LOVE

The Best Of Love (Greatest Hits)

$11.98 CD

“Simply put, Love were not only one of the most unique rock 'n' roll bands to emerge from Los Angeles in the '60s-they were one of the most unique bands in pop music history. But yes indeed, when they were at their prime-the period represented here, between 1966 and 1969-one might say most people were on the dock watching the boat sail away.”

- From liner notes by famed rock music writer Dave DiMartino

 On 22 groundbreaking tracks from the late '60s, DiMartino's thesis is indeed proved true on the single-disc compilation THE BEST OF LOVE. 

 The brainchild of visionary singer-songwriter Arthur Lee, the short-lived Love definitely cast a shadow far bigger than its time together as a band to become one of contemporary music's most unique and influential acts. They emerged out of Los Angeles' culture-shifting mid-'60s scene, and their pioneering, psychedelic folk-rock sound - featuring Lee's singular vocals and songwriting - was as immediately distinctive as their status as one of the first racially integrated acts in pop music. Lee, who died in '06, was an African American born in Memphis, TN, who had moved with his family to L.A. as a small child. 

 Love was also the first rock band signed to Elektra Records. Their genius 1967 LP Forever Changes went on to be named #40 on Rolling Stone's list of the '500 Greatest Albums Of All Time,' where the publication noted, “Love were Lee's vehicle for a pioneering folk-rock -- paranoid, punky, like the Byrds morphing into the Doors -- turned into elegant Armageddon.” Songs featured here from that album classic include “Alone Again Or,” “Andmoreagain,” “Maybe The People Would Be The Times Or Between Clark and Hilldale” and “Live And Let Live.” 

 The collection, which totals over 75 minutes of remastered music, also draws from Love's three other Elektra albums recorded from 1966-1969 - Love, Da Capo and Four Sail - plus two non-LP singles from the era. Highlights on this essential single disc retrospective also include the Billboard Top 40 single “Seven And Seven Is,” the hits “My Little Red Book” and “She Comes In Colors,” the single “Your Mind And We Belong Together,” and many other classic tracks. 

 After almost a decade away from touring (which included a stint in prison), Lee came back to performing in 2002 up until his illness and 2006 death from leukemia. In Lee's New York Times obituary, the paper noted, “A recent benefit concert for Mr. Lee's medical expenses, at the Beacon Theater in Manhattan, indicated the breadth of Love's legacy. Among those performing were Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin, Ian Hunter of Mott the Hoople and Nils Lofgren, along with younger musicians like Ryan Adams, Yo La Tengo and Alec Ounsworth of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.” 

Selection # 237628