All the greatest tracks from the 1970s
Pieter | Johannesburg | 10/26/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a thorough compilation of Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel's 1970s output. They were an art rock band with a distinctive, accessible sound, somewhat influenced by contemporaries like Roxy Music and David Bowie. The album includes all their hits and popular album tracks from the 1970s like Make Me Smile, Judy Teen, Here Comes The Sun, Love's A Prima Donna, Freedom's Prisoner, Mr Raffles, Roll The Dice, Psychomodo, Mr Soft, White White Dove and Sebastian. Judy Teen and Make Me Smile are brilliant pop-rock tunes, Sebastian is an impressive piece of proto-Goth and Tumbling Down is a delightful operatic excursion. The other compilation, Best Of 70s, contains more of Harley's solo work plus a lot of these classics. The songs on The Cream Of have stood the test of time very well, because they are tuneful and melodic and the lyrics are special and memorable. Cockney Rebel's unique sound added much to the UK charts in the 1970s. The songs will live on and on.
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Rising to the Top
Mark Jordan | Gambier, Ohio, USA | 09/21/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Steve Harley was his own worst enemy when it came to public relations, and it ruined his growing career. But time and posterity shuffles the music of the past-- when it all works right, the cream rises to the top and the rest falls away. It looks like this is finally happening with Steve Harley's music-- his imaginative, catchy, and quirky songs have slowly but inexorably been climbing their way into classic status. And that's where several of the songs on this import hits collection should be. Any fan of 1970's glam rock will want to hear Harley & Cockney Rebel's passionate contributions to the style. By comparison, Harley has the cleverness and ingenuity of David Bowie but with more heart, some of the manic flair of Roxy Music but with more warmth, and the popular touch of Brian Eno with greater directness. I recommend this disc enthusiastically."
Inexpensive Intro to a Great Band
ProEvil | MA | 04/11/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Fans of Roxy Music, Sparks, Mott the Hoople and Roy Wood take note. I usually don't approve of 'hits' compilations, but in this case it's justified. The original albums are only available in the u.s. as pricey imports."
Track Listings (16) - Disc #1