With the glut of
B.J. Thomas greatest-hits packages available, it's difficult to know what contains the actual hits and what are second-rate re-recordings. Unfortunately,
Greatest and Latest falls into the second category. While this compilation mixes tunes from his late-'60s prime and early-'80s comeback, they are not the arrangements that have been etched into the memories of anyone who ever heard them. "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" without the
Burt Bacharach arrangement sounds flat, even though
Thomas' voice is in fine shape. If you want the late-'60s original hits from the Scepter label, pick up Greatest Hits on the always trustworthy Rhino label. For the '80s material check out Best of B.J. Thomas: New Looks and Old Fashioned Love on Razor & Tie. ~ Al Campbell