generation: The Very Best Of The Who (1996)
20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection (1999)
The Ultimate Collection (2002)
Then And Now: Maximum Who (1964-2004) (2004)

[Mr. Stefani]

Aerosmith have a few, don't they?

[AKA]

Yep.

Greatest Hits (1980) - [Columbia years]
Gems (1988) - [Columbia years]
Pandora's Box (1991) - [Columbia years]
Big Ones (1994) - [Geffen years]
Young Lust: The Aerosmith Anthology (2001) - [Geffen years]
O Yeah! Ultimate Aerosmith Hits (2002) - [Columbia, Geffen, and "neo-Columbia" eras]

[Dean Winchester]

Originally posted by AKA
Yep.

Greatest Hits (1980) - [Columbia years]
Gems (1988) - [Columbia years]
Pandora's Box (1991) - [Columbia years]
Big Ones (1994) - [Geffen years]
Young Lust: The Aerosmith Anthology (2001) - [Geffen years]
O Yeah! Ultimate Aerosmith Hits (2002) - [Columbia, Geffen, and "neo-Columbia" eras]

there's also a set called Pandora's Toys that was imported only

[Dean Winchester]

Cher has a TON of them

Cher's Golden Greats (1968)
Superpak (1972)
Superpak Vol. 2 (1972)
Cher's Greatest Hits (1974) [early 70's hits]
The Best Of Cher (1987) [60's hits]
Bang Bang (1990) [60's hits]
Greatest Hits 1965-1992 (1992)
The Casablanca Years (1996) [disco era hits]
Half-Breek (1997) [70's hits]
Bittersweet (1999) [early 70's ballads]
If I Could Turn Back Time: Cher's Greatest Hits (1999)
Behind The Door: 1964-1974 (2000)
The Millennium Collection (2000) [60's and 70's]
The Way Of Love (2001) [1970's]
The Essential Collection (2001) [1960's to 1982]
The Very Best Of Cher (2003)
The Very Best Of Cher import Expanded Edition (2003)
The Millennium Collection, Vol. 2 (2004) [80's and 90's hits]

that's 18, and I know there's more

[Dean Winchester]

Culture Club have considerably more compilations than albums

This Time (1987)
Spin Dazzle (1992)
At Worst... The Best Of (1993)
The Best Of Culture Club (1994)
12" Collection Plus (1997)
VH1 Storytellers/Greatest Moments (1998)
Original Gold (2000)
Best Of The Eighties (2000)
Culture Club box set (2002)
Best Of (2003)

that is 10 right there... they only released 5 albums total counting their 1999 reunion album. I mean, how many more sets of the same songs can they put out?

[Hollow]

Originally posted by safety pin
Theres a stupid infomercial about the best song of the 70's and it says "you could spend hundreds of dollars buying all these song but for each one you have to buy the whole album but these are all in one CD" or whatever, who cares if you have to buy the whole album, what if you like it? worst excuse ever.
.. huh? i don't remember posting that. or why i did. i have no idea what this thread is about.

[robyrob]

I'd be willing to bet that the Ventures have more than anybody - just leafing through my brother's record collection, there's probably over a hundred different albums they did with "Walk Dont Run" on them

not that I'd ever say anything bad about the Ventures :rock:

[Dean Winchester]

I'm not even going to begin to search for the Elvis ones...I am positive there's over 100 of those... stretching from "Elvis' Golden Records" to last years "2nd To None"

[consentida]

Selena has a lot. Her family had released one like every year since her death with like one previously unreleased or remixed song on each. Its been nine years since she died so thats nine right there plus other random compilations that have been released.

[robyrob]

Originally posted by robyrob
I'd be willing to bet that the Ventures have more than anybody - just leafing through my brother's record collection, there's probably over a hundred different albums they did with "Walk Dont Run" on them

not that I'd ever say anything bad about the Ventures :rock: from http://www.sandcastlevi.com/ventures/ventdisc.htm :
The (Almost) Complete Discography
Since 1960, The Ventures have produced an astonishingly large body of music. The total number of recordings released worldwide is unknown, but is well over 250 LP albums, 200 CD albums, 150 45-RPM singles, not to mention extended play (EP) albums, cassettes, and about 10 videos and DVDs.

