Having scored three multi-platinum hits in a row, took a breather, releasing his first live album, , as he worked on his ambitious follow-up to . wisely decided to use the live album as an opportunity to draw attention to songs from his first four albums. Apart from none of those songs had been heard by the large audience he had won with . Furthermore, he now had a seasoned backing band that helped give his music a specific identity -- in short, it was an opportunity to reclaim these songs, now that he had a signature sound. And didn't botch the opportunity -- is an excellent album, ranking among his very best work. With the possible exception of the material, every song is given a fuller, better arrangement that makes it all spring to life. and hit harder in the live setting, while like are richer and warmer in these versions. A few personal favorites from these albums may be missing, but what is here is impeccable, proving that even if wasn't a celebrity in the early '70s, his best songs of the era rivaled his biggest hits. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine