With a catalogue as big as Aerosmith's, you'd expect a couple of add ons, but due to the competing record firms both trying to profit from the band, things have got...complicated! I'll try and guide you through the minefiled ;-)
"Live! Bootleg" - 1978 (Columbia)
The band's first live album, it was called "Bootleg" because the band were fed up of the quality bootlegs available (Aerosmith in the early years played many live shows on FM Radio...). Jack Douglas and they guy's spent the '77 & '78 tours dragging miles of tape with them to record the shows. They recorded the album with a lot of crowd noise and didn't overdub any tracks - just like a bootleg. Columbia didn't get it and said it sounded "trashy"...as it had intended!! The album is raw, the tracks are rawer - a perfect depiction of '70s live Aerosmith at their best (ie when they'd had enough coke and blow but not too much!)
HIT- All of the band's 70's hits are in evidence. ..
Crawf's Good 'un - "Draw The Line" - Hidden at the end of the two track foray to one of their early '73 shows (FM broadcast you see...) is a rip-roaring rendition of DTL. Pure class - crank it up and close your eyes....coke induced perfection.
"Greatest Hits" - 1980 (Columbia)
Released shortly after Joe Perry left the band, the album contains all Aerosmith's '70s hits. However, many tracks are maimed and shortened...which detracts from the experience. The improved, remastered version has a few extra tracks. (Incidentally, Joe Perry was out of communication with the band when this was released, the first he knew of it was when a fan asked him to sign it!!)
HIT - Hmmmmm.....the answers in the question!
Crawf's Good 'un - "Come Together" - A good cut of the Beatle's favourite.
"Classics Live!" - 1986 (Columbia)
Produced by Columbia & Leber-Krebs to make money from the band now they were with Geffen & new management, this album has 8 tracks recorded with Dufay & Crespo on guitars. Fixed by Crespo after the band reformed, it gives a snapshot of early '80s Aerosmith.
HITS - "Dream On" , "Mama Kin"
Crawf's Good 'un - "Three Mile Smile/Reefer Head Woman" - A burning version of these "Ruts" tracks. Imagine what Joe & Brad could have done with these live!!!
"Classics Live! II" - 1987 (Columbia)
In a similar stunt to "Classics Live!", this one at least had the original Aerosmith combination...and you can tell! A useful album as it gives you the chance to hear reformed Aerosmith before they got sober. Some good moments, but its release was overshadowed by "Permanent Vacation".
HITS - "Back In The Saddle", "Walk This Way"
Crawf's Good 'un - "Movin' Out" - A Blistering version of this oldie from "Aerosmith". Not to be heard much on any album, or even live!
"Gems" - 1988 (Columbia)
This was my intorduction to '70s Aerosmith! It misses out on the hits, and compiles some of the heavier tracks from '70s 'smith. Although all availaible on other albums, it is indeed a perfect intro to Aerosmith's Golden era!
HITS - "Rats In The Cellar", "Mama Kin"
Crawf's Good 'un - "Lick And A Promise" - A Great no-nonsense rock song. Good Lyrics too!
"Pandora's Box" - 1991 (Columbia)
THREE CD's, 50 odd tracks from Columbia's '70s Aero archive. This is one for the Aerosmith fan who has it all. It has all the important '70's tracks as well as live versions, alternate takes, demos and jams!!! '70's Aerosmith Heaven!
HITS - Good Selection of Hits in evidence!
Crawf's Good 'un - "Let It Slide" - A Joe Perry Demo, which is quickly followed by its finished track "Cheesecake". (From "Ruts"). Shows how a riff grows into a fully formed track. Incidentally, "Cheesecake" was recorded live, in one take! - with Joe going from lap steel, bottleneck for solo, then back to regular guitar! Not bad for a drug-riddled band on the verge of splitting up!
"Big Ones" - 1994 (Geffen)
This covers arguably the most successful period in Aerosmith History. It compiles the major hits from "Permanent Vacation", "Pump" and "Get A Grip" along with 2 new songs and a live version of "Dude Looks Like a Lady". A great one to buy if you loveed Geffen-era Aerosmith!
HITS - D'oh!
Crawf's Good 'un - "Walk On Water" - A real nasty track with big guitars that deserves much more recognition.
"Pandora's Toys" - 1994 (Columbia)
A Selection of tracks from "Pandora's Box", re-released to try and steal sales of "Big Ones" I bet! Takes the shine off "Pandoras Box" of you are intending to buy that, beleive me :-(
HITS - "Walk This Way" and the like...
Crawf's Good 'un - "Chip Away The Stone" - Clean, remastered version of this little number. Sweeet!
"Made In America" - 1997 (Columbia)
6 track Special edition to mark the resigning of Aerosmith to Columbia (Sony) in 1997.
HITS - "Walk This Way" ,"Back In The Saddle"
Crawf's Good 'un - "One Way Street" - An unbeliveable live version of this oldie recorded at the bands own club in Boston in '97. Very impressive!
"A Little South Of Sanity" - 1998 (Geffen)
A two disc set of live Aerosmith, taken from Get a Grip & Nine Lives tours. Covers all the important hits and other tracks from both the '70s and '90's. 99% un-doctored, its a useful record of how Aerosmith play now they are sober. It is also the first time Geffen-era tracks are trapped live on disc!
HITS - "Cryin' ", "Crazy", "Dream On", "Walk This Way", "Janie's Got A Gun", "Dude (looks like a lady)"
Crawf's Good 'un - "Back In The Saddle" - Angry rendition of the old fave, "Same Old Song And Dance" - Nice jolly kcicking version.
"Classics Live! Complete" - 1998 (Columbia)
Classics Live! 1&2 Combines on one disc. Useful!
"Young Lust: The Aerosmith Anthology" - 2002 (Geffen)
Two discs containing remastered Geffen-era Tracks. Aerosmith were unhappy at this as they were never informed about its release (they didn't even recieve copies!) They didn't give any creative direction to the remastering, or different mixes, but the remastered material is clean and fresh.
HITS - See "Big Ones"...
Crawf's Good 'un - "Shame On You" - This riff-o-rama from "Done With Mirrors" burns along nicely in remastered form!
"Oh Yeah! Ultimate Aerosmith Hits" - 2002 (Columbia)
A mean feat! This album (on two CD's) covers ALL Aerosmith hits from '73 to '02...released on Columbia it incorporates Geffen hits too (a difficult job we're told) and is indeed the ultimate collection of Aerosmith. But this and you can technically bin, Greatest Hits, Big Ones, Young Lust etc (unless you like the odd extras, like me ;-)) . It also includes a few different mixes, their '98 US No 1 "I don't want to miss a thing" and their two new tracks "Girls Of Summer" and "Lay It down".
HITS - You know the drill...
Crawf's Good 'un - A great album?? Go and buy "Rocks" and truly discover Ultimate Aerosmith!