Search - Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Bto :: Anthology

Great Anthology of Canadian Classic Rockers

J. E FELL | Carterville, Illinois United States | 02/10/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I picked up this 2 cd set on a whim and was pleasantly surprised. This 2 cd anthology is pretty much all the Bachman Turner Overdrive you need if you are on a budget. I have seen the band in concert and they put on a good show. I used to own a vinyl copy of the "Best Of Bachman Turner Overdrive (So Far)" but I lost it or someone did not return it to me along the way. I was familiar with some of their songs from seeing them live but this set contains many more great songs which did not make the "Best Of" compilation. The band was formed after Randy Bachman left the Guess Who and his project Brave Belt did not work out. The first album contains the Bachman brothers Randy, Tim, and Rob with C.F. Turner on bass and vocals. Later Tim Bachman was replaced by Blair Thornton on guitar. The line up remained fairly stable until lynch pin Randy Bachman left the band for good. The band continued on without him but the music was never as good without the main songwriter. Luckily only two tracks from the line up without Randy Bachman are included in this set. The Anthology is arranged chronologically so you can follow the band's evolution. The set contains the obvious radio hits like "Takin' Care Of Business", "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet", "Let It Ride" (sounds like a Doobie Brothers tune), "Roll On Down The Highway" and "Hey You". However, the set contains many rarities such as quad mixes (remember them) of "Free Wheelin'", "Not Fragile", "Rock Is My Life, And This Is My Song" and "Flat Broke Love". The set also contains the non-lp single "Down The Line" a live version of "Don't Get Yourself In Trouble from a rare import only live album, and the unissued studio cuts "The Letter" (yes a cover version), and "I Think You Better Slow Down/Slow Down Boogie" a concert favorite. Another rarity is the extended alternate take of "Stayed Awaked All Night" probably their best tune from their debut lp. I enjoyed such less familiar cuts like "Hold Back The Water", "Gimme Your Money Please", "Thank You For The Feelin'" and "Sledgehammer" as well as the more radio friendly cuts. The fat guitar riffs and crunching chords bring back memories of listening to my old FM clock radio during the seventies. If you like good old meat and potatoes rock and roll then this set is for you."

The Letter

John | USA | 05/12/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first heard Bachman Turner Overdrive when I was 5 years old (1975). My dad would play the "4 Wheel Drive" cut (on the same LP) for me on his Big Rig stereo. I loved it ... the driving bass had me dancing around the room.I reinvestigated BTO after high school and bought the '4 Wheel Drive' album, also a great CD. However, I developed a new appreciation for BTO with "Anthology, Bachman-Turner Overdrive". This anthology hardly misses anything. I do wish they included "She's a Devil" from the 4 Wheel Drive instead of "Don't Let the Blues Get You Down". But that's my only nic pic. I particularly like "The Letter" which was previously unreleased. I had fun comparing it to Joe Cocker's "Letter" which is his version of the same song. Both are Really Good! I love Cocker's gravely vocals, but I lean toward BTO's version for it's hard driving bass. 'Joe Cocker - Anthology' is very good too.I own BTO's self titled debut album and 'Four Wheel Drive' but no other individual albums. With 'BTO Anthology' I haven't felt the need to buy others. I usually skip the songs from BTO's debut album ... I know, many say it's the best but I don't buy it. Well, I did "buy" it but that's beside the point! My favorite cuts include "Welcome Home" from 'BTO II', "Not Fragile" from 'Not Fragile', "flat Broke Love" from 'Four Wheel Drive', and "Looking Out For #1" from 'Head On' among others.The sound quality of this CD is also very good. If you like BTO and you don't already own the individual albums, you should definitely buy this first."

The powers that be were dumb

John | 07/27/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"let's go back in our time machine to chhicago, 1976/77you have a band that sells records, and it slows up a bit. there is this new music called disco, and your number one band needs something to tide them over. your sitting there with a tape of "down to the line", or a fantastic loud great version of "the letter"......which do you release? well, lucky for us, we FINALLY GET THE RIGHT ONE RELEASED HERE! fred turners vocals, and the playing are just superb. the rest of the cd is all the hits, and nothin' but the hits, along with great lp cuts........this cd is fantastic. too bad they couldn't add the canadian only bto version of "wooly bully" too. another great cover with fred turner vocals. buy this you wont be soorry."