- Audio CD (12 Oct 2009)
- Number of Discs: 2
- Format: CD
- Label: Sony Music CMG
- ASIN: B002PXJZJC
- Other Editions: Audio CD | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 312,370 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Bought this 2-CD set in the hope that it would be a thorough overview of the pioneering output produced by the machine of the late 60s-early 70s that was Sly and the Family Stone. Lots of classic tunes on here, picked from across the range of their six albums, from the sensational new sound captured on 'A Whole New Thing' to stripped-down, earthy grooves found on 'Fresh!'
Alongside the hits, 'Family Affair', 'Everybody is a Star', 'Que Sera Sera' etc., highlights for me included the first emergence of psychedelic soul on 'Trip to Your Heart', with its' clattering drums and the Family's whoops and howls, showing the extent of the influence of Sgt. Pepper across genres other than rock. Also, the beautifully soulful 'What Do I Do', the brilliant lyrics on 'Somebody's Watching You' and Sly's heartfelt lament, in time to searing background strings, in 'Can't Strain my Brain'. What's equally superb is the inclusion of a lot of rare/original cuts on here, an early, rather stripped-down cut of 'Crossword Puzzle' from the 'Small Talk' session (I still prefer Sly's solo version on 'High On You', but this has an interesting air of its own too) and the two long jams taken from 'Dance To The Music' - 'Sex Machine' and 'Dance to the Medley'.
This however is where the merits of this double-album end! There are clear (and ghastly) gaping holes in the selection made here. Where's 'Hot Fun in the Summertime', 'Thank You (Fallentime Be Mice Elf Agin)' 'M'Lady' 'Fun' and most importantly of all, 'Dance to the Music' ? I would have preferred these over the long jams at the end of both CDs anyday. Quite a lot of material from 'Riot' finds its way on here (and rightly so), but what about the equally excellent material to be found on 'Fresh', 'Frisky' and 'If You Want Me to Stay'?
The tracks too could have been better arranged - the chronological order as on the 'Essential Sly and the Family Stone' would have been the more sensible option. Material skips back and forth between the 60s and early 70s, Sly's solo work is amidst all his work with the Family, three of the tracks from 'Riot' are placed in the middle of a selection of tracks spanning opposite ends of the Family Stone's era.
Overall, a good introduction, but doesn't feature many of the greatest hits produced by the Family. Then again, this selection does contain material not found on the 'Essential', 'Que Sera Sera' and 'Can't Strain my Brain' and the long jams (though looking now, the limited Essential 3.0 includes these all as a third disk). My advice would be to buy this collection and the 'Essential' and then you're looking at a comprehensive overview of all the Family's greatest work.
Alongside the hits, 'Family Affair', 'Everybody is a Star', 'Que Sera Sera' etc., highlights for me included the first emergence of psychedelic soul on 'Trip to Your Heart', with its' clattering drums and the Family's whoops and howls, showing the extent of the influence of Sgt. Pepper across genres other than rock. Also, the beautifully soulful 'What Do I Do', the brilliant lyrics on 'Somebody's Watching You' and Sly's heartfelt lament, in time to searing background strings, in 'Can't Strain my Brain'. What's equally superb is the inclusion of a lot of rare/original cuts on here, an early, rather stripped-down cut of 'Crossword Puzzle' from the 'Small Talk' session (I still prefer Sly's solo version on 'High On You', but this has an interesting air of its own too) and the two long jams taken from 'Dance To The Music' - 'Sex Machine' and 'Dance to the Medley'.
This however is where the merits of this double-album end! There are clear (and ghastly) gaping holes in the selection made here. Where's 'Hot Fun in the Summertime', 'Thank You (Fallentime Be Mice Elf Agin)' 'M'Lady' 'Fun' and most importantly of all, 'Dance to the Music' ? I would have preferred these over the long jams at the end of both CDs anyday. Quite a lot of material from 'Riot' finds its way on here (and rightly so), but what about the equally excellent material to be found on 'Fresh', 'Frisky' and 'If You Want Me to Stay'?
The tracks too could have been better arranged - the chronological order as on the 'Essential Sly and the Family Stone' would have been the more sensible option. Material skips back and forth between the 60s and early 70s, Sly's solo work is amidst all his work with the Family, three of the tracks from 'Riot' are placed in the middle of a selection of tracks spanning opposite ends of the Family Stone's era.
Overall, a good introduction, but doesn't feature many of the greatest hits produced by the Family. Then again, this selection does contain material not found on the 'Essential', 'Que Sera Sera' and 'Can't Strain my Brain' and the long jams (though looking now, the limited Essential 3.0 includes these all as a third disk). My advice would be to buy this collection and the 'Essential' and then you're looking at a comprehensive overview of all the Family's greatest work.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
1 review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
"Not Just Another S&TFS Collection"
28 Oct 2009
Format:Audio CD
I've been a fan of Sly & the Family Stone since "Dance To The Music" which by the way is not included on this ("Spaced Cowboy: The Best Of Sly & The Family Stone") compilation. In all fairness, there are enough of Sly's 'HITS' to validate the title 'Best Of'..."Family Affair", "Everybody Is A Star", "I Want To Take You Higher", "Sing A Simple Song" and "I Get High On You" to name a few. But unlike many of the previously released S&TFS compilations many of the 'essential' Sly Stone 'standards' have been omitted, such as "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)", "Hot Fun In The Summertime", "If You Want me To Stay" and (the afore mentioned) "Dance To The Music". Never-the-less, this is a fine compilation of one of the most prolific recording artist of our time. The first track on this CD is one of the 'FUNKIEST' tracks Sly ever recorded "Loose Booty" and although several of the more familiar tracks are not included in this 2 disc set, they have been replaced with some of Sly's most 'interesting' (for lack of a better word) work. "We Love All" is one of the bonus tracks from "Dance To The Music" and in my opinion one of the best songs from that album. This collection also has alternate versions of "Let Me Have It All" and (another one of my favorites) "Crossword Puzzle". If you are looking for a 'greatest hits' album I strongly suggest "Sly & The Family Stone Greatest Hits" or the "Essential Sly & The Family Stone" but if you're looking for a compilation that truly captures the essence of the artist I suggest "Spaced Cowboy: The Best Of Sly & The Family Stone".
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