Gerry Rafferty and Stealers Wheel Collected

This comprehensive 3 CD collection of Gerry Rafferty recordings should not leave any doubt in the listener that Rafferty was very fine songwriter; who at times wrote some great outstanding songs. The reason he never reached sustained star status, may be due to his vocals which often appear a little too "nice" and rarely come out daring or just slightly provocative. He voice is by no means weak or bad and it can recall both Emitt Rhodes and Rick Nelson to your mind. Rafferty's personal image was in many ways reminiscent of his vocal; the nice and comfy. Paradoxically, when you consider that Rafferty private life often was marked by major personal problems.Rafferty's first golden period was with the group Stealers Wheel with whom he released three albums. Logically, this CD collection leaves room for this period with six songs from the excellent debut album, especially remembered for "Stuck in the Middle" and "Late Again". The also excellent second album "Ferguslie Park" contributes five songs while the last, and slightly paler album, "Right or Wrong" makes do with three songs.From Rafferty's long solo career much emphasis is put on the classic and well-rounded album "City to City", which even contains the classic "Baker Street". There are fine songs on all Rafferty's other albums, but the only threat for the title of the best must be "North and South" from 1988, which also contributes with six tracks.Among the later and lesser-known albums "Over My Head" is also worth noting; not least because of the Marshall Crenshaw like "The Girl's Got No Confidence".The earliest songs recorded with the group "Humblebums" are quite good, but may appear a little fresh and unfinished; Rafferty also chose to re-record several of these songs for later albums.

The songs on this album are superb and just show what a great songwriter he was - the hits are well known but this shows the range. The words are worth listening to closely and his voice is so distinctive you can recognise it straight away which is a fantastic trait essentially needed in the music business. I went on to but more CDs as I love his music.

I watched a tv program about Gerry and thought, “Yeah this guy needs investigation...beyond “Baker Street “. Got this album and....oh my is it good??!! I would very highly recommend this album (on vinyl). It’s full of absolutely wonderful music, I can’t recommend it enough. Sit back, pour yourself a glass of your favourite tipple and let the superb music wash over you ...you know it makes sense!!

Rafferty kept himself below the radar and out of the limelight. He was both understated and underrated and went about his business in an egoless/undramatic way. Consequently, the quality of his compositions bypasses many; however he is nevertheless thoroughly deserving of a place at the top table.

Great career spanning album of a Wonderful Singer/ Songwriter. All the hits on 3cd’s.

A great collection for someone like myself who does not have or want all of the albums but wants more than just the hits

THOUGH THIS IS NOT IN ANY CHRONOLGICAL ORDER IT IS A VERY GOOD OVERVIEWOF GERRY RAFFERTYS OUTPUT FROM THE DAYS OF THE HUMBLEBUMS WITH BILLY CONNOLLYTO SOME LATER TRACKS .IT HAS A GOOD BOOKLET, BUT COULD HAVE DONE WITH THE TRACKS BEING ASSEMBLED IN DATE ORDER .THE HUMBLEBUMS SONGS END UP 0N CD 3.WHAT THIS DOES SHOW IS HOW GOOD GERRYS SONGWRITING ABILITIES WERE. OVERALL AN ENJOYABLE 3 CD SET, AND THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE COMPILATONOF HIS AVAILABLE

More than i needed of Rafferty, but the Humblbumbs were a nice surprise. Non chronological was a bummer.