Chris Isaak: Best Of Chris Isaak CD Track Listing

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Chris Isaak Best Of Chris Isaak (2006)
Originally Released May 9, 2006\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: In many ways, Chris Isaak is a perfect candidate for a "best-of" compilation: he has been consistent over the years, not only in the quality of his output but in his music, which hasn't strayed much from the sweetly moody retro-pop -- part Elvis, a large part Roy Orbison, a small part early Neil Diamond -- he essayed on his 1985 debut, Silvertone. As such, his records can be a little interchangeable, but even the bad ones are enjoyable, and when they're mixed and matched as they are here on his first-ever compilation, they hold together as well as if it were a proper album. Not that Best of Chris Isaak is exactly a "greatest-hits" -- he only had seven charting Billboard singles, and three of them aren't here; it's understandable that the 2004 Christmas tune "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" isn't here, but 1989's "Don't Make Me Dream About You" and 1995's "Go Walking Down There," while not big hits, may be missed by some casual listeners, particularly since this is a generous 18-track compilation that finds space for such OK relative rarities as a cover of Cheap Trick's "I Want You to Want Me" and an acoustic version of "Forever Blue." But these are the kind of complaints that are found only if somebody is looking for flaws, since otherwise Best of Chris Isaak is an expertly chosen selection of his best easy-rolling, slyly sexy retro-pop, containing his four big hits ("Wicked Game," "Can't Do a Thing (To Stop Me)," "Somebody's Crying," "Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing") along with many of his best album tracks, like "San Francisco Days," "Two Hearts," "Speak of the Devil," "You Owe Me Some Kind of Love," and "Dancin'," among others. It's so well done and so comprehensive, it's easy to imagine that for many listeners -- particularly those who liked Isaak's style, whether musical or personal -- that this will be all the Chris Isaak they'll ever need. (Best of Chris Isaak was also released as a two-disc edition containing a DVD with 18 music videos, including two versions of "Wicked Game" and songs that didn't appear on the album proper. Isaak also does commentary for each video, making this an excellent bonus for serious fans.) -- Stephen Thomas Erlewine\n\nAmazon.com Product Description\nChris Isaak begins his third decade as one of the most distinctive recording artists--and the epitome of modern cool--with his first career-spanning retrospective. Best Of Chris Isaak CD features every hit, led by "Wicked Game," and including many fan favorites such as "Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing," plus four previously unreleased tracks: an acoustic "Forever Blue," a cover of Cheap Trick's "I Want You To Want Me" and two new Isaak-penned songs, "King Without A Castle" and "Let's Have A Party." \n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nGood Cd but....., May 19, 2006\nReviewer: Sing blue silver (Wisconsin)\nI have been a fan of Chris Issak's since "Wicked Game". When I found out last week that he was going to have a best of CD, I went into every single music store intil I found it. This CD is good, not great. It has the hits: "Baby did a bad, bad thing" , "Can't do a thing to stop me", "Wicked Game", "Somebody's Crying", but it doesn't have the songs such as his cover of Neil Diamond's "Solitary Man" and "Wrong to love you" (You probably don't remember it, but it was played all of the time on VH1 when Chris made it big). What sweetens the pot is his covers of the Cheap trick classic "Want you to want me" (I am sorry but the original is better) and the Roy Orbison Music beat happy tearjerker "Only the Lonely", But still I think that this cd is good and worth the money. This is good music for BBQ-ing, Casual Summer cocktail parties, and chilling at home. But if you are really interested in getting into his music, Check out "San Francisco Days" and "The Baja Sessions". \n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nWeak spots & cheap tricks, May 10, 2006\nReviewer: Soulboogiealex (Netherlands)\nCompilations like these are always greeted with mixed emotions. Nobody could debate the necessity of a Chris Isaak overview or its legitimacy. Over the years Chris Isaak made some fine album, some even superb, so that's one reason an overview is warrented. Chris Isaak has been reasonable successful, he had some small hits and even had his own TV show, so there's another good reason for a compilation. Chris Isaak is also an artist whose songs you've heard before without actively seeking him out. His songs have been in various films such as "Eyes Wide Shut" and this disc gives those people an opportunity to get further acquainted with Chris without having to buy a whole discography. Although any fan would feel some of his or her favorites are left out on this compilation nobody can argue that al of his hits or near hits are there. So far, so good. \n\nWhat ticks me of though is the new material. Loyal fans are forced to buy this compilation for three new songs and a new version of an old fan favorite. Such a move could be forgiven if that material would be released on a separate EP, but it never is. None of the four songs are essential editions to the Chris Isaak catalog, yet as a fan you don't want to go without. It is a slick marketing trick that worked in the past, I suspect in the days of illegal downloads these sort of releases are exactly what puts fans to getting their product in that way. The four stars are due to the fact I've got a weak spot for his work. So I won't treat him too harshly for cheap tricks like this. After all Chris Isaak is one of the few these days that manage to write those dreamy songs of love or heartache and get away with it.