Search - Cat Power :: The Greatest

The Greatest
Cat Power
The Greatest
Genres: Alternative Rock, Folk, Pop, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (12) - Disc #1

This is not a greatest hits album, despite the title. It contains all-original songs written by Chan Marshal (professionally known as Cat Power), and features the great Memphis session musicians Teenie Hodges on guitar, Le...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Cat Power
Title: The Greatest
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: Matador Records
Release Date: 9/12/2006
Genres: Alternative Rock, Folk, Pop, Rock
Styles: Singer-Songwriters, Indie & Lo-Fi, Singer-Songwriters, Vocal Pop
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
Other Editions: The Greatest
UPCs: 744861074328, 0744861062660, 0744861074366

Synopsis

Album Description
This is not a greatest hits album, despite the title. It contains all-original songs written by Chan Marshal (professionally known as Cat Power), and features the great Memphis session musicians Teenie Hodges on guitar, Leroy Hodges on bass (Al Green, Hi Rhythm Section), drummer Steve Potts, and more. The combination of Marshall's superbly evocative and flexible voice plus some of the greatest Southern soul players, has produced a masterpiece. These songs explore themes of Southern loss, longing, and marginality. The limited first digipak pressing and regular single vinyl contain a bonus track. After the first pressing sells out, the regular jewelcase version will not contain a bonus track.

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CD Reviews

Cat Power Goes Memphis with "The Greatest" (4.5 stars)
Juan Mobili | Valley Cottage, NY USA | 02/27/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)

"Cat Power's output will never be accused of being very emotive or lyrically overwrought, yet her latest album goes beyond the austere boundaries of prior releases. This is not to say that Marshall has gone over the edge in any way, yet in The Greatest her voice seems to reach for new tender corners and there's a certain compassion for her songs' characters in this album which- at least to me-have never been this apparent in the past.



This is the case with the title song and opener, a moving piece about a boxer, which already showcases some key musical choices that give The Greatest its particular feel. Whether it's the subtle guitar work, the way the strings and piano unfold its melody, or the drums-which I don't recall being present as often or featured as they are throughout these tracks-ease you into a different kind of Cat Power album.



A similar feel to the opener returns in "Living In Bars," "Where Is My Love" and "Willie," yet not all songs comply to this formula, by the way, songs like Living Proof," "Could We," "After It All" or "Islands" are-in their own ways and by Cat Power' standards-more accessible, more willing to reach out than past material.



Still, this is a Cat Power album, "The Moon"-one of my favorite songs-as well as "Empty Shell" or "Hate," each in its own way, proved this and may remind you of prior albums.



So, enjoy and be moved by a special singer and interesting songwriter who's still willing to explore the music outside her usual world, and had the shy observer she's always been, step out into new moods."
Never heard of Cat Power before this one ....
desmond | Los Angeles, CA United States | 09/09/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)

"... So the other reviews here, necessarily, have me baffled.



I just found out about Cat Power via this CD. So my impression as a first-timer, completely ignorant of her previous works:



Wonderful.



Of course, I grew up in the South, hearing Janis Joplin, Dylan, Van Morrison, and other "blues/gospel-inflected" music (even if these artists are mostly "before my time," and not necessarily from my area).



So I, personally, was thrilled to find this album. And I can honestly say -- in a "scene" where I am constantly bombared with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Killers, etc. -- Cat Power is the only musician that has had me personally excited in a few years.



So take it for what it's worth. I guess my next step will be to check out Chan's other albums.



But those other albums don't matter to me, at the moment.



I give this a very happy and enthusiastic 5 Stars."
Mature, Sultry Approach Wins Me Over
M. JEFFREY MCMAHON | Torrance, CA USA | 02/27/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Greatest by Cat Power is a great place to get introduced to this original songwriter. Slowed down, acoustic, dreamily textured, these songs reflect the maturity of a songwriter at the top of her powers. Those who warm up to these slower acoustic songs will probably want to check out kindred spirits in the bands Beaumont, The Big Phony, The Clientele, Club 8, The Concretes, Hope Sandoval, Le Mans, The Monglfier Brothers, Ronderlin, and Simpatico."