Nice Third Disc Selection
Rob Astor | Jackson, Michigan USA | 09/29/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Of all the Greatest hits compilations released by Heart over the last ten years or so, The Essential Heart 3.0 is finally the most comprehensive collection with the inclusion of a thrid disc. Although the third disc only has eight tracks, all of them really do belong on a title called The Essential Heart.
For the first time since being left of the band's 1980 Greatest Hits disc, "Strange Euphoria" and "Hit Single" have returned in CD format. Also, any past Heart collection should have at least included "Mistral Wind". This collection contains the live version for the 1980 Greatest Hits. (Personally, I would have liked to have seen the 2002 version from Alive In Seattle, but, having "Mistral Wind" in the set is important no matter what version. It is THE song Heart is all about; acoustic ballads to Zeppelin driven rockers.)
"Bebe Le Stange" was on the band's 1998 Greatest Hits and left off the first Essential release for some odd reason. Same for "Strong, Strong Wind". Both tracks are available here. Another concert crowd pleaser, "City's Burning", has also been included. Rounding out the set are "Sylvan Song" and "Dream Of The Archer", also songs worthy of inclusion on an Essential Heart release (again, I would have personally prefered the newer version from The Road Home).
I rated the collection four stars because I think disc three could have been better. There are still a few obious omissions of songs that were singles or that should be included in their own right ("Magazine", "Without You", "Wait For An Answer", "The Perfect Goodbye", "Oldest Story In The World", "Make Me", "Alomst Paradise" sung by Mike Reno and Ann Wilson from Footloose, "The Best Man In The World" by Ann Wilson from The Golden Child, "All For Love" by Nancy Wilson from Singles). Another nice touch would have been to include some of the live tracks from Alive In Seattle, particularly the Heart originals ("Sister Wild Rose", "Heaven", "Two Faces Of Eve", "Break The Rock"). I'm not really fond of the paper board packaging. I'd much prefer my musical treasures to be protected in plastic jewel cases. (Yes, I fully expect to be around another 100 years! LOL)
As a collecion of essential Heart music, The Essential Heart 3.0 gets nothing but top marks. Perhaps a future essential release will take some of my suggestions to Heart, pun intended. ;-)"