The Flying Burrito Brothers

Since the Flying Burrito Brothers really didn't record that much material during their prime period, and since all of their recordings from this period are uniformly great (not just good, great), they're an exceptionally easy band to anthologize. So, it's possible to find songs that really should have been here -- "Hot Burrito #1" (or, "I'm Your Toy," as Elvis Costello retitled it on reissues of Almost Blue) and "Farther Along" for starters, along with such fine moments as "To Love Somebody" -- but when you're listening to this, it's hard to notice that they're missing simply because these 12 songs are so good. Also, they emphasize the barroom roots of the band -- each song here would sound great on a payday Friday night, whether they're rockers or weepers. And, it's a rather inventive selection, since it does contain "Hot Burrito #2" instead of "#1," plus such rarities as "Lazy Day" and "Break My Mind," plus "Train Song," which was one of the carrots on the double-disc set Hot Burritos! for collectors. So, it's a little more than you'd expect for a collection aimed at casual fans, which makes it interesting even for the converted, but it has so much terrific music here that it's bound to convert the curious. After all, once you fall in love with a little of the Burrito Brothers or Gram Parsons, you're bound to want to hear it all. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide