Single Discs: Bargain Looks at Artists of ‘60s, ‘70s

David Bowie, Al Green and the Eagles are among the artists featured in a recommended list of single-disc greatest-hits albums that you may want to check out in lieu of more costly, multi-disc boxed sets during this gift-conscious season.

As noted in last Friday’s edition of From the Vaults, the record industry has done such a good job of marketing boxed sets that it’s easy to end up paying $40 or more for collections that have a dozen or more songs that are of only marginal interest.

Where last week’s overview looked at albums by artists who rose to prominence during the ‘50s, today’s focus is on ‘60s and ‘70s artists. The albums are all less than $20, with some bargain-priced at under $10. Because of extensive CD repackaging over the years, you may find a variety of greatest-hits options for some artists. Shop carefully.

David Bowie’s “The Best of David Bowie 1969/74” and “The Best of David Bowie 1974/79” (Virgin). This pair of compilations underscores the sweeping imagination and range of Bowie’s work during his early years. While the British rock star remained a daring artist even in his most commercially calculated “Let’s Dance” period, he was at his most electric during the ‘70s, dazzling the pop-rock world not only with his music but also with his ever-shifting, ever-challenging persona. The first of these CDs contains 20 songs, ranging from such anthems as “Rebel Rebel” and “All the Young Dudes” to a gleefully good-natured remake of the Rolling Stones’ “Let’s Spend the Night Together.” The second album moves into darker, more disorienting material, including “Fame” and “Breaking Glass.” Both are excellent.

Buffalo Springfield’s “Retrospective: The Best of Buffalo Springfield” (Atco). Unlike the two Bowie albums, which were both designed for the 70-plus-minute capability of CDs, this is simply a CD reissue of the original vinyl greatest-hits album, which spent six months on the national sales charts in 1969. Even though it contains just 12 songs and runs about 40 minutes, there is something charming about the way it remains unaltered. Though the Springfield never reached its commercial potential during its brief incarnation, it was one of the finest rock bands ever, serving as the launching pad for the careers of Neil Young, Stephen Stills and Richie Furey. Contains “For What It’s Worth,” which Public Enemy reworked on the rap group’s “He Got Game” single.

Bob Dylan’s “Greatest Hits” (Columbia). Just 10 songs, but what extraordinary songs, including “Like a Rolling Stone,” “Subterranean Homesick Blues” and “Just Like a Woman.” The original vinyl version of the album entered the charts in 1967 and spent more than 90 weeks there, eventually selling more than 2 million copies. You can probably find the CD for under $10.

The Eagles’ “Their Greatest Hits/1971-1975” (Asylum). First released on vinyl in 1976, this classic package is headed toward the 30 million sales mark, a figure rivaled only by Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” in U.S. sales. Contains such signature hits as “Desperado,” “Best of My Love” and “Lyin’ Eyes.”

Al Green’s “Greatest Hits” (The Right Stuff/EMI). Despite such enormously gifted rivals as Ray Charles and Otis Redding, Green has long been my choice as the most consistently rewarding soul singer. This package includes most of the gems, including “Tired of Being Alone” and “Belle.”

Jimi Hendrix’s “Experience Hendrix: The Best of Jimi Hendrix” (MCA). This generous, 20-song package by the most influential guitarist ever in rock comes complete with a handsome booklet. Includes “Foxy Lady,” “Purple Haze” and “Star-Spangled Banner.”

Emmylou Harris’ “Profile/Best of Emmylou Harris” (Warner Bros.). Harris is the most arresting female artist ever in country music, thanks to a marvelous voice and an inspired sense for outstanding material. It’s just a reissue of an original vinyl album, so you’ll find only 12 songs here, but they are all treasures. Among the tunes: “Boulder to Birmingham,” one of the few songs she ever had a hand in writing, and Dolly Parton’s “To Daddy.”

The Impressions’ “The Greatest Hits” (MCA). A new and nicely designed collection that showcases one of the premier R&B; groups ever. Led by Curtis Mayfield, the Impressions aren’t as well known today as many of the Motown groups, but there was a depth and purpose to their socially conscious music in the ‘60s that made them the equal or better of any of them. Includes “Keep on Pushing” and “We’re a Winner.”

Janis Joplin’s “Essential Janis” (Legacy/Columbia). Joplin was one of the most captivating performers ever in rock and this is an especially tasteful summary of the “Janis” boxed set. Includes original versions of “Down on Me” and “Piece of My Heart” as well as an acoustic treatment of “Me and Bobby McGee.”

Roger Miller’s “Volume One: Country Tunesmith” and “Volume Two: King of the Road” (Mercury). Miller was one of Nashville’s most gifted songwriters, someone whose inspired word play and gift for melody made him as big a pop star as a country star. The division between his country side (Volume 1) and pop side (Volume 2) is rather arbitrary in places, with the first disc containing such relatively mainstream ballads as “The Last Word in Lonesome Is Me” and “Invitation to the Blues,” while the second offers the decidedly country “Dang Me” and “My Uncle Used to Love Me but She Died.” Still, it’s marvelous music.

The Rolling Stones’ “Big Hits (High Tide and Green Grass)” and “Through the Past Darkly (Big Hits Vol. 2)” (ABKCO). There is a tendency among alt-rock bands today to think of greatest-hits albums as simply product, a way for record companies to squeeze extra money out of the consumers. But greatest-hits packages were prized in rock’s early decades because they were such great values. “Big Hits” was one of the most exciting rock collections ever, featuring “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” “Get Off My Cloud” and “19th Nervous Breakdown.” But Volume 2 was even better, starting with “Honky Tonk Women,” “Street Fighting Man” and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.”