Ventures compilation albums:

Walk, Don't Run
Another Smash
The Colorful Ventures
Twist with the Ventures (Dance)
Surfing
The Fabulous Ventures
Walk Don't Run, Volume 2
On Stage
Golden Greats
Super Group
More Golden Greats
10th Anniversary Album
A Decade with the Ventures
The Ventures (Superpak)
Only Hits
Very Best of the Ventures
Now Playing
20 Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits (reissued AT LEAST 3 times, with slightly different track listings)
NASA 25th Anniversary Commemorative Album
Rock 'n' Roll Adventure
The Ventures (Little Bit O' Gold)
Compact Ventures
Walk Don't Run: All Time Greatest Hits
The Ventures Greatest Hits
Best of the Ventures
Legendary Masters: The Best of the Ventures
Legends of Rock 'n' Roll
Best of the Ventures (different version - mostly different songs)
Surfing cd version - 30 songs instead of original 12 song
The Ventures Favorites
36 All Time Greatest Hits
Gold
Hawaii Five-0 and Other Remixed Hits
Play the Greatest Surfin' Hits of All Time
Play the Greatest Instrumental Hits of All Time
Play the Greatest Instrumental Hits of All Time, Vol. 2
All-Time Greatest Hits
Surfin' with The Ventures
Play the Hits
Only the Hits
Electrified, Amplified, and Deified
Original Hits
Best of the Ventures (14 song version)
All About the Ventures Live
Best of the Ventures, Volume 2
On Stage Encore
Ventures Deluxe
Wonderful Ventures
Golden Original Hits
Golden Original Hits
Live Again
Best of Surfing
In Tokyo '68
Deluxe Double, Volume 1
Deluxe Double, Volume 2
This Is the Ventures, Volume 1
This Is the Ventures, Volume 2
Golden Pops
Live
Best of the Ventures on Stage
Best 20
Best of Pops Sounds
This Is the Ventures, Volume 3
Best 20, Volume 2
On Stage '71
Best 20, Volume 3
Best 14
Golden Disc, Volume 1
Golden Disc, Volume 2
Golden Disc, Volume 3
15 Years of Japanese Pop
All About the Ventures
Best Now
Early Sounds
Pops in Japan, Volume 1
Pops in Japan, Volume 2
Pops in Japan, Volume 3
Golden Double 32, Volume 1
Golden Double 32, Volume 2
Rock and Roll Graffiti
Live in Japan '77
Superdisc Golden Double
Best Hits
Double Deluxe
Pops Best 20
Greatest Hits, Volume 1
Greatest Hits, Volume 2
Special Deluxe Edition
New Best 20
Rare Collections
Super Live '80
The Collection: Ventures Forever
Hits Up to Date
KIKI Presents Ventures Big Hits
Surfin' Deluxe
Best Hit Collection [Tridex recordings]
Twin Best Now
Ventures Forever
Big Artist Flash: Greatest Hits
Best of Live '65-'69
Best Now, Volume 2
The Rarities
Best Hits by Request
Play Mega Hits
Super Best Collection 25
Super Best, Volume 1
Super Best, Volume 2
Super Best, Volume 3
Single Collection, Volume 1
Single Collection, Volume 2
Single Collection, Volume 3
Single Collection, Volume 4
Cool Deluxe
Super Deluxe
The Best Surfing Hits
Super Now
The Ultimate Collection
V-Gold
V-Gold Live 1999
Super Best Hits
V-Gold II
The Very Best of. . . - Kayama Yuzo Selection
Fabulous Ventures
V-Gold III
V-Gold Live II
Surf Rock Anthology
Hyper V-Gold (aka V-Gold IV)
Live in Seattle U.S.A.
Greatest Gold
The Original Ventures
Original Hits, Volume 1
Original Hits, Volume 2
Original Hits, Volume 3
Live Box, Volume 1
Live Box, Volume 2
Live Box, Volume 3
Best Collection Box (CDs 1-8)
The Ventures in L.A.
30 Years of Rock 'n' Roll (Super Session)

*whew* seems like an awful lot, but there arent too many bands that have been continuously playing and recording since the early 60's :D

- oh and that is NOT a complete list, i was getting tired ;)

[AKA]

Yikes! You win.

