I keep saying, greatest hits and best-of compilations are not for die-hard fans. When will they get this into their heads? Such albums are for casual listeners. So all these complaints about single edits vs. album cuts and minor, mostly-forgotten hits not being on the album are purely academic. I, for one, am quite pleased with this CD. Though I have great respect for Steve Winwood as a highly creative and true professional, the only Winwood album I have ever owned is Traffic's Low Spark of High Heeled Boys (which is a masterpiece, by the way). As such, all I have every really desired is a single or two-disk compilation with all of the hits I grew up hearing, especially Steve's solo stuff. I've waited a long time for this, as Chronicles cuts off before "Roll With It" and the first boxed set was much more than I wanted to own or pay for. And, as far as what I do want, this finally has it all!

True, "Valerie" is not the more familiar re-mix; but, as the liner notes state, that was only a "slight" re-mix. The difference to the casual listener is not significant enough to matter. As for the edit of "While You See a Chance", I never owned Arc of a Diver, so I am not familiar with the album cut. This is the version I know from radio play and it's all I wanted. And when it comes to the radio edits of "Spanish Dancer 2010" and "Dirty City"-- well, these songs are new to me, anyway, and not the reason I purchased this. But they are great tracks and I love them just as presented, so good enough. I do, though, agree that labeling "Low Spark..." as an edit when it clearly is not is a silly mistake, but a small one.

While I would have preferred a comp of all solo recordings so as to have more of a taste of this material beyond the hits as well as a more consistent listen, I do love having the two Spencer Davis Group hits and the really great Traffic songs included. And good call including a sample of something from Blind Faith. I didn't have any of these recordings (other than "Low Spark...") and I'm glad I do now.

I know Winwood's real fans would see people like me as having a shallow view. But, come on; we can't be a die-hard for every artist. There's no way we can own the complete catalogs of every artist out there who catches our attention. I am a hard-core fan of certain artists that I collect that way. Winwood's just not one of them. For us, comps like this are a great thing. If you are a die-hard, great, don't buy CD's like this one. They're redundant to your collection and not for you. But don't rain on the parade for the rest of us!

I, too, have most of this material. But I bit for it, and I'm glad I did. I a-b'ed it to the Finer Things box set and it's no contest because, as the notes implied, Winwood spent time in the studio tweaking the music. Not only is it remastered, but check out the new mix on Low Spark. I don't think it's louder in the sense of Volume Wars. Rather, even the mono Spencer Davis tracks jump out (and I'm no purest mono freak). Steve Winwood is my absolute favorite musician. If you're young and have yet to collect his music, this set is perfect for you (and well priced!). If you're a longtime fan, you'll be equally thrilled. As for the missing trax, "Roll With It" and "Finer Things," suck it up and download it for an extra $1.99, burn it on a 35 cent disc and stash it between the pages. The liner notes are a little goofy, but it's all about the music. (Speaking of i-Tunes, what idiot would download it for $29.99 when you can get the discs (software)and the artwork for five bucks less?)

I think it's shady that the single disc version of this collection contains "The

Finer Things" & "Roll With It," while the boxed set does NOT.

Does Island Records expect Winwood's fans to purchase both versions of this collection to get every song available?

To gather almost 50 years of the music Steve Winwood has been involved in would be a daunting project . I guess that's why Stevie decided to grab the reins and do it himself . After listening and reading the materials included the proof is in the pudding because this collection is outstanding . The remastering adds depth to the older selections and the order in which the music is presented really enhances the listening experience . I hope Steve continues to make new music and tour for many years to come ! This is a must have for any Steve Winwood fanatic but the 4 disc set is not an easy find .

This is a GREAT collection with GREAT songs and GREAT value...This being said there is alot lacking from this set which is mostly from Winwood's solo works. There is probably almost 30 minutes of CD space that could have been used on this set that was not. Roll With It and Finer Things could have and should have been included. Also the 4th Cd really lacks any memorable tracks. Included are 2 or 3 tracks from the Traffic album "Far From Home" This is not an issue but when there are better tracks from the same album I have a problem with that. Also only one track from Nine Lives??? Nothing from Refugees of the Heart and I am pretty sure there is nothing included from the About Time CD either... I really think if anything they should have made the Set cost another $10.00 and made it a 5 CD set. Also...Their are not hardly any liner notes...