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REO Speedwagon|The Essential REO Speedwagon

The Essential REO Speedwagon

REO Speedwagon

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REO Speedwagon reached the Billboard charts 24 times. Not all of those were big hits, of course. Some of the early singles barely qualified for the Hot 100, while some of the latter-day hits made no waves outside of the Mainstream Rock charts, which means that they are relatively unheard by the pop audience that loved Hi Infidelity and "Can't Fight This Feeling." In other words, all the big hits could have been assembled on a single-disc collection, but Epic/Legacy's 2004 release The Essential REO Speedwagon is a sprawling double-disc, 33-track history. There's a reason for that. The extra space gives plenty of room for the band -- and Kevin Cronin was indeed a co-producer on this set -- to show that they weren't just a power ballad powerhouse, that they also rocked hard and stretched out on occasion. Consequently, The Essential is more of a history than a standard hits collection. If anything, the hits take a back seat, with the first big anthem, "Roll With the Changes," not showing up until track 13 and Hi Infidelity not rearing its head until the second disc. If you just want the hits, the appropriately titled 1988 collection The Hits will serve those up, but Essential digs deeper, hitting nearly all of the key album tracks, concert staples, and fan favorites, drawing a picture of a band that was more muscular and complex than the hits, particularly power ballads like "Can't Fight This Feeling," would suggest. It's not for every listener, but for those fans who want more than the hits but don't want full-length albums, this is the perfect solution.

© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo

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The Essential REO Speedwagon

REO Speedwagon

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1
Sophisticated Lady (Album Version)
00:04:00

N. Doughty, Composer - N. Doughty, Lyricist - Alan Gratzer, Drums - G. Richrath, Composer - G. Richrath, Lyricist - T. Luttrell, Composer - T. Luttrell, Lyricist - A. Gratzer, Composer - A. Gratzer, Lyricist - Gary Richrath, Guitar - Terry Luttrell, Vocal - G. Philbin, Composer - G. Philbin, Lyricist - REO Speedwagon, Performer - Neal Doughty, Keyboards - Paul Leka, Producer - Gregg Philbin, Bass - Billy Rose ii, Producer

Originally released 1971. All rights reserved by Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

2
Music Man (Album Version)
00:04:33

Alan Gratzer, Percussion - Alan Gratzer, Drums - Gary Richrath, Guitar - REO Speedwagon, Performer - Neal Doughty, Keyboards - Paul Leka, Producer - Kevin Cronin, Guitar - K. Cronin, Composer - K. Cronin, Lyricist - Gregg Philbin, Bass - Billy Rose ii, Producer

(P) 1972 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

3
Golden Country (Album Version)
00:06:33

Gary Richrath, Composer - Gary Richrath, Lyricist - REO Speedwagon, Performer

(P) 1972 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

4
Son of a Poor Man (Album Version)
00:03:54

G. Richrath, Composer - G. Richrath, Lyricist - Bill Halverson, Producer - REO Speedwagon, Performer

(P) 2004 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.

5
Lost in a Dream (Album Version)
00:06:33

B. Hall, Composer - B. Hall, Lyricist - Bill Halverson, Producer - M. Murphy, Composer - M. Murphy, Lyricist - REO Speedwagon, Performer

(P) 1974 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

6
Keep Pushin' (Album Version)
00:04:06

John Stronach, Producer - REO Speedwagon, Performer - K. Cronin, Composer - K. Cronin, Lyricist

(P) 1976 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

7
(I Believe) Our Time Is Gonna Come (Album Version)
00:05:03

John Stronach, Producer - REO Speedwagon, Performer - K. Cronin, Composer - K. Cronin, Lyricist

(P) 1976 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

8
Lightning (Album Version)
00:05:55

John Stronach, Producer - G. Richrath, Composer - G. Richrath, Lyricist - REO Speedwagon, Performer - K. Cronin, Composer - K. Cronin, Lyricist

