The Capitol Collection

1. You Better Not Do That

2. High on a Hilltop

3. What'cha Gonna Do Now?

4. I Guess I'm Crazy

5. It Tickles

6. I'll Never, Never Let You Go

7. You Gotta Have a License

8. How Do I Say Goodbye

9. Untied

10. You're for Me

11. You Oughta See Pickles Now

12. Little June

13. Black Cat

14. All of the Monkeys Ain't in the Zoo

15. Take Me Back to the Good Old Days

16. Oh, What a Dream

17. Don't Let Me Stand in His Footsteps

18. If I Could Just Go Back

The Capitol Collection,Tommy Collins,Koch Records,Bakersfield Sound,Country,Honky Tonk,Pop,Traditional Country

Average customer rating: A blast from start to finish Number One Fan's Husband Suburbia! 1984 West End Girls version? Is $14.98 too much to ask for one perfect pop song?

Discography: The Complete Singles Collection Pet Shop Boys Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Alternative Dance | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music House | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Euro Dance | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Euro Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Best of OMD The Best of New Order The Singles 86>98 Greatest Shout: The Very Best of Tears for Fears ASIN: B000002UZ4 Release Date: 1991-11-05

Tracks:

1. West End Girls
2. Love Comes Quickly
3. Opportunities (Let's Make Lots Of Money)
4. Suburbia
5. It's A Sin
6. What Have I Done To Deserve This?
7. Rent
8. Always On My Mind
9. Heart
10. Domino Dancing
11. Left To My Own Devices
12. It's Alright
13. So Hard
14. Being Boring
15. Where The Streets Have No Name (I Can't Take My Eyes Off You)
16. Jealousy
17. DJ Culture
18. Was It Worth It?

Amazon.com

Where would the '80s have been without the Pet Shop Boys? Discography makes a compelling case for the notion of Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe as pioneers, if not geniuses. Mixing the cold feel of Euro-techno beats with the Boys' quest for something warm between the sheets, "What Have I Done to Deserve This" and "Suburbia" sound almost soulful. Although they seemed to be suffering from a terminal case of boredom, they managed to alchemize their ennui into touching sentimentality in "Love Comes Quickly," "Rent," and, especially, the AIDS-oriented "Being Boring." Discography begins with the Pet Shop Boys' beginning, "West End Girls," traveling past "Domino Dancing" and including their covers "Always on My Mind," and the medley "Where the Streets Have No Name (I Can't Take My Eyes Off of You.)" --Steve Gdula

Customer Reviews:

A blast from start to finish.......2007-02-13

You cannot hate these guys. Sure they get a little silly with the lyrics at times but what they do well is make catchy pop/dance music and they don't stray. At no point in history of the band has this simple concept been forgotten. They do what they do best and that's enough for this listener.

A song like 'Being Boring' is just plain amazing. But there's lots and lots more. If you love anything about 80s pop music then you will not be wasting one penny on this stellar collection. It's the first 18 singles the band released. Even today I'm in awe of the consistency of this band.

Number One Fan's Husband.......2007-01-22

I bought this for my wife for Christmas as she is a mad Pet Shop Boys fan and I think she has played it every day since. Outstanding, fun complilation.

Suburbia!.......2006-09-25

I have to say that this is my second compact disc because the other one got scratched up. I decided since I love their music to buy another one because the one hit that I love the most is Suburbia. I love listening to it over and over again. I love the other hits like West End Boys and What have I done to deserve this? and others on this collection. I love the sound and keep thinking about London, England and being on the underground or the tube. It's quite a great collection!

1984 West End Girls version?.......2006-08-28

While I like the 1986 version of WEGs, I LOVE the original 1984 version better. Does anyone know if it is available on CD?

Is $14.98 too much to ask for one perfect pop song?.......2006-06-28

Are you the kind of person who would spend $3.50 for the perfect oyster at a raw bar? How about $7.00 for a perfectly drawn pint of ale in a midtown New York bar? Then dropping $35.00 for a t-shirt because it was made in the US or $18.00 for that small jar of cashews from the minibar because you 'just had to have something to munch on" before going to dinner? If you answered yes to any of the above, you would have no problem dropping the full price (Amazon, $14.98) to have a red-book CD copy (no inferior compressed downloads, thank you) of the perfect pop song, "What have I done to Deserve this?" from Pet Shop Boys. One of the most beautifully sung and arranged female pop vocals ever recorded is to be found on this one song. It is well known that Dusty Springfield demanded several run-throughs and takes to make this cut. She is said to have sweated every single note to perfection because she felt so strongly about her performance. Believe me, it shows. Perfection. You also get the unrivalled, unmatched 80's pop and dance-beat mastery with all the other selections that only the "Boys" were able to create. And all for only $14.98.

Average customer rating: Better than I thought Another Good Greatest Hits Collection but I'd Recommend For Those With No Albums to Get Don't Bore Us Get to the Chorus Instead Great! Probably the best Swedish pop/rock band besides ABBA Blast from the past

Collection of Roxette Hits: Their 20 Greatest Songs Roxette Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Sweden | Scandinavia | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music General | Euro Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Swedish Pop | Euro Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Roxbox 1986-2006 Joyride Dreams: The Ultimate Corrs Collection Belinda Carlisle - Her Greatest Hits One Wish ASIN: B000H5TVO4 Release Date: 2007-01-16

Tracks:

1. One Wish
2. The Look
3. Dressed For Success
4. Listen To Your Heart
5. Dangerous
6. It Must Have Been Love
7. Joyride
8. Fading Like A Flower (Every Time You Leave)
9. Spending My Time
10. How Do You Do!
11. Almost Unreal
12. Sleeping In My Car
13. Crash! Boom! Bang!
14. Run To You
15. Wish I Could Fly
16. Stars
17. The Centre Of The Heart
18. Milk And Toast And Honey
19. A Thing About You
20. Reveal

Amazon.com

Imagine a poppier Pat Benatar fronting a more dance-oriented Berlin—big vocals, big beats, big guitars--and you're just about there. Like fellow Swedes ABBA in the 1970s and A-Ha in the 1980s, platinum pixie Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle generate a bright, glossy sound that transcends borders. In 20 years, they've sold 45 million albums and 25 million singles, including four number ones. A Collection of Roxette Hits overlooks their 1986 debut Pearls of Passion and 1997's Baladas en Español in favor of their biggest international triumphs. All told: 12 album cuts, four singles, two remixes ("Dressed for Success" and "It Must Have Been Love"), and two new tracks ("One Wish" and "Reveal"). There are no real surprises, but Roxette has a few tricks up their shiny sleeves, like the harmonica solo in "Dangerous" (1988's Look Sharp!) and the children's chorus on "Stars" (1999's Have a Nice Day). This hook-filled collection is a fine overview for both old and new fans alike. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Album Description

Their 20 greatest songs. EMI. 2006.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered 20th Anniversary Anthology Celebrating that in Spring 1986, Per Gessle and Marie Fredriksson Decided to Record a Single Together, "Neverending Love". They Called Themselves Roxette and that was the Beginning of a Fantastic Career with Over 46 Million Albums and 25 Million Singles Sold. "Roxette Hits" features their Greatest Hits and Two New Songs Recorded in Summer, 2006. One of Those Two, "One Wish", was Chosen as the First Single Released from the Album, which also Includes "Joyride", "it Must have Been Love" (Featuring in the Motion Picture "Pretty Woman"), "Fading Like a Flower (Every Time)", "Sleeping in My Car" and Many More.

Customer Reviews:

Better than I thought.......2007-06-08

I wanted to buy something that I would like to listen when I'm not alone in my car. Well, those 20 Greatest songs work. When I'm alone driving, I usually listen to Slayer, Sepultura, Sodom..... but with my wife, well... you know.... the first time that I played this cd with "company" in my car, I saw everyone following the music with their head, hands and legs, so I though "Perfect". If you want some easy-listening music, this cd is the chosen one....

Another Good Greatest Hits Collection but I'd Recommend For Those With No Albums to Get Don't Bore Us Get to the Chorus Instead.......2007-06-03

Another great collection of 20 Roxette Hits but if you've got their other albums or even just their previous greatest hits collection Don't Bore Us Get to the Chorus : Roxette's Greatest Hits there's not much new here for you. The cover insert of Don't Bore Us comes with the lyrics as well to their songs which this album insert doesn't do.

The only difference this album has song wise is that it includes songs from albums released after their album Crash Boom Bang which obviously since they weren't released yet didn't make it onto Don't Bore Us Get to the Chorus. So if you haven't got (or haven't even heard of as they weren't that successfully promoted) the albums Have a Nice Day and Room Service or have bought the song A Thing About You that was the single release on another subsequent greatest hits album called Ballad Hits then this will give you the released songs from those albums. The 20th song (Reveal) is also a new release for this album but none of these songs are as good as their classic songs. I'd get Don't Bore Us Get to the Chorus instead as it has more of their big songs than this greatest hits album if you're only going to buy one Roxette album. Otherwise they are a sensational band and I'd just buy all their independent albums and not worry about buying greatest hits albums at all!

Great!.......2007-03-31

I bought this CD because I loved the songs when I was a kid. What memories they bring back!

Probably the best Swedish pop/rock band besides ABBA.......2007-03-22

I say "probably the best Swedish pop/rock band besides ABBA" because I can't say I know a lot about Swedish music. However, I rate ABBA as one of the all time great bands, and probably the best pop group of all time [I rate The Beatles as the best group of all time and value them for their really weird songs...which aren't particularly pop]...so for Roxette to be compared favourably to them is a big call on my part.

Probably the main reason I bought this compilation was for the song "Fading like a flower". On the odd occasions I've heard this song, I've really enjoyed it. Listening to it for the first time on cd here, I can't say that it grabbed me as much as it did back then. However, before I listened to this cd all the way through, I must have listened to this song around a dozen times, which says a lot for me. I've been listening to it repeatedly since I've listened to the whole cd too. This song is back as an all time great pop classic in my estimation...up there with ABBA's best songs, and songs like: "What have I done to deserve this?" by the Pet Shop Boys and Dusty Springfield; "Clocks" by Coldplay; "Do they know it's Christmas" by Band Aid; "Our lips are sealed" by The Go Gos; and, from Australia, "Chemistry" by Mondo Rock and "Green" by Alex Lloyd.

Roxette, apart from being very melodic and catchy popsters, have a harder rock sound than ABBA in their songs. So, in songs like "Fading like a flower" you get a very cool keyboard melody introducing the song, followed by a momentary rock power chord. The chorus to this song is great and the verses are nice too. The song also features some nice changes of pace and cool guitar rhythym in that slow part as well a really nice lead guitar there too.

The other song that I tend to play a lot, though not nearly as much as "Fading like a flower" is "Dressed for success". It features a cool rock guitar sound, catchy chorus and some cool drums.

Another song I quite like is "Dangerous". This is yet another catchy melody song which Roxette are so good at. Usually the female half of Roxette does all the singing, but here the male half has his share of lines. Hadn't really noticed the weird outro to this song before-the man sings some barely intelligible words.

Rest assured that the rest of the album is chock full of catchy pop/rock, which I won't delve into too much, suffice to say that Americans might rate some of Roxette's ballads higher than I do...songs like "Listen to your heart" which isn't a fave of mine and "It must have been love", which I wasn't expecting to like but on hearing it here it did have a lyrical charm to it.

As for the rest, I'll just mention songs that had me relating them to songs by other artists, e.g. something else that Roxette has in common with ABBA is songs with daggy lyrics, these would include: "Joyride", "Spending my time" [more so for mediations on relationships than being daggy], "Almost unreal" [back to dag central here]. "A thing about you" also features one of those trippy effects that The Beatles were so fond of. It's in the intro of this song whereas The Beatles liked to use stuff like this for outros.

Other songs which remind me of other artists: "How do you do" [The Beatles' version of "Twist and shout" can be heard in this song]; "Crash! Boom! Bang!" [Dusty Springfield]; "The centre of the heart" [Savage Garden]; and "Run to you", which had a guitar vibe which reminded me of Weddings, Parties, Anything's song "Monday's experts", which is, granted, more of a stretch for Roxette to have been influenced by.

The songs towards the end of this cd are not the kind of pop/rock that fills most of the preceding tracks. Best examples of that are "Crash! Boom! Bang!" and "Wish I could fly". The latter has a nice mellow, cool vibe to it. "Stars" is also a more dance orientated song...it features a trippy intro and tinny techno beat.

Another thing to recommend this band are that they widen the musical instruments that they use, e.g. instruments that sound like music box pianos, organs, steel string guitars and violins.

If you like catchy pop songs, you should love this album, so long as you don't mind the band's forays into rock for entire songs or parts of songs.

P.S. One possible criticism of this cd is that it, according to the sleeve notes, I think, does NOT have some of Roxette's songs which charted in Europe. On the upside, the new songs on this cd are surprisingly good...I mean they are not classics, but they are much better than you would expect such new songs lumped together into a best of compilation to be.

I did neglect to mention perhaps Roxette's biggest hit, The Look. Whilst this song has many good hooks/elements to it, the lyric "tasted like a raindrop", sung about a woman, remains a hurdle for me liking this song better! I.e. it sounds a rather naff lyric!

If you like this cd, you might want to read my reviews of other albums with a good pop sensibility, e.g.

Midnight Oil for masterful pop/rock. Politics never sounded so good.
Alex Lloyd-Amazing: The Best Of
The Go Gos
Red Hot Chilli Peppers
Skyhooks
INXS

Blast from the past.......2007-03-09

This is a wonderful collection of Roxette Hits. It keeps you moving and is great to work out to.

Average customer rating: Gord is God Wonderful collection of Gordon Lightfoot! music cds Adding my voice.... Lightfoot ~ The Essentials

United Artists Collection [2 CD Set] Gordon Lightfoot Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Outlaw & Progressive Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Canada | North America | International | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Country Folk | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Gordon Lightfoot - Complete Greatest Hits If You Could Read My Mind Sundown Don Quixote Songbook ASIN: B00000DQO2 Release Date: 1993-10-05

Tracks:

1. Rich Man's Spiritual
2. Long River
3. The Way I Feel (Version 1)
4. For Lovin' Me
5. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
6. Changes
7. Early Mornin' Rain
8. Steel Rail Blues
9. Sixteen Miles (To Seven Lakes)
10. I'm Not Sayin'
11. Pride Of Man
12. Ribbon Of Darkness
13. Oh, Linda
14. Peaceful Waters
15. Walls
16. If You Got It
17. Softly
18. Crossroads
19. A Minor Ballad
20. Go-Go Round
21. Rosanna
22. Home From The Forest
23. I'll Be Right
24. Song For A Winter's Noght
25. Canadian Railroad Trilogy
26. The Way I Feel (Version 2)

Tracks:

1. Wherefor & Why
2. The Last Time I Saw Her
3. Black Day In July
4. May I
5. Magnificient Outpouring
6. Does You Mother Know
7. The Mountain And Maryann
8. PussyWilliows, Cat-Tails
9. I Want To Hear It From You
10. Something Very Special
11. Boss Man
12. Did She Mention My Name
13. Long Way Back Home
14. Unsettled Ways
15. Long thin Dawn
16. Bitter Green
17. The Circle Is Small (I Can See It In Your Eyes)
18. Marie Christine
19. Cold Hands From New York
20. Affair On 8th Avenue
21. Don't Beat Me Down
22. The Gypsy
23. If I Could

Amazon.com essential recording

This two-disc, 49-song collection combines Lightfoot's first four albums into one specially priced package and offers a comprehensive look at the Canadian singer-songwriter before he achieved pop stardom. These late-1960s recordings are more pared down than his better-known 1970s work, showing Lightfoot to be a thoughtful songwriter who was equally comfortable with personal love songs and more political fare. A much stronger folkie sensibility is on display here, which may be a revelation to those only familiar to his glossier folk-pop work, but a boon to his longtime followers. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

Gord is God.......2007-06-18

Seriously, the first CD in particular is incredible. "The Way I Feel" kicks folkin' arse, as do the rest on that CD. The second one I like but haven't given it as much of a listen, because the first one is so addictive and sets such a high water mark.

Wonderful collection of Gordon Lightfoot!.......2007-03-08

I have most of his albums, but THIS is the best summation of his work! Excellent cross section of this great Canadian artist's style and technique. Great value--On two full CD's. I highly recommend this album!

music cds.......2006-08-14

We are enjoying the music. Delivery was faster than the estimate. Highly satisfied in all ways!

Adding my voice...........2006-06-20

For the most part, all of the previous reviewers have covered the wonderful aspects of this collection. Having become addicted to Lightfoot when only vinyl recordings of this music existed, I was quite elated to pick up the CD's.

What some of the reviewers seem not to stress is that these recordings are simply reissues of Lightfoot's first 4 albums; they are not re-recordings of his early songs and the collection is by no means a greatest hits compilation. The albums stand on their own merit: the songs are well written, well sung and accompanied by extrordinary side men. I still marvel at the fresh, vibrant, optimistic qualities of Lightfoot's voice and his perception.

There are a few regrets I have regarding the collection. First is that UA did not include Lightfoot's Sunday Concert Album. To hear Lead Guitarist, Red Shea's accompanyment on "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" alone is worth the price of that recording. Additionally, it is unfortunate that UA failed to include the original liner notes that appeared on the Vinyl albums. Those notes would explain the instrumentation on "Did She Mention My Name" and paint pictures of the times in which a young Lightfoot composed and performed these amazing songs. Not having the liner notes also deprives the listener of the poem on the back of "Back Here on Earth"

Well, that's about it for my 2 cents except to suggest that those who regard Lightfoot as the quintessential Canadian performer give a listen to the work of Stan Rogers. While Lightfoot shows the way for Canadians to share their heritage with us down here in the States, during his sadly all too brief career, Stan Rogers took several pages from Lightfoot's book and created a body of work that all us Lightfoot lovers will enjoy.

Lightfoot ~ The Essentials.......2006-02-14

No one embodies the heart and soul of Canada more fully than Gordon Lightfoot. For those living outside the boundaries of our neighbor to the North and our unfamiliar with the long legacy of this living icon, the closest comparison I can think of is Wayne Gretzky. What Wayne is to Canadian hockey, Gordon is to music.

This is Gordon Lightfoot at his best, the early United Artist years. This 2 discs, 49 track collection contains the entirety of Gordon's first four albums; 'Lightfoot', 'The Way I Feel', 'Did She Mention My Name' and 'Back Here On Earth.' Sit back and listen to the heart and soul of a true poet, storyteller, composer and musician.

A Canadian Treasure!

Average customer rating: The Woman I Am: The Definitive Collection Expands on Reddy's multiplatinum Greatest Hits & More package Wonderful collection of the biggest and best from an important 70's artist Good collection, bad sound quality? Simply the best!

The Woman I Am: The Definitive Collection Helen Reddy Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Compilations | Pop | Styles | Music | Dance Pop | Easy Listening | General | Oldies | Traditional Vocalists General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Woman I Am The Best...So Far Ultimate Collection: The Complete Hits Magic: The Very Best of Olivia Newton-John Reflections: Carly Simon's Greatest Hits ASIN: B000EZ8E72 Release Date: 2006-05-02

Tracks:

1. I Dont Know How To Love Him
2. Crazy Love
3. Best Friend
4. I Am Woman
5. Peaceful
6. Delta Dawn
7. Leave Me Alone (Ruby Red Dress)
8. Keep On Singing
9. You And Me Against The World
10. I Think Ill Write A Song
11. Angie Baby
12. Emotion
13. Bluebird
14. Aint No Way To Treat A Lady
15. Somewhere In The Night
16. I Cant Hear You No More
17. Youre My World
18. Candle On The Water
19. Well Sing In The Sunshine
20. The West Wind Circus (live)
21. Mama (live)
22. Surrender

Customer Reviews:

The Woman I Am: The Definitive Collection.......2007-01-09

FANTASTIC book, one of the best I have ever read, well worth the read!!!

Expands on Reddy's multiplatinum Greatest Hits & More package.......2006-06-14

The Woman I Am compiles all of Reddy's biggest hit singles from her heyday, but the real finds are minor hits, stray b-sides, & tracks never before anthologized, such as Crazy Love, Think I'll Write a Song, Candle On The Water from Pete's Dragon, and the lesser known Mama, written by Harriet Schock who also penned one of Reddy's gold-sellers, Ain't No Way To Treat A Lady. (I know Reddy is more or less retired, but she should seriously consider an entire album of Schock material.) Saving the best for last (download at iTunes), Reddy has included her original demo of I Am Woman where, accompanied by the rhythmic strumming of a lone guitar, she delivers a gutsier vocal performance than the saccharine-sweetened ear candy that nevertheless topped the charts.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS: The 20th Century Masters Millenium Collection of Yvonne Elliman (who after all originated I Don't Know How To Love Him and curiously shares another Reddy overlap with Somewhere In The Night), the 20th Century Masters Millenium Collection of Rita Coolidge, Bette Midler's The Divine Miss M (to hear how Delta Dawn should be done!), and any of Harriet Schock's CDs, particularly American Romance & Live: From Fairfax To Pasadena -- or for the truly adventurous, her long out-of-print 70's LPs, which may prove more difficult to find but are certainly worth the effort.

Wonderful collection of the biggest and best from an important 70's artist .......2006-06-03

It has been an awfully long time since Helen Reddy had her last big chart hit. Her music has all but disappeared from the radio. That's too bad. But the fact of the matter is that Helen Reddy was a major force in popular music during the 1970's. For those seeking a pretty complete anthology of her hits Capitol's 2006 release "The Woman I Am: The Definitive Collection" would appear to be an excellent choice. This disc contains just about every one of her important Top 40 hits as well as a number of gems from her LP's. Everyone will remember the great hit singles from her heyday like "Angie Baby", "Delta Dawn", "Ain't No Way To Treat a Lady" as well as the song that made her famous "I Am Woman" from 1972. But if I had to choose my favorite Helen Reddy tunes they would have to be her remake of Cilla Black's "You're My World" followed closely by 1973's "Peaceful". To be honest I had not listened to Helen Reddy's music for quite some time and I had forgotten what a terrific voice this lady possesses.
"The Woman I Am: The Definitive Collection" includes a colorful and informative 12 page booklet. I was surprised to see that another reviewer was quite critical of the sound quality of this disc. I did not find that to be the case at all. In fact, I found the sound quality to be superb and I thought the remastering really enhanced my enjoyment of these 30 year old recordings. A big "thumbs up" on this one.

