"London Conversations: The Best Of Saint Etienne" will be released on September 29 in the UK. This looks like a great collection.

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These have been pushed back to February 2nd. -- Linda



[bigred]Standard Edition[/bigred]

2009 UK 35-track 2-CD album set - Throughout the early '90s, Saint Etienne racked up a string of indie hit singles that were driven by deep club beats, encompassing anything from house and techno to hip-hop and disco, and layered with light melodies, detailed productions, clever lyrics, and Cracknell's breathy vocals. [title]London Conversations[/title] is the first complete overview of St Etienne's catalogue; and contains all their major hits as well as two brand new tracks including Xenomanias 'Burnt Out Car' and the Richard X produced 'This Is Tomorrow'.

CD1:
1. Only Love Can Break Your Heart
2. Nothing Can Stop Us
3. Join Our Club
4. Avenue (Edit)
5. You're In A Bad Way
6. Hobart Paving
7. Who Do You Think You Are
8. Pale Movie
9. Like A Motorway
10. Hug My Soul
11. He's On The Phone
12. Sylvie
13. Heart Failed
14. Action
15. A Good Thing
16. Side Streets
17. Burnt Out Car - Xenomania Mix
18. This Is Tomorrow

CD2:
1. Kiss And Make Up
2. Filthy
3. Spring
4. People Get Real
5. Mario's Cafe
6. Goodnight Jack (Original 1998 Version)
7. The Bad Photographer
8. Lose That Girl
9. Lover Plays The Bass
10. How We Used To Live
11. Boy Is Crying
12. Finisterre
13. Soft Like Me
14. Shower Scene
15. Stars Above Us
16. Teenage Winter
17. I Was Born On Christmas Day

Amazon USA:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001E7J21G/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001E7J21G/?tag=imwan-21

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[bigred]Deluxe Edition[/bigred]

2009 UK 'Deluxe Edition' 3-disc set - Includes a Bonus DVD featuring all the music Videos, presented in an exclusive book shaped picture sleeve complete with exclusive artwork & sleevenotes by journalist Jon Savage.

Bonus DVD:
1. Only Love Can Break Your Heart
2. Kiss And Make Up
3. Nothing Can Stop Us
4. Avenue
5. You're In A Bad Way
6. Hobart Paving
7. Who Do You Think You Are
8. I Was Born On Christmas Day
9. Pale Movie
10. Like A Motorway
11. Hug My Soul
12. He's On The Phone
13. Sylvie
14. The Bad Photographer
15. How We Used To Live
16. Heart Failed
17. Action
18. Side Streets

Amazon USA:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001D84S6U/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001D84S6U/?tag=imwan-21

Man, don't I already have 3 or 4 best-of's for St. Etienne?

I guess the 3rd disc for this new one will be remixes, since many of the songs are repeats. Or maybe a DVD of videos?

The listing I saw said 3 CDs, but I won't be surprised if #3 turns out to be a DVD.

According to an e-mail from the group, the third disc is a DVD of videos. The big question is if it will be compatible for American players. I hope so, as that would be my biggest motivation for buying it, other than a couple of rare tracks.

As Jimbo states, they have had several hits collections already, with many of the same tracks appearing on each of them. I know of at least four prior collections, one (Travel Companion) which came out just before their last commercial release. Not quite Who or Doors territory, but they're getting there.

I absolutely love this band (note my avatar) but I would much rather see a new release or even a collection of their many b-sides, one-offs, etc.

The third disc of the Deluxe Edition is a DVD, almost certainly in PAL format, but no information yet as to the region code.

Bump: these have been pushed back to February 2nd.

If you bring up the Amazon page it actually states the DVD is Region 0 Some time ago I recall reading that one of the band members promised that if they ever did another DVD it would be all regions (their last video collection was not) so maybe they're making good on that.

I don't own any St Etienne. Do ya think its the kind of stuff I'd like? The female singer is cute....not as cute as my dancing tiger girl though.

John, from your posts you seem to have varied tastes so I would say give 'em a shot!

Any hits collection (including this one) would be a good place to start. As for their sound, there is a definite dance music element in some of their stuff but its just one of many influences, which include Beach Boys, 60s girl groups and dreamy Twin Peaks-style music. They have a bit of an experimental streak but making good pop is always the first priority. Sarah's voice is very pure and unaffected -- no Celine Dion-style theatrics.

Okay, sales pitch over. Check them out and decide for yourself.

p.s., they're very British, but you probably got that from the compilation title.