Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 03/10/1998
Run Time: 111:11
Adequately covering the rich legacy of
Atlantic Records' first 50 years over only two CDs is an impossible task, even concentrating only on rock and R&B, so it would be difficult to expect
Atlantic Records 50 Years: Gold Anniversary to offer anything more than a cursory overview. The compilation does illustrate the incredible depth and diversity of talent that the label has maintained over the years, even if it doesn't come anywhere near a coherent presentation of that talent. Instead,
50 Years skims a sampling of some of the best and best-known songs from throughout the company's history. The first disc concentrates primarily on
Atlantic's rich catalog of R&B and soul music from the '50s and '60s (a greater portion of which easily filled a hugely entertaining nine-CD box set) and moves into seminal rock legends like
Cream,
CSNY,
Led Zeppelin, and
the Rolling Stones -- all represented by only one song apiece. The second disc is wildly varied, featuring prog-rock from
Yes, a couple of disco hits, and mainstream pop/rock from the '80s, as well as a few selections from
Atlantic's most popular '90s artists (
Tori Amos,
Hootie and the Blowfish,
Brandy,
Jewel). So the problem certainly isn't with the quality of the music; it's just that there are so many different musical styles represented here that the set can't present them in any sort of context. Nearly all of these artists have a great deal more quality material out there, certainly enough that having one cut from each is hardly a satisfying proposition; moreover, there are various-artists compilations covering most of these styles in more coherent fashion. However, even if it isn't at all unified,
Atlantic Records 50 Years undeniably possesses a wealth of great music.
~Steve Huey, All Music Guide
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