Holiday Gift Guide 2009: Do What You Want, Be What You Are: The Music of Daryl Hall & John Oates Review

I love Hall and Oates, so this is my Christmas present to myself! Their music makes me happy because it’s so infectious and upbeat, and makes me feel warm and nostalgic. I was delighted to review this box set, because it is such a comprehensive collection. All of our favorite hits are on here – “Private Eyes”, “Maneater”, “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)”, “Out of Touch”, and so much more – but there is also a treasure trove of material that I was unfamiliar with, as well as 16 previously unreleased songs. This four-disc set covers their entire career from 1966 to the present day, and also includes a booklet packed with glossy photos and little known facts. It was fascinating to read their commentary on writing and recording the songs – I loved the story about the making of “Method of Modern Love”, where John Oates explains how they got a percussion sound by banging a water canteen with a mallet and putting it through a Synclavier. If you or someone on your gift list is a Hall & Oates fan, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this as much as I do!

Do What You Want, Be What You Are: The Music of Daryl Hall & John Oates is available wherever music is sold, and can also be found on Amazon for $44.98.

Track Listing:

Disc: 1

1. Girl I Love You – The Temptones
2. I Need Your Love – The Masters,
3. Say These Words of Love – The Temptones
4. Perkiomen
5. I’m Sorry
6. Fall in Philadelphia
7. Waterwheel
8. Lilly (Are You Happy)
9. Had I Known You Better Then
10. Vegas Turnaround
11. She’s Gone
12. You’re Much Too Soon
13. Is It a Star
14. It’s Uncanny
15. Love You Like a Brother
16. Lady Rain [Live][Previously unreleased]
17. Beanie G. and the Rose Tattoo [Live][Previously unreleased]
18. Better Watch Your Back [Live][Previously unreleased]
19. Abandoned Luncheonette [Live][Previously unreleased]
20. When the Morning Comes [Live][Previously unreleased]

Disc: 2

1. Camellia
2. Sara Smile
3. Alone Too Long
4. Gino (The Manager) [2009 Remix][Previously unreleased]
5. Ennui on the Mountain
6. Out of Me, Out of You
7. Back Together Again
8. Rich Girl
9. Crazy Eyes
10. Have I Been Away Too Long
11. August Day
12. It’s a Laugh
13. I Don’t Wanna Lose You [7″ Remix]
14. Wait for Me
15. Time’s Up (Alone Tonight)
16. Woman Comes and Goes
17. How Does It Feel to Be Back
18. You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling
19. Kiss on My List
20. Everytime You Go Away [Live][Previously unreleased]

Disc: 3

1. You Make My Dreams
2. Private Eyes
3. Head Above Water
4. Did It in a Minute
5. Your Imagination
6. I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do)
7. Don’t Go Out [Previously unreleased]
8. Maneater
9. Family Man
10. One on One
11. Go Solo
12. Say It Isn’t So
13. Adult Education
14. Out of Touch [7″ Version]
15. Method of Modern Love
16. Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid
17. Possession Obsession
18. The Way You Do the Things You Do/My Girl

Disc: 4

1. Everything Your Heart Desires [Video Mix]
2. Missed Opportunity
3. Keep on Pushin’ Love
4. Storm Warning [Previously unreleased]
5. Change of Season
6. Starting All Over Again [Live][Previously unreleased]
7. So Close [Live][Previously unreleased]
8. Do It for Love
9. Forever for You
10. Heartbreak Time
11. All the Way from Philadelphia [Previously unreleased]
12. Have You Ever Been in Love [Previously unreleased][Demo Version]
13. Me and Mrs. Jones [Live]
14. I Want Someone [Live from Daryl’s House]
15. Do What You Want Be What You Are [Live 2007][Previously unreleased]
16. Dreamer [’72-’09 Redux, Previously unreleased]