Though his audience isn't as big as it used to be, George Thorogood has, at the very least, attained minor-legend status. After all, was there anyone who saw Terminator 2 and didn't recognize "Bad to the Bone" from the ver... more »y opening riff? Thorogood is the punk-rock god of the blues, thrashing out Chicago riffs with confidence, even though he's never been technically brilliant--his interpretation of "The Sky Is Crying," included on Anthology, is pedestrian at best. But Thorogood has always made up for in enthusiasm and energy anything he might have lacked in technique. It's likely that more people have heard his versions of "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer," "Reelin' and Rockin'," "Who Do You Love?," and "If You Don't Start Drinkin' (I'm Gonna Leave)" than the originals. Purists will never be impressed by Thorogood, but in many ways, it's guys like him who are the best ambassadors for the blues: they're accessible, they love this music, and a good time is always guaranteed. --Genevieve Williams« less
Though his audience isn't as big as it used to be, George Thorogood has, at the very least, attained minor-legend status. After all, was there anyone who saw Terminator 2 and didn't recognize "Bad to the Bone" from the very opening riff? Thorogood is the punk-rock god of the blues, thrashing out Chicago riffs with confidence, even though he's never been technically brilliant--his interpretation of "The Sky Is Crying," included on Anthology, is pedestrian at best. But Thorogood has always made up for in enthusiasm and energy anything he might have lacked in technique. It's likely that more people have heard his versions of "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer," "Reelin' and Rockin'," "Who Do You Love?," and "If You Don't Start Drinkin' (I'm Gonna Leave)" than the originals. Purists will never be impressed by Thorogood, but in many ways, it's guys like him who are the best ambassadors for the blues: they're accessible, they love this music, and a good time is always guaranteed. --Genevieve Williams
"No one is ever going to accuse George Thorogood of being an innovative blues/rock artist, but his music can at least boil water. And if you're looking for a terrific party album, you can't go wrong with this chronologically sequenced 30-track career retrospective which begins with his 1978 debut on Rounder through last year's Half a Boy/Half a Man.For more than thirty years Thorogood has recorded such memorable songs as "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer," "Move It On Over," "Who Do You Love" and his signature song, the self-penned "Bad to the Bone." While none of these were ever Top 40 hits, they get frequent FM radio play. Thorogood's raunchy slide guitar playing is filtered through influences like Houndog Taylor, Elmore James and Muddy Waters and his band plays with a raw energy that reminds the listener of how much fun rock 'n' roll can (and should) be. This is probably all the Thorogood the average fan will need. But if you like basic rock 'n' roll with plenty of Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley licks, this album will not disappoint. RECOMMENDED"
Buy this one even if you have all the songs!
Steve Vrana | 10/23/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have been a thorogood fan for over 20 years and own everything he has ever released. I got this one from amazon.com two days ago and it is just fantastic! What really grabbed me from the opening lick of "Madison Blues" was the sound quality. They really cleaned up these recordings while managing to keep all of the raw power and energy of the band. The "Baddest" CD failed miserably in this regard. Adding electronic triggers to Jeff's drums does *not* make the songs sound better which is what made "baddest" kind of a disappointment. anthology does not do this. The sound is raw yet clean and crisp. You can hear george's guitar so clearly it's almost like the band is in your house. The only slight thing I can pick on is the selection of one of the tracks. How "I'm wanted" was included from "Bad to the bone" and "No Particular Place to go" was omitted is beyond me. Other than that the song selection is just unbelievable. I think the reviewer from Virginia is missing the point about George. No, george is not a blues man and he would be the first one to tell you that. He has a deep respect for all of the people that this guy mentioned which is why he covers their songs. George takes blues classics and puts his own rock & Roll spin on them. I highly recommend that everyone pick up CDs from the original artists because they shaped the music we hear today, but knocking george because he is not one of them is not a fair criticism. He plays every song with a fire and passion that is all his own and his band is one of the tightest in the business. all of that comes busting out of this two-CD set. You get 30 smokin' tracks for $20. It is well worth the price even if you do have to pay to get your stereo repaired after breaking the volume knob while trying to crank George up even more! Buy it! You'll love it!"
The Man knows how to Rock!
J. Carroll | Island Heights,NJ | 03/27/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Let's get down to the basics...George Thorogood and The Destroyers is one hard rockin' band. The music is not sophisticated. (compare George's "The Sky is Crying" to SRV) He is not a great singer. (listen to the struggle to hold a note in "Born To Be Bad")and you know what? It just doesn't matter!This is about stripped down to the basics rock and roll. There is nothing here that won't get your heart beating quicker and put you in a revved up mood. Taking songs from throughout his career, from the epic version of John Lee Hooker's "One Bourbon,One Scotch,One Beer" to the classic "Bad to the Bone" and including later cuts like "Get A Haircut" Anthology is the goods. A greatest hits collection that does the job."
George is the best!
Christopher Lincoln | 11/03/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've been waiting for Goerge and the Destroyers to come out with somthing like this. I've been a fan for 18 years and have seen George in concert 7 times. He is awesome! I know every song he has ever recorded. I could care less what critics say and have ever said about George Thorogood. He is one of a kind. No one is like him."
Does it get any better than this?
Christopher Lincoln | Corydon, Indiana USA | 08/30/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Rock On! This collection of the best of the Destroyers is excellent all around. The song choices are a slap in the face of every critic that ever bashed Thorogood for putting out the same record year after year. Many different styles and influences are represented here. The chronological order easily shows how he has only gotten better and better as the years have rolled on. Each song has been digitally remastered, and the sound is terrific. These songs have never sounded better. And the one previously unreleased track, "Christine," ranks among GT's greatest ever. If you're a fan, buy it. If you aren't a fan, buy it and you will be."