One does not tend to think of Stevens as a singer who would have a "greatest hits" LP, but when one takes a closer look, the man has run up an impressive string of "AM hit records" over the past five years and the title of the LP is a deserved one. Mix of the ballads and easy rockers he has always handled so well, with the distinctive Stevens voice and phrasing. Packaging is excellent, listing the LP each cut was culled from and the date of release.

Original album advertising art. Click image for larger view.

Also, as kind of a fun bonus, Stevens has included his newest single. "Two Fine People," on his greatest hits. Anticipation, maybe, but done in good humor. Like most greatest packs, the set also serves as a good history of the artist and good introduction for new fans. Best cuts: "Wild World," "Moonshadow," "Two Fine People," "Peace Train," "Morning Has Broken," "Another Saturday Night."

- Billboard, 1975.

Bonus Reviews!

Stevens has more spunk and verve than any other singer-songwriter I dislike. He's unpretentious yet harmonically idiosynchratic, with nice dissonances and a rocking chunka beat. He can be charming about things that really are nice, like dawn, and a few of the many songs he has written about his own confusion have a winning jenne-sais-quoi. Unfortunately for such a confused person, though, most things aren't really nice, and when "the world as it is" isn't driving him to tears ("Peace Train") he often lies about it. B-

- Robert Christgau, Christgau's Record Guide, 1981.

This is the most popular best-of collection. It has his biggest hits and a couple of important album tracks. The CD version is just a straight reissue of the original LP release, therefore utilizing only about half of the time available on disc. * * * *

- Rick Clark, The All-Music Guide to Rock, 1995.

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