Part of the successful UK compilation series. 52 tracks on 2CD's including, Cliff Richard, Buddy Holly, PJ Proby, The Essex And Paul McCartney. Slimline double jewel case. 2000 release.
Greatest R&R Love Songs,Various Artists,EMI Int'l,Brill Building Pop,Chicago Soul,Doo Wop,Frat Rock,Girl Group,Northern Soul,Pop,Pop/Rock,Popular Music,R&B,Rock,Rock & Roll,Rock/Pop Collections,Teen Idol
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Chronicle, Vol. 1: The 20 Greatest Hits
Creedence Clearwater Revival Manufacturer: Fantasy ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000000XB9 Release Date: 1990-10-25 |
Tracks:
- Susie Q
- I Put A Spell On You
- Proud Mary
- Bad Moon Rising
- Lodi
- Green River
- Commotion
- Down On The Corner
- Fortunate Son
- Travelin' Band
- Who'll Stop The Rain
- Up Around The Bend
- Run Through The Jungle
- Lookin' Out My Back Door
- Long As I Can See The Light
- I Heard It Through The Grapevine
- Have You Ever Seen The Rain?
- Hey Tonight
- Sweet Hitch-Hiker
- Someday Never Comes
Amazon.com
Few bands of the 1960s retained as much a sense of the roots of rock and roll as did Creedence Clearwater Revival. Their music is rife with country, rockabilly, and R&B influences, a combination that produced several hit singles--most of which are present on this collection. These include "I Heard It through the Grapevine," "Lodi," "Up Around the B ," "Who'll Stop the Rain," and of course "Bad Moon Rising." This is an excellent greatest-hits collection, and a perfect introduction to the music of a band that has been enduringly influential. --Genevieve WilliamsAlbum Description
Recorded 1968-1970 and includes 'Susie Q', 'I Put a Spell on You', 'Proud Mary', 'Bad Moon Rising', 'Lodi', 'Green River', 'Commotion', 'Down on the Corner', 'Fortunate Son', 'Travelin' Band', 'Who'll Stop the Rain', 'Up Around the Bend', 'Run Through the Jungle', 'Lookin' Out My Back Door', 'Long as I Can See the Light', 'I Heard It Through the Grapevine', 'Have You Ever Seen the Rain?', 'Hey Tonight', 'Sweet Hitch-Hiker' & 'Someday Never Comes'. Fantasy label. 1991.Customer Reviews:
My sort of music .......2007-07-12
CCR.......2007-06-28
great stuff.......2007-06-27
Gets me going in the morning.......2007-06-27
Soundtrack of an era.......2007-06-15
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Earth Wind & Fire: Greatest Hits
Wind & Fire Earth Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00000FC5H Release Date: 1998-11-17 |
Tracks:
- Shining Star
- That's The Way Of The World
- September
- Can't Hide Love
- Got To Get You Into My Life
- Sing A Song
- Gratitude
- Serpentine Fire
- Fantasy
- Kalimba Story
- Mighty Mighty
- Reasons
- Saturday Nite
- Let's Groove
- Boogie Wonderland - (with The Emotions)
- After The Love Is Gone
- Getaway
Amazon.com essential recording
It's the most complete single-disc collection of EWF chart rockers, and Greatest Hits' splendid remastering makes one of the major exponents of '70s funk positivity sound sparkling. From the driving "Shining Star" to the syncopated mastery of "September" and "Boogie Wonderland" to the slow-jam heaven of "After the Love Is Gone," this is a reminder of what made the group so special. --Rickey WrightCustomer Reviews:
Great CD.......2007-05-25
(4.5 stars) Probably their best comp, but STILL missing key songs.......2007-03-29
Yes, this is a great intro, but don't stop here. Why? All in All, Spirit, Gratitude, That's the Way of the World and Open Our Eyes are all good picks, that's why. But this is the compilation the band deserved.
That Boogie Woogie Beat!.......2007-03-14
Don't put this on in the car and get behind a school bus! Torture!
