Greatest hits albums that truly are the only albums you'll ever need from an artist

Most of my favourite artists I got into by purchasing their greatest hits albums first, and at first, for most of these artists, I naively assumed that they would likely be the only albums I would ever need for those artists. While a lot of those artists I never purchased another album from aside from the compilation, there are many other artists that I gradually realized they were so much more than just their hits (the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, being some examples).

Which artists/greatest hits albums do you genuinely think are the only album you will ever need from said artist? I have a few in mind, but don't want to say, as I haven't ventured enough of their music to give a fair opinion.

 

I’m thinking America and Bread.

There’s lots of greatest hits albums that are very good but not definitive.

I’m good with these two bands’ greatest hits and nothing more.

 

Cat Stevens would be one that comes to mind.

 

Sly Stone?

 

Nazareth “Greatest Hits”

 

A lot of '50s artists I'm satisfied with a comp. Johnny Cash, Everly Brothers, Roy Orbison, etc. These are artists for whom "albums" were not a specific focus, and a lot of them I listen to for their "sound", be it voice or era-defining style, rather than for an "album" experience. Elvis is one exception, I am very tempted by that 60-CD box set. Plus, his best stuff wouldn't fit on one album - though the first Golden Records disc is truly wonderful.

In a similar vein, Motown and soul stuff. I got a Rhino Isley Brothers CD, I have a Marvin Gaye comp that I need to listen to more often (though I do intend to get What's Going On), etc. Guys like Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, etc - I want them in my collection, but a comp will suffice for me.

I don't know if jazz is a compilation-laden genre, so for the jazz greats (Miles, Coltrane, Hancock, etc.) I like to have at least one album.

I like a lot of music, but the artists who I obsessively collect the albums for are almost exclusively rock and roll.

 

Styx. I like their hits okay enough, checked out a few of what is considered their most highly regarded albums, and really the GH album I have is all I need

 

air supply

 

Ultravox - The Collection for the Midge Ure era. The John Foxx era albums are great.

 

Pat Benatar.

 

Absolutely not. Riot and Fresh at the very least have a lot of good album tracks.

 

Madonna Immaculate Collection

 

For me, some of them are:

10cc
TLC
Destiney's Child
Air Supply
Ambrosia
Paul Anka
Rick Astley
Bay City Rollers
Pat Benater
Stephen Bishop
Boyz II Men
Bread
Peabo Bryson
Joe Cocker

 

Anthology - Marvin Gaye
Chronicle - CCR
Best Of - Sam & Dave
More Blank Than Frank - Eno
Retrospective - Buffalo Springfield
Greatest Hits - Byrds
Time Peace - Rascals
Greatest Hits - Sly Stone

I've enjoyed all these albums and have never really wanted anything more by these artists. I've listened to more of their music but I'm happy just to have the "hits".

 

Sam & Dave (mentioned above) is a good example of this sort of thing. I used to listen to Sam & Dave's Greatest Hits (on cassette) all the time when I was 14, 15, 16, and I cannot imagine someday listening to their actual LPs. Nothing against Sam & Dave, but as a singles-heavy group with a limited output they fit the bill for me.

I recently bought The Four Tops' Second Album (these kind of LPs on CD are easy to get in Tokyo for a couple of bucks), thinking it would be a really interesting way to delve into their catalogue a little deeper... and I was disappointed. Aside from three really good songs (singles all), it struck me as basically an album of filler. So add them to the list!

 

I've always got the feeling that a Carpenters greatest hits would be enough.

 

- Ringo Starr
- Badfinger
- Three Dog Night
- Guess Who
- Herman's Hermits
- Kris Kristofferson
- most Motown artists

 

Don Henley's Actual Miles album.

 

The Captain & Tennille
Bill Haley and his Comets
Nena...just to name a few!

 

Too many hits missing and many aren't the hit single versions. It's a good listen but a definitive Madonna compilation hasn't been released yet. If one does get released, and it would have to be a triple CD with all the hits in their correct versions, well mastered, then it would be all that is essential. I do think Like A Prayer & Ray of Light are excellent albums though.

 

Agreed, I was a little harsh there.

 

I've tried, without success, to get beyond the "greatest hits" level with the Lovin' Spoonful.