Comprehensive overview
Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 03/22/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Given the title of the collection, it comes a surprise that it occupies two full CD's. Mud were very successful for a time in the mid-seventies, but they only had about a dozen hits, although most of them made the UK top ten and three went all the way to the top. Of course, the title isn't strictly correct, as there are plenty of album tracks as well as all the hits and some B-sides and rarities. Nevertheless, this is the most comprehensive collection ever likely to be released of Mud's music. Despite being released by a German record company, all the liner notes are in English and the chart information provided is for the UK. Few details of their German hits are given. The liner notes are extensive, including comments on each song by their singer, Les Gray.
Most of the hits are on the first half of the first CD, though a couple are to be found later on that CD. Their biggest hit, Tiger feet, opens the set, while the song they are now perhaps best known for, Lonely this Christmas, closes the first CD. Both of those songs reached number one in the UK, as did their cover of Oh boy!, the Buddy Holly classic. Other great hits to be found here include The cat crept in, Dynamite. Rocket, Moonshine Sally, The secrets that you keep and a cover of Bill Withers' Lean on me.
Of the other tracks, there are plenty of covers that show their musical roots, including Living Doll (Cliff Richard), One night (Elvis Presley), In the mood (Glenn Miller), Cut across Shorty (Eddie Cochran), Drift away (Dobie Gray) and Bye bye Johnny (Chuck Berry).
Most of this collection covers their best years from 1973 to 1978, but the last eight tracks on CD 2 are some of their early recordings from 1967 to 1970, which may not be essential but they are interesting."
Starts out good
Joanie Lindstrom | Boston, MA | 06/11/2009
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Never knew much about Mud and figured this collection was a good place to start esp. since it was a good price. After the first 9 tracks tho, it goes downhill into weird Elvis sounding stuff, a little disco, some schmaltz, nothing as good as the first batch of glammy tunes. I do like the bonus tracks of psychedelic stuff at the end of the second disc. I'm glad I didn't pay more than $13.97."
The singles '67-78 [best of] Mud
andrew hine | stoke on trent, england | 01/04/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"an excellent album which covers all the groups music from their early days with tracks such as 'up the hairy mountain' through to the private stock material like l'l'lucy. recorded in the singles original state this album is a must, not just for all Mud fans but for fans of glam rock and 70s music in general."
Track Listings (22) - Disc #1