Search - Deacon Blue :: Very Best of

Anthems and Connections

Juli Mallett | San Francisco, CA | 12/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This collection so blew me away. I liked Deacon Blue, I had a few songs I'd heard that I really adored, but there was no real context for them. They were good songs, I wanted to own them, it was really that simple. So I bought this. Such context! So many songs that are at least as good as (and frequently much better than) the songs I'd originally snagged it for.



It's the sort of album I listened to every day. It's the sort of album I found a CD player for, after moving to being an all-computer or all-iPod kind of person (it's copy-protected, but now iTunes is ripping it no problem, thankfully.) I began every morning with Dignity, and when I was on long trips (which I frequently was at the time), or seeing times of frustration and disenchantment, I'd just listen to this collection. It's easy to get lost in it.



And it became "safe" music for me. Something like home. It is the kind of music that can remind you of things you've yet to do. It's beautiful and inspiring like that. It's flowing and emotional enough to ground you, or for you to cry along with. So many songs off this I have called my favorite songs, out of all. The choruses, the bridges, hell, the shape and color of the music, are driving and beautiful and elegant and just plain perfect.



I would without hesitation choose this best of as a soundtrack of my life. You listen to Will We Be Lovers or The Day That Jackie Jumped The Jail and the texture of it just blows you away and makes you fall in love with it as more than a best of compilation from some obscure band from Glasgow with a beautiful-voiced singer which knew how to make the best use of their instruments and crescendos, but with one of the best sets of music. This, the music of the Beatles, and ACT's Laughter, Tears & Rage constitute what I'd call a gross generalization of pop/rock music of the late 1900s. That's all there is to it."

Peerless

Daniel Dennis | Brisbane, Queensland Australia | 02/23/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"May you have a friend like the one I have - he sent me a copy of this album. On a first hearing, it's superb. Like all things that deserve the label "classic", the music will get you further with subsequent listening. For those who need a musical tonic, look no further. You will quickly realise why there is such special affection and respect for this group. Here is a virtuoso band with songs of great beauty and power. The best of Deacon Blue indeed. There's none better."