The Essential REO Speedwagon

The Essential REO Speedwagon
Greatest hits album by
REO Speedwagon
Released10 August 2004
Recorded1971–1999
GenreRock, hard rock
Length2:35:05
188:12 (3.0 Edition)
LabelEpic, Legacy
ProducerREO Speedwagon; Peter Asher
REO Speedwagon chronology
Keep On Rollin
(2002) 		The Essential REO Speedwagon
(2004) 		Rock Breakout Years: 1981
(2005)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic [1]

The Essential REO Speedwagon is a greatest hits album by the band REO Speedwagon released through Epic Records and Legacy Recordings.[2] The collection spans the band's history from 1971 through 1999 and the package includes two compact discs. The album consists of tracks from nearly every studio album up to 1999 except "This Time We Mean It" from 1975.

In 2009, the album was re-released as part of the Limited Edition 3.0 series which added a third bonus disc with eight more tracks.[3]

Track listing

The Essential REO Speedwagon

Disc one
No.TitleWriter(s)AlbumLength
1."Sophisticated Lady"Gary Richrath, Terry Luttrell, Gregg Philbin, Neal Doughty, Alan GratzerR.E.O. Speedwagon (1971)4:00
2."Music Man"Kevin CroninR.E.O./T.W.O. (1972)4:33
3."Golden Country"Gary RichrathR.E.O./T.W.O. (1972)6:33
4."Son of a Poor Man" (10 seconds of guitar intro not on the original Ridin' the Storm Out (1973) album version)Gary RichrathA Decade of Rock and Roll 1970 to 1980 (1980)3:54
5."Lost in a Dream"Mike Murphy, Bruce HallLost in a Dream (1974)6:33
6."Keep Pushin'"Kevin CroninR.E.O. (1976)4:06
7."(I Believe) Our Time is Gonna Come"Kevin CroninR.E.O. (1976)5:04
8."Lightning"Gary Richrath, Kevin CroninR.E.O. (1976)5:56
9."Like You Do" (Live)Gary RichrathLive: You Get What You Play For (1977)6:53
10."Flying Turkey Trot" (Live)Gary RichrathLive: You Get What You Play For (1977)2:33
11."157 Riverside Avenue" (Live)Gary Richrath, Terry Luttrell, Gregg Philbin, Alan GratzerLive: You Get What You Play For (1977)7:36
12."Ridin' the Storm Out" (Live)Gary RichrathLive: You Get What You Play For (1977)5:45
13."Roll with the Changes"Kevin CroninYou Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish (1978)5:37
14."Time for Me to Fly"Kevin CroninYou Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish (1978)3:42
15."Say You Love Me or Say Goodnight"Gary Richrath, Kevin CroninYou Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish (1978)4:58
Total length:77:52
Disc two
No.TitleWriter(s)AlbumLength
1."Back on the Road Again"Bruce HallNine Lives (1979)5:28
2."Only the Strong Survive"Gary RichrathNine Lives (1979)3:52
3."Don't Let Him Go"Kevin CroninHi Infidelity (1980)3:45
4."Keep On Loving You"Kevin CroninHi Infidelity (1980)3:21
5."In Your Letter"Gary RichrathHi Infidelity (1980)3:16
6."Take It on the Run"Gary RichrathHi Infidelity (1980)4:01
7."Keep the Fire Burnin'"Kevin CroninGood Trouble (1982)3:55
8."The Key"Kevin CroninGood Trouble (1982)3:26
9."One Lonely Night"Neal DoughtyWheels Are Turnin' (1984)3:21
10."Live Every Moment"Kevin CroninWheels Are Turnin' (1984)5:01
11."Can't Fight This Feeling"Kevin CroninWheels Are Turnin' (1984)4:54
12."That Ain't Love"Kevin CroninLife as We Know It (1987)4:01
13."In My Dreams"Kevin Cronin, Tom KellyLife as We Know It (1987)4:30
14."Variety Tonight"Neal DoughtyLife as We Know It (1987)4:30
15."Here with Me"Kevin Cronin, Rick BraunThe Hits (1988)5:05
16."Love Is a Rock"Kevin CroninThe Earth, a Small Man, His Dog and a Chicken (1990)5:35
17."Building the Bridge"Kevin CroninBuilding the Bridge (1996)4:15
18."Just for You"Kevin Cronin, Jim PeterikThe Ballads (1999)4:38
Total length:77:13

The Essential REO Speedwagon [3.0]

Note: The Essential REO Speedwagon [3.0] has the same tracks above with an added CD with eight more tracks.

Disc three (Limited Edition 3.0 Version, 2009)
No.TitleWriter(s)AlbumLength
1."I Do' Wanna Know" Wheels Are Turnin' (1984)4:14
2."Out of Season"Kevin Cronin, Tom KellyHi Infidelity (1980)3:07
3."Sweet Time" Good Trouble (1982)3:08
4."Wherever You're Goin' (It's Alright)" Best Foot Forward (1985)5:05
5."Blazin' Your Own Trail Again" You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish (1978)3:34
6."Being Kind (Can Hurt Someone Sometime)" R.E.O./T.W.O. (1972)6:02
7."Tough Guys" Hi Infidelity (1980)3:52
8."Live It Up" (Live)Jesse HarmsThe Second Decade of Rock and Roll 1981 to 1991 (1991)4:41
Total length:33:47

Personnel

  • Kevin Cronin – Vocals (Disc 01: tracks 02-04, 06-15/All tracks on Disc 02 & 03); Rhythm guitar, Acoustic Guitar, and Piano on various tracks
  • Gary Richrath – lead guitars (All tracks on Disc 01/Disc 02: 01-15/Disc 03: 01-07)
  • Gregg Philbin – Bass (Disc 01: tracks 01-12/Disc 03: 06)
  • Neal Doughty – Keyboards (All tracks)
  • Alan Gratzer – Drums (All tracks on Disc 01/Disc 02: 01-15/Disc 03: 01-07)
  • Terry Luttrell – Lead Vocals (Disc 01: track 01)
  • Mike Murphy – Lead Vocals (Disc 01: track 05)
  • Bruce Hall – Bass (Disc 01: tracks 13-15/All tracks on Disc 02/Disc 03: 01-05, 07-08), Lead vocals on "Back on the Road Again"
  • Dave Amato – Lead guitar (Disc 02: tracks 16-18/Disc 03: 08)
  • Bryan Hitt – Drums (Disc 02: tracks 16-18/Disc 03: 08)
  • Jesse Harms – Keyboards (Disc 02: tracks 16/Disc: 03: 08)

Release history

Region Date Label Format Catalog #
USA August 10, 2004 Epic/Legacy 2-CD E2K 86015
USA September 1, 2009 Epic/Legacy 3-CD (Limited Edition 3.0) 88697 54093 2

References

  1. ^ The Essential REO Speedwagon at AllMusic
  2. ^ Allmusic review
  3. ^ "The Essential REO Speedwagon [3.0]". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2016-10-07.