REO Speedwagon - The Essential REO Speedwagon

Good collection, poor sound mixing

The compilation is acceptable. I might have picked a slightly different combination of songs, but this is definitely a workable listing. The sound mixing is another story entirely. The person that mixed/mastered this collection managed to completely change the sound. Playing the originals against this - there is absolutely no comparison. Go back to the original mixes. July 10, 2008

The Most Complete REO Speedwagon Collection Available

THE ESSENTIAL REO SPEEDWAGON is the most complete anthology available on this great rock & roll band, proving that there was more to them than their hit ballads would indicate. Besides all the great songs the band cut for Epic, it also features the few good songs from the band's twilight years after guitarist Gary Ricrath quit in 1990. This collection was compiled with the input of singer Kevin Cronin, and thus includes the version of "Son Of A Poor Man" with his vocal, rather than that with Mike Murphy singing. Often, when the artist has a say in compiling a best-of, it can be problematic, as fan favorites are passed over in favor of songs the artist prefers, but such is not the case here. This anthology is consistent from soup to nuts, with both the obvious hits and many great album cuts. April 28, 2008

STARTED GOOD-FADED FAST

REO was a really good live band in the beginning, who backed it up with 3 excellent records in a row. Around the time "Keep On Lovin'You" hit it big on the charts, It was all over. Going for Pop hits is one thing, but really BAD pop hits is another. Watered down drivel with inane lyics was the new REO. "Can't Fight this Feeling" should be used to torture suspected terrorists!-And the lyrics? Nobody will ever mistake this for Dylan.
So a few good cuts are to be found on disc 1, the rest of it is a painful waste. Too bad- since they started off so strong October 27, 2007

Loved It

As a newcomer to REO Speedwagon this is my first cd but soon it won't be my only one. I absolutely loved every song on this double CD set. My introduction to these guys was on the Styx/REO Arch Allies colaberation and I had to go out and buy this and I absolutely love it. My favorite song is the live version of 157 Riverside Ave. All the other live songs were greatly appreciated too. I loved it from start to finish I am definetly hooked on this band. I really like how they have taken 70's rock and 50's roll to combine a very unique sound. That was very charachteristic of alot of the 70s/80s bands or "The Golden Age Of Music" as I like to call it. This truly is a great collection and I highly recommend it to anyone. September 11, 2006

DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS COMPILATION!

I received this 2CD set in the mail and was horrified at the sound quality of the so called "mastering". I have original un-mastered copies of some REO Speedwagon albums that sound BETTER than this set! I love REO to death and the track listing is good to go, but in all honesty, this compilation falls flat on its face in regards to sound quality. The band seriously needs to find a good remasterer and give the fans what they have been waiting for. I cannot recommend any previous greatest hits releases that even come close. Save your money and wait. December 14, 2005

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