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Product Description
"THE SOUND OF THE SMITHS" is brand new compilation of the definitive British independent band of the eighties - Produced with the full co-operation of Morrissey and Johnny Marr: Morrissey provided the title and Johnny Marr personally supervised the mastering, their joint invlovement ensuring that this is the most impactful look back at the Smiths' extraordinary career to date.
The Sound Of The Smiths is available as either a single disc or two disc collection. Disc one comprises 23 tracks and presents all the Smiths' memorable single releases, reinstating singles that were scheduled though eventually unreleased in that form ("Still Ill" and "You Just Haven't Earned It Yet Baby") plus European only singles including "Barbarism Begins At Home" and "The Headmaster Ritual". The core of disc one, however, is that matchless run of singles from their first Rough Trade 7 inch "Hand In Glove" to the posthumous "Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me". The collection includes genuine classic hits such as "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now", "How Soon Is Now", "Panic" and "Girlfriend in A Coma" which marked the pinnacle of that unique creative collaboration between vocalist Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr. Indeed, Morrissey's eloquence and proselytising was always matched by the compelling musicianship of Marr, bassist Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce.
The two disc format adds a further 22 tracks including rare b-sides, tracks that were exclusive to 12 inch releases and selected live recordings. Among the rarities are the Troy Tate produced "Pretty Girls Make Graves", "What's The World", a cover of a track from the fellow Manchester band James, recorded live at Barrowlands, Glasgow, originally released only on a cassette single and the live "Meat Is Murder" from the vinyl 12 inch single version of "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore".
Product Description
2CD
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
69 of 76 people found the following review helpful
By A. Walker
Format:Audio CD
It's really serious. The Smiths probably have the messiest catalogue there is. Around two thirds of their songs appear on the four studio albums while the remaining third are scattered across several compilations and rare CD-singles. Warner, unlikeEMI, have never been interested in milking a catalogue (or creating coherent and necessary reissues).
Looking through the dozen or so titles down your local retailer, the racks are clogged up with no less than four "greatest hits" collections and three rarities sets. These really need to be consigned to the bargain bin so they can be replaced with more streamlined compilations that would supplement the albums with at least some degree of logic: all the non-album songs (with a vocal) would fill a CD. Add to that a second disc of instrumentals, alternative versions, and live b-sides and you have a superlative two-disc set. A CD of BBC sessions is also required.
And so to the Rhino 45-track "The Sound Of The Smiths": judging by the title and cover photo of the group themselves, this was not sanctioned by Morrissey and Marr. The first disc is a chronological run-through their "greatest hits" with a couple of slightly different versions thoughtfully substituted. But the perfectly titled andartworked "Singles" from 1995 was the definitive best-of for all time, comprising every A-side in chronological order.
The second disc presents an alternative view of The Smiths career, digging deeper and throwing up some rarities in the process: the live version of "Handsome Devil" and the Troy Tate produced version of "Pretty Girls Make Graves" appear on CD for the very first time; while "Jeane", "Wonderful Woman" and the live James cover "What's The World?" have at last been compiled. You'll still have to buy the "Panic" CD single if you want to hear the studio version of "The Draize Train". And locate the US CD-single of "Sweet And Tender Hooligan" to find "I Keep Mine Hidden" and "Work Is A Four Letter Word".
The catalogue of what many regard as the greatest musical force since The Beatles remains still ill.
Looking through the dozen or so titles down your local retailer, the racks are clogged up with no less than four "greatest hits" collections and three rarities sets. These really need to be consigned to the bargain bin so they can be replaced with more streamlined compilations that would supplement the albums with at least some degree of logic: all the non-album songs (with a vocal) would fill a CD. Add to that a second disc of instrumentals, alternative versions, and live b-sides and you have a superlative two-disc set. A CD of BBC sessions is also required.
And so to the Rhino 45-track "The Sound Of The Smiths": judging by the title and cover photo of the group themselves, this was not sanctioned by Morrissey and Marr. The first disc is a chronological run-through their "greatest hits" with a couple of slightly different versions thoughtfully substituted. But the perfectly titled andartworked "Singles" from 1995 was the definitive best-of for all time, comprising every A-side in chronological order.
The second disc presents an alternative view of The Smiths career, digging deeper and throwing up some rarities in the process: the live version of "Handsome Devil" and the Troy Tate produced version of "Pretty Girls Make Graves" appear on CD for the very first time; while "Jeane", "Wonderful Woman" and the live James cover "What's The World?" have at last been compiled. You'll still have to buy the "Panic" CD single if you want to hear the studio version of "The Draize Train". And locate the US CD-single of "Sweet And Tender Hooligan" to find "I Keep Mine Hidden" and "Work Is A Four Letter Word".
The catalogue of what many regard as the greatest musical force since The Beatles remains still ill.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The music is excellent. It defined an era and is catchy, sincere, interesting and wryly bleak but melodic and jangly at the same time. If you've never heard 'The Smiths' before buy this and see if you like them. I would never have bought any of the original albums if I hadn't come across this so ignore the somewhat elitist and pretentious negative reviews because the music itself rocks.
