David Bowie
has switched labels so often his catalog is cluttered with hits compilations, all purporting to be definitive. Since he is one of the few major artists with no compunction about putting all his hits on one disc, they're all excellent, and 2002's
Best of Bowie
is no exception, no matter which country you live in (brief explanation: sensitive to the needs of fans in different markets,
Bowie
and
EMI/Virgin
tailored a different
for every country it was released in -- a collector's and cataloger's nightmare, but the basics apply for each variation). Yeah, there are great songs missing, and it loses a little focus toward the end, but all the big, big hits are here, in great sound and logical sequence.
made more than his share of great albums, but if you just want the highlights, this is as good as
Changesbowie
in capturing them. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine