Essential Soft Rock [Import]

1. Child In Time

2. Showdown

3. Kayleigh

4. Stand Back

5. Lonely Tonight

6. Rhythm Of My Heart

7. Dirty Love

8. Love Is A Battlefield

9. China In Your Hand

10. Only You Can Rock Me

11. Missing You

12. Golden Brown

13. Eyes Without A Face

14. Still Got The Blues For You

15. French Kissin' In The Usa

16. Only When You Leave

17. Hey You

18. (I'm Always Touched By Your) Presence, Dear

19. We Want The Same Thing

20. Is This Love

See all 53 tracks on this disc

Essential Soft Rock,Various Artists,Disky,Rock,Rock/Pop Collections

Average customer rating: great compilation - particularly for a car trip Sweet and Simple Paul Simon Redux

The Essential Paul Simon (2 CD/DVD) Paul Simon Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Best of Van Morrison Volume 3 The Police (2CD Anthology) Traveling Wilburys (2 CD / 1 DVD) Live In Dublin Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur ASIN: B000Q677EA Release Date: 2007-06-26

Tracks:

1. Mother And Child Reunion
2. Loves Me Like A Rock
3. Me And Julio Down By The School Yard
4. Duncan
5. Kodachrome
6. 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover
7. Slip Slidin' Away
8. Gone At Last
9. Something So Right
10. Late In The Evening
11. Hearts And Bones
12. Take Me To The Mardi Gras
13. That Was Your Mother
14. American Tune
15. Peace Like A River
16. Stranded In A Limousine
17. Train In The Distance
18. The Late Great Johnny Ace
19. Still Crazy After All These Years

Tracks:

1. Graceland
2. Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes
3. The Boy In The Bubble
4. You Can Call Me Al
5. Under African Skies
6. The Obvious Child
7. Born At The Right Time
8. The Coo, Cool River
9. Spirit Voices
10. Adios Hermanos
11. Born In Puerto Rico
12. Quality
13. Darling Lorraine
14. Hurricane Eye
15. Father And Daughter
16. Outrageous
17. Wartime Prayers

Album Description

In celebration of Paul Simon's Gershwin Prize for Popular Song from the Library of Congress, The Essential Paul Simon brings together all of his hits and favorite tracks in the most expansive, solo career-spanning compilation issued for the two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer.

Customer Reviews:

great compilation - particularly for a car trip.......2007-07-14

I have a lot of Paul Simon CD's so you could say I didn't really need this two CD set. However, I make a 3 hour car trip a couple of times a year and when I saw this I immediately thought how great it would be to have these two CD's in the changer in the trunk for my next road trip. Its sort of a "greatest hits" but with some songs I've never heard before as well. It covers a long span of years and my only complaint is that it does not include the incredible song "Homeless".

Sweet and Simple.......2007-07-03

When it comes to music right now, there just really isn't anything that is actually exciting. While there are so many acts that just seem to get by on gloss like Beyonce', Britney Spears, and Usher, there just really isn'y anything anymore about songs and artists that just comes from the simplistic words themselves. There have been acts that have made great records, they just missed the cut when it comes to sales last year from Elton John, Rod Stewart, and Paul Simon. Although Paul has been recognized with great acheivements in music on his own, as a member of Simon & Garfunkel, he has truly made the music of our times, and this collection shows it.

The 2007 Essential Paul Simon is a double album reflection of what made Paul Simon's solo career so dynamic and universal. This was made in honor of his recent inagural Gershwin Award for Song, as well as his 35th anniverasry as a acclaimed solo artist. This collection follows in suit very nicely, and expands the effort delightfully that was made so well on his last solo hits package, 2002's On My Way. The songs here flow very nicely, and have all been remastered very well. All of his classics are highlighted here including the guilty pleasures 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover, You Can Call Me Al, The Boy In The Bubble, as well as down to Earth gems like Mother and Child Reunion, and his Oscar-nominated Father and Daughter from the Nickelodeon animated film The Wild Thornberries Movie, and his recently overlooked track Outrageous from his overshadowed 2006 album Surprise. This version also add in on the fun, by including some great music videos of his work and craftsmanship in songwriting like Diamonds On The Souls Of Her Shoes, and a rendidtion of the Simon & Garfunkel gem, Mrs. Robinson from the classic 70's The Dick Cavett Show.

All in all, The Essential Paul Simon really captures a delightful reflection on a career that has acclaimed for so many years, and also does a wonderful job at reintroducing one of the most legendary artists of the past five decades. If you haven't heard any of Paul Simon's music, than you really don't know what you've missed from a great icon like Paul. I absolutely recommend this hits collection a whole lot. You can still call him Al, but just call him a legend.

Album Cover: B+

Songs: A-

Price: A-

Remastering: A-

DVD: B 1/2+

Overall: B+

Paul Simon Redux.......2007-06-29

This is Paul simon cut right to the bone with no filler whatsoever! I enjoy everything on this collection and The Capeman stuff is good to finally have on cd! I compare this to the Traveling Wilbury's Collection that was recently released also w/ a DVD!! It's all very familiar but worth revisiting over and over again!

Average customer rating: Paul Simon - King of Recycling The Definitive Collection Nearly flawless Call Him A Legend, Don't Just Call Him Al

The Essential Paul Simon Paul Simon Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Best of Van Morrison Volume 3 Memory Almost Full The Best of Simon & Garfunkel The Essential Paul Simon (2 CD/DVD) Very Best Of ASIN: B000Q677E0 Release Date: 2007-06-26

Tracks:

1. Mother And Child Reunion
2. Loves Me Like a Rock
3. Me And Julio Down By The School Yard
4. Duncan
5. Kodachrome
6. 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover
7. Slip Slidin' Away
8. Gone At Last
9. Something So Right
10. Late In the Evening
11. Hearts And Bones
12. Take Me To the Mardi Gras
13. That Was Your Mother
14. American Tune
15. Peace Like a River
16. Stranded In a Limousine
17. Train In the Distance
18. The Late Great Johnny Ace
19. Still Crazy After All These Years

Tracks:

1. Graceland
2. Diamonds On the Soles Of Her Shoes
3. The Boy In the Bubble
4. You Can Call Me Al
5. Under African Skies
6. The Obvious Child
7. Born At the Right Time
8. The Coo, Cool River
9. Spirit Voices
10. Adios Hermanos
11. Born In Puerto Rico
12. Quality
13. Darling Lorraine
14. Hurricane Eye
15. Father And Daughter
16. Outrageous
17. Wartime Prayers

Album Description

In celebration of Paul Simon's Gershwin Prize for Popular Song from the Library of Congress, The Essential Paul Simon brings together all of his hits and favorite tracks in the most expansive, solo career-spanning compilation issued for the two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer.

Customer Reviews:

Paul Simon - King of Recycling.......2007-07-03

The quoted section of this review was originally written by me about Simon's previous greatest hits compilation ("The Paul Simon Collection: On My Way, Don't Know Where I'm Goin'") in 2003:

"Since going solo about 1970, Paul Simon has released (maybe) 7 albums of new material.

"And about a dozen greatest hits or live packages.

"(Live Rhymin', Greatest Hits Etc, Negotiations & Love Songs, Concert in Central Park, Shining Like a National Guitar, + a box set & at least 5 Simon & Garfunkel repackages, for those who doubt me.)

"Listen, I love Paul's music, but Graceland was recorded before Avril Lavigne was born, and only the die-hard Simon fans can rhyme off anything significant he has released since then."

"If they were going to release yet another GH package, why didn't Columbia follow the recent tradition of the 2-CD "The Essential" series, and at least "Keep The Customer Satisfied". That way they could have filled 1.5 CDs with tracks from his first album, Still Crazy, Rhymin' Simon, and Graceland, and still had 40 minutes for more recent works that, frankly, fewer people care for."

"Or maybe that's in the works for his 13th repackage. In about 2 years, at the current rate.
-- End of old review quote.

Other than my timing being off by 2 years, that's exactly what has happened. Columbia seems to have listened to me.

The 13th reshuffling of Paul Simon hits is, thankfully, the best. Add in the Simon & Garfunkel Old Friends boxset and you've got his career nicely covered.

The Definitive Collection.......2007-06-28

Maybe the Essential Paul Simon Collection should hve been titled, The Definitive Paul Simon since it is the most definitive collection of all his single and double C.D. collections. All previous collections either completely omit the songs, Duncan and American Tune (both radio hits) or else substitute them for live versions. In fact, this collection presents these two songs (and all others) in their original, album-length, studio versions. Also included here are the minor hits, Gone At Last (with Phoebe Snow) and Stranded In A Limosine, both largely ignored songs on other P.S. compilations. It is interesting that one of the P.S. "fan favorites." Take Me To The Mardi Gras, was released as a U.K. single, simultaneously with the U.S. single, Kodachrome. Both became top ten hits in their respective countries. It is nice to see all the single A-sides from the seventies included here.

One caveat is that Paul Simon songs from the early eighties are sparsely represented here. Only one of the three singles from One Trick Pony is represented (Late In The Evening, of course). And strangely, NO singles from the 1983 album, Hearts And Bones were included, despite the fact that Allergies was a moderate, radio hit. Hearts And Bones was originally intended to be a Simon and Garfunkel reunion album but that conception of the album never materialized. However, three key tracks from H & B are included: Train In A Distance (one of my favorite P.S. songs and is still played in malls across America), the title track (another favorite) and The Late Great Johnny Ace (a tribute to rock and roll legends with a coda performed by Philip Glass). There was ample room on disc one to have included another song, perhaps One Trick Pony, Think Too Much (b) or Rene and Georgette Magritte....

On the other hand, songs from the albums Graceland and Rhythm Of The Saints are well represented in the collection. And of course, it was the Graceland album that drew attention to the African musical group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo (their Shaka Zulu album is very fine, especially if you like Graceland).

Paul Simon's diverse, musical influences are very apparent in the song selections. These musical styles range from reggae (Mother And Child Reunion),to Gospel ( Loves Me Like A Rock), to Latin-American (Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard and Late In The Evening), to zydeco (That Was Your Mother) to South African (Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes), ro rockabilly (Graceland). Even with all his diversity of musical styles, my preference leans toward his pop ballads, especially from the seventies and early eighties.

While the sound quality of this C.D. is not crisp in its detail, it does have a warm, clean and natural sound. This C.D. was released in celebration of Paul Simon's acceptance of the First-ever Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, from the Library of Congress. I highly recommend this collection!

Nearly flawless.......2007-06-26

The Essential Paul Simon contains nearly every Paul Simon track you could ever want, but it does omit the minor hits "Allergies" and "(What A) Wonderful World". This is truly a fitting collection to one of popular music's greatest songwriters.

Call Him A Legend, Don't Just Call Him Al.......2007-06-26

WIth the past few years, we really haven't seen much in the way of great sales from older acts like Elton John, Rod Stewart and Ozzy Osbourne. Although they've made great albums, people would rather seem more interested in acts that are more about hype like Kelly Clarkson, Britney Spears, Usher, and the sleezy socialite who really has no career, Paris Hilton. That hasn't left much in the way of great performers like Paul Simon. Spanning nearly 6 decades of great music, Paul's music is more meaningful, and still remains straight from the heart. Recently, he celebrated his 35th anniversary as a solo act, and won the honorable 1st ever Gershwin Prize for Song for his melodic style, we are often forgetful about his real talent of songwriting and craftsmanship, and this hits record shows that trail well.

The 2007 Essential Paul Simon, is a double album that expands very well from his previous single disc album On My Way, and brilliantly shows his era as one of the best songwriters of our times. The collection includes tracks from his first hits from the 1970's, all the way to his recent record, Surprise. The songs in the collection are remastered very well, and reflect on his career nicely. The album includes great classics including Me & Julio Down By The School Yard, his guilty pleasure gem You Can Call Me Al, the driven-styled Graceland, Slip Slidin' Away, as well as recent tunes like Outrageous, and his Oscar-nominated surprise hit Father And Daughter from the 2004 animated Nickelodeon film The Wild Thornberries Movie. The collection really does feel like a walk down memory lane, and reminds people of true songwriting that isn't about looks or selling yourself out in endorsements, it is about heart.

Although the album doesn't at all reflect on any memories as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, it is all about Paul and his solo efforts on this album, and it works very nicely. If you haven't heard any of his albums like Graceland, or Still Crazy After All These Years, you missed a really wonderful era of great music. The Essential Paul Simon is a must buy for nostalgia buffs, and new listeners alike to Paul Simon's genius. I absolutely recommend this greatest hits album as it is one of the best records released this year.

