Compilations

When I was trying to think of what to write about in today's post, I kept coming back to the same subject, and it is music related, compilations.  There are some music collectors that refuse to buy any compilations in their collection.  I differ with them on that point, I have several in my collection.

There are two different types of compilations: 1) An album of songs all by the same artist that have been previously released on other albums by the group, such as greatest hits albums, and 2) An album of songs by various artists.  When I started collecting over 40 years ago, as a teenager,  I bought mainly compilations, usually greatest hits.  The reason I did that was that I wasn't sure how many songs I've heard by the different groups and I figured buying greatest hits compilations would help me see whether I liked much of the different artists music before I went out and buy their other albums and be dissatisfied with the other albums after I spent my hard earned money on them.

I would buy the other type of compilations, such as those put out by K-Tel, and would hear songs by groups where I hadn't heard before.  This gave me exposure to some artists which got me to start buying those artists' albums.  There have been several artists that I have been exposed to this way.

I still recommend that new collectors buy compilations instead of going out and buy all of the other studio albums by artists and be upset because of spending their money on albums they don't like.  I still buy compilations to this day to get exposure to artists that I've rare heard before.

I happen to be listening to a greatest hits album while writing this. It is by The New Christy Minstrels which is a group that several artists were in before making it big such as Kenny Rogers (and most of the First Edition), John Denver and Kim Carnes, just to name a few.

I would like to see the thoughts of my readers who are also music collectors on compilations.  Please put them in the comments below.