AMG Review of Very Best of Humble Pie

Thom Jurek
All Music Guide

While no one can argue that the 14 cuts here are solid, passionate, and raw, it should be noted that this set is definitely not the very best of Humble Pie -- that came later. What is here is fine, if you'd be satisfied with a muddy-sounding document of the band's first year on Immediate when Steve Marriott broke up the Small Faces -- leaving Rod Stewart to lead them -- and began this band with Peter Frampton. In addition to compiling cuts from the band's first and second albums, there is a studio jam of "For Your Love," an acoustic version of "Every Mother's Son," and a previously released live version of "Shakin' All Over" from ~the Whisky A Go Go in 1969. This one is for fanatics and collectors only.