Collecting tracks from, indeed, 19 years of Chilton's career, 19 Years remains the best place to get a sampling of his widely varied work. Big Star is represented by five tracks from 3rd/Sister Lovers, which at that time had not been re-released in America by Rykodisc, including such masterpieces of desolation as "Kanga Roo" and "Holocaust." Otherwise, this is Chilton solo getting the focus, starting with "Free Again," an infectious country-rock cut from his then unreleased debut album away from the Box Tops, 1970, and concluding with cuts from his 1987 release High Priest. Even Chilton's fans admit to -- or perhaps can't easily take or understand -- his almost willful stylistic jumps and sidesteps, making a full encapsulation of his interests and detours impossible, but 19 Years comes pretty close. The addition of a Troggs cover, "With a Girl Like You," from a French compilation gives 19 Years a nice little bonus. Detailed liner notes from Darcy Sullivan trace the strange course of his career, not shying away from acknowledging periods where his drinking and other problems disrupted any kind of regular career flow, while the remastering and presentation is up to Rhino's usual standard.

Label:      Rhino Records  – R2 70780

Format:     CD, Compilation, Remastered

Country:    US

Released:   1991

Genre:      Rock

Style:      Garage Rock, Rock & Roll, Alternative/Indie Rock

TRACKLIST:

1     Free Again

2     You Can't Have Me

3     Kanga Roo

4     Nightime

5     Kizza Me

6     Holocaust

7     Bangkok

8     Can't Seem To Make You Mine

9     Like Flies On Sherbert

10    My Rival

11    Rock Hard

12    Lost My Job

13    Tee Ni Nee Ni Noo/Tip On In

14    No Sex

15    With A Girl Like You

16    Volare

17    Make A Little Love

18    Thing For You

19    Take It Off