Very Best of Lindisfarne

The Very Best of Lindisfarne gathers together an excellent cross section of tracks from the three years (1970-1972) of Lindisfarne's first phase, considered to be the band's most attractive and adventurous period. EMI's collection presents 18 tracks of the group's finer moments from Nicely Out of Tune, Fog on the Tyne, and Dingly Dell, plus two previously unreleased recordings tacked on at the end. Opening with the band's two biggest hits ("Meet Me on the Corner" and "Lady Eleanor"), The Very Best of Lindisfarne immediately showcases how diverse the group was with psychedelic folk and British Invasion-tinged pop, with clever orchestration and the rawer elements of soft rock creeping to the surface. Perhaps the two unreleased recordings are the only downside to The Very Best of Lindisfarne, as they were obviously recorded at a later date than the rest of the material and lack the urgency and excitement of the meat of the collection. Regardless, The Very Best of Lindisfarne is a fantastic set for those curious about what the band was all about. ~ Gregory McIntosh