Greatest Hits.......2007-01-04
Old School.......2007-01-04
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Queen - Greatest Hits
Queen Manufacturer: Hollywood Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000000OBP Release Date: 1992-09-15 |
Tracks:
- We Will Rock You
- We Are The Champions
- Another One Bites The Dust
- Killer Queen
- Somebody To Love
- Fat Bottomed Girls
- Bicycle Race
- You're My Best Friend
- Crazy Little Thing Called Love
- Now I'm Here
- Play The Game
- Seven Seas Of Rhye
- Body Language
- Save Me
- Don't Stop Me Now
- Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy
- I Want To Break Free
Amazon.com
Queen brought a whole new meaning to the phrase over the top. While rock & roll flamboyance stretched back at least as far as Little Richard, Freddie Mercury continued to camp it up, taking little seriously and smirking at the music's growing pretensions while partaking in them no small bit. Many of the band's singles hold up extremely well, such as "Killer Queen" and "You're My Best Friend". The quartet's canny sense of melody and sophisticated vocal harmonies--not to mention Mercury's raised eyebrow--have traveled well through the years. --Rickey WrightCustomer Reviews:
Queen Greatest hits.......2007-07-12
Queen is Amazing!.......2007-05-23
"Somebody to Love": A huge, sprawling song with absolutely mesmorizing vocals from Freddie Mercury and amazing harmonies.
"Fat Bottom Girls": A classic hard rock tune with gorgeous harmonies and great guitar lines.
"You're My Best Friend": A smooth, cool, beautiful, and underrated love song.
"Seven Seas of Rhye": I love the piano on this song, and the classic hard rock feel.
"Don't Stop Me Now": A classic adrenaline-rush of a song.
I love this CD. You should get it if you like Queen. It's very cohesive. And if you don't really know Queen that well, it's a great sampler of their music. There is one problem. "Bohemian Rhapsody" is my favorite Queen song, and its absence on this album irks me quite a bit. That being said, I would download it individually before I would actually buy another album with it.
blast from the past.......2007-05-14
THE QUEEN LEGEND CONTINUES WITH VOLUME II. PART 2 OF 2........2007-05-09
I will be writing a review on the legendary compilation album entitled "QUEEN - GREATEST HITS - VOLUME II" by one of Rock's all-time greatest bands ever. I give you one of England's pride and joy's and one of Britain's favorite sons, Q-U-E-E-N! "QUEEN - GREATEST HITS - VOLUME II" was originally released in 1992 on Compact Disc on the Hollywood Records label which is distributed by Elektra Entertainment, a division of Warner Communications Inc. This review is Part 2 of 2. As always, if I hear any new additional information concerning this legendary compilation album or the artist, I will edit this review immediately so that you the consumer will get the overall best informative and most accurate review possible.
QUEEN will forever go down in Rock n' Roll history and be remembered for writing and recording some of Rock's most legendary all-time greatest sacred classic anthems ever. QUEEN will also be remembered for delivering one of Rock's most flamboyant and charismatic lead singer's / frontmen ever. Of course I'm speaking of the late great Farrokh Bulsara, also known the world over as Freddie Mercury. When Mercury met up and joined forces with rhythm and lead guitarist Brian May, bassist John Deacon and drummer Roger Taylor, the stage was set and QUEEN would set out to conquer the world. QUENN would write and record many great albums and hit songs throughout the band's whole entire career to highly critically acclaim. Like volume I, "QUEEN - GREATEST HITS - VOLUME II" would be the result of the many great hit songs that QUEEN would record throughout their entire career. Also like volume I, the album, "QUEEN - GREATEST HITS - VOLUME II" would also serve as proof, of one of the many great contributions, accomplishments and achievements that QUEEN would give to Rock n' Roll. Also without a doubt, in my opinion, like volume I, "QUEEN - GREATEST HITS - VOLUME II" also stands as a true testament of the sheer genius and musical creativity of four extremely talented individuals. "QUEEN - GREATEST HITS - VOLUME II" is also a fine fitting tribute to a great legendary band that was truly indeed, far ahead of their time.
It is now time to let the Rock n' Roll music of QUEEN to speak for itself and back it up by doing all of the talking musically. "QUEEN - GREATEST HITS - VOLUME II" from 1992 picks up right where VOLUME I left off and begins with the forever slow blistering QUEEN trademark Rock anthem that could be heard in stadiums during sports events the world over, "We Will Rock You," this slow Rocker will then develop into the beautifully slow hard Rock anthem "We Are The Champions," the merciless killer Rocker "Another One Bites The Dust," the forever Opera hard Rocker "Killer Queen," one of the most beautiful slow Rock anthems ever, "Somebody To Love," the hard Rock anthem for beautiful overweight women the world over, "Fat Bottom Girls," the amazing Opera Rock anthem "Bicycle Race," the forever beautifully slow QUEEN trademark Rock anthem "You're My Best Friend," the forever 50's like Rock anthem that would have made ELVIS PRESLEY proud, "Crazy Little Thing Called Love," (READY FREDDIE!) the breathtaking a*s kicking hard Rocker "Now I'm Here," the mysterious groundbreaking special effects Rock anthem with an incredible falsetto voice arrangement by Freddie Mercury, "Play The Game," the fantastc killer hard Rocker "Seven Seas Of Rhye," the forever bass pumping synthesized Rocker "Body Language," the beautifully slow electric acoustic Rocker "Save Me," the fast paced and energetic hard Rocker "Don't Stop Me Now," the incredible Opera Rocker "Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy" and the forever danceable synthesized Rocker "I Want To Break Free." Again, like VOLUME I, may I also add that the blistering lead vocals and breathtaking falsetto vocal arrangements by Freddie Mercury was PERFECT and on the mark while laying down the tracks for all of these legendary hit songs. I would also like to commend Brian May for his merciless guitar riffs and licks throughout all of the recordings of these legendary hit songs. I would also like to commend QUEEN'S legendary rhythm section comprising of bassist John Deacon and drummer Roger Taylor. Their combined perfect harmony sound effort contributed in elevating both Freddie Mercury's blistering lead vocals and Brian May's merciless guitar arrangements to another level unimagined by anyone.
Overall, this is one hell of a compilation album worth checking out and seeking further research and information into especially if you are a hardcore diehard QUEEN fan or a devout music collector. As for all of the curious newcomers and new beginners that are not quite familiar with the sound and music of QUEEN, along with VOLUME I, this is not a bad compilation album or two volume album collection to start off with. Either way you choose, you will have taken a giant step in owning and starting your very own personal QUEEN music collection. You can do all of your researching and album purchases either on Amazon com or at your nearest local Borders Books and Music store. If you ever get a chance, buy both volume albums, you'll be happy and satisfied that you did.
Like VOLUME I, I would like to highly recommend purchasing this legendary compilation album(s) to own as a valuable and important part of his or her own personal music collection. Without a doubt, this legendary treasure album(s) has already proven to stand the test of time and will always be around to be enjoyed, appreciated and cherished for many years to come, NOW AND FOREVER. This is one great priceles gem that no hardcore music fan or devout music collector would want to be without.
In closing, Freddie Mercury's untimely death on 24 November 1991 would close the book on one of Rock's greatest chapters and one of Rock's all-time greatest bands ever. OR SO IT SEEMED. The QUEEN legend and legacy is far from being over. As we speak, QUEEN has been touring with former FREE'S, BAD COMPANY'S and THE FIRM'S lead singer and frontman Paul Rodgers to highly critically acclaim. In my opinion, despite Freddie Mercury being irreplaceable, QUEEN'S only chance of carrying on with someone else that is close to Freddie Mercury's talent is with none other than George Michael. When I heard George Michael sing with QUEEN on stage at the Freddie Mercury tribute concert, Michael is the only lead singer and frontman alive today that is capable of filling in the empty shoes left vacant by the late great Freddie Mercury. I'm really surprised that QUEEN didn't snatch up George Michael right away. I HOPE QUEEN IS READING THIS! As years have gone by, the contributions, accomplishments and achievements that QUEEN has made throughout Rock n' Roll history speaks for itself. In 2001, QUEEN would meet their date with destiny by receiving the highest ultimate honor possible, by being inducted as members of the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame. With this in mind, QUEEN will forever leave their place and mark in Rock n' Roll history and will never be forgotten. There will also be new stories in the QUEEN legend and legacy that will still need to be told and written. But that, my fellow readers and reviewers, you will just have to stay tuned and glued to your computer and read further more about it at a later date in the near future. So here's to you late great Freddie, Brian, John, Roger and yes, you too Paul and George. Thanks for the many great memories. Keep The faith. And as the saying goes, "AND THE REST IS ROCK N' ROLL HISTORY," need I say more or am I wrong? FREDDIE MERCURY LIVES! Thanks for reading my review and I truly hope that you have enjoyed reading it as much as I have truly enjoyed writing it for your reading pleasure. I also deeply hope that all of you will read all of my other reviews in the near future when time permits. QUEEN FOREVER! R.I.P. FARROKH BULSARA A.K.A. FREDDIE MERCURY, Born 5 September 1946, Died 24 November 1991 at age 45. Long Live Rock n' Roll. Rock out always and take it easy. Forever in Rock, John L.
Genre Bender's Greatest Hits.......2007-03-03
Highlights including those previously mentioned are "I Want To Break Free," "Save Me", "Killer Queen," "Somebody To Love," and the wonderfully strange "Body Language." My personal favorite is "Fat-Bottomed Girls."
Fans of arena rock bands like Styx and Foreigner will surely enjoy Queen, although Queen is on an entirely different level than those bands. They are classic rock royalty and I highly recommend you snag "Classic Queen" to get a more complete understanding of Queen's broad-reaching style of music.
Highly recommended.
