Product Description

This is a collection of tracks by the North London pop-rockact who enjoyed their most succesful period in the 1960s. The first disc contains 22 UK top 40 hits, including the 3 no.1 singles 'You Really Got Me', 'Tired Of Waiting For You' and 'Sunny Afternoon'. The second disc is made up of the mostpopular album tracks and b-sides from throughout their career.

Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. You Really Got Me
2. All Day And All Of The Night
3. Tired Of Waiting For You
4. Everybody's Gonna Be Happy
5. Set Me Free
6. See My Friend
7. Till The End Of The Day
8. Dedicated Follower Of Fashion
9. Sunny Afternoon
10. Dead End Street
11. Waterloo Sunset
12. Death Of A Clown
13. Autumn Almanac
14. Susannah's Still Alive
15. Wonderboy
16. Days
17. Plastic Man
18. Victoria
19. Lola
20. Apeman
21. Supersonic Rocket Ship
22. Better Things
23. Come Dancing
24. Don't Forget To Dance

Disc 2:

1. David Watts
2. Stop Your Sobbing
3. Dandy
4. Mr. Pleasant
5. I Gotta Move
6. Who'll Be Next In Line
7. I Need You
8. Where Have All The Good Times Gone
9. Sittin' On My Sofa
10. A Well Respected Man
11. I'm Not Like Everybody Else
12. Love Me Till The Sun Shines
13. She's Got Everything
14. Starstruck
15. Shangri-La
16. God's Children
17. Celluloid Heroes
18. (Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman
19. Do It Again
20. Living On A Thin Line

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1116 in Music
• Released on: 2004-09-13
• Number of discs: 2
• Format: Box set
• Running time: 141 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
How Ray Davies made it through is anyone's guess. He fought constantly with his brother and bandmate Dave. He received not a penny of royalties throughout the Kinks' late-1960s heyday, due to a management dispute. He endured two divorces--the first of which saw him hospitalised in a suspected suicide attempt--and a painful break-up with Chrissie Hynde. Under terrible stress, he announced his retirement every six months from 1967 onwards. Yet somehow he held together one of the 60s' most stylish outfits, and released a string of hits that rank among the wittiest, most provocative and most socially aware songs ever written.

The first disc of the two-CD The Ultimate Collection begins with their third single and first No. 1, the insistent "You Really Got Me", then races through the glory years with the absurdly infectious likes of "Sunny Afternoon", "Waterloo Sunset", "Lola" and "Apeman". Dave's two hits are included, too, and the disc ends with "Come Dancing" and other selections from The Kinks' early-80s comeback. Disc Two includes songs that were hits for others ("David Watts" and "Stop Your Sobbing"), various B-sides and other rarities, including "God's Children", from the soundtrack of Percy, a movie about a fellow seeking the original owner of his recently transplanted penis. The Ultimate Collection is an excellent addition to the Kinks's cannon. --Dominic Wills

Customer Reviews

A Fantastic Collection
It has been difficult for some time to buy a Kinks compilation that truely represents how good a band they were.

For me, this collection does just that. The real advantage is the second disk which I, contrary to the previous reviewer, think is the main reason for buying this cd above any of the other alternatives.

In particular, the tracks David Watts, Dandy, Mr Pleasant, Where Have all the Good Times Gone?, Well Respected Man, Starstruck and Shangri La are all fantastic songs. Shangri La in particular is an overlooked gem.

If you are speculating whether to get a Kinks cd or not, then this should really be the place to make your first stop.

Another collection filler
I bought this as after hearing Waterloo Sunset on an advert.

Like lots of the other reviewers, I knew lots of Kinks songs (Come Dancing is a particular favourite of mine), but had never bought an album.

I was slightly surprised how many of the tracks I knew and liked as I played the CD through.

To be honest, I suspect this could be a single 'Best of' CD. The second is definitely not as strong (only David Watts NEEDS adding to CD1 in my view), although many will argue that it gives a wide appreciation of The Kinks.

If, like me, you like one or two Kinks tracks, buy this and realise how many more you like than you realised.

A great value CD.

Virtually the ultimte Kinks collection
So, is this double CD the ultimate collection of the brilliant Kinks? Yes, probably - well it's certainly the best Kinks compilation on the market with the only real fault being only one track featured from their acknowledged masterpiece The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society. Not really a problem though as the Village Green should be bought separately (and guess what, a 3 CD Special Edition has also been brought out by the same canny label, Sanctuary!), and there is plenty to enjoy in the Ultimate Collection.

The Ultimate Collection contains all the band's hits plus key B-sides and album tracks from their 60s heyday right through to the early 80s. This ranges from absolute classics such as Sunny Afternoon, Waterloo Sunset and Days through to under-rated gems such as the epic Shangri-La and touching God's Children which on their own justify this compilation being two CDs rather than a hits-only single disc.

There are a few stinkers, most notably the appalling Apeman and Plastic Man, though virtually all of the other material here is worthwhile with even the latter tracks sounding OK if rather dated with their 80s gloss.

With a good accompanying essay by David Wells, the Ultimate Collection by The Kinks pretty much is what it says on the tin. An excellent compilation by one of the key 60s bands and best acts ever. Buy it - but make sure you buy the Village Green Preservation Society as well...