XX

I had never listened to Great Big Sea before, other than the snippet of "Oh Yeah" that plays in the credits for "Republic of Doyle" on CBC, which is one of my favorite TV shows. They were playing a concert at the end of October where I live, and the local review described a lot of what they played as 'sea shanties' and I didn't know what on earth that meant. So I got online to Amazon and listened to the previews of this double album/CD and liked what I heard. The first disc is labeled as POP songs and the second disc is labelled as FOLK. The band is from St. John's Newfoundland which has a strong Celtic heritage and connection with the UK, and so it is right up my alley. It's a collection of songs from their albums over the last 20 years. The 'folk' songs are in the vein of what is often labelled 'traditional' especially in regards to the lyrics. There are at least a few songs I could tell that they had a guest artist, but the downside was that there were no liner notes included in this set to know who it was. I am very glad that I tried it out, and ended up purchasing a few additional single MP3's from the Amazon Play Store from the band. They have a good sound, and I recommend it.

All of my favorites, and then some. I heard all of these songs performed live at the XX tour concert in Seattle. I didn't know that it would be the last time they would perform together there, so, this is a album of wonderful memories of this wonderful and fun band from Canada.

Great addition to my collection. It’s a great mix of folk and Irish stylings.

Great music. Love this band.

Like the other reviewers here, I consider myself a big fan of Great Big Sea. I have all their albums and concert videos, and have seen them play live. And like, I suspect, many others out there, I have compiled my own "best of" discs more than once. And my personal playlists do resemble the song choices on "XX" for the most part. And while the choices here are undeniably great (except, as someone else mentioned, "Come and I Will Sing You"), the fact is that we hardcore fans know there are some tracks missing, and a few tracks seem to have been altered from their original versions. For starters, there's really no excuse for a 40-track collection of "hits" to omit songs that WERE released as singles. Where are Can't Stop Falling, End of the World, Shines Right Through, Fast as I Can, or Everything Shines? All good tunes, all relased as singles. Of course, it's hard to argue the logic of well-liked album tracks like Captain Wedderburn, (A Boat Like) Gideon Brown and Ferryland Sealer. But the other songs should be here as well. The six new tracks are just fine, although I don't think the live version of "England" improves upon the original. The new songs also illustrate what I personally like most about the band: their ability to comfortably slip into different song styles, while retaining their identity. Last and probably least, I'm not crazy about dividing the set into a "Pop" disc and a "Folk One." True fans like both the band's primary styles, and the majority of their albums offer up about equal portions of both. Longtime fans, in my experience, tend to prefer the traditional Newfoundland-based folks songs, and are likely to get a bit bored with disc one (the pop one). Likewise, if you happen to have found the band through more radio-friendly fare like Walk on the Moon or When I Am King, the folk disc may not be your cup of tea. Either way, I think the set works best as an introduction to the band for those who don't already have all their albums. And if you are a true fan, you know you have to buy this for the 6 new tracks (sorry, but mp3's don't count in my book). I will use it to supplement my own ever-changing "best of" compilations, rather than playing both discs in their entirety.

Great Bis Sea is a band that defies category and is tough to describe. What they are is extremely talented, have a very unique sound. I'd recommend them to anyone. The more you listen to them the more you appreciate their music. Take a listen.

I love this band. This is a good collection of their music.

This 2 disc set is divided into "The Pop Songs" on one disc and "The Folk Songs" on the other. It's their greatest hits (thus far). It's all just great music - very entertaining and infectious. I dare you to keep your foot still while listening to this band!

Top Eine der besten Bands ever

I live in UK now so don't keep up with this band. I remember their upbeat music from um, yep 20 years ago and rediscovered them a few years ago on a trip home to Canada. I was excited to discover they'd put out a best hits double cd. I'm loving it. My favourite songs are on each disc. Inside the package you will find two discs. One has their own Celtic flavoured "pop" music - self-penned and covers and the 2nd disc has the folk music - the sea shanties and drinking songs. I'm giving it 5 stars because the music never fails to make me smile. I love their Celtic sounds and instrumentals reflecting their Newfoundland roots and Irish heritage. The only thing that could make this package better would be the inclusion of liner notes. Pictures from over the 20 amazing years of their music and credit to the writers and albums where fans and new fans can go discover more. But these CDs are just as fantastic without liner notes. Oh and you don't need the words, 'cause you can understand what they are singing. I was surprised to read that founding band member Sean McCann is leaving the band at the end of the current tour. I'm sorry I never got to see them live in their current line up - with Sean. I hope the band and Sean continue making music - live long and prosper.

I like my New Great Big Sea XX CD has two CD`s has a total of 40 songs on it - And There From St.John`s Newfoundland..

Gute Gutelaune Musik.

Great Big Sea are one of the great bands to come out of North America.This superb band from Newfoundland have been making wonderful music for more then 20 years and this excellent double cd proves beyond any doubt,that GBS are a class act indeed.There are several new and unreleased tracks along with the usual GBS mix of traditional and contemporary folk laced with a little pop here and there.There are many stand out tracks including Ordinary Day, The Night Pat Murphy Died, Consequence Free, Run,Run Away, Up, The Clearest Indication, and their biggest hit to date When i'm Up I can't Get Down, which fans of Oysterband will recognise immediately. If you have never heard of any of Great Big Seas back catalogue,then this is a worthy introduction to an incredible band.I just wish they could return to the UK, its been ages since GBS performed here.Newfoundland forever!