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Al Green - Greatest Hits
Al Green Manufacturer: The Right Stuff ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000002TTP Release Date: 1995-08-01 |
Tracks:
- Tired Of Being Alone
- Call Me (Come Back Home)
- I'm Still In Love With You
- Here I Am (Come And Take Me)
- Love And Happiness
- Let's Stay Together
- I Can't Get Next To You
- You Ought To Be With Me
- Look What You Done For Me
- Let's Get Married
- Livin' For You
- Sha La La (Make Me Happy)
- L-O-V-E (Love)
- Full Of Fire
- Belle
Amazon.com essential recording
One of the must-own soul albums, Greatest Hits is fattened with five extra tracks in this reissue. Al Green brought the Memphis Sound into the '70s by slightly softening it, melding smooth funkiness with his miraculous voice and innate sensitivity: his love songs, while perfect for the bedroom, are as conversational as they are blatantly seductive. By adding the likes of "Belle," a 1977 single that's a near-goodbye to the pop life, to the original lineup of "Let's Stay Together," "Look What You Done for Me," "Call Me," and the others, this edition of Greatest Hits also intriguingly fills out the story. --Rickey WrightCustomer Reviews:
it's been stated by so many others..........2007-07-01
I call it singing that is absolutely emotionally honest and believable and easy to relate to (if you've ever been in any of these situations--and who hasn't?)
The man (with his voice) has the ability to heal/mend when it comes to matters of the heart. It certainly seems that way.
Can't praise him enough.
Perfect Package for Al Green's Hits.......2007-05-16
A Greatest Hits Masterpiece.......2007-03-29
P.S.:Do yourself a favor and pick up some of his 70's era albums starting with "I'm Still In Love With You" if you haven't already.
Very good.......2007-01-25
Oh, Al Green...Never fails to please!.......2007-01-19
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Whitney Houston - The Greatest Hits
Whitney Houston Manufacturer: Arista ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00004R84V Release Date: 2000-05-16 |
Tracks:
- You Give Good Love
- Saving All My Love For You
- Greatest Love Of All
- All At Once
- If You Say My Eyes Are Beautiful
- Didn't We Almost Have It All
- Where Do Broken Hearts Go
- All The Man That I Need
- Run To You
- I Have Nothing
- I Will Always Love You
- Exhale (Shoop Shoop)
- Why Does It Hurt So Bad
- I Believe In You And Me
- Heartbreak Hotel (Featuring Faith Evans, & Kelly Price)
- My Love Is Your Love
- Same Script, Different Cast (Duet With Deborah Cox)
- Could I Have This Kiss Forever (Duet With Enrique Iglesias) (Metro Mix)
Tracks:
- Fine
- If I Told You That (Whitney Houston & George Michael)
- It's Not Right But It's Okay (Thunderpuss Mix)
- My Love Is Your Love (Jonathan Peters Mix)
- Heartbreak Hotel (Featuring Faith Evans And Kelly Price) (Hex Nector Mix)
- I Learned From The Best (HQ2 Mix)
- Step By Step (Junour Vasquez Mix)
- I'm Every Woman (Clivilles & Cole Mix)
- Queen Of The Night (CJ MacIntosh Mix)
- I Will Always Love You (Hex Rector Mix)
- Love Will Save The Day (Jellybean & David Morales Mix)
- I'm Your Baby Tonight (Dronez Mix)
- So Emotional (David Morales Mix)
- I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) (Junior Vasquez Mix)
- How Will I Know (Junior Vasquez Mix)
- Greatest Love Of All (Juniour Vasquez Mix)
- One Moment In Time
- The Star Spangled Banner (Performed Live 1/27/91 at Super Bowl XXV)
Amazon.com
For an artist who only released four proper albums in a 15-year career, it's astounding to recall how many hits Whitney Houston was able to achieve. The two CDs on The Greatest Hits track Houston's rise from mid-'80s Top 40 balladeer to standard-setting diva. Disc 1, Cool Down, runs chronologically through Houston's down-tempo love songs, from "The Greatest Love of All" and "I Will Always Love You" to the cleverly conceived new duet with Deborah Cox, "Same Script, Different Cast." She's also showcased as the remixee of choice for DJs on the second disc, Throw Down, which serves as the antidote to the lovesick first disc. Calling in marquee mixmasters, Houston's old-shoe tunes get a new millennium polish. "My Love Is Your Love," reinterpreted by Jonathan Peters, captures the versatility of Houston's songs by making the downbeats danceable without going totally Euro-cheese. In contrast, Junior Vasquez's remix of 1985's "How Will I Know" pokes fun at the song's '80s fluffiness by layering in bells, lasers effects, and echoes on top of Whitney's enthusiastic vocals. --Heidi ShermanAlbum Description
UK edition of the tabloid queen/gifted vocalist's career retrospective. Featuring a different tracklisting than the domestic, this version features four tracks not available on the US version, 'RunTo You', 'Count On Me' (duet with CeCe Winans), 'Greatest Love Of All' (Club 69 Mix) and 'I'm Your Baby Tonight' (Dronez Mix) but only has 35 tracks where the US has 36. 2000 release. Standard double jewel case.Album Details
