# Greatest single-LP, one-performer anthology? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [July 24, 2022, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-single-lp-one-performer-anthology/968480 "2022-07-24T16:15:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2022, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-single-lp-one-performer-anthology/968480/21 "2022-07-24T23:38:58Z")
I love the Who, but you can’t argue with Bob Dylan. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2022, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-single-lp-one-performer-anthology/968480/22 "2022-07-24T23:48:19Z")
I first read this as “best compilation of an artist that only had one LP”, in which case Substance by Joy Division comes close because from my mobile device it doesn’t look like it includes anything from their last LP, which was released in the wake of Ian Curtis’ death anyway. At any rate it was a good value since it contains singles and LP stuff (which are my favorite tracks anyway: I just love the twisted count off/ Hess reference that kicks off Warsaw. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2022, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-single-lp-one-performer-anthology/968480/23 "2022-07-25T00:07:57Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > Pink Floyd’s _A Collection Of Great Dance Songs_ isn’t too shabby: Had that on tape when I was younger. Loved it, and I ended up buying most of their records. > [@Ludovic](#): > > I first read this as “best compilation of an artist that only had one LP”, in which case Substance by Joy Division comes close because from my mobile device it doesn’t look like it includes anything from their last LP, which was released in the wake of Ian Curtis’ death anyway. I have a copy of that, also a great introduction to the band. My vote for greatest is _Devo’s Greatest Hits_ , even though it lacks “Mongoloid”, it contains the best version of “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”, ever. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2022, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-single-lp-one-performer-anthology/968480/24 "2022-07-25T00:14:43Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > I first read this as “best compilation of an artist that only had one LP”, in which case Substance by Joy Division comes close Same place, same time: “Singles Going Steady” by the Buzzcocks. Their best, and one of the best punk albums of all time. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2022, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-single-lp-one-performer-anthology/968480/25 "2022-07-25T01:44:07Z")
Heck, he had the best [Greatest Hits vol. 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Dylan%27s_Greatest_Hits_Vol._II) ever. A double album, though. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2022, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-single-lp-one-performer-anthology/968480/26 "2022-07-25T01:55:23Z")
Essential Pogues [Essential Pogues - Wikipedia](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essential_Pogues) Made me a Pogues fan and is still the most listened to of their albums for me. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2022, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-single-lp-one-performer-anthology/968480/27 "2022-07-25T06:18:55Z")
**Thin LIzzy** _Dedicated_ But I suspect it was a double album (one CD) originally. Too many rules, Man! I’ve got a Ryko Disc **King Crimson** ‘Best Of’ that is awesome as well. ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2022, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-single-lp-one-performer-anthology/968480/28 "2022-07-25T11:33:14Z")
Not sure if live concert albums featuring previous hits would meet the OP’s criteria. If they do I’d pick the Talking Heads concert tour documentary _ **Stop Making Sense** _ as the soundtrack album to beat. Great band at the top of their form, great director of the filmed concerts [Jonathan Demme] at the top of his game [later to win an Oscar], hits done with enough fidelity to keep purists happy but adding depth and new form. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2022, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-single-lp-one-performer-anthology/968480/29 "2022-07-25T12:03:15Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Heck, he had the best [Greatest Hits vol. 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Dylan%27s_Greatest_Hits_Vol._II) ever. A double album, though. I very much enjoy [Volume 3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Dylan%27s_Greatest_Hits_Volume_3) as well. mmm ---
**Author:** ![velomont](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8491ac/32.png) [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2022, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-single-lp-one-performer-anthology/968480/30 "2022-07-25T12:19:00Z")
> [@Galactus](#): > > Alice in Chains Greatest Hits Yes! But I just wish that it had “Down in a Hole” as well. If double albums were allowed I would also nominate “Strangers in the Night”, the live album by UFO, and “Live from Radio City Music Hall” by Heaven & Hell (the Dio-fronted Black Sabbath) ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2022, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-single-lp-one-performer-anthology/968480/31 "2022-07-25T13:27:59Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I’ll go with **Bob Marley’s Legend** : I was thinking of this one too, but wasn’t it a double album? I always only had it on a single CD, I think. Not sure why the OP specifies single albums only, seems a bit arbitrary of a restriction. But whatevs. I think the Beatles should get a pass on the Red and Blue albums because, Beatles. > [@Banksiaman](#): > > if live concert albums featuring previous hits would meet the OP’s criteria… I’d pick the Talking Heads concert tour documentary _ **Stop Making Sense** _ as the soundtrack album to beat. Ooh, good call. I prefer every song version on SMS to the studio version. And the movie is a fantastic watch. It has a lot of great songs that didn’t get on the CD-- they could easily have made it a double album. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2022, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-single-lp-one-performer-anthology/968480/32 "2022-07-25T13:56:06Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Not sure why the OP specifies single albums only, seems a bit arbitrary of a restriction. But whatevs. I think the Beatles should get a pass on the Red and Blue albums because, Beatles. Because the time limitation of a single LP (or 45-minute CD) requires more expert scrutiny, selection and sequencing than a double album or box set. It’s almost an art form in and of itself. In fact, when I wrote the OP I _specifically meant to exclude_ stuff like the Beatles’ Red and Blue albums. Are they great? Sure, but that’s not what I’m looking for. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2022, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-single-lp-one-performer-anthology/968480/33 "2022-07-25T14:18:49Z")
mmm, _Substance_ (New Order) or _Substance_ (Joy Division)? _The World Won’t Listen_, or _Hatful of Hollow_ (The Smiths)? _Crackle_ (Bauhaus)? _Once Upon a Time/The Singles_(Siouxsie and the Banshees)? No, it’ll have to be _Standing on a Beach_ by The Cure. Rightly acclaimed “one of the finest albums of the '80s” in its own right. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2022, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-single-lp-one-performer-anthology/968480/34 "2022-07-25T14:24:40Z")
_Prime Prine: The Best of John Prine_ is a collection of great songs: 1. Sam Stone 2. Saddle in the Rain 3. Please Don’t Bury Me 4. The Great Compromise 5. Grandpa was a Carpenter 6. Donald and Lydia 7. Illegal Smile 8. Sweet Revenge 9. Dear Abbey 10. Souvenirs 11. Come Back to Us, Barbara Lewis 12. Hello in There I’l also put in a word for “Eagles Greatest Hits”, which I think is still the biggest selling ‘best of’ record, and one of the biggest selling records of all time. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2022, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-single-lp-one-performer-anthology/968480/35 "2022-07-25T14:28:36Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > Because the time limitation of a single LP (or 45-minute CD) requires more expert scrutiny, selection and sequencing than a double album or box set. It’s almost an art form in and of itself. Makes sense, and of course, your OP, your rules. Do live albums count, as @Banksiaman wondered? If so, I might nominate the Jimi Hendrix Experience album ‘Live at Winterland’. It was kind of a ‘lost’ recording released in the 80s only on CD. It’s a single CD, though I think it has an hour+ of music on it. It’s got some great live performances of some old favorites. After hearing the studio versions of his songs for years, Jimi’s half-improvised solos on LaW were really exciting to listen to. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2022, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-single-lp-one-performer-anthology/968480/36 "2022-07-25T14:49:29Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Do live albums count, as @Banksiaman wondered? I’d exclude live albums, since the “artistry” I’m looking for is more about the selection, sequencing and packaging of already-available material. (Some anthologies include live takes of one or two songs, and I’ll allow that. 😀) But “Live albums that give you a whole new outlook on the studio versions” would make a great thread! ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2022, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-single-lp-one-performer-anthology/968480/37 "2022-07-25T14:53:15Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > But “Live albums that give you a whole new outlook on the studio versions” would make a great thread! Good idea! I would like to see that thread. Shall I start it, or would you like to do the honors? Meanwhile, I will stop semi-hijacking this thread 😊 ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2022, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-single-lp-one-performer-anthology/968480/38 "2022-07-25T14:54:12Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Shall I start it, or would you like to do the honors? Go for it – I’m supposed to be working! ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2022, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-single-lp-one-performer-anthology/968480/39 "2022-07-25T15:08:29Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > Go for it – I’m supposed to be working! Yeah, me too, but I’m calling early lunch break 😉 Done! ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2022, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-single-lp-one-performer-anthology/968480/40 "2022-07-25T15:42:54Z")
> [@solost](#): > > > [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > > > I’ll go with **Bob Marley’s Legend** : > > I was thinking of this one too, but wasn’t it a double album? I always only had it on a single CD, I think. Not sure why the OP specifies single albums only, seems a bit arbitrary of a restriction. But whatevs. I think the Beatles should get a pass on the Red and Blue albums because, Beatles… I wondered whether “ **Legend** ” was a single or double before posting it. I’ve only had it on CD and it “felt” like a single album. It certainly was a single CD. I figured someone would come along and holler at me if it was a double. The Beatles - I guess the best we can do for them is cite their singles compilation “ **One** ”. But then, I doubt that it came out on vinyl, but it is a single CD. I also briefly considered the Beatles’ “ **Hey Jude** ” album. Per the OP’s criteria, it is a single LP collecting previously-issued music, but I don’t think we could call it an anthology. mmm [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-single-lp-one-performer-anthology/968480.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-single-lp-one-performer-anthology/968480.md?page=3)