(P) 1976 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

9
Like You Do (Live)
00:06:53

John Stronach, Producer - G. Richrath, Composer - G. Richrath, Lyricist - Gary Richrath, Producer - REO Speedwagon, Performer - John Henning, Producer

(P) 1977 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

10
Flying Turkey Trot (Live)
00:02:32

John Stronach, Producer - G. Richrath, Composer - G. Richrath, Lyricist - Gary Richrath, Producer - REO Speedwagon, Performer - John Henning, Producer

(P) 1977 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

11
157 Riverside Avenue (Live)
00:07:36

N. Doughty, Composer - N. Doughty, Lyricist - T. Luttrell, Composer - T. Luttrell, Lyricist - G. Richrath, Composer - G. Richrath, Lyricist - A. Gratzer, Composer - A. Gratzer, Lyricist - Gary Richrath, Producer - G. Philbin, Composer - G. Philbin, Lyricist - REO Speedwagon, Performer - John Stronach, Producer - John Henning, Producer

(P) 1977 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

12
Ridin' the Storm Out (Live)
00:05:44

John Stronach, Producer - G. Richrath, Composer - G. Richrath, Lyricist - Gary Richrath, Producer - REO Speedwagon, Performer - John Henning, Producer

(P) 1977 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

13
Roll with the Changes (Album Version)
00:05:36

Paul Grupp, Producer - Alan Gratzer, Drums - Kevin Cronin, Producer - Kevin Cronin, Vocal - Kevin Cronin, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Kevin Cronin, Piano - Gary Richrath, Guitar - Gary Richrath, Producer - Bruce Hall, Acoustic Bass - REO Speedwagon, Performer - K. Cronin, Composer - K. Cronin, Lyricist

(P) 1978 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

14
Time for Me to Fly (Album Version)
00:03:42

Paul Grupp, Producer - Alan Gratzer, Drums - Kevin Cronin, Producer - Kevin Cronin, Vocal - Gary Richrath, Guitar - Gary Richrath, Producer - Bruce Hall, Acoustic Bass - REO Speedwagon, Performer - K. Cronin, Composer - K. Cronin, Lyricist

(P) 1978 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

15
Say You Love Me or Say Goodnight (Album Version)
00:04:58

Paul Grupp, Producer - G. Richrath, Composer - G. Richrath, Lyricist - Kevin Cronin, Producer - Gary Richrath, Producer - REO Speedwagon, Performer - K. Cronin, Composer - K. Cronin, Lyricist

(P) 1978 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

DISC 2

1
Back on the Road Again (Album Version)
00:05:28

B. Hall, Composer - B. Hall, Lyricist - Alan Gratzer, Percussion - Alan Gratzer, Drums - Kevin Cronin, Producer - Kevin Cronin, Background Vocal - Gary Richrath, Producer - Gary Richrath, Guitar - Bruce Hall, Vocal - Bruce Hall, Acoustic Bass - REO Speedwagon, Performer

(P) 1979 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

2
Only the Strong Survive (Album Version)
00:03:52

G. Richrath, Composer - G. Richrath, Lyricist - Alan Gratzer, Drums - Kevin Cronin, Producer - Kevin Cronin, Vocal - Gary Richrath, Producer - Gary Richrath, Vocal - Bruce Hall, Acoustic Bass - Neal Doughty, Piano - REO Speedwagon, Performer

(P) 1979 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

3
Don't Let Him Go (Album Version)
00:03:45

Alan Gratzer, Drums - Bruce, Acoustic Bass - Neal, Synthesizer - Gary Richrath, Producer - Kevin, Vocal - REO Speedwagon, Performer - Gary, Guitar - Kevin Cronin, Producer - K. Cronin, Composer - K. Cronin, Lyricist - Kevin Beamish, Producer - Alan, Drums

(P) 1980 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

4
Keep on Loving You (Album Version)
00:03:21

Richard Page, Performer - Alan Gratzer, Drums - Steve Forman, Percussion - Bruce, Acoustic Bass - Gary Richrath, Producer - REO Speedwagon, Performer - Kevin, Vocal - Kevin, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - The He-Man Broken Hearts Club Choir, Performer - Gary, Electric Guitar - Kevin Cronin, Producer - Kevin Cronin, Performer - K. Cronin, Composer - K. Cronin, Lyricist - Kevin Beamish, Producer - Tom Kelly, Performer