with Gr. Love of all (Club 69 Mix), and Regular Versions of Run to You, Count on Me, It's Not Right..., Step by STEP, I'm Every Woman, Love Will Save the Day, So Emotional, I Wanna Dance..., How Will I Know, Two of I'm Your Baby and Unrel. Transom Wheel.Customer Reviews:
Whitney's Greatest Hits.......2007-06-02
Its' ok.......2007-05-12
One of The Three Best.......2007-03-05
Whitney's Greatest Hits?? I don't think so!!!.......2007-02-03
My grade for this album: D-
Search ended.......2007-01-24
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Barry White - All-Time Greatest Hits
Barry White Manufacturer: Island / Mercury ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000001E58 Release Date: 1994-06-07 |
Tracks:
- Love's Theme
- I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More, Baby
- I've Got So Much To Give
- Never, Never Gonna Give You Up
- Honey Please, Can't Ya See
- Can't Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe
- You're The First, The Last, My Everything
- What Am I Gonna Do With You
- I'll Do For You Anything You Want Me To
- Let The Music Play
- You See The Trouble With Me
- Baby, We Better Try To Get It Together
- Don't Make Me Wait Too Long
- I'm Qualified To Satisfy You
- It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next To Me
- Playing Your Game, Baby
- Oh, What A Night For Dancing
- Your Sweetness Is My Weakness
- Just The Way You Are
- Satin Soul
Amazon.com essential recording
For those music buyers who have enjoyed Barry White's music since the early 1970s but may not be devoted enough for the three-CD box set Just for You, this 20-track compilation brings together all of White's major chart hits between 1973 and 1979, along with a couple of entries from his Love Unlimited Orchestra. White's distinctive vocal style--a deep, resonant baritone-bass that oozes sex appeal--was the icing on the cake for those hits; superlative string arrangements (courtesy of the late Gene Page) encased White in a lush setting, while White's hand-picked rhythm section (which included many of Los Angeles's top session players) created a groove that was hard to beat. The combination was lethal: hits like "Never, Never Gonna Give You Up," "Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe," and "You're My First, My Last, My Everything" made White a chart staple and an early king of disco; his skill as a vocal interpreter was fully evident on a 1979 reading of Billy Joel's "Just the Way You Are," another standout on this collection. On the evidence of that track alone, it's hard to believe that, according to legend, White never planned to be a recording artist in his own right and would have been happy to remain in the background as producer and songwriter! --David NathanAmazon.com
The most hot-buttered of all soul singers, Barry White is an artist whose CDs come with a purpose. To say what that purpose is, is not for a family Web site--but it involves that thing that Mommy and Daddy do at night with the bedroom door closed. All-Time Greatest Hits collects the essential White and Love Unlimited Orchestra tracks onto a packed CD. Are 20 cuts too much? Not with Viagra. That's a kind of medicine that grownups take. --Gavin McNettCustomer Reviews:
I Like It.......2007-07-12
Mary
Excellent.......2007-06-12
Barry White all time greatest!.......2007-05-14
What a great CD...........2007-05-14
Loved it!.......2007-03-26
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Aretha Franklin - 30 Greatest Hits
Aretha Franklin Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000002IJG Release Date: 1990-10-25 |
Tracks:
- I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)
- Respect
- Do Right Woman, Do Right Man
- Dr. Feelgood
- Save Me
- Baby I Love You
- (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman
- Chain Of Fools
- Since You've Been Gone
- Ain't No Way
- Think
- I Say A Little Prayer
- The House That Jack Built
- See Saw
- The Weight
- Share Your Love With Me
- Eleanor Rigby
Tracks:
- Call Me
- Spirit In The Dark
- Don't Play That Song
- You're All I Need To Get By
- Bridge Over Troubled Water
- Spanish Harlem
- Rock Steady
- Oh Me Oh My (I'm A Fool For You Baby)
- Day Dreaming
- Wholly Holy
- Angel
- Until You Come Back To Me
- I'm In Love
Amazon.com essential recording
Aretha Franklin's voice is an instrument of such exquisite expression that it has been matched but a few times in the 20th century. Borrowing from jazz, soul, R&B, rock, pop, and, of course, gospel--and accompanying herself on piano--she created an artistic vision that was wholly realized. Hits includes most of her chart singles from those incomparable Atlantic years, from "Respect" in 1967 well into the '70s, as well as noncharting classics like "Do Right Woman" and "Dr. Feelgood." This is the definitive introduction to Franklin's artistry, but be warned: get this and you're going to want more. --David CantwellCustomer Reviews:
get the originals.......2007-05-13
Pullin' is a knock out song that I've never heard, Try Matty's and When the Battle is Over are all excellent examples, but, oh, you just want Spirit in the Dark. Too bad, you lose.