[Penny Lane]

Originally posted by AKA
Here I am, bumping up an old thread, so I can link you to this very funny piece (http://www.itsthego.com/features/doorsbestof/).

Yup, very funny indeed! How ironic that this thread was brought up on the very day that I have posted sort of a memorial thread about Jim Morrison! And this cartoon on that web page is kind of gruesome. But I have to agree! There are enough greatest hits albums out there!:rolleyes:

[Kay Scarpetta]

Originally posted by Captain ABlairica
I hate "Greatest Hits" albums. It doesn't tell enough about the artist. I'd rather buy the entire albums with different songs.




Seriously... the GN'R 'Great Hits' album quite sucks, in my humble opinion. I have Appetite for Desctruction, Lies, Use Your Illusion 1&2, so I already have almost all of their songs- but since I'm a loyal GN'R fan [and probably one of the only ones left, mind you] I thought I'd buy it. There's a lot missing from that album. "I Used To Love Her" should have been on there, without a doubt. What about "My Michelle"? "Mr. Brownstone", even? Oh well...

[ABlairican Pie]

Originally posted by Kaffeine Kay
Seriously... the GN'R 'Great Hits' album quite sucks, in my humble opinion. I have Appetite for Desctruction, Lies, Use Your Illusion 1&2, so I already have almost all of their songs- but since I'm a loyal GN'R fan [and probably one of the only ones left, mind you] I thought I'd buy it. There's a lot missing from that album. "I Used To Love Her" should have been on there, without a doubt. What about "My Michelle"? "Mr. Brownstone", even? Oh well... No "Mr. Brownstone"??:confused: Now THAT totally blows Tender Chunks. Who was behind choosing the songs for this album??

[AKA]

Originally posted by Captain ABlairica
No "Mr. Brownstone"??:confused: Now THAT totally blows Tender Chunks. Who was behind choosing the songs for this album??

A few suits at Geffen.

[Dean Winchester]

ABBA also has countless compilations, while they only had 8 studio albums

Greatest Hits (1976)
Greatest Hits Volume 2 (1979)
The Magic Of Abba (1980)
The Singles: The First Ten Years (1982)
I Love Abba (1984)
The Hits (1988)
The Hits 2 (1988)
The Hits 3 (1988)
ABBA Gold (1992)
More Abba Gold (1993)
Thank You For The Music box set (1994)
The Music Still Goes On (1995)
Forever Gold (1998)
The Collection (1998)
The Singles Collection (1999)
The Millennium Collection (2000)
The Definitive Collection (2001)
On And On And On (2003)

[jamesanthony]

Originally posted by robyrob
from http://www.sandcastlevi.com/ventures/ventdisc.htm :
The (Almost) Complete Discography
Since 1960, The Ventures have produced an astonishingly large body of music. The total number of recordings released worldwide is unknown, but is well over 250 LP albums, 200 CD albums, 150 45-RPM singles, not to mention extended play (EP) albums, cassettes, and about 10 videos and DVDs.

[

Is this the act that did the Hawaii Five O Theme song? How on earth is it that they have all those compilations? Hawaii 5 O is the only record I know by them. This is bizarre info to me.

