Product Description First ever "essentials" collection (1980-1996) from one of America's favorite singer-songwriters Greg Brown. Review "Brown's music is fixed in American mythology...it's as if Johnny Cash sang Joni Mitchell songs, and meant them." -- The New Yorker Magazine"Exquisite...one of America's best writers." -- Relix Magazine"Some of the most poignant and original songs of the past decade." -- Utne Reader P.when('A').execute(function(A) { A.on('a:expander:toggle_description:toggle:collapse', function(data) { window.scroll(0, data.expander.$expander[0].offsetTop-100); }); }); About the Artist Born in Iowas Hacklebarney area, GREG BROWN is the son of a Holly Roller preacher father from the Ozarks and a guitar-playing mother. The preaching life had the family traveling from small town to small town while he was growing up, but they always returned to their south Iowa roots. He grew up with music all around himfrom his Granddads banjo and the hymns at church to the rock n roll and country on the radioand it wasnt long before he was making his own music. At the age of 18 he headed east to New Yorks Greenwich Village and points beyond, eventually gaining national notoriety through his regular appearances on public radios hit show A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION. In the ensuing years his prolific and rich output of incredible songs and superb recordings have earned him a place in the same pantheon of artists as Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen. His songs (recorded by everyone from CARLOS SANTANA and WILLIE NELSON to SHAWN COLVIN and MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER) are intricate yet simple, blending poetic lyrics and smoldering grooves that belie the gospel, country, folk and rock influences of a lifetime. His deep, dark expressive voice has been called "one of the wonders of the folk world." See more
J**T
Excellent Retrospective
You can't call the songs "greatest hits;" Greg Brown isn't the kind of artist who has had or even wants pop hits. You can't call them his "best songs;" there's no agreement on what song is best, other than perhaps the last song you heard him perform. So I will settle for calling this a retrospective, a look backwards across twenty plus albums over twenty plus years. It's imprecise, but close.It's equally hard to characterize Brown's song writing. There are elements of gospel - he's the son of a fundamentalist minister - and blues, a lot of traditional American folk music, but the mix is peculiarly Brown's own. The style has evolved over the years, as this album demonstrates. What's consistent is the use of specific images, sometimes apparently unrelated images, to make broader, allusive messages. His music is deceptively simple, even catchy, but it never leaves you feeling manipulated.His musicianship is fine, but there are lots of fine musicians. What sets Greg Brown apart as a performer is his voice, which ranges from a baritone to a gravelly bass. There are very few folk artists who can use their voice as the bass line in their songs. His voice is remarkable, and he uses it intelligently, adding layers of meaning to songs.If you are new to Greg Brown, this is a terrific introduction. If you are already a fan, you may still want this album: some of the older songs benefit greatly from remastering, and sound much better here than they do on their original albums.Strongly recommended.
R**T
Some of Greg's best. Excellent!
Great Greg Brown songs. Delightful from start to finish.
A**R
Greg Brown
Should be our poet laureate
A**R
Four Stars
liked it
G**E
Double fantasy
If you want the quintessential Greg Brown, this is the CD for you. If you want to see and hear Greg and get to know who this songbird is on DVD, well that's included too. You'll play this Cd to death; and you will never tire of hearing Greg cover Hank Williams and Woody Guthrie on the DVD. Nice offering in every way.
K**A
Great Artist
Good compilation of Brown;s songs. A must have for fans.
T**N
Great folk music
Greg Brown is a very good songwriter. Country and folk music - excellent album. He was chosen by Putumayo music to be part of their American folk music album.
G**L
Same music...great show!!!!!!!!!!!
It does not come any better than this!!!!!!!!!!! I once again found myself listening to Greg Brown over and over!!!!! Really good stuff and all on one CD. The best is here!!!!!!!!
H**R
Nicht warm mit geworden
Sicher waren meine Erwartungen etwas anders. Greg Brown erfindet sich wie Bob Dylan immer wieder neu. Es sind nicht immer seine besten Stücke (meiner Meinung nach) und zu viele unterschiedliche musikalische Stile auf einer CD.
D**E
Four Stars
sounds like Brown - not sure why I bought this. Kinda annoying at times...
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