(P) 1980 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

5
In Your Letter (Album Version)
00:03:16

Richard Page, Performer - Alan Gratzer, Drums - G. Richrath, Composer - G. Richrath, Lyricist - Bruce, Acoustic Bass - Leslie, Electric Guitar - Gary Richrath, Producer - Gary Richrath, Electric Guitar - Neal, Piano - REO Speedwagon, Performer - Kevin, Vocal - Kevin, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - The He-Man Broken Hearts Club Choir, Performer - Gary, 12 String Guitar - N. Yolletta, Performer - Kevin Cronin, Producer - Kevin Cronin, Performer - Kevin Beamish, Producer - Tom Kelly, Performer

(P) 1980 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

6
Take It On the Run (Album Version)
00:04:01

Gary, Electric Guitar - Bruce, Acoustic Bass - Alan Gratzer, Drums - Kevin Cronin, Producer - Kevin, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Kevin, Vocal - Gary Richrath, Composer - Gary Richrath, Producer - Gary Richrath, Lyricist - Kevin Beamish, Producer - REO Speedwagon, Performer

(P) 1980 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

7
Keep the Fire Burnin' (Album Version)
00:03:55

Richard Page, Background Vocal - Steve Forman, Percussion - Alan Gratzer, Producer - Alan Gratzer, Drums - Gary Richrath, Producer - Gary Richrath, Electric Guitar - REO Speedwagon, Organ - REO Speedwagon, Performer - Kevin Cronin, Producer - Kevin Cronin, Vocal - Kevin Cronin, Background Vocal - Kevin Cronin, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Kevin Cronin, Piano - K. Cronin, Composer - K. Cronin, Lyricist - Kevin Beamish, Producer - Bruce Barris, Acoustic Bass - Tom Kelly, Background Vocal

(P) 1982 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

8
The Key (Album Version)
00:03:26

Alan Gratzer, Producer - Alan Gratzer, Drums - Steve Forman, Shaker - Kevin Cronin, Producer - Kevin Cronin, Vocal - Kevin Cronin, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Kevin Cronin, Piano - Bruce Barris, Acoustic Bass - Gary Richrath, Electric Guitar - Gary Richrath, Producer - Kevin Beamish, Producer - REO Speedwagon, Organ - REO Speedwagon, Performer - K. Cronin, Composer - K. Cronin, Lyricist

(P) 1982 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

9
One Lonely Night (Album Version)
00:03:21

N. Doughty, Composer - N. Doughty, Lyricist - Alan Gratzer, Producer - Gary Richrath, Producer - Dave Amato, Electric Guitar - Bruce Hall, Acoustic Bass - REO Speedwagon, Performer - Neal Doughty, Keyboards - Kevin Cronin, Producer - Kevin Cronin, Vocal - Kevin Cronin, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Bryan Hitt, Drums

(P) 1984 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

10
Live Every Moment (Album Version)
00:05:01

Richard Page, Background Vocal - Alan Gratzer, Producer - Steve Forman, Congas - Steve Forman, Shaker - Bruce, Acoustic Bass - Gary Richrath, Producer - Neal, Piano - REO Speedwagon, Performer - Kevin, Vocal - Kevin, Background Vocal - Kevin, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Tommy Funderburk, Background Vocal - Neal Neal, Synthesizer - Gary, Electric Guitar - Kevin Cronin, Producer - K. Cronin, Composer - K. Cronin, Lyricist - Tom Kelly, Background Vocal - Alan, Drums

(P) 1984 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

11
Can't Fight This Feeling (Album Version)
00:04:54

Alan Gratzer, Producer - Bruce, Acoustic Bass - Neal, Piano - Gary Richrath, Producer - REO Speedwagon, Performer - Kevin, Vocal - Kevin, Background Vocal - Kevin, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Bill Cuomo, Orchestrator - Gary, Electric Guitar - Kevin Cronin, Producer - Kevin Cronin, Composer - Kevin Cronin, Lyricist - Alan, Drums

