Search - Humble Pie :: 20th Century Masters: Millennium Collection

20th Century Masters : The Millenium Collection

Mark Campbell | Austin , Texas | 10/11/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was pleased that the Cd started with the band's first UK hit single , "Natural Born Woman" .This is essential blues music for me , being a classic rock fan , and no blues purist.The band used the best of both: Progressive Blues , integrated with the modern -for-the-time Rhythm and Blues Rock that was known at the time as "Rock". "Big Black Dog" is the rarity - previously only released as a B side vinyl single in Europe and non-U.S. countries.It stands with the rest of the repertoire strongly."Stone Cold Fever" is likely their strongest number , featuring Steve Marriott's feverishly electrifying vocals( clearly one of the best male vocalists of the century) and tasteful harmonica. Peter Frampton's lead guitar is one of the most original and unique stylings from the 70's on this song- a mixture of Wes Montgomery style Jazz and Claptonesque Blues."Rolling Stone" is an equal performance both of them .The rest of the album is a wise selection of Hits and Covers, like "Black Coffee"( Ike and Tina Turner), "I Don't Need No Doctor"( Ashford and Sompson), and "Ninety Nine Pounds"(D. Bryant).Bassist/ Vocalist Greg Ridley is one of the best Bassists in the feild , who always played it like a real bass - soul music style.His roots were obviously , like Steve , deep in Mowtown and Stax.His vocals are a treat , a growly and manly personna that was a perfect foil for Marriott's over-the-top-too-soul-to-be-white charisma.The arrangements were original and entertaining - often a verse each from Marriot, Ridley and Frampton ( "Shine On" featuring Peter)The collection wouldn't reflect the demeanor of the band if it didn't include the Live numbers, Like "...Doctor", and for 12 songs, I will say this is a good testimony of the band for those too young to have known them before and old fans alike."

Sounds better, rocks hard

Charles A Galupi | Euless, Texas | 07/29/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"First: Even though the Pie was just redone a couple years ago for the "Hot 'N Nasty" collection, this CD sounds even better. I don't know who's doing all the remastering now, but the Pie [and recent James Gang remasters] sound better than they have in years!Even the selction was made with some care, including the "probably not best of" songs 'Four Day Creep' and 'Big Black Dog' alongside Pie classics like 'Hot N Nasty', '30 Days in the Hole', 'Stone Cold Fever' and the powerful live take of 'I Don't Need No Doctor' just reinforces how strong this band was. This is a CD you can just groove right along with all day long. Lots of air guitar predicted.My gripes are only the inclusion of 'C'Mon Everybody' (just never did it for me) and 'Rollin' Stone.' I would have liked liked 'Buttermilk Boy' and maybe one more track from "Eat It" or "Rock On." But that's just MY 2 cents worth.Great starting point for beginers, great for reintroducing yourself to one of the 'lost' English blues/soul bands (Re: influence on the Black Crowes) or a great gift for an uncle (or your Dad) for raiding his record collection back in the day."

Stingy collection of songs

Charles A Galupi | 05/12/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"All of the songs on this collection are great--not a lemon in the bunch. But with only 52 minutes of music, it's an inadequate offering. There is so much else that could have been added including: Get Down To It, Honky Tonk Woman, I Can't Stand the Rain, 99 Pounds, Road Runner, Good Booze and Bad Women, Every Single Day, The Fixer, Anna and many others. Also, the 20 second introduction to I Don't Need No Doctor was chopped off."