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nPut down the Kelly Clarkson, buy this, and no one gets hurt!, May 23, 2006\nReviewer: epsteinsmutha "epsteinsmutha" (Linton, Indiana United States)\nUnless you've been in a coma since "Wicked Game" made an appearance on the Wild at Heart soundtrack, you know who Chris Isaak is. If you don't, think Ricky Nelson had he not changed his image since 1961, played a garden party and taken that "coke" sponsored New Year's flight, with a throat possessed by Roy Orbison's ghost. There ya go. Straight as I am, I'd totally hit dat. \n\nThe real reasons to go for the CD/DVD set is the price. It's cheaper to buy them at the same time. You already have most of these tracks if you're a fan, although yes, you do need the acoustic version of "Forever Blue" and the Cheap Trick cover. \n\nThe big draw is the DVD. Some of the most beautiful, if by Chris' admission, cheap in terms of production, images committed to video in the last 20 years are videos Chris did with his band Silvertone. What's really fantastic is the commentary by Chris himself. The man is nuts! If you've seen him on his shortlived Showtime TV show, you know this. If you've seen him on SoundStage ("You're looking for . . . friendliness in a pink suit!") or Austin City Limits, you know you're going laugh yourself to the point of incontinence. The only thing that would improve on an already close to perfect package is if Kenney Dale Johnson (his drummer) was doing commentary as well. \n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nTalented musician... and funny too!, May 16, 2006\nReviewer: Albert G. Smith Jr. (Daytona Beach, Fl USA)\nI'm a latecomer to the music of Chris Isaak. Sure, I saw the video for "Wicked game" and thought it was good, but I never bought any albums until about a year ago. While going through a break up, I was seeking out music to drown my sorrow, and was given the suggestion to check out Isaak. I bought one album, and after a couple of listenings, went back and bought three more. I swear, he was writing about my particular situation in several songs. For those that wish to know that they are not alone when feeling the pain of unrequited love, or if you feel that you were "done wrong" by your girl, these are your songs. Besides the subject matter, it doesn't hurt that the band can actually play, and Isaak can actually sing. In a world of manufactured "stars", it is nice to know that some musicians can actually do music. \n\nAs for the DVD part of this combo set, it is very well done. Technically, it is basic 2.0 stereo, which was a bit of a let down in a world of 5.1 surround sound, but this is not a limitation. I played the disc in 2.0 and it sounded pretty good. I then set my receiver to Dolby Pro-Logic II, and the sound got even better. It might not be true 5.1, but the music engulfed me and was very balanced from all of the speakers. In short, as I said, the rendering is not a limitation for listening enjoyment. One very unusual thing for a music DVD is the inclusion of Isaak's commentary for each song. I thought this might be some ego driven thing, but no. Chris Isaak is very funny. He has a dry, self-depreciating style of humor that is devoid of ego. The music alone is great, but the commentary is also terrific. Besides the commentary during the songs, also check out the "preamble", where Isaak very cleverly makes light of the production value. While watching very low tech pencil drawings of Isaak and his band in the studio, hear Issak's voice saying, "we were going to use film, and then hand puppets, then they gave me this pencil." And his request to the viewer about to watch the videos which span many years, "While watching the videos, see if you can see when in out career we became bitter." Funny stuff in the context of the visual. \n\nThe bottom line, this is a fine "get to know Chris Isaak" set for the uninitiated, and for fans, a chance to hear and watch the music from this talented group. You might also find, as I have, that he is also a very funny guy. \n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\n"I woulda drawn a unicorn, but I don't know how." - C. Isaak, May 9, 2006\nReviewer: Michael E. Flamm (Cincinnati, OH)\nThis is a great compilation that features many of the highlights of Chris Isaak's career. If you're just getting into his music, then this is the place to begin. If you're a long-time fan, then you'll probably already own most of these songs and be upset that some of your personal favorites didn't make the cut. Still, this set will be worth your while for the three new songs on the first disc and the second disc of hard-to-find music videos. \n\n(As of this writing, Amazon's product description only lists 17 videos on the DVD portion of this 2 disc set. There are actually 18 videos, including an unlisted video for Somebody's Crying.) \n\nHalf.com Album Notes\nIncludes 4 previously unreleased tracks.\nProducers: Erik Jacobsen; Eric Rosse; Chris Isaak; John Shanks. YEAR: 2006
This data cd contains 18 tracks and runs 62min 6sec.
Freedb: f90e8c12

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