The gift of music: Our critics recommend box-set and greatest-hits

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Dec 19, 2003

DIGITAL UNDERGROUND; "Playwutchyalike: the Best of . . . " (Tommy Boy/Rhino) ** 1/2

There wasn't anyone in the early 1990s who didn't know "The Humpty Dance." Led by the beaky Shock G., born Gregory E. Jacobs, the group introduced new listeners to the hip-hop, funk philosophy of George Clinton and Bootsy Collins. With "No Nose Job," "Kiss You Back" and a remix of "Underwater Rimes," this CD has all the hits. "Same Song," "Freaks of the Industry" and "Packet Man" are remastered to shimmering glory. -- S.I.

DILLINGER; "Ultimate Collection" (Hip-O/Island) ** 1/2

While none of Dillinger's singles made it to Billboard's Top 200, the performer -- born Lester Bullock in 1953 in Jamaica -- gained a hard-core following thanks to the reggae boom of the mid-1970s. His underground dancehall-style chatting caught the ear of those who wanted something a little less polished than Bob Marley. This CD features the rolling tongue of "Ragnampiza"; the extended, scratchy version of "Jah Show Them the Way"; the Dillinger/Trinity duet "So Long Rastafari" and the rough recording of the Dillinger/Satta duet "I Saw E Saw." This compilation also features the two shock anthems "Cokane in My Brain" and "Marijuana in My Brain." -- S.I.

DIO; "Stand Up and Shout: the Anthology" (Warner Bros./Rhino) ***

When former Elf singer Ronnie James Dio left Rainbow and replaced Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath, he brought a new, mystical style to that band. When he made his exit from the Sabs, Dio decided to continue his mystical imagery in his own self-named band. This two- CD greatest-hits package features some of Dio's strongest work. From the bluesy Elf days ("Hoochie Koochie Lady," "I'm Coming Back for You" and "Carolina County Ball") to his days in Rainbow ("Man on the Silver Mountain," "Starstruck" and "Long Live Rock 'n' Roll") to his days in Sabbath ("Neon Nights," "Children of the Sea" and "Heaven and Hell"), the first disc shows Dio coming into his own. The second disc reveals a confident Dio fronting his own band. "Stand Up and Shout," "Holy Diver," "Rainbow in the Dark" and "The Last in Line" are the cream of the crop. -- S.I.

THE DOORS; "Legacy: the Absolute Best" (Elektra/Rhino) *** 1/2

With two box sets and numerous greatest-hits discs on the market, the members of the Doors have found more success than in their heyday. The two CDs here contain all the hits, including "Light My Fire," "Touch Me," "People Are Strange," "Hello, I Love You" and "L.A. Woman." Doors epics, such as "The End," "When the Music's Over" and "The Unknown Soldier," are also featured. There's no "Soft Parade," but this hits collection includes a previously unreleased studio version of Morrison's theatrical poem, "Celebration of the Lizard." -- S.I.

EAGLES; "The Very Best of . . . " (Warner Music Group) *** 1/2

This Eagles package contains two CDs and a DVD. The DVD features a mini-documentary about the band's current Farewell tour, the video for the new single "Whole in the World" and another documentary about the making of the video. The CDs feature everything from "Take It Easy" to the audio version of "Hole in the World." Cowboy ballads "Doolin-Daltin" and "Desperado" are teamed with the restless "Ol' 55," "Midnight Flyer" and "Those Shoes." "Hotel California," "Life in the Fast Lane," "The Long Run" and "I Can't Tell You Why" are here, with the live version of "Seven Bridges Road." But there's no "Try and Love Again." -- S.I.