Search - Marianne Faithfull :: Best of

Soundtrack to an Autobiography

El Gavilan | Midwest | 02/06/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Faithfull is a great set of songs, although it has always seemed to me a bit redundant, what with Broken English and Blazing Away, but then I buy each new missive of Miss Faithfull's and search relentlessly for her older stuff, such as North Country Maid and Faithfull Forever. Why? Because Marianne Faithfull believes in her music, which means even the stuff she critiques as "misguided", Rich Kid's Blues and Faithless are great. A Perfect Stranger also renders this release as a questionable option, however it is the set with Ghost Dance (a wonderful version of the Patti Smith elegy) and the other selections are a very good representation of her musical journey. As a prospective buyer, you must decide how deep you want to delve into this wonderful artist's music. If you want a general representation, A Perfect Stranger is by far the most musically encompassing of her Island Years. Marianne Faithfull's Greatest Hits from her sixties years would be for those wanting to listen to the young Marianne. Blazing Away would be my second choice as a retrospective (but this is a live album) and Faithfull would be my third. However, if you want to explore this artist's work with an ear for the more comprehensive (and believe me, there is a lot of musical terrain and textures to explore) start with Broken English, Strange Weather, and 20th Century Blues, then work your way into all of her other available releases. My personal favorite is A Secret Life, but I believe one of Marianne's best qualities as an artist is to make you stretch your appreciation of musical styles. Faithfull is a wonderful way to begin, but look at these alternatives as well."

Interesting collection

Pieter | Johannesburg | 02/11/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This compilation leans heavily on the Broken English album, containing its title track, the hit The Ballad Of Lucy Jordan, her version of Lennon's Working Class Hero, Guilt and the controversial Why D'ya Do It. The album also includes the atmospheric ballad Trouble In Mind, a stunning live version of Times Square (the studio version appears on her Child's Adventure album), the bluesy Strange Weather, the early (1964) version of as Tears Go By, the atmospheric Angelo Badalamenti-produced She and a splendid interpretation of Patti Smith's Ghost Dance. I am in two minds about the album: it does not offer the best value for money but nevertheless contains some special tracks worth owning. I don't understand why none of the great tracks from Dangerous Acquaintances has been included and only a live version of Times Square. A song like The Blue Millionaire from A Child's Adventure would have fitted perfectly here. I recommend this album for devoted fans/completists only. For those who want her best post-sixties work, I recommend the 2-disc album Perfect Stranger: The Island Anthology."

Digs deep...

A. Ort | Youngstown, Ohio | 02/14/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first heard one of Marianne Faithfull's songs in the movie Thelma & Louise. Everything about it was perfect. Once I learned who it was I sought out the artist and started with a Greatest Hits album. This was it.I haven't followed her career so I can't say how representative it is. All I know is I absolutely loved this album. I've since read her autobiography and was fascinated. I find this album represents her potency well.It digs deep into anger, angst, love, longing and despair in ways few artists have. It's incredible to hear the angelic voice in As Tears Go By when compared with the vitriol of Why'd Ya Do It. While she is singing other people's songs (e.g. John Lennon, Tom Waits, Patti Smith), she takes them to new levels. This album carried me through many a difficult period. While I am not there, 'Times Square' always takes me back and gives me courage to continue. Powerful, powerful stuff."