Good collection, bad sound quality?.......2006-05-31

I'm not a Helen Reddy expert but I'm familiar with her hits and felt like this was the best "Greatest Hits" collection to buy. It has all the hits including "Candle On The Water" from Disney's PETE'S DRAGON and some great covers of classic 60s hits. My only comment would be that some of the songs sound like they were mastered from vinyl - I swear I hear the telltale clicks and pops so common on old LPs. But like I said I'm not an expert on Ms. Reddy's music and don't have any of her other CDs for comparison. Maybe that noise has always been there or maybe it's just unavoidable for recordings 20-30 years old if the masters weren't preserved well. Overall it's not a huge complaint and you have a generous sampling of Helen Reddy's recording career included.

Simply the best!.......2006-05-03

I read this book last year when it was published in Australia. Helen's literary voice is as pure and golden as her singing voice. Three cheers for this not being a " trashy tell all, name dropping" tome. Her insights into life and new age thought are inspiring. This book is Helen's story, and a must read for all her fans.

Average customer rating: lady has a distinctive voice... If you love "Only The Lonely" you have to buy this CD! Nobody can do it quite like The Motels. Very good compilation of an underrated band Nice Collection But Still Missing Hot 100 Hits!

Essential Collection The Motels Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music American Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Harden My Heart: The Best of Quarterflash The Best of Missing Persons Millennium Collection - 20th Century Masters, The Best Of Berlin Quarterflash Patty Smyth - Greatest Hits - Featuring Scandal ASIN: B0007TKH5C Release Date: 2005-03-29

Tracks:

1. Suddenly Last Summer
2. Shame [Single Version]
3. Counting
4. Take the L
5. Kix
6. Total Control [Single Version]
7. Remember the Nights
8. Celia
9. Mission of Mercy
10. Careful
11. So L.A.
12. Tables Turned
13. Danger
14. Change My Mind
15. Only the Lonely

Customer Reviews:

lady has a distinctive voice..........2007-07-01

I'm not sure I get what her songs are always about...not that it matters, because
I simply enjoy hearing the voice. No one out there sounds like Martha Davis...and
that's good enough for me.

Did I say I like the woman's delivery and phrasing?

If you love "Only The Lonely" you have to buy this CD!.......2007-01-27

I bought "Essential Collection" by the Motels because I wanted the song "Only The Lonely." I think that's one of my 10 favorite songs of all time. It turns out the whole CD is awesome! There's a certain "film noir" atmosphere to many of these songs. This is smart stuff! So feed your brain and buy this CD!

Nobody can do it quite like The Motels........2005-11-03

I was actually quite thrilled to see that The Motels had come out with an Essential Collection cd. They were one of the best bands to come out of the 80s, yet still they were SO underrated. Sad to say, but I had even forgotten about them until 2 years ago when VH1 did a "Where are they now?" on different bands. But then it struck me...MARTHA DAVIS!!! (And the Motels of course.)

"Only The Lonely"...which is my personal favorite and may be one of the most remembered..was absolutely one of the best songs straight out of the 80s. "It's like I told you..Only the lonely can play".

"Suddenly Last Summer"....as another user added, this was also a great song to come out of the 80s..I'd say it was the 2nd biggest hit of the band.

Other songs you might be vaguely familiar with.. "Shame" and "Remember the Nights". If you were EVER fan of the Motels, pick up this CD and get interested again! And if you aren't familiar with the band but you like other bands such as Quarterflash, Blondie, Berlin or Missing Persons..then check this out. You won't regret it!

Very good compilation of an underrated band.......2005-05-15

I hadn't heard a Motels song in like 15 years until 'Only the Lonely' played last week on XM Radio. I was instantly reminded of just how much I enjoyed listening to the band back in the 80's.

Unable to locate the 'No Vacancy' CD (it's apparently out-of-print), I purchased this compilation instead. It is very, very good - not great as I really prefer their later material over the earlier stuff.

Few vocalists can belt 'em out with the raw energy of Martha Davis - she's terrific, as is the rest of the band.

The music of the Motels has aged very well, and in a business overloaded with hype and hysteria, I can honestly say that this group is (for the most part) underrated. 'Suddenly Last Summer' is one of the best ballads to come out of the 80's, period.

Recommended, and well worth the price of admission.

Nice Collection But Still Missing Hot 100 Hits!.......2005-05-04

Yet another compilation from The Motels. EMI/Capitol does it again -- that is, milking cash out of them as much as they can! Instead of giving their albums a proper update and remaster treatment (5.1 audio on DualDisc perhaps?), Capitol throws out yet another collection! Yet they still didn't get it right!

Notable Billboard Hot 100 entries are still missing!:
"Forever Mine" (#60 - 1982). Only it's b-side, "So L.A.", makes an appearance.
"Shock (7" Remix)" (#84 - 1985). Would have been nice to have this in remastered form on CD finally. Why it was left off again I'll never know.

Furthermore, including Martha Davis' lone charting solo single, "Don't Tell Me The Time" (#80 in 1987), could have been a possibility as well. Keep in mind that much of the Motels' back catalogue remains out of print, so these lost charting singles remain on those hard-to-find albums.

On the positive side, all tracks have been digitally remastered very nicely! The sound is breathtaking! That's the only real advantage of this collection and reason enough to buy it. However, instead of getting perhaps an even fresher remastering for 2005, the tracks appearing on the 2002 release, 'Classic Masters,' seem to have been placed directly on this collection with the same mastering, as evident by the 2002 publishing credits. I could be wrong, however, since Evren Goknar gets the mastering credit here instead of Robert Vosgien (on 'Classic Masters'). Regardless, the Motels have never sounded so good!

Unlike the 'Classic Masters' collection, the single versions of both "Shame" and "Total Control" are included. The latter track is nice having in it's edited form for a change even if I don't like how it was edited. It does get chopped quite a bit, removing many key parts of the track and going from 5:54 on 'Classic Masters' to 3:52 here.

I think the main problem with this so-called 'Essential Collection' is the failure to fill the disc with 79 minutes of music. There's easily enough room for at least another 6 tracks here. The disc only clocks in at just over 52 minutes of playing time! That leaves another 27 minutes of space! Capitol could have easily squeezed in those missing chart entries in addition to other radio/single highlights and b-sides. Even the gorgeous "Some Things Never Change" would have been a welcomed addition.

I suppose the label was trying to present something different to the 1990, solid yet flawed, 19-track 'No Vacancy - The Best Of The Motels' release. But this compilation simply comes across as inferior with the skimpy tracklisting and song choice. Perhaps it would have been best to have just reissued the now out-of-print 1990 collection with a slightly altered tracklisting -- including the Billboard Hot 100 entries "Forever Mine" and "Shock (7" Remix)" -- with a fresh 2005 remastering.

Overall, 5 stars for the remastering and 1 star for yet another poor attempt at compiling Motels' classics on disc again. Maybe next time Capitol will offer us all those charting singles on one disc?

Average customer rating: great! Trace Adkins - greatest hits NNNNNOOOOOOOOO!!!! Trace Fan All the best of Trace

Greatest Hits Collection, Vol. 1 Trace Adkins Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music New Traditionalist | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Country | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Songs About Me Dangerous Man Comin' on Strong Dreamin' Out Loud More... ASIN: B000094FFD Release Date: 2003-07-08

Tracks:

1. Then They Do
2. (This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing
3. The Rest Of Mine
4. Chrome
5. I'm Tryin'
6. There's A Girl In Texas
7. Every Light In The House
8. Don't Lie
9. I Left Something Turned On At Home
10. Big Time
11. Lonely Won't Leave Me Alone
12. Help Me Understand
13. More
14. Welcome To Hell

Customer Reviews:

great!.......2007-05-12

Great music. Nice combination of rockin and love songs. Trace Adkins has got such a great voice.

Trace Adkins - greatest hits.......2006-11-05

Fabulous CD. He has a super voice. I played it non-stop for about a week. Terrific buy!!

NNNNNOOOOOOOOO!!!!.......2006-05-25

This was terrible. Does this guy even have a record deal? His voice sounds like a handful of nails dropped in a blender. Maybe he should find another career... soon!

Trace Fan.......2006-04-21

I love CD. Actually I love anything that Trace does. He is great. He got the looks, the sound. He's got everything. Keep on singing Trace.

All the best of Trace.......2006-04-12

If you are new to Trace Adkins, this album is a must. It truely contains his greatest tunes. This is a CD you'll definately always enjoy.

Average customer rating: Well worth it for hard to find tracks Get this one ! The Best of the Various 'Specials' Compilations.....!!!! A little Specials goes a long way some top-rank singles here

The Singles Collection The Specials Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music British Ska | Ska | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Ska General | Ska | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Specials Ultimate Collection More Specials One Step Beyond... Beat This: The Best of the English Beat ASIN: B000003JB9 Release Date: 1991-02-01

Tracks:

1. Gangsters
2. Rudi, A Message To You
3. Nite Club
4. Too Much Too Young
5. Guns Of Navarone
6. Rat Race
7. Rude Boys Outta Jail
8. Maggie's Farm
9. Do Nothing
10. Stereotype
11. Ghost Town
12. Why?
13. Friday Night, Saturday Morning
14. Racist Friend
15. Free Nelson Mandela
16. (What I Like Most About You Is Your) Girlfriend

Customer Reviews:

Well worth it for hard to find tracks.......2007-01-19

The Specials are the stuff of legend, that much can be agreed upon, but what is it about this collection that earns your hard-earned dollar? In a word, rarities. 'Rude Boys Out of Jail,' 'Guns of Navarone,' 'Maggie's Farm,' and 'Ghost Town' are classics worthy of inclusion on any ska collection, but due to the fact they weren't included on The Specials' LPs, they languish in obscurity. Hence this much needed collection. The only caveat to speak of is slightly less than stellar sound due to first generation mastering. Nonetheless, it remains the best Specials collection out there. A very fun, very danceable record.

Get this one !.......2005-06-11

The short-lived British Ska revival of the late 70's early 80's produced only one really great band. The Specials were indeed very special. We ALL need a little Specials in our lives. And if you buy only one Specials CD, this should be it. ( Their self titled debut album is great too, and should be your next Specials purchase, as it contians one song - "Little Bitch " - that SHOULD have been on this cd but isn't.) Serious, thought provoking and socially concious lyrics backed by some of the finest upbeat ska ever recorded. If you're looking for only one reason to get this cd, it's the 12" mix of Ghost Town, a spooky sounding dub reggae track with lyrics centering on the infighting amonst ska fans of different races that literally tore the movement apart. It was the last great Specials single, and the last to feature the original lineup, as they too would splinter shortly after its release. And all you English Beat fans out there who would argue against my point of the Specials being the only great ska band to come out of that period I offer my sincere apologies and can only say that in my opinion they were a pop band who used Ska and Reggae as only part of their musical palette ( listen to the second and third albums by the English Beat and you will see I am right .)

The Best of the Various 'Specials' Compilations.....!!!!.......2005-03-31

Possibly standing as one of the biggest and most creative artists, in the early 70's Ska/Revival scene. Combining elements of punk's energetic approach to music, with New Waves rousing & Exuberant arrangements, their music was as friendly for the dancefloor, as it was for listening at home. But what separated them from their peers and earmarked them and possibly the most crucial act in that musical scene, was the fact the amongst the party(ish) vibe of the music, their's was a manifesto that took not only a political stance, but also a social conscience that made their music that rare breed. Music that could move your feet to, but had something (useful) to say.

Their music was a perfect example of attaching Party-inspired music arrangements, to Social & Political subjects that were disenchanted and Confrontational exposes of life in Britain in the early 70's. So a lot of the songs refer to important topics, whether it be a lament for people leading criminal lives to will ultimately end in tears ("Gangsters"), Women that end up getting pregnant/married early, and missing Crucial years in their lives ("Message to You Rudy"), Pouring scorn on the peoples hopeless and uneventful & hostile evenings in nightclubs ("Nite Klub"), the everyday pointlessness and mentally conformity of getting ahead professionally ("Rat Race"), heartfelt plea's to the controlling governmental powers for the release of Mandela ("Free Nelson Mandela"), People making judgemental decisions regarding others, or lumping them in fixed categories ("Stereotype"), the slow disintergration of the city/town, and it beginning to resemble a deserted town ("Ghost Town").

All of the Specials music, was musically rich, motivationally uplifting and encapsulates everything from Ska (obviously) funk-rhythm, Jubilant 2-Step, & bouncy New-Wave everything was given a groove and an accessibility that made sure that entering their music, was easy, and understanding the message behind the songs easy to grab. There are quite a few various compilations of the specials, but this is is easily the best. It not only collects all the hits singles "Ghost Town, Nite Klub, Gangsters, Rat Race, Message to you Rudy", on the disc, but it also collects some of the lesser known but equally worthwhile B-Sides, and Rarities & Cover Versions ("Guns of Navarone, Do Nothing, Racist Friend, Maggies Farm, Why?, Friday Night Saturday Morning")...obviously there will always be a couple of omissions (I do miss: "Concrete Jungle, War Crimes, Man At C & A, Blank Expression"), but for newcomers or people (like me) that don't really want to have to buy several albums, this is the best of the various compilations for the band, and easily the most encompassing 'Best of' for the band.

A little Specials goes a long way.......2004-04-23

I like ska, but I don't LOVE Ska. This Cd does it for me. My only beef is that they could have packed a few more tracks onto it.

Now then... Unless you're seriously into ska, punk or jamaican music in general- this is probably all The Specials you'll ever need. This album is more conclusive than either the Specials (best of) CD or the More Specials (best of 2) Cd. Stylistically, it covers all the bases including several hard to fing cuts (most notably Ghost town, a sweet creepy little tune with an arabian sound to it- well used in Guy Ritchie's 'Snatch'... or maybe it was 'Lock, Stock...').

At any rate, this is all prime-rate, good stuff. If you are looking for a place to begin delving into ska, or simply trying to round out a decent CD collection- you could do far worse. No, actually, I'm pretty sure it was 'Snatch,' afterall.

some top-rank singles here.......2002-01-06

The specials are an interesting band-- Elvis Costello, of all people, produced their first album.

This is a good collection-- these songs are pretty much easy to get a consensus on. 'Ghosttown', 'Too Much, Too Young' and 'Gangsters' shine through for what they are: some of the greatest songs of the 80's. There is a bit of filler on here, yes, but, it's filler that grows on you as time passes by.

This is a must-have record for the ska/punk enthusiast. It's worth a gamble for most other people as well.

Average customer rating: Chris Still Rocks! Shame on Capitol!!

The Ultimate Collection Chris LeDoux Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music New Traditionalist | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music Cowboy | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Similar Items: Live at Bally's Las Vegas Anthology Volume 1 20 Originals: The Early Years Horsepower Songs Of Rodeo & Country / Life As A Rodeo Man ASIN: B000I8NGDC Release Date: 2006-10-03

Tracks:

1. Horsepower
2. This Cowboy's Hat
3. Life Is A Highway
4. He Rides The Wild Horses
5. Copenhagen
6. Take Me To The Rodeo
7. Seventeen
8. Hooked On An 8 Second Ride
9. Bareback Jack
10. Riding For A Fall
11. Even Cowboys Like A Little Rock And Roll
12. Silence On The Line
13. Little Long-Haired Outlaw

Tracks:

1. Cadillac Cowboy
2. The Fever
3. County Fair
4. Tougher Than The Rest
5. Stampede
6. The Ride
7. Five Dollar Fine
8. Cadillac Ranch
9. Look At You Girl
10. Whatcha Gonna Do With A Cowboy
11. Workin' Man's Dollar
12. For Your Love
13. Western Skies

Customer Reviews:

Chris Still Rocks!.......2006-12-12

If you haven't already, please disregard the 1st online review - the person who wrote it is actually giving CAPITOL RECORDS a 2-star rating, NOT Chris Ledoux. Granted, these songs have all been released previously (which is obvious if you read the list of songs included in the compilation), but obviously Chris won't be releasing any new songs, since he's deceased.

Naturally, we in Wyoming are extremely proud of our down-home boy, so I might sound biased. I also have copies of every tape & CD ever released, but this is still a great gift for anyone who loves C/W, rockabilly, rodeo, lighthearted songs about being a cowboy, or great ballads. You won't find anything better in the above music categories.

Shame on Capitol!!.......2006-10-12

These are all great songs, but Capitol should be ashamed to release yet another Chris LeDoux compilation. Where is some unreleased material?

As I've stated on other LeDoux reviews, Chris is my favorite singer, I have all his CDs, I've been a fan for more than 25 years, and I was a longtime member of his fan club (until the founder passed away). I LOVE Chris LeDoux's music, and I consider him a hero of sorts.

But since 1994 (12 years, obviously), Capitol has issued 10 Chris compilations of one kind or another: Best of (1994), American Cowboy box set (1994), Rodeo Rock 'n' Roll Collection (1995), Live (1997)--a great CD, Greatest Hits (1999), Cowboy (2000)--a great CD, but remakes of old songs, Capitol Collection box set (2002), 20 Originals (2004), Anthology Volume 1 (2005), and now Ultimate Collection (2006). Enough!

More than a year and a half has passed since Chris' untimely and unfortunate death in March of 2005. Why can't Capitol issue some unreleased material? Yes, the first box set has two unreleased songs and Anthology has one. But Chris started recording albums almost 30 years ago, and surely somewhere--if not from his independent days (when he made his best records) then from his Capitol/Liberty days--there must be a cache of unreleased material. Why can't Capitol give us something new? Why does the label keep recycling Chris' already released (and great) songs?

It is past time for Capitol to truly honor Chris LeDoux and burnish his wonderful legacy by giving his fans some unreleased material. PLEASE!!

Average customer rating: Best Christmas Album It's not quite modern and not quite traditional--a nice mix for someone eclectic Devided Could have been a little better Great XMAS CD

Now That's What I Call Christmas! The Signature Collection Various Artists Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Compilations | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Similar Items: Now That's What I Call Christmas! Now That's What I Call Christmas, Vol. 3 Ultimate Christmas Time-Life Music: Treasury of Christmas - Holiday Memories A Very Special Christmas, Vol. 2 ASIN: B0000CD5EY Release Date: 2003-09-30

Tracks:

1. Opera of the Bells - Destiny's Child
2. O Come All Ye Faithful - Stacie Orrico
3. I Don't Wanna Spend One More Christmas Without You - Nsync
4. Santa Baby - Kylie Minogue
5. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town - B2K
6. Step into Christmas - Elton John
7. Jingle Bells - Jimmy Buffett
8. All I Want for Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey
9. Do You Hear What I Hear? - Vince Gill
10. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear - Aaron Neville
11. Last Christmas - Wham!
12. Christmas Through Your Eyes - Gloria Estefan
13. Christmas Wrapping - Waitresses
14. A Christmas to Remember - Amy Grant
15. Silent Night - Charlotte Church
16. Please Come Home for Christmas - Luther Vandross
17. O Holy Night - Celine Dion
18. Peace - Norah Jones

Tracks:

1. Winter Wonderland - Gordon Jenkins & His Orchestra
2. I'll Be Home for Christmas - Barbra Streisand
3. Silver Bells - Johnny Mathis
4. The Little Drummer Boy - Lou Rawls
5. Happy Holiday - Peggy Lee
6. The Christmas Blues - Dean Martin
7. Run Rudolph Run - Chuck Berry
8. Baby, It's Cold Outside - Tom Jones
9. Feliz Navidad - Josi Feliciano
10. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Burl Ives
11. The First Noel - Andy Williams
12. I Know What I Want for Christmas - George Strait
13. O Little Town of Bethlehem - Yolanda Adams
14. Kentucky Homemade Christmas - Kenny Rogers
15. Go Tell It on the Mountain - Andy Griffith
16. Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful) - Kurt Herbert Adler
17. (There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays - Barry Manilow
18. Auld Lang Syne - Guy Lombardo

Customer Reviews:

Best Christmas Album.......2007-02-15

This is a great set. The first cd has all of the wonderful traditional songs, and are nice when the fire is on or just the tree lights are on. The second cd is great when you want more upbeat modern music after getting tired of the first! We have lots of Christmas CDs, but this set gets more play because of the great combination.

It's not quite modern and not quite traditional--a nice mix for someone eclectic .......2007-01-19

If you're looking for a collection that's strictly contemporary or traditional, this is not for you. I like the variety and the mix of classics, but others may experience a disconnect with something old and new played back to back.

Devided.......2007-01-10

The new Christmas music drove most of my family crazy except for one song. Santa clause is coming to town was changed to hood in a spot and they loved that but preferred the classical Christmas music on disc 2.

Could have been a little better.......2006-12-20

Granted that depends on your tastes. Your 10 to 12 year old daughter will probably love some of these tracks. However, this compilation comes nowhere near the 1st one. It's not bad and there are some "standards" on here by Elton John, Wham, Gloria Estefan and the Waitresses (which have the best tune in this set). It's all over the map, artist wise. It just seems to me that there wasn't much thought put into this compilation.

Great XMAS CD.......2006-12-05

We have a lot of Xmas Cd's, but we find ourselves playing this one a lot.

Average customer rating: Great Collection A VERY PAINFUL DAY FOR ME TO REMEMBER, 26 YEARS AGO TODAY! John Lennon: hits and then some John Lennon: a very painful day, twenty five years ago! The title says it all: it's THE John Lennon Collection

The John Lennon Collection John Lennon Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Lennon Legend: The Very Best of John Lennon Timepieces: Best of Eric Clapton Milk and Honey Imagine (Original Soundtrack) All the Best ASIN: B000002UUH Release Date: 1989-10-26

Tracks:

1. Give Peace A Chance
2. Instant Karma!
3. Power To The People
4. Whatever Gets You Through The Night
5. #9 Dream
6. Mind Games
7. Love
8. Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
9. Imagine
10. Jealous Guy
11. Stand By Me
12. (Just Like) Starting Over
13. Woman
14. I'm Losing You
15. Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)
16. Watching The Wheels
17. Dear Yoko
18. Move Over Ms. L
19. Cold Turkey

Customer Reviews:

Great Collection.......2007-01-23

There is no doubt John Lennon had a prolific career with many many successful beatles and solo hits. This CD has 19 solid tracks from his solo career that spanned from 1969 to 1980. He produced alot of albums to 1975, then he took a break till 1980.This has a fine colection of songs from those years. My favorite tracks on the disc are (Just Like) Starting Over , Woman, Imagine,Mind Games,#9 Dream and Watching The Wheels. You will find this a rewarding purchase.
If you don't already have some of John Lennon's music in your collection...then this is the one to get.

A VERY PAINFUL DAY FOR ME TO REMEMBER, 26 YEARS AGO TODAY! .......2006-12-08

Before I begin this review, I would like to send my condolences to Yoko Ono Lennon, John's first son Julian Lennon and John's second son with Yoko, Sean Lennon. Today marks the 26th Aniversary of John Lennon's Assasination on December 8, 1980. I know for fact that I will NEVER FORGET THAT DAY NOR WILL I EVER FORGIVE MARK DAVID CHAPMAN FOR HIS PREMEDITATED EVIL ASSASINATION OF LENNON ON THAT FATEFUL NIGHT. AMERICA LOST JOHN LENNON FOREVER, ENGLAND LOST ITS FIRST TRUE ROCK N' ROLL SON FOREVER AND THE WORLD WOULD FOREVER LOSE ITS FIRST TRUE ROCK N' ROLL SPOKESMAN AND HERO. WITH THAT IN MIND, YOKO WOULD FOREVER LOSE HER BELOVED HUSBAND AND JULIAN AND SEAN LENNON WOULD FOREVER LOSE THEIR FATHER. WHAT A REAL SAD DAY IN ROCK N' ROLL HISTORY. R.I.P. John Ono Lennon (AKA John Winston Lennon) Born October 9, 1940, Assasinated On December 8, 1980.

Since today is December 8, I will be paying tribute to John by writing a review on the brilliant classic legendary masterpiece CD album entitled "THE JOHN LENNON COLLECTION" by the LATE GREAT EX-BEATLE, THE LEGENDARY ONE AND ONLY, JOHN LENNON. This legendary album was originally released on vinyl, cassette and CD in 1989 on the infamous Capitol Records label. The matrix or ID number of the CD release is CDP 7 91516 2. If I hear any new information concerning this legendary album, other than the much information and knowledge I have locked in my head, I will edit this review so that you the consumer will get the best and most accurate review possible.

In my opinion, "THE JOHN LENNON COLLECTION" is a great album which marks the last true testament of John's REMARKABLY BRILLIANT LEGENDARY CAREER! Please note that prior to John's RETURN (NOT COMEBACK) to Rock n' Roll in 1980, (Between 1975 and 1980) John happily walked away from Rock n' Roll and settled on raising his son Sean for five (5) years. From what I've read, it was one of the happiest time periods in John Lennon's life! I respect and admire John for walking away from music like he did. Then again, it was probably for the better good that he did it because it breathed and gave John new life! With that in mind, it inspired and restored the heart and passion John once had in order to want to willingly return to Rock n' Roll and record again. For John Lennon and all of us, it would also prove to be the most fatal.

I will list and briefly review all song tracks in this album and are in their exact order as follows: (1.) "Give Peace A Chance," (ONE OF THE GREATEST DEMONSTRATION SONGS EVER WRITTEN! A GREAT ACOUSTIC MELLOW SONG!) (2.) "Instant Karma," (THIS IS ALSO A GREAT SONG! LISTENING TO THE LYRICS OF THIS SONG MAKES YOU REALIZE THAT KARMA DOES HAVE A WAY OF COMING BACK TO HAUNT AND BITE YOU IN THE A*S!) (3.) "Power To The People," ANOTHER GREAT DEMONSTRATION SONG! THIS SONG MAKES YOU WANT TO GET UP AND SHOUT RESULTING IN FIGHTING FOR YOUR RIGHTS.) (4.) "Whatever Gets You Thru The Night," (ONE OF JOHN'S MOST DEAREST FRIENDS AND GODFATHER TO SEAN LENNON, ELTON JOHN MADE A BET WITH JOHN THAT IF THIS SONG WENT TO NUMBER 1, JOHN WOULD HAVE TO APPEAR ON STAGE LIVE WITH ELTON! WE ALL KNOW WHAT HAPPENED AND ANOTHER GREAT MOMENT IN ROCK N' ROLL HISTORY WAS MADE IN 1974 IN NEW YORK, CITY AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN! THIS IS A GREAT SONG!) (5.) "#9 Dream," (A BEAUTIFUL MELLOW MYSTIC SONG!) (6.) "Mind Games," (ANOTHER GREAT LENNON COMPOSITION! A GREAT SONG INDEED! THIS SONG, LIKE ALL OF LENNON'S OTHER POWERFUL COMPOSITIONS, TELLS IT LIKE IT IS! THIS SONG IS NO EXCEPTION.) (7.) "Love," (ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN SLOW LOVE SONGS EVER WRITTEN! I LOVE THIS SONG!) (8.) "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)," (ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL AND BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS SONGS EVER WRITTEN! THIS SONG PRETTY MUCH SUMS IT ALL UP. LETS ALL HOPE THAT THIS CHRISTMAS IS A GOOD ONE FOR ALL OF OUR SOLDIERS IN IRAQ AS WELL AS ALL OF US WITHOUT ANY FEARS!) (9.) "Imagine," (ANOTHER ONE OF ROCK'S MOST SACRED ANTHEMS! THE LYRICS TO THIS SONG ARE NOTHING BUT POWERFUL, REALISTIC AND A STATEMENT WE CAN ALL GRASP AND RELATE TO. JOHN REALLY PROVED IN THIS SONG THAT HE WAS A DREAMER AND HUMAN LIKE THE REST OF US AND NOT JOHN LENNON, THE FAMOUS EX-BEATLE OR THE LEGEND! JOHN LENNON WAS NOT ONLY A CREDIT TO HIS RACE, BUT TO THE GREAT HUMAN RACE! AN OUTSTANDING SONG ANTHEM INDEED! (10.) "Jealous Guy," (ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL SONG! YOU CAN FEEL THAT THIS COMPOSITION BY JOHN WAS SUNG THE ONLY WAY HE KNEW HOW TO SING IT, FROM THE HEART. FOR ALL YOU BEAUTIFUL WOMEN OUT THERE, LISTEN TO THIS SING CLOSELY, THIS IS HOW AN EMOTIONAL MAN TRULY BARES HIS HEART AND SOUL TO THE ONLY WOMAN OF HIS DREAMS THAT HE TRULY LOVES! (11.) "Stand By Me," (BEN E. KING'S CLASSIC SONG DONE THE JOHN LENNON WAY, ANOTHER GREAT ROCKER! I LOVE THIS VERSION!) (12.) "(Just Like) Starting Over," (ANOTHER BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN COMPOSITION BY JOHN THAT HAS SO MUCH POWER AND MEANING! YOU CAN TRULY FEEL JOHN'S BURNING DESIRE TO WILLINGLY WANT TO WRITE AND CREATE MUSIC AGAIN! THIS SONG IS OUTSTANDING, BRILLIANT, INCREDIBLE AND UNBELIEVEABLE! THIS SONG IS ONE OF THE FINAL HAPPY MOMENTS IN JOHN LENNON'S LIFE!) (13.) "Woman," (THIS IS ONE OF THE GREATEST LOVE SONGS EVER WRITTEN! EVERY MAN SHOULD DEDICATE THIS SONG TO THE WOMAN THEY LOVE THAT BECAME THE WOMAN OF THEIR DREAMS! I LOVE THIS SONG SO MUCH AND I FEEL CONFIDENT THAT ALL OF YOU WILL LOVE IT TOO!) (14.) "I'm Losing You," (THIS BRILLIANT LENNON COMPOSITION ALSO SHOWS THE EMOTIONALLY SENSITIVE SIDE OF A MAN LOSING THE WOMAN OF HIS DREAMS! JOHN SURE HAD A GOD-GIVEN GIFT AND A TALENTED WAY WITH COMMUNICATING WITH THE WORLD THROUGH BEAUTIFUL WORDS TURNED INTO LYRICS! (15.) " Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)," (THE GREATEST SONG THAT A FATHER CAN EVER WRITE AND COMPOSE, THEN DEDICATE TO HIS SON! A BEAUTIFUL SONG! EVERYTIME I HEAR THIS SONG, I SHED A TEAR! THIS SONG HAS SO MUCH POWER AND MEANING, SOMETHING WE CAN ALL GRASP AND RELATE TO IN OUR DAILY LIVES! IT IS ALSO EXTREMELY SAD FOR ME, LIKE MANY OF YOU OUT THERE ARE, BECAUSE WE ALSO REALIZE THAT LENNON WAS TAKEN AWAY FROM ALL OF US SO TRAGICALLY AND IS NO LONGER WITH US BUT IN SPIRIT!) (16.) "Watching The Wheels," (IN MY OPINION, THIS IS ANOTHER ONE OF JOHN'S CONFESSIONS! JOHN IS TELLING US IN THIS SONG THAT HE IS VERY HAPPY AND CONTENT WITH LETTING THE ROCK N' ROLL LIFESTYLE GO. JOHN TRULY GOT OFF THE ROCK N' ROLL MERRY-GO-ROUND INDEED.) (17.) "Dear Yoko," (ONE OF JOHN'S MOST PERSONAL LOVE SONGS TO YOKO!) (18.) "Move Over Ms. L" (ANOTHER ONE OF JOHN'S PERSONAL SONG MESSAGES TO YOKO!) and (19.) "Cold Turkey," (THIS SONG IS A BLISTERING BRILLIANT KILLER ROCKER! JOHN'S TERRIFYING AND SCARY LEAD VOCALS COMBINED WITH ERIC CLAPTON'S BLISTERING MERCILESS KILLER GUITAR RIFF ARRANGEMENTS MAKE THIS ROCKER SCARE YOU STRAIGHT FROM HEROIN! JOHN'S TERRIFYING SCREAMING IN THIS SONG ALMOST SOUNDS AND CONVINCES YOU THAT HE IS ACTUALLY GOING THROUGH WITHDRAWLS FROM HEROIN IN THIS SONG! THIS IS ONE SONG THAT HEROIN USERS DO NOT WANT TO LISTEN TO AT NIGHT. THIS SONG WILL DEFINITELY HAUNT YOU IN YOUR NIGHTMARES! WHAT A WAY TO END THIS ALBUM COMPILATION.) THIS ALBUM IS A TRUE ENCYCLOPEDIA MASTERPIECE.

