Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 7243850525214
Label: Virgin Records Us
Manufacturer: Virgin Records Us
MPN: 50525
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Virgin Records Us
Release Date: 2001-09-18
Studio: Virgin Records Us

It's hard to believe that UB40 have been around since the early 1980s, but the proof is right here in the 18 tracks on this album. While most famous for their cover songs, UB40 have written a good portion of original material that's excellent. But songs like "Red Red Wine" and a previously unreleased version of the Doors' "Light My Fire" will attract the majority of listeners to this collection. Following in the footsteps of greats like Bob Marley and Burning Spear, this band from Birmingham, England (led by the two sons of folkie Ian Campbell, have helped keep the flame of roots reggae alive with their easy sound. They've even made over rock standards into their reggae template, including Sonny & Cher's "I Got You Babe" (with guest Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders). In their own little way, UB40 have been gnawing away at musical barriers for the last 20 years, and this is an ideal summary of their achievements. --Chris Nickson

Customer Rating:
Summary: UB40 - The Best of...
Comment: This is an awesome CD! There are songs that I would like to have on the CD, but the ones that are here, really are some of UB40's best! I'm so happy that I bought this CD. It's great for road trips, pool parties, listening while working or for a quick drive to the grocery store! UB40 Rocks!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Awesome CD
Comment: Great CD to just leave in at a party. All of the tracks are great.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: UB awesome
Comment: I love this CD....it takes me right back to the Carribbean on a cruise ship. I love listening to it in my car nice and loud with the sunroof open

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Customer Rating:
Summary: US version vs Import UK version
Comment: In perusing this review thread for "The Very Best of UB40 1980-2000", it appears there may be some confusion over two versions of this outstanding album. If you run a music search on Amazon for UB40, you'll find a number of UB40 albums including two versions of this particular album (each has the same identical album cover and album name.. on the surface, they appear identical in all respects.. but are not). My speculation is that a some reviewers unwittingly received the import version, whereas most of these reviews relate to the US version. Each has a somewhat different song mix. The differences are as follows:

US Version: released Sept 2001 (orig. Nov 2000) $11 New ($10 used)contains 18 songs beginning with I Got You Babe. It has two songs not included on the British Import version (both very good songs IMHO):

1. Here I Am (Come and Take Me)
2. The Way You Do the Things You Do

Unfortunately, the US release has "short" versions of four songs (all key songs IMHO and noted as short in several reviews with a degree of frustration) whereas I think (I'm not sure) the Import has "full" versions of these songs:

1. Bring Me Your Cup
2. Red, Red Wine (can you believe they shorted us on this one)
3. Rat In Mi Kitchen
4. Sing Our Own Song

UK Import version: released Mar 2007 (orig. Oct 2000) $17 new ($7 Used) contains 20 songs (2 more than the US version). It starts with the full version of Red Red Wine and includes four songs not found on the US version:

1. King
2. The Earth Dies Screaming
3. Watchdogs
4. Many Rivers to Cross (great song IMHO)

The other 16 songs are the same on both versions, except for the four "short" songs noted above on the US version. So it's a mixed bag, both excellent choices, but I'm sure preferences will vary.

Of greater concern to me, I noticed reviews elsewhere that report the sound quality to be notably better on the US version across the entire album, and most apparent with the older songs (Kingston Town, Cant Help Falling in Love, I Got You Babe to name a few). This is highly peculiar given the 2007 release date on the import vs 2001 on the US version. I'm not sure of this myself, but some differences do indeed seem apparent (in favor of the US version) just using Amazon's Music Sampler (admittedly a dubious comparison method.. especially given my low-end PC speakers)

I'm hoping someone may have more direct knowledge of an A/B comparison and will post a comment here to better clear this up. I hope this was helpful to those who were confused about varied song mixes noted throughout this review thread.

By the way, I also feel if you have but one UB40 album in your collection, this is a hands down slam dunk best single CD to own. I also prefer the US version song mix. I just can't see sacrificing "Here I Am" and "The Way You Do the Things You Do" for those other four songs; if only it had the long version of Red Red Wine (ouch.. hence 4.5 stars). Otherwise, I love this album! Highly recommended. Peace to all :)

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Customer Rating:
Summary: classic and essential UB40
Comment: This has got to be one of the greatest cd's I have ever bought from amazon. The song are pure music geniousand classic UB40 from the 80's uptill 2000.The sound is amazing and the cd is crystal clear. I love this album.

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