Elton John's "Border Song" is literally turned inside out, for the better, but too bad, you missed it.
Do yourself a favor and spend the extra money and treat your stero right, you deserve it - her early work at Atlantic is more than just #1 'hits' it's a body of impressive work by a talented artist. When she accompanies herself on the piano - man, make no mistake - the woman rules.
Quite simply . . . the VERY best!.......2007-03-29
Aretha Franklin- 30 Greatest Hits.......2007-03-09
Definitive Collection of Lady Soul's Best Work...an Absolute Desert Island Selection.......2006-06-10
Disc One opens appropriately with her first breakout hit, the heart-ripping "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Loved You)". Then the onslaught of classics - her signature cover of Otis Redding's "Respect" which completely eclipses his version; the loping doo-wop of "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man"; the roof-raising take on Carole King's "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman"; the had-it-up-to-here anthem, "Chain of Fools". Her soulful covers of the Band's "The Weight" and the Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby" reflect her personal style without compromising the memory of the original performances. Franklin takes Burt Bacharach and Hal David's "I Say a Little Prayer" quite literally and converts it into a uniquely gospel-tinged love song of longing and regret. Her soaring vocals on potentially inane confections such as "See Saw" and "The House That Jack Built" elevate their substance significantly.
Disc Two continues the hits with particular standouts being a near-inspirational version of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's classic, "You're All I Need to Get By"; an almost hymnal version of Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water"; and the cruising "Spanish Harlem". My personal favorites are her dramatic cover of Lulu's 1969 hit, "Oh Me Oh My (I'm a Fool for You Baby)"; the appropriately named "Day Dreaming"; and her last big Atlantic hit, Stevie Wonder's "Until You Come Back to Me" with a playfully sauntering melody an intriguing contrast to its obsession-oriented lyrics. But honestly, there is not a single disappointment among the thirty tracks here and some, especially the religion-fueled numbers like "Wholly Holy" and "Spirit in the Dark", are simply transcendent. This set is the one to own.
The Queen Of Soul.......2006-04-25
She began her career recording secular tracks for Columbia Records, none of which really bought her much chart recognition. Signed by John Hammond at the dawn of the 1960's, he tried invain to nurture her talent effectively. By the time of 1966, all she had released a string of minor selling hits.
So in 1966 she signed a new deal with Jerry Wexler (who had enjoyed enormous success with such fantastic Soul music legends as the unforgetable Ray Charles and the divine Wilson Pickett) to Atlantic Records which finally propelled her into International stardom.
The label knew how to enhance her raw talent and captured her rocketing vocal style on some of the most remarkable recordings in the history of music. If anything, Aretha Franklin went on to become the female equivalent of that godfather of soul, James Brown.
The music was tough, driving, earthy even stark at times yet was able to encapsulate a sensual, evocative air that was able to enjoy credibility in the more profitable white-buying market as well as firmly retaining her wide, loyal black base much in the way other black female singers had like Diana Ross.
Her most important and significant era in music undoubtedly was between 1967-1969. During this relativley small period she clocked up an amazing series of soul classics that set standards today and are still as instantly recognisable as they were then with them always being constantly used as backing tracks to several T.V commercials.
Aretha races along those speedy verses of Respect (origanally by Otis Redding) with such startling conviction and when she sings those lyrics you just KNOW she means every word she says. Her pronounciations and impeccable lyrical phrasing is remarkably effective on this explosive classic and Respect rates as one of her most popular classics.
As well as the more urban-contemporary material, Aretha proved adept at experimenting in a number of styles and her voicesurprisingly could sound as equally compelling on the ballads.
I Say A Little Prayer was one of her most passionate, heart-felt ballads. Whilst the lyrics were simplistic, Aretha could shrewdly plumb such depth with a straight-foward song such as this.
Dr. Feel Good, the fabulous Think (which she would update in the movie, The Blue Brothers) and the sparse production of Chain Of Fools continued her staggering run of hits and all conveyed such an undeniably infectious quality.
From the 70's onwards Aretha Franklins work became erratic, initially losing some of the fire of her famous late 60's period. She still managed to come up with the odd winner such as the exciting Rock Steady and sensational, Day Dreaming but the consistency was no longer there.