As you can see, this compilation or collection is worth purchasing that he or she should own as part of his or her music collection.

In closing, 1980 was the year and the beginning of a new decade that John Lennon, once again, had so much to say despite being in seclusion for five (5) long years. In his final two (2) albums recorded in 1980, "DOUBLE FANTASY" AND "MILK AND HONEY," John wrote, composed and gave his last testament of what he experienced and how he lived during the five (5) years he was in seclusion. I am very happy and thankful that John's life with his son Sean and his wife Yoko was almost normal but extremely a very happy time for all three. (3) I can't even imagine what it would be like to be a son of a BEATLE! I'm sure its not easy! John Lennon will FOREVER be remembered in our hearts as "JOHN," as in "JOHN, PAUL, GEORGE AND RINGO!" The contributions and accomplishments The Beatles have blessed mankind with will live on FOREVER! THE BEATLES WILL FOREVER BE REMEMBERED AS THE GREATEST BAND ROCK N' ROLL EVER PRODUCED, need I say more? R.I.P. John Ono Lennon (AKA John Winston Lennon) 1940-1980. Thanks for reading my long and lengthy review and I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it for all of you. I also hope that you will read all of my other reviews in the near future when time permits. THE BEATLES FOREVER! LENNON LIVES! LONG LIVE ROCK N' ROLL! Rock out always and take care. J.L.

John Lennon: hits and then some.......2006-12-01

John Lennon, who had given this world so much with his words and music, was fatally shot on Dec. 8th, 1980. The first Lennon album to be released afterwards was 'The John Lennon Collection' in 1982, two years after. In 1989 it was re-issued on CD with two bonus tracks ( the last two on the CD); read on for my reivew of the re-issued CD.
The is one of the best Lennon compilations that I've heard. Give Peace a Chance is a great starter and the rest of the tracks that follow are all just as exellent; if I were to begin listing favorites, I would would proably end up giving you almost the entire track list. But the best tracks includ 'Instant Karma', 'Power To the People', Whatever Gets You Thru the Night', '#9 Dream, Stand By me' Starting Over, Losing You and the rarity Move Over Ms L. ( CD bonus track although not billed as such. Woman, Beautiful Boy, Dear Yoko, Imagine and Happy Xmas ( War is Over) are good too. This exellent album is sadly out of print and hard to find so alternatives such as The Lennon Legend or Shaved Fish ( if you don't mind a lack of Double Fantasy Material) are more accesible to the non hard-core fan. Also, to me any lack of Mil & Honey material doesn't bother me all to much; sure 'Nobody Told Me' or "Borrowed Time' or even Stepping Out would have been nice ( I actually think Grow Old With Me would have been a GREAT closer) but M&H was pothstumous album and a such I only consider it half-in the dsicography like I do all pothstumous rleases other than compilations or 'Anthologies' Anyhow, the prescence of 'Move Over Ms L.' ( a rare Lennon B-Side, circa 1974-75) should apease the hardcore fan and if you're not 'hardcore' than it won't matter anyway ( if they do even bother tracking it down. So, great compilation album highly recomended for hardocre Lennon fans, newbies who don't mind trying to find rare albums and anyone interested in rarities ( Move Over...) Such a sham that it's out of print!

John Lennon: a very painful day, twenty five years ago!.......2005-12-09

That fatidic day signed the physical departure of Lennon but also meant the birth of a musical legend. Lennon was the active creator, the irreverent wing of the Beatles, the troublemaker, the inexhaustible peace fighter.

In our memory are still fresh the first signals of an unavoidable breakthrough in the early seventies. Since that moment the artistic profile of Lennon literally acquired a new dimension, his fertile imagination and unquestionable lyricism made of him one of the last exponents of the beat generation, in the tradition of Bob Dylan or Donovan. Lennon was an openhearted creator, he opened sliding doors and allowed to convey the concerns and existential anguish of all a non faith generation. And his themes were poems transformed in songs: Since the first bars of my first choice of his first age: Instant Karma, the barefaced cry of loneliness and bitterness expressed in Mother, or the universal song of Give Peace a chance, his personal poem dedicated to Yoko: Woman, or his undoubted masterpiece: Imagine, work that would become his immortal hymn that still engages the newcomer listeners.

This is a sad day, but also an opportunity to think about him, wherever he is. In the name of so many people who are reminding him through his records at this precise moment, or visiting his New York Department, Farewell and let' s enjoy because he followed and achieved his bliss.

The title says it all: it's THE John Lennon Collection.......2005-12-04

The most important is the essential is here. OK, they released this new compilation this year, WORKING-CLASS HERO, but it's a double CD and I'm not sure John Lennon wrote so many essential songs during his post-Beatles career.
Here you have all the 70's hits plus the DOUBLE FANTASY album tracks. That's enough like that. I really like John's work in the seventies but this CD captures the most important songs: IMAGINE, INSTANT KARMA, GIVE PEACE A CHANCE, COLD TURKEY and even the rare track MOVE OVER MRS L. about his breakup with Yoko in the mid-70's.
So save your money, buy this one, enjoy the music and if you love it then you know you can purchase the original albums.
Remember this is the album that was released to commemorate the second anniversary of John's death in 1982. That was John's first true greatest hits package and it went triple platinum in the US alone since then.

Music Album:

1. The Executioner's Last Songs
2. The Hill
3. The Key [Enhanced]
4. The Little Darlin' Sound of Don Williams
5. The Magnificent Music Machine
6. The Man Who Would Be King: The Best of Orion
7. The Season for Romance
8. The Texas Fiddle Collection
9. The Truth About Men
10. Theatre of the Unheard

Music Album