Best of the 'B' Sides
Best of the 'B' Sides is a compilation of B-sides by the English heavy metal band Iron Maiden, released on 4 November 2002 as part of the Eddie's Archive box set. Each track was remastered and the set came with a running commentary from Rod Smallwood. It covers all of their singles from their first to 2000's "Out of the Silent Planet", although several of the band's original B-sides were excluded from the collection: "Total Eclipse", "Mission From 'Arry" ; "Bayswater Ain't a Bad Place to Be" ; and "I Live My Way". Also missing are the band's cover of Thin Lizzy's "Massacre" and a number of live B-sides.
The album is described on the band's website as "a collection that not only reveals much about the band as individuals and the inherent character of the band, but also provides a real insight into who and where their influences came from." The cover, by the same Mark Wilkinson that drew the art on the Eddie's Archive metal box, has Eddie inside a tour bus, mooning and giving the finger to the viewer.
Personnel
Production and performance credits are adapted from the album liner notes.;Iron Maiden
- Steve Harris – bass guitar, producer
- Dave Murray – guitar
- Doug Sampson – drums
- Paul Di'Anno – lead vocals
- Dennis Stratton – guitar
- Clive Burr – drums
- Adrian Smith – guitar, lead vocals
- Bruce Dickinson – lead vocals, backing vocals
- Nicko McBrain – drums
- Janick Gers – guitar
- Blaze Bayley – lead vocals
- Guy Edwards – producer
- Will Malone – producer
- "Iron Maiden" – producer
- Martin Birch – producer
- Nigel Green – producer
- Mark Wilkinson – cover illustration
- Nick Watson – mastering
- Rod Smallwood – management
- Andy Taylor – management
- Merck Mercuriadis – management