Album Cover: B

Songs: B+

Price: B 1/2-

Remastering: A-

Overall: B 1/2+

Average customer rating: Joel on a Roll A strong selection of Billy Joel's best MARVELOUS COLLECTION!!! A great compilation very much like the three Greatest Hits discs Joe's Review

The Essential Billy Joel Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Box Sets at 30% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classic Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Elton John - Greatest Hits 1970-2002 The Essential Bruce Springsteen The Essential Neil Diamond Billy Joel - Greatest Hits Vol. 3 12 Gardens Live ASIN: B00005OSX8 Release Date: 2001-10-02

Tracks:

1. Piano Man
2. You're My Home
3. Captain Jack
4. The Entertainer
5. Say Goodbye To Hollywood
6. Miami 2017 (Seen The Lights Go Out On Broadway)
7. New York State Of Mind
8. She's Always A Woman
9. Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)
10. Only The Good Die Young
11. Just The Way You Are
12. Honesty
13. My Life
14. It's Still Rock And Roll To Me
15. You May Be Right
16. Don't Ask Me Why
17. She's Got A Way
18. Allentown

Tracks:

1. Goodnight Saigon
2. An Innocent Man
3. Uptown Girl
4. The Longest Time
5. Tell Her About It
6. Leave A Tender Moment Alone
7. A Matter Of Trust
8. Baby Grand (duet with Ray Charles)
9. I Go To Extremes
10. We Didn't Start The Fire
11. Leningrad
12. The Downeaster "Alexa"
13. And So It Goes
14. The River Of Dreams
15. All About Soul (Remix)
16. Lullbye (Goodnight My Angel)
17. Waltz No. 1 (Nunley's Carousel) *
18. Invention In C Minor*

Amazon.com

Early in his career, Billy Joel seemed cynical about fame, even as that distrust bore strange fruit: mainstream superstardom (thanks to "Just the Way You Are," "Honesty," and "My Life") and multiple Grammy awards, as well as the critic's-whipping-boy status that went with them. Maybe it was that restlessness--or undiluted cynicism--that inspired left turns into roots and nostalgia (the spunky "It's Still Rock & Roll to Me," "You May Be Right," "Uptown Girl," and "The Longest Time") as his career peaked. Perhaps not surprisingly, not long after Joel's songs seemed to find their most satisfying balance of angst and mature reflection on songs like "Storm Front" and "River of Dreams," he threatened to bolt the pop music business altogether. The 2001 recordings of "Waltz No. 1" and "Invention in C Minor" that round out this set are the unlikely products of Joel's commitment to classical music. Billy Joel remains both a true, if oft-lambasted, American pop icon and that rarest of animals: a bonafide crowd-pleaser with a serious case of 'tude. Both are well chronicled here. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Joel on a Roll.......2007-07-09

This 2-disc set is a very good overview of Billy Joel's music over the years. There's about 2.5 hours of music on the 2 discs, so definitely getting money's worth. All the songs you've heard on the radio are here, plus a bunch of lesser knowns. I note that Disc 2 contains 2 excellent lesser knowns: Lenningrad and Downeaster Alexa.

A strong selection of Billy Joel's best.......2007-06-16

With as many "best ofs" as Billy Joel has, calling this "Essential" is a grossly deceptive marketing ploy. While the name alone might raise your hackles, the music most certainly should not. On these two discs, you can follow the growth of Billy Joel as he evolves from angry young Piano Man to the classical composer of "Essential's" final selection.

The troubadour that composed the slice of life "Piano Man" was a troubled wayfarer with an attitude. His peers were trying to cope with the ennui of everyday life ("Captain Jack") and his early romanticism ("New York State of Mind") began to show fruit. But he was a rapid changer, and by the time "The Stranger" hit the charts, his melodic sense had sharpened to the point where he began having hits ("Just The Way You Are," "Moving Out"). That commercial success also came with a critical drubbing...he was often accused of being a lightweight. By the time the 80's rolled around, this name calling and the emergence of New Wave caused Billy to lash out with energy on "Glass Houses," declaring "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" and hitting number one. It was also about now that he changed the course of his career from Piano Man to Arena Rocker.

But Billy had bigger musical ideas. His Beatle-esque concept album "The Nylon Curtain" portrayed the once angry young man as a more pensive baby boomer casting a jaded eye on the Reagan Era. It also contains one of the best songs Billy has ever written, "Goodnight Saigon." He followed that by looking even further back, with the youthfully nostalgic and love-fests on "An Innocent Man." The Four Seasons tribute in "Uptown Girl" made Billy more popular than ever, and effectively bookmarked a chapter in his ongoing evolution.

A more mature Billy Joel continued with such albums as "Storm Front" and "The Bridge," which gave the history lesson as pop-tune "We Didn't Start The Fire," then the wonderfully mature "River of Dreams." His love for Christy Brinkley and his daughter Alexa came through on "Lullaby," but Billy also claimed that he had gone as far as he could with pop-music and was turning his sights to the classical "Fantasies & Delusions, Op. 1-10." While probably only fanatic would really be all that interested in those two songs presented here, they are from the last full album Billy Joel issued.

The strong points on all these songs remain their melodicism, Billy has always shared the same melodic sense as Paul McCartney (an obvious hero). What weakens the set is the omissions: where are "Pressure," "Big Shot," "You're Only Human/Second Wind" or "Keeping The Faith," to name a few. Also, a few obscurities might have spiced things up a bit, like "Why Should I Worry" from Oliver And Company: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack." Nevertheless, "The Essential Billy Joel" will fill a quick fix if you don't have many of Billy's 13 studio albums, and will certainly argue strongly that Joel's critics have been off-base all along.

MARVELOUS COLLECTION!!!.......2007-05-06

This is the pure Billy Joel; I was always waiting for a collection like this; every song in my favourite song, all of this album is perfect, for me is teh most complete compilation of Billy Joel's songs, from the mystic PIANO MAN, the finest song HONESTY, the great ballads JUST THE WAY YOU ARE, SHE'S ALWAYS A WOMAN and INNOCENT MAN, great rhythms like ONLY THE GOOD DIE YOUNG, DON'T ASK ME WHY, RIVER OF DREAMS and MY LIFE, fast rockers like WE DIDN'T START THE FIRE, GO TO THE EXTREME, humanitarian songs like GOODNIGHT SAIGON, and lullabyes like AND SO IT GOES and GOODNIGHT MY ANGEL; also it has two instrumental piano compositions whom are very brillant... the work of a GENIUS!!!

A great compilation very much like the three Greatest Hits discs.......2007-04-04

First,three volumes of GREATEST HITS material,and now this essential compilation covering Billy Joel's career,spanning exactly three decades,at the time of this release. However,the last two tracks on disc two are instrumental classical pieces which were recorded following Joel's semi-retirement from pop/rock music. The other tracks that Joel's fans know and love were all previously released. Some of them never made it to the GREATEST HITS compilations,one of them being LEAVE A TENDER MOMENT ALONE from 1983's AN INNOCENT MAN. As for SAY GOODBYE TO HOLLYWOOD,a fan will wonder before purchasing this item,if the track is the TURNSTILES studio version or the live version from SONGS IN THE ATTIC. I would buy this item just for the classical tracks. Anyway,it's an excellent compilation.

Joe's Review.......2007-01-05

I really enjoyed this CD and made it a part of my collection. I then went back and bought a second copy for my son who is a big BJ fan.

Average customer rating: Gotta Love Journey if You Wanta Rock Greatest Hits PLUS! Perfect... It's... well, it's Journey. Good Memories

The Essential Journey Journey Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Arena Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Box Sets at 30% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classic Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Foreigner - Complete Greatest Hits Come Sail Away: The Styx Anthology Rock of Ages: The Definitive Collection The Essential REO Speedwagon Boston - Greatest Hits ASIN: B00005QGB5 Release Date: 2001-10-16

Tracks:

1. Only The Young
2. Don't Stop Believin'
3. Wheel In The Sky
4. Faithfully
5. Any You Want It
6. Ask The Lonely
7. Who's Crying Now
8. Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)
9. Lights
10. Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'
11. Open Arms
12. Girl Can't Help It
13. Send Her My Love
14. When You Love A Woman
15. I'll Be Alright Without You
16. After The Fall

Tracks:

1. Chain Reaction
2. Message Of Love
3. Somethin' To Hide
4. Line Of Fire
5. Anytime
6. Stone In Love
7. Patiently
8. Good Morning Girl
9. The Eyes Of A Woman
10. Be Good To Yourself
11. Still They Ride
12. Baby I'm A Leavin' You
13. Mother, Father
14. Just The Same Way
15. Escape
16. The Party's Over (Hopelessly In Love)

Customer Reviews:

Gotta Love Journey if You Wanta Rock.......2007-07-06

First, I only write reviews on items I bought through Amazon; which is a lot.

