The personality of Patty Donahue and the songwriting of Chris Butler were the two sparks that made the Waitresses so damned good. Frankly I don't see how anyone could not fall in love with Patty. This discount CD is a pretty good deal since you get 9 songs from the 2 LPs plus three not included on them: Christmas Wrapping, Square Pegs and Bread & Butter. Seek out the Waitresses Live at Hurrah DVD, "Pocketful of Change" and you get two more "new" songs, not to mention a video record of the band, which you will cherish (despite its technical flaws: the DVD not the band) according to your affection for this band which was in existence for so short a time. They were unique - there's been nothing like them, before or since.
Customers pondering whether to purchase this album or The Waitresses' 1990 compilation "The Best Of The Waitresses" need only ask themselves which they prefer, more songs or improved sound quality. "The Best Of The Waitresses" contains three additional songs, "Jimmy Tomorrow," "The Smartest Person I Know," and "They're All Out Of Liquor, Let's Find Another Party." As I have never heard these songs, I do not miss them. For me, the improved sound quality of this remastered edition beats out the inclusion of more songs on the other version, but to each his own. The three big Waitresses hits that most people know, "I Know What Boys Like," "Christmas Wrapping," and "Square Pegs" are all included on this CD, plus most of the songs on the 1990 compilation. For a band that put out such a small amount of recorded material, you really can't go wrong with this CD. Overall, this is a great CD that really captures the essence of The Waitresses, an infectious, idiosyncratic band that came and went too soon.
This group seems to be one of those esoteric new wave dance groups that gets little play. The best track is "I Know What Boys Like" which is fun with a good beat; yet the best can be said of the rest of the tracks.