Amazon.co.uk Review
With three albums, comprising six discs of music, from
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds in a little over two years, fans of the enduring, sombre songsters, may be left wondering if they really need more material. But
B-Sides & Raritiesis a wonderful testament to the devastatingly romantic, ferocious and exquisitely emotive collective talent that has made Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds music so compelling throughout the 21 years since they rose from the ashes of The Birthday Party. Comprising 56 tracks over three CDs,
B-Sides & Raritieswas coordinated by the band's founder member, multi-instrumentalist Mick Harvey, who has lovingly compiled some of the rarest and delightful material of the bands career.
From the opening bars of the first track, an acoustic version of "Deanna", to the closing notes of the recent B-side "Under This Moon", this mammoth rarities retrospective is packed with songs that chart the development of the band's sound. Alongside alternative versions of NCATBS gems such as "Red Right Hand", "Jack The Ripper", "Where The Wild Roses Go" (with Blixa replacing a certain Miss Minogue) and a stunning stripped-down acoustic version of "The Mercy Seat" come some great covers including a stark version of Leadbelly's "Black Betty" a charming rendition of Neil Young's "Helpless", an irreverent take on Leonard Cohen's "Tower Of Love" and a heartbreakingly forlorn duet with Shane MacGowan on Louis Armstrong's "What A Wonderful World".
Elsewhere rough cuts from raucous radio sessions like "God's Hotel" are interlaced with more considered soundtrack commissions such as "(I'll Love You) Till The End of The World" and "Cassiel's Song". The promotional material boldly leads with the Cave quote: "This is my favourite Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds Album." Few will disagree. --Christopher Barrett
Album Description
Spanning the full twenty-one years of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds' illustrious career, this comprehensive three CD set, entitled B-Sides & Rarities, presents a thrilling and eclectic retrospective collection of material by the band, some of which has been deleted, featured on a disparate collection of soundtrack albums or has never been officially released before. From the menacing "The Six Strings That Drew Blood", through the distraught "The Girl At The Bottom Of My Glass", the fragile beauty of "Little Empty Boat", the outlaw romance of '(I'll Love You) Till The End Of The World', the plaintive "Bluebird" through to the murderous attack of "The Ballad Of Robert Moore & Betty Coltrane", long term Bad Seeds aficionados, recent converts or the merely curious will find much to appreciate and enjoy in this landmark 56-track compilation.