Garth Brooks Album: “Ultimate Hits”

My apologies for the length. Lots to say about my favorite artist in what probably will be my only review of any of his material (at least for a while).

His only greatest hits compilation was "The Hits" from 1994.

Since then, he has reached the 100 million units mark in the United States (the second of four acts to be certified at that mark and one of two solo artists, the other, of course, being Elvis Presley). He has toured the world and performed in sold-out venues in over 20 countries. He has broken more records than can be compiled in one list. Now, finally, he has released a compilation that covers his entire career - to date, that is. What a collection it is.

For anyone who has forgotten why he remains one of the most popular artists in U.S. music history, one listen through the two-disc CD set should serve as a good reminder. There are no weak tracks (not that there would be in a greatest-hits collection), including the new material. His current single, "More Than a Memory," is included along with three additional songs, all of which stand up well against songs that have had 15 years to mature. While the current single is very good, perhaps my favorite of the new material is the bonus track, "Leave a Light On." Simple arrangement, dead-on vocals...Ultimate Garth.

In case that was not enough, Garth throws in a companion DVD. Think of it as the video version of the compilation, as every track from the CD version is presented in video - whether it is the original music video of the track or a special television performance. Recall that Garth did not produce original music videos for all of his singles - oftentimes, his production team would release a concert performance or concert montage to serve as a music video for country music television. Regardless, every single track has an accompanying video, which I found truly amazing. There is a little duplication of effort here, though - you will find some of these same videos available in the second "Limited Series" box set as well as in the original video compilations from some 15 years ago. You do, however, get brand new material, which I thought was really cool. No "recording room" videos, either, with the new material - these are real music videos. Don't miss the video for "Midnight Sun" - it is a riot.

If you have not seen it yet, catch the current video for "More Than a Memory" circulating on country music television. Amazing. Simple. Direct. Dark. Emotional. The video matches the song brilliantly, and adds that "third dimension" that Garth always likes to put into his videos.

All for about $12? You can't beat it.

One other thing. In one of my Listmania lists, I talk about full-length albums. To paraphrase, a good full-length album, to me, has a life of its own and is very much more than the sum of its parts. You listen to it from front to back and hear something on top of the individual tracks - be it a story, a theme, or some other thread that holds the songs together. These two CDs are just that. The tracks are not presented in chronological order, as many would do. The tracks are very specifically ordered, and makes for a front-to-back listen that is amazing. Do me a favor - when you listen to it, do not pop it in the CD drive and hit "shuffle." Instead, listen to it as it was intended - from track 1 to track 34 (or 36, depending on how you count). You'll love the collection even more.

There is enough new stuff to make this a "must own" for Garth fans, no question. For people who do not own any Garth material in their collections: start here. There is a lot of other stuff that you are missing, to be sure...but this should get you hooked! :-)

Five stars...no question...not just for the content, but additionally for the value. Thanks, Garth.

Of course Garth has had other hits packages but this one takes the cake, mostly due to the DVD with all his music videos, 33 of them. And at only $13, this is a very generous set. You are getting a lot of music including 4 new songs and his biggest hit yet, More than a Memory included. I'm sure he's going to sell millions of this ultimate set

Because Garth Brooks has so many hits, it had to be quite the feat, but they did an excellent job of putting this collection together. The set contains a vast collection of his work. The DVD video collection could have been marketed as a stand alone and is worth the price of the set itself.

Since I don't have any of Garth's past albums, I really wish "Somewhere Other Than the Night" and "Not Counting You" were included in the collection, but it includes Shameless, The Dance, Rodeo, What She's Doing Now, Friends In Low Places, Papa Loved Mama, If Tomorrow Never Comes, To Make You Feel My Love, We Shall Be Free, Two Pina Coladas, The Thunder Rolls, Much Too Young, Unanswered Prayers, and many others along with 3 new tracks (More Than A Memory, Midnight Sun and Workin' For A Livin') for a total of 33 tracks.

For someone who buys a lot of albums but not generally hit collections, it was a stretch for me to buy this. I'm glad I did because I feel as if I've won the jackpot.

Garth Brooks is also another Icon in country music just like George Strait but in his own right of course. Any fan of country music should add this to their collection. Garth mixes in a little old in with a little new and it turned out to be a surperb recipe. Some of my favorite songs on here are Friends in Low Places, Callin Baton Rouge, The Dance, Good Ride Cowboy, If Tomorrow Never Comes, Rodeo, & Shameless. More than a Memory is another great song to hear if yall havent already that Garth has came out with recently. That song showed that Garth can still kick butt even with a 3-5 year absence. I really enjoyed this collection of songs. Most of his greatest hits are on here. The new remake of Workin for a Livin is also on here as well with Huey Lewis. Great collection of Garth songs. A true Masterpiece. You even get a 3rd cd which some of Garth's music videos are on so that defiantly added more to the cd's. Once again, a Masterpiece.

I highly recommend on getting this, for any country music fan. Great collection.

I really love this album. I'm a huge Garth fan and have all of his cds. This cd reviews some of those songs plus some new ones which I really like too. This is typical Garth Brooks.