(P) 1984 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

12
That Ain't Love (Album Version)
00:04:01

Alan Gratzer, Producer - Kevin Cronin, Producer - Gary Richrath, Producer - David De Vore, Producer - REO Speedwagon, Performer - K. Cronin, Composer - K. Cronin, Lyricist

(P) 1987 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

13
In My Dreams (Album Version)
00:04:30

Alan Gratzer, Producer - Gary Richrath, Producer - Dave Amato, Electric Guitar - T. Kelly, Composer - T. Kelly, Lyricist - Bruce Hall, Acoustic Bass - David De Vore, Producer - REO Speedwagon, Performer - Neal Doughty, Keyboards - Kevin Cronin, Producer - Kevin Cronin, Vocal - Kevin Cronin, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - K. Cronin, Composer - K. Cronin, Lyricist - Bryan Hitt, Drums

(P) 1987 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

14
Variety Tonight (Album Version)
00:04:30

Alan Gratzer, Producer - N. Doughty, Composer - N. Doughty, Lyricist - Kevin Cronin, Producer - Gary Richrath, Producer - David DeVore, Producer - REO Speedwagon, Performer

(P) 1987 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

15
Here with Me (Album Version)
00:05:04

Dave Amato, Electric Guitar - R. Braun, Composer - R. Braun, Lyricist - Bruce Hall, Acoustic Bass - REO Speedwagon, Performer - Neal Doughty, Keyboards - Keith Olsen, Producer - Kevin Cronin, Vocal - Kevin Cronin, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - K. Cronin, Composer - K. Cronin, Lyricist - Bryan Hitt, Drums

(P) 1988 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

16
Love Is a Rock (Album Version)
00:05:35

Tom Lord-Alge, Producer - Kevin Cronin, Producer - Jesse Harms, Producer - REO Speedwagon, Performer - K. Cronin, Composer - K. Cronin, Lyricist

(P) 1990 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

17
Building The Bridge (Album Version)
00:04:15
18
Just for You (Album Version)
00:04:38

Dave Amato, Electric Guitar - Bruce Hall, Acoustic Bass - REO Speedwagon, Performer - Neal Doughty, Keyboards - Kevin Cronin, Vocal - Kevin Cronin, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Jim Peterik, Lyricist - Jim Peterik, Composer - K. Cronin, Composer - K. Cronin, Lyricist - Bryan Hitt, Drums - Peter Asher, Producer

(P) 1999 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

Album review

REO Speedwagon reached the Billboard charts 24 times. Not all of those were big hits, of course. Some of the early singles barely qualified for the Hot 100, while some of the latter-day hits made no waves outside of the Mainstream Rock charts, which means that they are relatively unheard by the pop audience that loved Hi Infidelity and "Can't Fight This Feeling." In other words, all the big hits could have been assembled on a single-disc collection, but Epic/Legacy's 2004 release The Essential REO Speedwagon is a sprawling double-disc, 33-track history. There's a reason for that. The extra space gives plenty of room for the band -- and Kevin Cronin was indeed a co-producer on this set -- to show that they weren't just a power ballad powerhouse, that they also rocked hard and stretched out on occasion. Consequently, The Essential is more of a history than a standard hits collection. If anything, the hits take a back seat, with the first big anthem, "Roll With the Changes," not showing up until track 13 and Hi Infidelity not rearing its head until the second disc. If you just want the hits, the appropriately titled 1988 collection The Hits will serve those up, but Essential digs deeper, hitting nearly all of the key album tracks, concert staples, and fan favorites, drawing a picture of a band that was more muscular and complex than the hits, particularly power ballads like "Can't Fight This Feeling," would suggest. It's not for every listener, but for those fans who want more than the hits but don't want full-length albums, this is the perfect solution.

© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo

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