Best of the Dream Weaver

Rhino usually does these archive collections right, and Best of the Dream Weaver hits the essential bits of Gary Wright's solo career (bypassing the smoky Spooky Tooth), plus the disc plays chronologically. The early-'70s stuff seems likable enough and sounds fine. Wright's considerable pipes wrap around above-average rock proceedings with George Harrison, Alan White, and other luminaries traipsing through "Get on the Right Road" and "Two Faced Man." These tracks give no indication of the hovering phenomenon that was to follow. The obvious draw here is the classic "Dream Weaver" (actually written on acoustic guitar), and the original version roosts on Best of the Dream Weaver as the sensational centerpiece. Erie disco follow-up "Love Is Alive" also appears in all its shimmering brilliance. Both fall from 1975's smash Dream Weaver LP, one of the most insular and unique records in history. Naturally, bizarre synth effects affect the remainder of the keyboardist's catalogue. "Time Machine" is very cool, one of those obscure dandies the artist disavows because it had the unenviable task of following a breakthrough. Wright's last chart appearance, the glistening "Really Wanna Know You" (co-written with Ali Thomson), luckily makes the cut. "Don't Try to Own Me" apes Peter Gabriel. The accompanying booklet is graphically detailed. This appears to be as much solo Gary Wright as the average human needs.