It's been a long time since I listened to Journey and for the life of me I don't know why. This Greatest Hits CD has got it all.

Buy it, save it and listen to it all the time for that instant rush everyone needs.

Greatest Hits PLUS!.......2007-06-28

All the greatest Journey hits, plus songs you may have missed like "Chain Reaction" from FRONTIERS (how many times did we request that one to radio DJs, Arch?)

Journey's not rock royalty, but some of their songs resonate so strongly...whaddya gonna do? =)

Perfect..........2007-05-25

Driving home stuck in traffic...listen to this and it make the journey (LOL) a little easier!

It's... well, it's Journey........2007-03-08

The first 2 cassettes I ever bought were Frontiers & Pyromania. While a CD can't really compete with the sound from a cassette or vinyl, it's the best you're gonna be able to get, so get it.

Journey has a ton of hits. This 2-disc set took me back to Night Tracks with songs I was expecting as well as songs I recognized but had forgotten about.

Good Memories.......2006-11-10

Hearing Steve Perry's voice again stirs up memories of days gone by. Without a doubt he had the best voice of any band of that era. The songs reamin the same.

Average customer rating: Best compilation of Denver John Denver Rules PURE CLASSICS Pure joy... LONG LIVE JOHN DENVER!!!

The Essential John Denver John Denver Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music Box Sets at 30% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | 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: A Song's Best Friend - John Denver Remembered John Denver - Definitive All-Time Greatest Hits Very Best Of John Denver - The Wildlife Concert Back Home Again ASIN: B000MM0Y8Y Release Date: 2007-02-27

Tracks:

1. Leaving On A Jet Plane
2. Rhymes And Reasons
3. Take Me Home, Country Roads
4. Poems, Prayers And Promises
5. I Guess He'd Rather Be In Colorado
6. Friends With You
7. Rocky Mountain High
8. Goodbye Again
9. I'd Rather Be A Cowboy (Lady's Chains)
10. Farewell Andromeda (Welcome To My Morning)
11. Sunshine On My Shoulders
12. Back Home Again
13. Matthew
14. Thank God I'm A Country Boy
15. Annie's Song
16. Sweet Surrender
17. Looking For Space
18. I'm Sorry

Tracks:

1. Calypso
2. Fly Away
3. Baby, You Look Good To Me Tonight
4. Like A Sad Song
5. How Can I Leave You Again
6. It Amazes Me
7. I Want To Live
8. My Sweet Lady
9. Autograph
10. Some Days Are Diamonds (Some Days Are Stone) (Digitally Mastered)
11. The Cowboy And The Lady
12. Seasons Of The Heart
13. Shanghai Breezes
14. Perhaps Love
15. Wild Montana Skies featuring Emmylou Harris
16. Love Again
17. Dreamland Express
18. Is It Love? (Album Version)

Customer Reviews:

Best compilation of Denver.......2007-07-16

This has every song that I was looking for in a "greatest hits". The versions are true to what I remember.

John Denver Rules.......2007-07-10

I love this CD set. Although all the songs are available on various cd's, having them all on a 2-disc set is really great. The sound is so good, you'd think John was standing next to you singing those wonderful songs. Only wish The Eagle and the Hawk were on the set.

PURE CLASSICS .......2007-04-21

IF YOU LIKE JOHN DENVER , THEN YOU WILL LOVE THIS PERFECT COLLECTION , PERFECT SOUND , PERFECT PACKAGE . A+++++++++++++++

Pure joy..........2007-04-19

The Essential John Denver is a great collection of John's eternally optimistic music, sung with his wonderful, naturally pitch-perfect voice. This cd set has all my favorites--Matthew, Thank God I'm A Country Boy, Annie's Song, and especially Rocky Mountain High--plus some songs I'd never heard before, like It Amazes Me and Wild Montana Skies. Even his sadder songs are happy! Highly recommended, especially for new John Denver fans (like me).

LONG LIVE JOHN DENVER!!!.......2007-04-12

You're never going to find a better valued John Denver collection than this. Sure there are other best-of's and sorts but this "Essential" has ALL of John's best songs.Everyone thought his "Definitive Greatest Hits" that came out a few years ago was good but this is SO MUCH BETTER!!! Hats off to RCA for relasing this, I've been waiting for a real good John Denver collection with the original versions and finally I now have it! 5 STARS ALL THE WAY!