40 of 45 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Let's just start by addressing some of the gripes in the other reviews:
Morrissey and Marr are NOT "working together"... Marr oversaw the remastering of the original tapes for this compilation - and the tracks really do sound better than ever. Morrissey simply provided a perfunctory title (if Warners press releases are to be believed...). A statement on Morrissey's (semi)official website confirms that he does not endorse this "slapdash" compilation and asks his fans to spend their money elsewhere.
The reason why there is no "proper", "comprehensive", "in depth" (call it what you like) issuing of Smiths out-takes, rarities, etc, whether as stand-alone discs or incorporated into expanded editions of the original studio albums, is really very simple indeed: Morrissey has made it abundantly clear that he will NEVER agree to anything that will financially benefit Mike Joyce, the Smiths' drummer who took Morrissey & Marr to Court. So Warners/Rhino will always be limited to simply reissuing only the material they have and in formats that do not require permissions from Morrissey and Marr. This new compilation is about Warners/Rhino wanting to make more money, not Morrissey being "down to his last eight million" as someone has stupidly commented.
So let's stop reviewing the Smiths legacy and dwelling on all the irrelevant "What if?"s and concentrate on the disc in hand... the sound is phenomenally good. The one-disc edition is a superb introduction to The Smiths for newcomers - the two-disc edition is more for die-hard fans (who will probably resent not being able to buy the second "rarities and extras" disc on its own).
Morrissey and Marr are NOT "working together"... Marr oversaw the remastering of the original tapes for this compilation - and the tracks really do sound better than ever. Morrissey simply provided a perfunctory title (if Warners press releases are to be believed...). A statement on Morrissey's (semi)official website confirms that he does not endorse this "slapdash" compilation and asks his fans to spend their money elsewhere.
The reason why there is no "proper", "comprehensive", "in depth" (call it what you like) issuing of Smiths out-takes, rarities, etc, whether as stand-alone discs or incorporated into expanded editions of the original studio albums, is really very simple indeed: Morrissey has made it abundantly clear that he will NEVER agree to anything that will financially benefit Mike Joyce, the Smiths' drummer who took Morrissey & Marr to Court. So Warners/Rhino will always be limited to simply reissuing only the material they have and in formats that do not require permissions from Morrissey and Marr. This new compilation is about Warners/Rhino wanting to make more money, not Morrissey being "down to his last eight million" as someone has stupidly commented.
So let's stop reviewing the Smiths legacy and dwelling on all the irrelevant "What if?"s and concentrate on the disc in hand... the sound is phenomenally good. The one-disc edition is a superb introduction to The Smiths for newcomers - the two-disc edition is more for die-hard fans (who will probably resent not being able to buy the second "rarities and extras" disc on its own).
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not a Smiths fan as such but....
I bought this as I didn't have any Smiths albums and wanted a "best of" type album and this fits the bill perfectly. Read more
Published 1 month ago by J. Brown
4.0 out of 5 stars
Passed nme by at the time
I really enjoyed this CD, I keep hearing and enjoying songs on the radio so sent for this and am now a confirmed Smith's fan
Published 1 month ago by Elaine
5.0 out of 5 stars
I'm miserable now
Many many classic tracks.
80's anthems.
Well worth a listen time and time again.
What a great sound.
Reminds me of a long time ago in Salford.
80's anthems.
Well worth a listen time and time again.
What a great sound.
Reminds me of a long time ago in Salford.
Published 1 month ago by CBF600 Rider
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Song-Smiths
Great that crafted song writing with considered lyrics resurfaced so soon after the punk-thrashing daze of the late 70s, fun though they were!!
Published 1 month ago by Ric
5.0 out of 5 stars
to all smiths fans
this album features all the smiths greatest hits the second disc features all rare material and what difference does it make is on there the john peel session
Published 2 months ago by david howells
5.0 out of 5 stars
brilliant
This arrived quickly and I have enjoyed listening to some old favourites and my daughter has at last been able to hear the sounds of my youth
Published 4 months ago by Melissa
5.0 out of 5 stars
Magical Smiths
What a superb collection of tracks from the best band ever to come out of Manchester. That is a fine compliment from a rival man from " the pool "
Published 5 months ago by Peter Wilson
5.0 out of 5 stars
gotta love the smiths
great album, great songs, and the item came quickly and well packed. My favorite smiths album, but im sure others will have their own favorites.
Published 5 months ago by Rodney
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Sound of the Smiths
Just a great collection of Smiths songs, if your like me and liked the Smiths but never got round to buying the albums this is a must, its got all the best tracks on it.
Published 14 months ago by Ken Haughey
5.0 out of 5 stars
BUY NOW
I recieved this album as a present and am really glad I did!!! Introduced me to the beautiful music of the Smiths with a lot of songs for the money, also including the John Peel... Read more
Published 17 months ago by frequency95
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