The 80's and 90's saw Aretha recording only sporadically and when so was always a conciously contemporary effort which vastly met with an indifferent view from critics.
She enjoyed a touching, vibrant duet with divine soul crooner George Benson on Love All The Hurt Way whilst the more upbeat Jump To It saw her collaborate with Luther Vandross as producer.
The jamming Pop sounds of Who's Zoomin Who in 1985 became another notably sizeable hit to her credit as did her dynamic, explosive duet with Eurythumics singer, Annie Lennox on the catchy Sisters are Doin' It For Themselves.
She also recorded one memroable duet with another one of my favourite singers, George Michael on the overly subtle and laid-back, I Knew You Were Waiting For Me where both vocal harmonies were blended beautifully together.
This compilation highlights the very best of her work (including all tracks just mentioned) and so quite possibly goes down as the definitive collection of the undisputed Queen Of Soul.
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James Brown - 20 All-Time Greatest Hits!
James Brown Manufacturer: Polydor / Umgd ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000001DUP Release Date: 1991-10-22 |
Tracks:
- I Got You (I Feel Good)
- Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine, Pt.1
- I Got The Feelin'
- Mother Popcorn, Pt.1
- Give It Up Or Turnit A Loose
- Make It Funky, Pt.1
- Papa's Got A Brand New Bag, Pt.1
- Think
- It's A Man's Man's Man's World
- Try Me
- Night Train
- Cold Sweat, Pt.1
- Get On The Good Foot
- Papa Don't Take No Mess, Pt.1
- The Payback
- Say It Loud (I'm Black And I'm Proud), Pt.1
- Super Bad, Pts.1&2
- Hot Pants, Pt.1
- Get Up Offa That Thing
- Please, Please, Please
Amazon.com
A towering figure in postwar American music, for over 40 years James Brown has written, produced, and performed some of the most compelling R&B ever recorded. 20 All Time Greatest Hits! distills Startime!, itself a four-CD set that barely scratched the surface of Brown's prodigious output. As such, this collection concentrates on Brown's best-known records: "I Feel Good," "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag," and "Cold Sweat." The propulsive one- or two-chord vamps with Brown's hoarse, declamatory vocals laid the groundwork for modern funk. It's a perfect starter set for anyone unfamiliar with Brown's work. But be warned--Brown is addictive. Like peanuts and potato chips, it's impossible to stop with just one. Buy this and don't be surprised if one day you find yourself scouring used record bins for a rare copy of Grits and Cornbread. --Steven MirkinCustomer Reviews:
Nice Hits Package.......2007-05-16
Git On Uppa.......2007-05-09
I love it when Brown gets so worked up he literally squeals with excitement, it send chills up your spine. I would think that listening to this CD would be more effective than medication for the manic depressive personality.
Pretty Much of Historical Interest Only.......2007-04-14
The instrumental parts are of much more interest than James Brown's quasi-parlando, repetitive vocals. The sound quality is generally better than I expected, and the instrumental parts are generally performed cleanly, but the horns are a bit off in "Make it Funky". There is another tune here in which it sounds as if a horn section crescendo is achieved artificially by riding the faders (on the mixing board)--a disagreeable effect.
These must be some of the silliest lyrics ever written, and I find "It's a Man's, Man's, Man's World" especially amusingly ridiculous. "Try Me" is supposed to be James Brown's breakthrough tune, but it sounds to me like an utterly conventional, undistinguished fifties recording. At least three of these tracks are essentialy one piece with differing lyrical snippets.
Definitely a must have!.......2007-04-12
This CD contains MOST of the songs that I have loved and danced to for years. An excellent collection. Whew!
james brown rules.......2007-04-05
Average customer rating:
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The Platters - All-Time Greatest Hits
The Platters Manufacturer: Island / Mercury ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0001XAQUA Release Date: 2004-04-13 |
Tracks:
- Only You (And You Alone)
- Great Pretender
- (You've Got) The Magic Touch
- My Prayer
- Heaven on Earth
- You'll Never, Never Know
- It Isn't Right
- On My Word of Honor
- One in a Million
- I'm Sorry
- He's Mine
- My Dream
- Twilight Time
- Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
- Enchanted
- Harbor Lights
- I Love You 1,000 Times
- With This Ring
Customer Reviews:
The Platters.......2007-03-13
a little background on the Platters.......2007-03-07
The personel has changed over the years. Only 4 people are now allowed to bill themselves as the Platters. Herb Reed ( a bassist), Sonny Turner,(lead vocalist), Zola Taylor (female vocalist) and Monroe Powell (vocalist)
According to the Herb Reed and the Platters web site, the Platters have recorded almost 400 songs. How many were hits? A large number to say the least. The Platters, of course, are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and have appeared in many movies.[...]
old timer in Alabama.......2007-01-09
I had to buy one for my sister and a friend.
