Technically, {^All the Best} was the first compilation of {$McCartney}'s solo material, since {^Wings Greatest} covered songs released under the {$Wings} aegis. Well, there is considerable overlap between the two records -- no less than ten of that album's 12 songs are here, yet only the hard-rocking {&"Hi Hi Hi"} is truly missed -- although the seven new songs do give this album a different character, for better or worse. With the U.S. version of {^All the Best}, which has four different songs than its British counterpart, the balance shifts toward the positive, since it simply boasts a better selection of songs. Yes, {&"Once Upon a Long Ago,"} the single offered as bait on the British {^All the Best}, isn't here, but it's not missed since two of the four songs exclusive to the American version are among {$McCartney}'s best solo singles ({&"Junior's Farm,"} {&"Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey"}) and the other two are good adult contemporary easy listening (the previously non-LP {&"Goodnight Tonight,"} {&"With a Little Luck"}). These songs add to the retrospective, although it's still not perfect -- such highlights as {&"Maybe I'm Amazed"} and {&"Take It Away"} really should have been included. However, as a cross section of {$McCartney}'s solo singles, this is very, very good. It may be a little heavy on the schmaltz at times, yet this is still mainstream pop craft of the highest order. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide