Eleventh Van Cliburn International Competition - Olga Kern

Advantages: Good quantity/ quality
Disadvantages: Confusing tracklist

...Not many bands sum up good time rock n roll better than Van Halen, Their mix of cheeky lyrics and innovative music videos coupled with the undoubted talent of the members of the band ensured them massive succsess and a reputation as a "cool" band to like. This hits package gives a fairly accurate account of most of Van Halens famous songs, obviously some fans would point to certain omissions but as a whole this ticks most boxes. Van Halen when they burst onto the scene consisted of guitarist Eddie Van Halen, drummer Alex Van Halen, bass player Michael Anthony, and singer David Lee Roth. This line up often dubbed "Classic Van Halen" rode high on the back of meat and potatoes rock songs punctuated with Eddie Van Halens virtuoso guitar technique and David Lee Roths hugley charismatic stage presence. This era is well represented by such... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Good collection of their hits.
Disadvantages: Can get v. repetitive and drab.

...Well this double CD beast of a release from the 70’s and 80’s rocks legends contains 36 tracks of their greatest hits; with 3 live version of some of their most famous songs. Some of these tracks are even previously unreleased tracks too, so there is something to keep any fan happy! 2h 35min and 26 seconds of value for money! 01 – Eruption A blindingly fast and furious opener. It is his trademark tapping soloing work, the tune although not fantastic is enjoyable. 02 – It’s about time Opens with a damn cool metal sounding riff, which almost doesn’t sound like Van Halen at all until the singing starts. This is one of the tracks previously unreleased, and its pleasantly good, not too different from the classics, but it shows they still have it. Overall a big thumbs up! 03 – Up for breakfast Starting off with a weird pulsating... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: some brilliant songs
Disadvantages: that Cliff duet

...The shops are awash with "Best of" compilations which turn out to contain one top twenty single and a heap of instantly forgettable fillers. It is very rare to find one which is packed full of quality music. The Best of Van Morrison is one of the later. Make no mistake, this is the genuine article. This CD contains twenty mainly outstanding tracks from Ireland's hero. If you think you don't know any Van songs then this recording may surprise you. It certainly surprised me. The majority of these tracks are commonplace on the likes of Virgin and Radio 2's Johnny Walker show. (and no doubt on other decent radio stations I don't get in deepest Aberdeenshire) While a little young for Van at his peak I was aware of his music although I had never bought any. A couple of weeks of listening to a Napster download of "Brown Eyed Girl... Read review

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