Search - Don Henley :: The Very Best of Don Henley (CD+DVD)

Why put the rare audio tracks on a DVD? D'oh!

GroundChuck | 06/24/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

"The music on this album is excellent. No question there. However, the "deluxe" edition of this album is a joke, pure and simple.



The track lineup of the first disc is almost identical to 1995's Actual Miles: Don Henley's Greatest Hits (just take two of the three then-new tracks from that CD, add three tracks from Henley's 2000 Inside Job album). The additional tracks on disc 2, however, aren't quite as easy to find. At first, this 2-disc set looks like the only way (however pricey) to get 1992's excellent "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat," besides the otherwise unremarkable (and out-of-print) soundtrack to Leap of Faith.



Trouble is, disc 2 is a DVD, meaning it isn't as simple as simply extracting the four tracks to your iPod, or even just popping the CD into a car stereo. Five dollars extra for four songs that aren't usable is a ripoff. Unless you're dying to have the incomplete selection of six music videos, save the money and get either the regular version of this album, or Actual Miles, since they're practically the same."

The Innocence Mixed

Michael Kerner | Brooklyn, New York U.S.A. | 06/28/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"There is no question that when it has came down greatest hits records, there always has been something missing. From overlooked tracks and lack of hits, to the feeling of more songs to please the audience. That has honestly has been the case with so many hits collections from Whitney Houston's 2000 The Greatest Hits, to Luther Vandross's 2006 Ultimate Luther Vandross. That also has been with the heart of the matter for Don Henley. After his well-acclaimed career with The Eagles had fizzled out in the 80's, his solo career had made Don's music go to new heights, with his acclaimed solo records from Building The Perfect Beast, to his 1989 landmark album The End Of The Innocence. Now, a second hits record is out that tries to reintroduce Don, to a whole new era of fans.



The Very Best Of Don Henley (Deluxe Edition) feels like it is honestly more like a mixed bag of tricks that doesn't stand out to be as definitive as either the single disc edition, or his 1995 hits album Actual Miles. The double disc collection tries to draw in more for hard core Don Henley fans, but that misses the mark. While the first disc does well at bringing in his biggest hits like Sunset Grill, Heart Of The Matter, and the somber The Last Worthless Evening, it honestly is his the DVD disc that draws to be a bit of a dissapointment. While it does showcase Don's biggest videos like The Boys Of Summer, and The End Of The Innocence, it brings in a few of his soundtrack works like Through Your Hands from the John Travolta film Michael, only for DVD listening, but not on the C.D. part of the extended version. The second problem is that the album doesn't completely seperate itself from Actual Miles. In fact, the first 10 tracks are in the same order as was Actual Miles, but could've added in some of his duets he had over the years like his duet with Stevie Nicks on Leather & Lace, or Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough with Patty Smyth Of Scandal.



All in all, I was honestly a bit more unhappy with the deluxe edition of The Very Best Of Don Henley. It could've had more for both hard core fans of Don's, and misses out on reintroducing his music to a whole new generation of fans. Instead, I really recommend either the standard version, or getting Actual Miles instead if you don't have anything of Don Henley's in your music library, and tell this version of the collection that it isn't completely the trip down the sunset grill.



Album Cover: B



Songs: C+



Price: C-



DVD: C



Remastering: B-



Overall: C 1/2-"

Delux Edition, For Who???the Record Comapny to Pocket $$$

Michael J. Sippie | Costa Mesa, CA | 07/25/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I am sure my review will be somewhat echo others. But I wanted to give my two cents.



First off, couldn't the record company put a little thought into disc 1. why replicate the 1st GH's - the inside Job tracks and - the 2 new songs. I am sure there are a few more worth while tracks from Can't Stand Stil. Also why put all ballads from IJ, Working It was the 1st single. As far as the the so called 'rare' tracks, those also would've fit in nicely on the 1st disc. Why not use your imagination, put some Live' tracks or Live footage on the DVD. Give the Fans a reason to purchase a GH's, Atleast you enjoy watching the live footage more than music videos. Geffin could've even put the soundtrack songs with the 2 new tracks from previous greatist hits and add some unissued tracks or a new song for this CD. Make it a bonus CD, so we can litsten to it. And use the DVD as mentioned. I guess the record company is a cash cow, and feels DH fans want to buy a GH's Twice, below is my idea for the GH's that should've been, feel free to comment. Maybe we will get a new CD down the road from Don. -Mike Sippie



*DISC 1.

-Can't Stand Still

-Dirty Laundry

-Talking To The Moon

-You Better Hang Up

-Boys Of Summer

-Not Enough Love In The World

-All She Wants To Do Is Dance

-Sunset Grill

-Who Owns This Place

-End Of The Innocence

-I Will Not Go Quietly

-New York Minute

-Heart Of The Matter

-Last Worthless Evening

-How Bad Do You Want It

-Sit Down Your Rocken The Boat

-Everybody Knows

-Working It

-My Thanksgiving

-Goodbye To A River

DISC 2. (Bonus CD)

-Garden Of Allah

-You Don't Know Me

-Unissued Songs or newly recorded for this project

Bonus DVD

*Inside Job Concert DVD or "Live" Footage from (1982-2000).





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