[FOLrocks1]

Originally posted by BuffySlayer79
ABBA also has countless compilations, while they only had 8 studio albums

Greatest Hits (1976)
Greatest Hits Volume 2 (1979)
The Magic Of Abba (1980)
The Singles: The First Ten Years (1982)
I Love Abba (1984)
The Hits (1988)
The Hits 2 (1988)
The Hits 3 (1988)
ABBA Gold (1992)
More Abba Gold (1993)
Thank You For The Music box set (1994)
The Music Still Goes On (1995)
Forever Gold (1998)
The Collection (1998)
The Singles Collection (1999)
The Millennium Collection (2000)
The Definitive Collection (2001)
On And On And On (2003)

They also have
The Name of The Game (2002)

[robyrob]

Originally posted by jamesanthony
Is this the act that did the Hawaii Five O Theme song? How on earth is it that they have all those compilations? Hawaii 5 O is the only record I know by them. This is bizarre info to me. yes, they did the Hawaii 5-0 theme, i really have no idea WHY or HOW they have so many, but they have been a actively recording and touring band for roughly 40 years

they have had a lot of singles, the most familiar ones would be Walk Dont Run, Telstar, Pipeline, and their versions of other popular surf music

[Ohio8]

Good topic!!! Don't forget Jethro Tull. Back in 1988, they released a box set with some really good songs. Unfortunately, it's now deleted from the J.T. catalog. Speaking of box sets, there are alot of artists and groups -- Jimi Hendrix included -- who have box sets that're have only a few good songs but're mostly junk.

[Ohio8]

Also put in "BBC Sssions" releases. Jimi Hendrix's is actually a re-release of "Radio One' with a lot of junk added, and The Yardbird's "BBC Sessions" has only one truly good song, "The Sun is Shining." That song should be placed on another Rhino Rcords "Ultimate Yardbirds!" disc, and the "BBC Session" recording should henceforth be deleted.

[TheGreatPretender]

i like greatest hits albums :ducks:

[Dean Winchester]

Originally posted by robyrob
yes, they did the Hawaii 5-0 theme, i really have no idea WHY or HOW they have so many, but they have been a actively recording and touring band for roughly 40 years

they have had a lot of singles, the most familiar ones would be Walk Dont Run, Telstar, Pipeline, and their versions of other popular surf music

didn't the Ventures also do the Charlie's Angels theme song? on ebay I was looking at CA memorabilia, and I saw copies of the 45 of the CA theme song by The Ventures

[robyrob]

Originally posted by BuffySlayer79
didn't the Ventures also do the Charlie's Angels theme song? on ebay I was looking at CA memorabilia, and I saw copies of the 45 of the CA theme song by The Ventures i dont know, but i'll have to check that out :)

[~*Dailey'sGurl*~]

DL&Q have compiled a 50 song album of live recordings & rehersals in Doyle's garage, etc. to celebrate 25 years of DL&Q-
it is mostly previously unrecorded songs (by DL&Q anyway) but the ones that have been recorded before that are on there have been sung by another group.

Doyle said inside the album that he didn't want to do a greatest hits album

[AKA]

Originally posted by DLQSfan
DL&Q have compiled a 50 song album of live recordings & rehersals in Doyle's garage, etc. to celebrate 25 years of DL&Q-
it is mostly previously unrecorded songs (by DL&Q anyway) but the ones that have been recorded before that are on there have been sung by another group.

Doyle said inside the album that he didn't want to do a greatest hits album

Cool. So then I guess it's safe to say they don't have too many compilations, no?

[Dean Winchester]

Barbra Streisand, while not having a TON of compilations, has her share... and yet there hasn't been one that has everything (even the career-spanning "The Essential Barbra Streisand" lacks a few major hits)

1970. Greatest Hits
1978. Greatest Hits Vol. 2
1981. Memories
1989. A Collection: Greatest Hits And More
2002. The Essential Barbra Streisand
2002. Duets

[vashti1999]

Originally posted by BuffySlayer79
Barbra Streisand, while not having a TON of compilations, has her share... and yet there hasn't been one that has everything (even the career-spanning "The Essential Barbra Streisand" lacks a few major hits)


Yeah, two that I definitely consider essential, "The Way He Makes Me Feel" and "What Kind of Fool". Uh, did I just admit I like Barbra Streisand out loud???

[~*Dailey'sGurl*~]

Originally posted by AKA
Cool. So then I guess it's safe to say they don't have too many compilations, no?

well, yeah.... but I posted in this thread anyway :D