A Great Memory ! ! !.......2006-11-10
Excellente!.......2006-03-12
Fabulous fabulous cd. I can't stop listening to it. *swoon*
Average customer rating:
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The Dionne Warwick Collection: Her All-Time Greatest Hits
Dionne Warwick Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0000032WJ Release Date: 1989-10-26 |
Tracks:
- Don't Make Me Over
- This Empty Place
- Anyone Who Had A Heart
- Walk On By
- You'll Never Get To Heaven (If You Break My Heart)
- A House Is Not A Home
- Reach Out For Me
- Who Can I Turn To
- Looking With My Eyes
- Are You There (With Another Girl)
- Message To Michael
- Trains And Boats And Planes
- I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself
- Another Night
- Alfie
- The Windows Of The World
- I Say A Little Prayer
- (Theme From) Valley Of The Dolls
- Do You Know The Way To San Jose
- (There's) Always Something There To Remind Me
- Promises, Promises
- The April Fools
- I'll Never Fall In Love Again
- The Green Grass Starts To Grow
Amazon.com
Dionne Warwick's vocals were never more strong, more vulnerable than when she sang the songs of Burt Bacharach and Hal David--and, oh, yeah, "Who Can I Turn To" and the theme from "Valley of the Dolls," the two non-Bacharach/David songs included among the 24 singles collected here. Both technically and emotionally, this was an unstoppable team: from the drama of "Don't Make Me Over" to the tongue-in-cheek backing singers on "Are You There (With Another Girl)," the barely veiled civil-rights message of "Reach Out for Me" to the deceptively bouncy "Do You Know the Way to San Jose," this CD sheds light on one of the most perfect marriages of pop form and content this side of Sinatra's classic Capitol work. --Rickey WrightCustomer Reviews:
Bacharach / David and Warwick.......2007-06-14
I bought it...and I'd buy it again.......2007-05-31
The sound quality is great. Rhino Records did a nice job, in this area, and the liner notes provide a good bit of information. Dionne's performances of these songs are flawless. She has great range and feeling, as well as subtlety and restraint. "Windows of the World," for example, sends a shiver up my spine. The hasty "San Jose'" is also a treat. The quantity of music presented is more than enough; you won't hear any 60's Warwick song on the radio not presented here, although this results in some unevenness. Burt Bachrach's composition is super.
I couldn't give it 5 stars because some of the musical arrangements don't hold up well, and probably sounded schlocky when they came out, even over the tinny radio speaker of a 1966 Ford Fairlane on its way to San Jose. But you know that going in. Lyricist Hal David was most effective when he kept it spare and light ("Walk On By"), not when he tried to communicate socially "relevant" ideas (e.g. - "Message to Michael" - mobile society; "Windows of the World" - Vietnam). Not every song on the collection is to my taste. It's hard to find enough great material to fill a double greatest hits album, but most of this is quite good. Anyone who likes Dionne's 60's radio hits or needs a comprehensive sampling of Bachrach-David at their creative peak, should look here. (Adapted from my review of 12/20/1999.)
great songs, great singer.......2007-05-07
IT IS OKAY.......2007-03-09
Pop Perfection.......2007-01-10
The horror!
Fortunately for the demented audiophile, this Greatest Hits of Dionne Warwick is readily available. This CD is pop perfection, the synergy of Burt Bacharach, Hal David, and Dionne Warwick is breathtaking. If you're lucky enough to have been raised on these classics cranking out of car radios, you'll be thrilled to hear them in their full acoustic glory - the sound quality is crystalline. Most noticeable is how good the arrangements are, and how disciplined. These songs were composed and recorded in an era when it was fashionable to goop up good music with massive banks of intrusive strings, pouring down like waterfalls of molten Velveeta cheese and smothering the quality. Considering this is pop fare - aimed squarely at the Top 40 - (remember that?) - the arrangements are wonderfully subdued, they actually enhance the beauty.
As to Ms. Warwick; a very soulful, emotional singer able to evoke feeling from the smallest lilt and a nicely turned phrase. A subtle, brilliant talent. I don't think I could ever hear Walk On By or You'll Never Get To Heaven too many times. Although, being a card-carrying demented audiophile, I must admit that there's something about hearing Roland Kirk play You'll Never Get To Heaven. Maybe Ellington was right, there are really only two kinds of music - good music and bad music. This CD is good music, real good.
Rock Music:
