A compilation that's almost perfect

This compilation captures the success of Grand Funk Railroad pretty well. Songwise, it doesn't put any one period of their career in front of the other, but instead, it gives us a fairly accurate taste of each of their albums. This is very convenient for the newcomers, because this Capitol Collectors CD is a perfect way to introduce the band, and to choose the albums worth buying, depending on the listener's personal preferences. If there's one thing to complain about, it's the one-sided view on the band, that this collection might give you. Most of the songs here were successful chart-busting singles of their time, and being such, they are mostly made around an accessible melodic line with loud arena-rock styled performance. To me it seems not very appropriate, because in their early years Grand Funk Railroad recorded a number of excellent groovy blues-based tracks with some impressive jamming instrumentals. I think that replacing a couple of later pop-songs with some early raw material would only have done the band justice. But that's just me.



Recommendations: for those who are looking for a convenient way to introduce themselves to Grand Funk Railroad, and for those who do not want to buy full albums (or those who are like me and don't want to buy commercial stuff, but already own all GFR's early material), but rather prefer to have all their famous songs on one CD.

Grand Fun Music!!

Okay, let's get one thing straight. Grand Funk Railroad, that bunch of garage band bashers from the idyllic berg of Flint, Michigan, should never be confused with Cream, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Traffic, etc, etc, etc. In other words, they were not Prog Rock, Punk Rock, Message Rock or any other kind of rock designed to appeal to the critics. In fact, let's say it loud and proud: GRAND FUNK RAILROAD WAS A PARTY BAND!!!!That's party, party! spelled P-A-R-T-E-E-E-E-E-EOWWWWW!!! In other words, music the critics didn't like because they don't always know how to have a good time. Really, the band should be known as GRAND FUN, because they were all about getting loose and having a good time. Which did not stop them, by the way, from performing excellent covers of message songs, like, say the Rolling Stones "Gimme Shelter" or the Animals/Ledbelly classic, "Inside Looking Out". (Both are which are represented on this excellent collection; the extended version of "Inside" is particularly fine, with first rate vocals by guitarist Mark Farner.) Most of the collection holds up very well to this day, with "Heartbreaker," "I'm Your Captain/Closer to Home" (a particular favorite of drummer Don Brewer and represented here in glorious fullness without radio edits.) and Dave Mason's much-covered "Feelin' Alright" emerging as the best cuts from the early albums, and "Loco-Motion," "Rock and Roll Soul," and "Bad Time" proving to be the best tracks from their later, more commercial albums. (Some fans may not like these commercial, obviously R-and-B-influenced tracks; these people should read a recent interview by Brewer on the Grand Funk website in which he admits that R-and-B and Motown, not blues, was the band's primary influence.) Note: If you are trying to decide whether to buy this collection or the one entitled Classic Masters, please note that each compilation has just one track that the other doesn't have, and therefore, the question comes down to this: Do you prefer "Take Me" (Classic Masters) or "Inside Looking Out" (Capitol Collectors Series)? (You will have to answer this question yourself, of course, but just let me remind you of one thing: That glorious cover of "Inside" is awfully fine!!) Farner, of course, sings most of the lead vocals, but fine drummer Brewer is also well represented here, with "Shinin' On," "Gimme Shelter," and that most wonderful party anthem "We're An American Band." Meanwhile, bassist Mel Schacher was creating the fabulous, droning bass lines on "Shelter," and late addition (but former Pack mate) Craig Frost was adding the fun and funky organ work that added extra soul to "Footstompin' Music". OUTASITE!!! So, if you want some hard-rockin tunes to liven up your next party, Grab Capitol Collectors Series today! Trust me: It puts the Fun in Grand Funk bigtime!!!

If you're a casual fan, you can't go wrong here

Grand Funk Railroad was one of the greatest classic rock bands to emerge from the late sixties, and during the seventies, they shelled out some of the greatest classic rock songs ever written - and even brought new life into a few old favorites. Over the years, there have been tons of Grand Funk compilations. How does this, the Capitol Collectors Series compilation, measure up? Read on and find out.

PROS:
-ALL OF THE BIG HITS ARE HERE. The rock anthem We're An American Band, the pop-friendly rocker Some Kind Of Wonderful, and the soulful Bad Time are all here for your listening pleasure. And, of course, I'm Your Captain/Closer to home is also on here. These cuts make the compilations ideal to casual fans.
-THERE ARE UNDERRATED MASTERPIECES, AND LOTS OF THEM. Although the band had a ton of hits, they had many other excellent songs that were never fortunate enough to earn such status. That's a shame, because these were great songs as well. And thanks to this compilation, many of them will get the recognition they deserve.
-THERE ARE PLENTY OF COVER SONGS. The Rolling Stones classic Gimme Shelter is covered here, in a version that's equally good as the original. And who could forget the cover of Little Eva's Loco-Motion? This version of the song puts the original to shame, and the original is actually very good!
-IF YOU CAN FIND IT, IT'S A GOOD VALUE. The compilation isn't too pricey, and it contains fifteen Grand Funk classics! How can you go wrong?
-THE SONG ARE THE UNCENSORED ORIGINAL VERSIONS. Even the ten-minute-plus I'm Your Captain/Closer To Home is represented here in all its uncut glory! Many compilations make the critical error of editing songs, but not this one.

CONS:
-THE COMPILATION ISN'T AS READILY AVAILABLE AS SOME OTHERS. This is a good compilation, but it's being phased out in favor of other, newer ones. Accordingly, you may be better off just getting one of those.

OVERALL:
Grand Funk is a great classic rock band, and no casual fan of theirs can go wrong by purchasing this compilation. No classic rock collection is complete without a dosage of Grand Funk, and this is one of their finest compilations out there. Don't pass it by if you want quality classic rock.