Search - Average White Band :: Best Of: Pickin Up the Pieces

Pick Up These Rock and Soul Pieces On Rhino AWB Hits Set

Anthony G Pizza | FL | 12/14/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Average White Band hit in the right place, at the right time (the pre and early-disco mid-70s) with the right on the right label (Ahmet Ertegun's Atlantic Records, which understood a decade before with the Young Rascals how potent rock and soul combined could be). Rhino's generous, well-remastered "Pickin' Up The Pieces" is a first-rate, career spanning collection from one of music's tightest, funkiest bands in either genre.The album is full of rumbling bass lines courtesy of Hamish Stuart, who with drummer Steve Ferrone lays the bottom on the indescribably funky "Cut The Cake," and "School Boy Crush"(featuring stop-time horn lines only hinted at in the group's #1 hit "Pick Up The Pieces.") Alan Gorrie and Hamish Stuart's soulful harmonies recall the Isley Brothers at their smoothest, swirling around the melodies of "If I Ever Lose This Heaven," "Queen Of My Soul" and the Isleys' own "Work To Do." Then you get the Latin-flavored "Queen of My Soul" and the shimmering Quiet Storm favorite, "A Love Of Your Own" from 1976's "Soul Searching." The group acknowledged its influences directly with Ben E. King's vocals on "Give It Up" from 1977's "Benny And Us." Things quieted down for AWB as the 80s began; disco polarized the funk audience while its minimalist successors, rap and new wave, had little connection to the group's sophisticated big-band funk. (MOR Production from adult contemporary aces Bill Champlin and David Foster on a mostly unsupportive Arista label didn't help, although rap sampling of earlier hits eventually restored some of AWB's cache'.) Nonetheless, those huge early hits on its first half make "Pickin' Up The Pieces" a recommended collection from a band anything but average. It's worth picking up for 70s rock and soul fans alike, but also check out the 1974 Atlantic debut and 1977's live "Person To Person.""

Great Scot That's Funky!

El Lagarto | Sandown, NH | 11/19/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"How a group of white boys from Scotland could produce 100% pure American funk, rhythm and blues, and soul is anybody's guess. If you've heard Pick Up The Pieces and you want more, this is definitely the AWB CD to get. There are other AWB samplers out there, but this one has the best blend of tracks you must have (Work To Do, Got The Love, and of course, Pick Up The Pieces), and lesser known gems like Schoolboy Crush, Cloudy, and the stellar A Love Of Your Own which is worth the price of admission by itself. What you'll notice about AWB is their restraint, they don't play a lot of notes, they only play exactly the right amount of notes. The other thing is that whether they're playing loud or soft, slow or fast, they never, never, never lose the groove. Plus, excellent singing."

Be Careful Loaning This One Out

J. Harley | Willow Grove, Pennsylvania United States | 05/27/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I originally bought this CD a few years ago, back in '99. Loved it. I found myself yearning for the good old days again, when they actually made real music. Rarely do you find a greatest hits compilation that actually is packed full of hits. This CD does not disappoint. If the funky "School Boy Crush" doesn't bring back memories, the silky smooth "A Love of Your Own" or the straight jammin' "Queen of My Soul" will. There are so many more hits on this CD, it's a bonafide keeper. At least it was until my brother "borrowed" it (for 5 months). Every time I asked for it, he gave me another excuse about not being able to stop listening to it. Knowing how awesome this CD is, I just didn't have the heart to take it back, so I kicked out the dough for a new copy. Believe me when I say "It's worth it!" Long live '70's soul and funk!"