The Greatest

( 7 )

Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - David Sprague
While it's not a best-of set -- or even a concept album about the life of Muhammad Ali (who does get name-checked on the title track, a boxing tale) -- this disc actually lives up to its title, given that it's easily the most powerful outing to date from the enigmatic Chan Marshall. Recorded in Memphis, The Greatest could be described, in shorthand, as Cat Power's soul album, but that's only part of the story. Employing Al Green's stalwart rhythm section -- and a passel of the town's better horn players -- adds a burnished, Hi Records feel to soul struts like the misty "Lived in Bars," but that's only one of the ways Marshall dips into the essential Memphis zeitgeist. ...
See more details below
This Vinyl LP is Not Available through BN.com
See All Options

More About This Product

Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - David Sprague
While it's not a best-of set -- or even a concept album about the life of Muhammad Ali (who does get name-checked on the title track, a boxing tale) -- this disc actually lives up to its title, given that it's easily the most powerful outing to date from the enigmatic Chan Marshall. Recorded in Memphis, The Greatest could be described, in shorthand, as Cat Power's soul album, but that's only part of the story. Employing Al Green's stalwart rhythm section -- and a passel of the town's better horn players -- adds a burnished, Hi Records feel to soul struts like the misty "Lived in Bars," but that's only one of the ways Marshall dips into the essential Memphis zeitgeist. Sounding far more assured than usual, she forays into the blues on the austere (and aptly titled) strummer "Hate" and even allows herself a moment of basking in the sunshine -- during "Love and Communication," an organ-tinged ditty that could've appeared on a lost Box Tops album. Marshall doesn't always manage to muster up the sort of swing that would truly drive these songs out of the park, but that's not a major hitch. In fact, it only underscores the vulnerability that keeps her devotees coming back for more.
All Music Guide - Heather Phares
The Greatest (no, it's not a hits collection) makes it clear just how much Chan Marshall grows with each album she releases. Three years on from You Are Free, she sounds reinvented yet again: Marshall returned to Memphis, TN -- where she recorded What Would the Community Think nearly a decade earlier -- to make an homage to the Southern soul and pop she listened to as a young girl. Working with great Memphis soul musicians such as Mabon "Teenie" Hodges, Leroy "Flick" Hodges, and Dave Smith, she crafted an album that is even more focused and accessible than You Are Free was, and pushes her even closer toward straightforward singer/songwriter territory. The title track is a subtle but powerful statement of purpose: with its lush, "Moon River" strings and lyrics about a young boy who wanted to become a boxer, the song is as moving as her earlier work but also a big step away from the angst-ridden diary-rock that her music is sometimes categorized as. Likewise, on the gospel-tinged "Living Proof" and the charming "Could We," Marshall is sexy, strong, and playful, and far from the stereotype of her as a frail, howling waif. But the truth is, sweet Southern songs like these have been in her repertoire since What Would the Community Think's "They Tell Me" and "Taking People" (You Are Free's "Good Woman" and "Half of You" are also touchstones for this album); The Greatest is just a more polished, palatable version of this side of her music. This is the most listenable Cat Power album Marshall has made, and one that could easily win her lots of new fans. It's also far from a sell-out -- The Greatest sounds like the album Marshall wanted to make, without any specific (or larger) audience in mind. And yet, the very things about The Greatest that make it appealing to a larger audience also make it less singular and sublime than, say, Moon Pix or You Are Free. The productions and arrangements on songs like "Lived in Bars" and "Empty Shell" are so immaculate and intricate that they threaten to overwhelm Marshall's gorgeous voice. And, occasionally, the album's warm, soulful, laid-back vibe goes from mellow to sleepy, particularly on "Willie" and "The Moon." Two of The Greatest's best songs show that she doesn't need to be edgy and tortured or gussied up with elaborate productions to sound amazing: "Where Is My Love" reaffirms that all Marshall needs is a piano and that voice to make absolutely spellbinding music. On the other hand, "Love & Communication"'s modern, complicated take on love gains a quiet intensity with judiciously used strings and keyboards. For what it is, The Greatest is exceedingly well done, and people who have never heard of Cat Power before could very well love this album immediately. However, it might take a little more work for those who have loved her music from the beginning.
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • Release Date: 1/24/2006
  • Label: Matador Records
  • UPC: 744861062615
  • Catalog Number: 626

Tracks

Disc 1
  1. 1 The Greatest (3:22)
  2. 2 Living Proof (3:11)
  3. 3 Lived in Bars (3:44)
  4. 4 Could We (2:21)
  5. 5 Empty Shell (3:04)
  6. 6 Willie (5:57)
  7. 7 Where Is My Love (2:53)
  8. 8 The Moon (3:45)
  9. 9 Islands (1:44)
  10. 10 After It All (3:31)
  11. 11 Hate (3:38)
  12. 12 Love & Communication (4:34)
  13. 13 [Untitled Track] (2:15)
Read More Show Less

Album Credits

Performance Credits
Cat Power Primary Artist
Doug Easley Guitar, Pedal Steel Guitar
Leroy Hodges Bass
Mabon "Teenie" Hodges Guitar
Jim Spake Saxophone
Scott Thompson Trumpet
Roy Brewer Violin
Rick Steff Organ, Piano, Keyboards
Beth Luscombe Viola
Chan Marshall Guitar, Piano, Vocals
David Smith Bass
Steve Potts Drums
Technical Credits
Stuart Sikes Engineer
Chan Marshall Composer, String Arrangements
Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 5
( 7 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(7)

4 Star

(0)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously
Sort by: Showing all of 7 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Buy it

    This is by far her best album. You must buy it!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    Incredible

    Absolutely, with a doubt Chan Marshall's (A.K.A. Cat Power's) greatest work. It's an amazing masterpiece.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 29, 2008

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 23, 2008

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted November 22, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted November 22, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted July 10, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing all of 7 Customer Reviews