In some ways, singer/songwriter Patti Smith seems an unlikely choice for a full-bore anthology like Land (1975-2002). After all, she's had only one charting single with "Because the Night". Yet her influence on the fledgling NYC punk scene and as a protofeminist poet renders her something of an American counterculture icon. As such, Land serves to frame an uncompromising career spanning four decades.

Split over two discs and featuring 31 tracks and almost two-and-a-half hours of music, Land begins with a survey of Smith's studio albums, relying most heavily on 1978's Easter. All the greats are here--"Dancing Barefoot", "People Have the Power", "Gloria", "Rock 'n' Roll Nigger", "Frederick" and, of course, "Because the Night". There's also a newly recorded version of Prince's "When Doves Cry", one of two songs cut specifically for this collection.

The second disc is where fans--who were solicited for track selection input via gigs and the Internet--get the goods. Early demos, among them 1974's coveted "Piss Factory", plus two other pre-Horses recordings, "Redondo Beach" and "Distance Fingers", kick things off. What follows is a batch of previously unreleased live recordings--"Dead City", "Spell", "Boy Cried Wolf"--most captured during a 2001 tour through the US and Europe, and studio outtakes. Smith herself helped remaster the recordings while stacking the accompanying booklet with fans' photos and the like.

Land probably won't spark a Smith renaissance, but loyalists can marvel at an artist who's never turned a fast buck by easing up on the sweat, tears, hunger and integrity that inform every one of these tracks. --Kim Hughes

This is a mouthwateringly superb collection of Patti Smith material from throughout much of her career, mixing some classic studio tracks with live or previously unreleased and 'demo' pieces. The two cds are split into one of studio tracks, including the classic 'because the night', 'pissing in the river', 'gloria' and the irresistible 'free money'. I held my breath as I played the second cd, given my experience of the music quality of so called 'rareties and out-takes', which status is usually deserved as they're normally crap. Eventually I almost passed out,as it was all good stuff, with some outstanding tracks such as 'redondo beach' 'spell' and 'wing' which you just have to return to, again and again. Really though, it's just quality throughout this cd as well, with the bonus of some useful info on the accompanying booklet. Whether you're new to Patti, or already have her studio albums, this double set is brimful of quality, a staggering bargain at the price and an undoubted 'must have'. Finally, I'd echo the words of another reviewer: buy 'Horses' if you don't already have it, as this is her other essential album.

I'm so tempted to buy this again even though I've already got it.Really at this price its got to be worth a try even if you dont know any Patti stuff at all.
Its not really a 'Best Of' album.If you want the best of Patti Smith then just buy the sublime Horses album.
But this 2 disc set is packed with classics from the 70s ,with several cuts from Horses included.Highlights are Gloria,Free Money,Because The Night,Dancing Barefoot,Piss Factory,Redondo Beach,Birdland (live) and many others.This album mixes Patti's 70s stuff with cuts from her later more subdued albums such as Gone Again,Peace and Noise,and Gung Ho, which for me don't compare well to her classic albums Horses,Easter,and Radio Ethiopia.But here you can get a taster of what all those albums sound like,plus some rare demo and live stuff.The package also includes a great booklet packed with photos and lyrics.Really for ??4 you cant go wrong here,so buy it now before they put the price up !!

With all of the great stuff Patti did this was so disappointing. I find it hard to believe this is what everyone voted for on her website. Where's 'Lebanon' or 'Privilege'? I do listen to this 'cause of the great tracks that are included, especially some of the live takes. Whatever happened to that seminal performance of 'Hey Joe' on The Whistle Test? I'd like to have given this five stars but, in all good conscience, it just doesn't come close. I much prefer her recent album of covers "12" - now that is accessible.

Patti Smith - original artist, punk rocker, poet of the political and surreal. She is a powerfully feminist figure, not by any divisive rhetoric or populist agenda, but rather by virtue of being a woman wilful enough to reject the superficial, sexualised cliche that has claimed so many of her female contemporaries. The music she makes is vicious, exhaltant, brooding and intimate. Her lyrics are often obscure, and yet filled with images potent enough to spark a personal connection in the mind of the listener. As a singer, her voice is uniquely confrontational - it simply demands your attention of any song in which it resides.

'Land' is an excellent combination of Smith's better known songs with demos, live performances and spoken word tracks. The precise balance between rare and accessible material makes it appealing to both long-term fans and newcomers (which most compilations aspire to, but precious few have achieved). Everything on the album deserves its place, the quality never wavers, and Amazon's asking price is a welcome bonus. If there is a more fiercely courageous and strikingly individual female musician than Patti Smith alive today, I have yet to hear her.

This is the perfect CD to experience the groundbreaking work of Patti Smith up to 2002, as it contains the best of Smith's seventies and eighties masterpieces like Babelogue, Gloria, Redondo Beach, Dancing Barefoot, People Have The Power, Frederick and Because The Night, plus live versions of old and more recent classics and interesting demo versions of Redondo Beach and Distant Fingers.

Her interpretation of When Doves Cry by the artist at once stage known as Prince is delectable! Even if you have already replaced your ancient vinyl with CD's, this is still a must have. The rare early single P-Factory, a true collector's item, makes this an essential purchase for the true fan.

The non-chronological sequence of tracks allows the listener to get a different perspective and new appreciation of the songs. There is no one quite like Patti Smith with her talent for merging rock and poetry. Land is luxuriously packaged with an informative booklet. Watch out for the hidden track - it's a lovely surprise to hear her take on the Broadway song Tomorrow!