Twenty Twenty: The Essential T Bone Burnett

Description

Twenty Twenty: The Essential T Bone Burnett is a 40 track double disc compilation the American singer, songwriter, and producer T-Bone Burnett, released on Columbia Records/Legacy in May 2006, distributed by Sony Music. This is the first retrospective collection from one of music’s most acclaimed and influential songwriters and musicians. The Essential T Bone Burnett shows how one man can illustrate the evolution of Americana music – he obviously knows every branch of American music is related to that one strong root and he interweaves these similarities perfectly. 40 essential tracks on two CDs, including rarities and previously unreleased songs. Deluxe packaging features 52 page color book with lyrics, in-depth essay and track by track annotation by T Bone Burnett. Features musicians like David Mansfield, Steven Soles, Marc Ribot, Pete Townsend, David Hidalgo, Ringo Starr, Jerry Scheff, Richard Thompson, Jim Keltner, Ry Cooder, Sam Phillips and Elvis Costello.

Retrospectives are rarely this good, this surprising, or just flat-out fun. It doesn’t matter if you know any of the songs: good music is simply good music. Here’s to a career that’s been full of it. [Pop Matters]

This 40-song collection captures 15 years of material from J Henry Burnett and still there will be some displeased (including myself) because favourite songs are missed out! T-Bone has embraced so many different musical influences that “rock” seems a very limited description of what he’s done. There are songs here from his years with The Alpha Band, stuff from his solo records, film soundtracks and thankfully one of my all time favourite singles which finally means I can rest my vinyl copy of The Coward Brothers’ «People’s Limousine», his collaboration with Elvis Costello. With contributions from ex-wife Sam Phillips, Ry Cooder, Pete Townend, Ringo Starr and guitarist Marc Ribot, these songs are in a class of their own and which modern artist can throw up such a varied and interesting back catalogue? An appearance at Greenbelt 2006 will thankfully introduce a few thousand more people to his amazing music. As for me, let me point out a few highlights. «Fatally Beautiful» is a more appropriate description of Marilyn Monroe than Elton managed on «Candle In the Wind» and talking of Marilyn, he does an amazing job of reworking «Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend». «River Of Love» and «No Love At All» are both gentle country gems whilst «The Murder Weapon» benefits from a 21st century remix and lyrically seems perfect in these times. However when will he re-release the excellent mid ’80s ‘Proof Through The Night’? Another track from that album «Hefner And Disney» exploits Burnett’s continual lyrical delight in making a point through juxtaposition. «Euromad» is fun reportage from the frenzies of life on the road whilst «I Wish You Could Have Seen Her Dance» is reportedly based on a true encounter. With extensive detailed sleevenotes, this package presents the wide range of Burnett’s endeavours and simply makes me hungry for a CD re-release of his back catalogue. [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, July 2006]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/twenty-twenty-the-essential-t-bone-burnett/153622770)

2CD tracklist:

Disc One

1-01. Humans from Earth – 2:49
1-02. Born in Captivity (The Alpha Band) – 4:06
1-03. Primitives – 3:14
1-04. Power of Love – 2:55
1-05. Fatally Beautiful – 4:33
1-06. Monkey Dance – 4:25
1-07. The Long Time Now – 2:59
1-08. River of Love – 3:34
1-09. Shut It Tight – 2:56
1-10. Tear This Building Down – 4:35
1-11. The Murder Weapon – 5:14
1-12. Image – 4:02
1-13. Kill Zone – 4:05
1-14. Hula Hoop – 3:25
1-15. Criminals – 3:44
1-16. Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend – 3:04
1-17. No Love at All – 2:57
1-18. When the Night Falls – 4:23
1-19. Over You – 2:21
1-20. The Bird That I Held in My Hand – 3:10

Disc Two

2-01. Every Little Thing – 2:56
2-02. House of Mirrors – 3:34
2-03. The Dogs (The Alpha Band) – 4:21
2-04. Shake Yourself Loose – 3:04
2-05. Kill Switch – 2:56
2-06. I Wish You Could Have Seen Her Dance – 3:48
2-07. Hefner and Disney – 3:53
2-08. Drivin Wheel – 3:13
2-09. Boomerang – 4:19
2-10. Euromad – 4:12
2-11. Strange Combination – 3:50
2-12. East of East (The Alpha Band) – 3:11
2-13. The People’s Limousine (The Coward Brothers) – 3:41
2-14. Trap Door – 4:11
2-15. I’m Coming Home – 4:02
2-16. It’s Not Too Late – 4:27
2-17. Song to a Dead Man – 4:09
2-18. After All These Years – 3:12
2-19. Man, Don’t Dog Your Woman – 3:44
2-20. Bon Temps Rouler – 4:58

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