An impressive collection,
Granite Years: Best of 1986-1997 contains over two hours of the finest
Oysterband has to offer. Frequently, such comprehensive releases are the cause for debate among the most devoted fans. But that is not the scenario surrounding this release. From
Step Outside's "Hal-an-Tow" to Wide Blue Yonder's "The Oxford Girl" to
Holy Bandits' "Blood Wedding" to
Deep Dark Ocean's "Native Son," this release hits all of the key tracks by this legendary British folk-rock band. If there is any drawback, it is that no track from their 1991 release,
From Little Rock to Leipzig, was included and a whopping seven tracks from their previous best-of release,
Trawler, grace the track list of this two-CD set. It should be clarified that
Trawler was a collection of re-recorded favorites that originally appeared on previous albums. That's a minor detail that won't matter to the uninitiated and is easily overlooked by the hardcore fan simply due to the preponderance of superb material found within these 30 tracks. Ideally, an historic, detailed outline chronicling this band should have been included with the liner notes, but since
Oysterband's music demands attention, perhaps a literary supplementation would've only detracted from the listening experience. ~ Dave Sleger