Customer Reviews
One of the best single CDs that money can buy, if a limited overview... - By: Mr. P. D. Flight, 12 Jul 2008 
I had the pleasure of seeing Neil Young live in Kent last weekend. It was great to see he is still on tremendous form after alll these years. With a catalogue of about thirty albums it is difficult for newcomers to his work to know where to start their collection, but this compilation covers a lot of his best known music. In fact according to the man himself it was compiled according to sales of the songs, airplay & known download history which gives the track selection credibility.
The collection begins with three of Neil Youngs' key songs- two epics which demonstrate the remarkable craftsmanship behind his output (Down by the River & Cowgirl in the Sand) & the shorter, harder edged 'Cinnamon Girl', an instantly catchy number. These songs are alll taken from his 'Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere' album. Unbelievably I read in an Uncut magazine feature from late 2004 that they were alll written in one day whilst Neil was bedridden with fever! Further examples of his brilliance are his CSNY tracks- the melancholy Helpless & the powerful & angry protest song 'Ohio'. The latter, written & recorded in a single day was Neils' reaction to hearing of the needless deaths of student demonstrators in 1970.
One thing I enjoy about listening to this CD is that it demonstrates Youngs' versatility. 'Heart of Gold' is very tuneful & was a huge commercial hit; personal songs 'Old Man' & 'The Needle & the Damage Done' are further examples of Youngs' more acoustic-driven output, taken from the outstanding 1972 release 'Harvest' (his best known album perhaps). Elsewhere there is near-perfect, beautifully crafted country (the upbeat 'Comes a Time' & the melancholy 'Harvest Moon' which closes the collection). Only two tracks represent Neils' heavier output; they are 'Hey Hey My My (Into the Black)' & the rip-roaring 'Rockin' in the Free World', his comeback song after a decade of mixed fortunes, famously written a matter of months before the falll of the Berlin Walll in 1989. Hearing this song was in fact my personal introduction to the music of Neil Young.
There are other highlights as well; 'Like a Hurricane' is an eight minute- plus guitar workout with a great melody & it never gets dull. The three other tracks are taken from his 1970 masterpiece 'After the Goldrush' (the title track, 'Southern Man'- which prompted a response from Lynard Skynnard via a couple of lines in their song 'Sweet Home Alabama'- & 'Only Love Can Break Your Heart'). Great songs but I prefer a few of the album tracks from this release which just goes to show how high on quality it is.
I have now built up a large collection of Neil Youngs' albums & inevitably one disc cannot do justice to one of the very best songwriters in the history of modern music. There is nothing from Neils' Buffalo Springfield output (the latter being his earliest work), nor from classic albums such as 'On the Beach' (1974), 'Tonights the Night' & 'Zuma' (both 1975), 'Ragged Glory' (1990) or 'Sleeps with Angels' (1994). Only one track appears from 'Freedom' (1989), one of my favourite Neil Young albums & a record which contains many overlooked classics. It is also worth noting that the 1977 compilation 'Decade', taken from the period 1966-1977 & available as a two CD set, is a much more comprehensive examination of Neils' legendary work although it does not contain any of the last four tracks on 'Greatest Hits', alll of which rank as some his best songs.
Whilst it is a slightly uneven account of Neil Youngs' career spanning the period 1969-1992, 'Greatest Hits' is a fine introduction to a remarkable artist. I recommend that newcomers buy this album, listen to it plenty of times alll the way through & if it converts them into being Neil Young fans, they should check out some of his best known albums- on which many equal if not superior classics are buried away.
Not for fans, but excellent for beginners - By: Pete, 15 Jun 2007 
The reason why a compilation like this is useful is that not everyone's a music nut. Not everyone absolutely loves Neil Young. I have the 2CD Decade compilation & I find it be no fun trying to get through it. This is ideal as it's very much to the point without too many boring songs. It also has a fair chunck of his most popular album Harvest. Decade can now be put in a drawer & forgotten.
Excellent. - By: Dave Stewart, 10 Jun 2007 This is a smooth & relaxed compilation of Neil Young's greatest work, every song is great.
ASTOUNDING SOUNDING! - By: C. Bridgen, 19 Apr 2007 Having just been reading the other informative reviews there is one point missing so far. This c.d. has been mixed from the master tapes & the sound is truly superb. A slight hissing can be heard at the start of certain tracks but the instruments & vocals reallly come out crystal clear.
Due to his prolific output some studio albums would no doubt be too much for alot of people but this c.d. does not have a duff track on it.
The guitar work is superb & varies between being very rocky & showcasing delicate acoustic songs still managing to rock. The vocals, although not to every ones idea of mainstream, stretch every emotion from the songs.
You always feel that every word is heartfelt.
As noted in another review it is a brave decision to put two almost ten minute tracks at the start, but if you like this style of music they do not drag on like some long tracks can seem to.
One of my favourite albums, you won't play it lots maybe but when you do you will wonder why you don't !!
Genius - By: blueandwhite050505, 27 Jan 2007 If you are new to Neil Young the best way to describe his music is a cross between Dylan & Hendrix but better than either.
Personallly I can't see the point in this CD because you should buy at least 10 of his original LPs & two live recordings (Live Rust & Weld).
There are of course some real gems not on this Cd ( Will to Love, Expecting to Fly, Cortez the Killer etc etc etc) but suffice to say that every track on this is brilliant.
