Search - Bob Welch :: Best of Bob Welch (Mcup)

A Compelling Solo Summation

J. Collins | 12/16/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Leave it to Rhino Records to produce a "Best Of" that actually tries to cover all the bases, AND provides accurate annotation/liner notes. Though Welch hit the million-selling mark with his album "French Kiss" and produced a handful of Top 40 singles, his career as a successful solo artist was short-lived. The Fleetwood Mac association (including the terrific Lindsey Buckingham arrangement of "Sentimental Lady" and a small assortment of vocal guest spots from the Big Mac) didn't "define" Welch's solo catalog, though it did give him a big push in the music market. The tracks in this Rhino collection span '76 through '91, and give a well-rounded look at Welch as a composer, performer, and Pop "presence."Welch's first music foray in the post F.M. years was Paris, a power/metal trio that included bassist Glenn Cornick from Jethro Tull, and Hunt (son of Soupy) Sales who went on to join David Bowie's Tin Machine. Though Paris was treading familiar (and somewhat trendy) musical ground at the time, their first (self-titled) album was a murky mess that produced no hits. The followup, "Big Towne 2061" was a measurable improvement, both musically and lyrically, but the album didn't click with listeners. Paris disbanded, but Welch (still under contract to Capitol Records) perservered as a solo artist.This "Best of" includes four of Paris' better offerings as a prologue to Welch's solo material. Stylistically, the Paris cuts pale next to Welch's rock-solid solo tunes, but their inclusion is nonetheless welcome as neither "Paris" or "Big Towne 2061" ever made it to official CD re-releases. Welch's "essential" hits (tracks 5-9) appear on a Curb Records "Greatest Hits" as well, but this CD includes an appropriate selection of 'near misses' ("Rebel Rouser," "Future Games") and significant album tracks. While not a definitive career retrospective (no Welch compositions from the original F.M. albums and zero cuts from his two RCA Records solo offerings), this "Best Of" is an excellent sampler likely to satisfy longtime fans as well as new listeners. Music lovers in the latter category would do well to purchase one or both of the Demon Records "2fer" discs that are available as import selections here at Amazon. The discs that combine "French Kiss" with "Three Hearts," and also "The Other One"/"Man Overboard" will give fans new and old the very best of Welch's solo output, and keep his hits in their proper context.-Stoned Soul"

Pleasantly Surprised!

musicfanatic | 04/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I must admit, I got this CD, mainly for the songs "Sentimental Lady", "Ebony Eyes" and "Precious Love". I discovered that there is so much more to Bob Welch that those three songs, I was pleasantly impressed with all of the songs! Bob Welch has so many different styles and he is very versatile. Just my opinion, but I think he sounds just a bit like Glenn Frey, of The Eagles. Anyway, I would recommend this CD to any serious music lover, it is impressive."

Didn't Get the Credit he Deserved

Tony James | Canadarocks | 12/14/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Bobs rendition of "Sentimental Lady" is a treat. Not the "Big Mac" version. Before Bob joined Fleetwood Mac they were previously a blues band desended from John Mayhalls Bluebreakers. There was more commercial sucess when Nicks and Buckingham joined Mac, but it was Bob Welch that had the band going that way to start with albums such as "Penquin" and "Bare Trees". Besides other good tunes such as "Ebony Eyes" and "Precious Love" I was amazed to see the song "Church" included. As far as I know it wasn't a big single but a message for a girl who has someone to believe in other than the obvious. Buy this album. There isn't a bad track on it. The album would have received five stars if the song " Little Star" had been included. Other than that, buy the CD, relish at the lyrics, vocals and music and have yourself a Bob Welch good time."