Description
When the late Karl Wallinger decided to leave the Waterboys in the mid-’80s to form World Party, one song made it clear to fans that this was going to be something special and not just a side project. That memorable track, “Ship of Fools,” along with 12 other gems, fills the band’s first-ever “greatest-hits” compilation, affectionately titled Best in Show. Wallinger, a passionate “Beatlemaniac,” infused each note with his distinctive touch, setting a joyful tone for World Party’s second album, Goodbye Jumbo. Featuring an impressive seven tracks from this album, Jumbo embraced the fresh beatnik vibe of the early ’90s while steering clear of Lenny Kravitz’s questionable take on the “new summer of love.” While World Party beautifully blended influences from Dylan, Donovan, and a sprinkle of Wings-era McCartney, Wallinger’s socially conscious mysticism felt perfectly aligned with the prosperous Clinton era. Tracks like “Put the Message in the Box,” “Way Down Now,” and “Thank You World” carried an inviting groove that resonated with AAA radio listeners while also striking a chord with college audiences. Albums like 1993’s Bang!, 1997’s Egyptology, and 2000’s Dumbing Up certainly deserve more recognition than just one track each featured on this compilation, but it’s worth noting that “Is It Like Today?” from Bang! remains one of the group’s standout moments and marked Wallinger and his band’s last significant radio presence. Best in Show keeps things concise, and while dedicated fans might miss tunes like “All I Gave,” “Vanity Fair,” and “Kingdom Come,” new listeners will surely be intrigued and will want to explore those tracks on their own.
Disc 1
1: Ship of Fools
2: Way Down Now
3: Put the Message in the Box
4: Is It Like Today?
5: She’s the One
6: All Come True
7: Sweet Soul Dream
8: Thank You World
Disc 2
1: Sunshine
2: Is It Too Late?
3: What Does It Mean Now?
4: When the Rainbow Comes
5: Everybody’s Falling in Love
6: God On My Side
7: Best Place I’ve Ever Been
8: Private Revolution
9: Always
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