Steve Winwood has led a long and varied career, recording everything from straight R&B and jazz-flavored rock to folk and pop. Over the course of four discs,
The Finer Things chronicles the entirety of his career, beginning with
the Spencer Davis Group, through
Traffic and
Blind Faith, right until his successful solo career. It includes all of the hits and many of his finest album tracks, yet the overall approach is rather exhausting -- the rarities are rarely illuminating, they're just there for the sake of being there. Nevertheless, it is a worthwhile purchase for anyone wanting a comprehensive picture of
Winwood in all of his various guises. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide