Personnel includes: Marshall Crenshaw (vocals, various instruments, guitar, mandoguitar, keyboards, 6-string bass, percussion); Sonny Landreth (slide guitar); Steve Fishell, David Lindley (steel guitar); Peter Case (harmonica); Mitch Easter (piano); Bob Marlette (organ); Mitchell Froom (keyboards); Chris Donato (bass, background vocals); Fernando Saunders, Faye Hunter, Graham Maby, Tony Levin, David Miner (bass); Kenny Aronoff (drums, percussion); Robert Crenshaw (drums, background vocals); Mickey Curry, Jerry Marotta (drums); T-Bone Burnett (programming, background vocals); Rosie Flores, Don Dixon, Brad Jones, Andy York, The BoDeans, Tom Teeley, Steven Soles (background vocals).

Producers include: Marshall Crenshaw, Alan Betrock, T-Bone Burnett, Ed Stasium, Mitch Easter.

Compilation producers: Gary Stewart, Marshall Crenshaw.

Engineers include: Thom Panunzio, Bill Jackson, Suzy Pink.

Recorded between 1982 & 1996. Includes liner notes by Cub Koda, Gary Stewart, David Gorman & Marshall Crenshaw.

Digitally remastered by Greg Calibi.

Personnel: Marshall Crenshaw (vocals, guitar, tambourine, percussion); T Bone Burnett (vocals, drum programming); Don Dixon, Tom Teeley, Andy York, Rosie Flores, Steven Soles, Chris Donato (vocals); Sonny Landreth (slide guitar); David Lindley (steel guitar); Warren Klein (tamboura); Peter Case (harmonica); Mitch Easter (piano); Bob Marlette (organ); Mitchell Froom (keyboards); Jerry Marotta, Mickey Curry (drums); Ed Stasium, Michael Osborn, Richard Gottehrer (percussion).

Audio Mixers: Ed Stasium; Larry Hirsch; Paul McKenna; Will Schillinger.

Liner Note Authors: Cub Koda; David Gorman.

Recording information: 17 5th Avenue, Apt. 15-B, Pelham, NY; 39th Street Music, New York, NY; A & M Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA; Alex The Great Studio, Nashville, TN; Bearsville Sound Studios, Bearsville, NY; Blue Canyon Recorders, Studio City, CA; BMG Studios, New York, NY; Dreamland Recording, Kingston, NY; Knock-It-Off Studios, New York, NY; Media Sound Studios, New York, NY; Ocean Way, Hollywood, CA; Pilot Recording Studios, New York, NY; Power Station, New York, NY; Power Trax, Los Angeles, CA; Record Plant, Hollywood, CA; Reflection Sound Studio, Charlotte, NC; Right Track Recording, New York, NY; Rumbo Recorders, Canoga Park, CA; Sunset Sound Recordings, Hollywood, CA; The Grey Room, North Hollywood, CA.

Photographers: Lynn Goldsmith; Greg Allen.

Co-compiler Gary Stewart and project assistant David Gorman waste no time at all before addressing the question that has plagued rock critics and fans since 1981: "how can we rationalize the continued underappreciation of Marshall Crenshaw?" It's not just that Crenshaw is a cult favorite and critics' pet; he's also steeped in rock & roll traditions that date back to Buddy Holly and Gene Vincent, and his records are such ear candy that you'd figure they would attract a big audience. Instead, only three of Crenshaw's previous ten albums have even reached the charts, along with just one single; Stewart and Gorman hope this compilation will "set things right." If only it could. Running from 1981 to 1996, the 22-track collection gathers four tracks each from Crenshaw's first three albums, as well as his first indie single "Something's Gonna Happen," the exceptional B-side "You're My Favorite Waste of Time," and assorted tracks from four subsequent albums. Crenshaw doesn't so much write songs as he makes records, at least as interested in guitar textures and what echo is placed on his vocal as what he's singing about. For all the surface pleasure his work provides, the only depth it reveals is one of craft; one is more impressed than really involved. And yet, it would be hard for a rock & roll fan not to enjoy this record, which cherry-picks Crenshaw's albums, diminishing, for example, the inappropriately bombastic production Steve Lillywhite brought to Field Day. The tracks are all pop gems, and they do, as Stewart and Gorman claim, induce the fantasy of a world in which classic, 1965-vintage pop/rock was still on top 20 years later. It's a nice dream for rock & roll fans; with this album they can close their eyes and, for 75 minutes, pretend it's true. ~ William Ruhlmann

Prior to the release of his 1982 debut album, Marshall Crenshaw had been in the cast of BEATLEMANIA (playing the part of John Lennon). Full of pop smarts, that album was a breath of fresh air, drawing on '60s sources without being a bit retro. Millions of others also cut their teeth on British Invasion bands, but for Crenshaw, it became part of his musical foundation, which is why it doesn't sound like he's aping his idols.

A first class songwriter, this compilation is a wonder tour through nearly two decades of Crenshaw's recordings. He's a topflight songwriter, graced with a friendly voice, wise producers, and energetic accompaniment. This is an essential title, a keystone in any collection of exuberant rock music. In a better world all of these songs would have been hits. Also recommended are his self-titled debut and #447 from 1999.

Spin (10/00, p.178) - 9 out of 10 - "...Deceptively simple, tightly edited, and irrationally fulfilling....his pop outlasts time."

Entertainment Weekly (9/1/00, pp.78-9) - "...[A] welcome and overdue compilation....guitar pop imbued with joy and song craft....and strangely quaint..." - Rating: A-

Q (11/00, p.123) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Laden with catchy minor masterpieces such as 'Cynical Girl' and 'mary Anne'....Crenshaw's best work and a neat precis of his much overlooked talent."

No Depression (11-12/00, pp.105-6) - "...A fitting testament to the unaffected pleasures of a music that continues to surprise and delight...this stuff is timeless."