Average customer rating: The Essential Neil Diamond Not what it could have been A must have cd A novice fan. C'mon guys!

The Essential Neil Diamond Neil Diamond Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Contemporary | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Box Sets at 30% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Musicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Ultimate Manilow 12 Songs [SONY XCP CONTENT/COPY-PROTECTED CD] Neil Diamond - The Greatest Hits (1966-1992) 12 Songs (2 CDS) The Jazz Singer ASIN: B00005R5SO Release Date: 2001-12-04

Tracks:

1. Solitary Man
2. Cherry, Cherry
3. I Got The Feelin' (Oh No, No)
4. Kentucky Woman
5. Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon
6. You Got To Me
7. Red, Red Wine
8. Thank The Lord For The Night Time
9. I'm A Believer
10. Sweet Caroline
11. Song Sung Blue
12. Holly Holy
13. I Am...I Said
14. Cracklin' Rosie
15. Play Me - Live
16. Morningside - Live
17. Crunchy Granola Suite - Live
18. Brooklyn Roads - Live
19. Soolaimon - Live

Tracks:

1. America
2. Hello Again
3. Love On The Rocks
4. Captain Sunshine
5. He Ain't Heavy...He's My Brother - Live
6. Yes I Will/Lady Magdalene - Live
7. Shilo - Live
8. Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show - Live
9. If You Know What I Mean
10. Beautiful Noise
11. You Don't Bring Me Flowers
12. Desir
13. Forever In Blue Jeans
14. September Morn
15. I've Been This Way Before
16. Yesterday's Songs
17. Heartlight
18. Headed For The Future
19. You Are The Best Part Of Me

Amazon.com

Neil Diamond is one of a rare breed. As a songwriter, his music has been covered successfully by artists as diverse as the Monkees, Deep Purple, UB40, and Smash Mouth. But Diamond used that three-chord alchemy to build an unparalleled career as a performer as well. The 38 tracks on these two discs address those interlocking legacies in the most comprehensive manner yet, gathering his material from Bang! Records (including such pop staples as "Solitary Man," "Cherry, Cherry," "Kentucky Woman," "Red, Red Wine," and "I'm a Believer"), Universal (highlighted by "Sweet Caroline," Song Sung Blue," "Holly Holy," and "I Am ... I Said"), and Columbia for the first time. And if Diamond has veered toward the middle of the road on those latter recordings (such as "September Morn," "Heartlight," and the Streisand duet "You Don't Bring Me Flowers"), there remains a remarkable consistency throughout his work. As if to underscore the point, a number of mid-period hits (including "Shiloh," "Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show," and "Soolaimon") are featured as live recordings from fall 2001. These performances show that the sweet roughness of his voice has only grown in power and drama; it's small wonder that Diamond remains one of the top live draws in the business. Even if it overlooks Diamond's unlikely late-'90s hit country album (Tennessee Moon), this set manages to be both concise and thorough, the best introduction yet to an American music legend. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

The Essential Neil Diamond.......2007-06-11

Music preview helped sell the product, fast delivery and condition just as described. Great doing business A++

Not what it could have been.......2007-02-13

When will record companies realize that people that are buying a "best of" album do not want live recordings to replace the original studio recordings? The track listing on this album is great, but many of the songs are live versions, not the version you hear on the radio and love so much. The album should have looked something like this (all studio versions) (I tried to put this in chronological order, but I may have missed on a few):
Disc 1:
Solitary Man
Do It
Cherry, Cherry
I Got the Feelin'
Kentucky Woman
The Boat That I Row
You Got to Me
Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon
Thank the Lord for the Night Time
Red, Red Wine
I'm a Believer
Shilo (the original version)
Brooklyn Roads
Sweet Caroline
Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show
And the Grass Won't Pay No Mind
Holly Holy
Soolaimon
Cracklin' Rosie
He Ain't Heavy...He's My Brother
I Am...I Said
Done Too Soon
Stones
Crunchy Granola Suite

Disc 2:
Song Sung Blue
Play Me
Walk on Water
Morningside
Be
Longfellow Seranade
I've Been This Way Before
If You Know What I Mean
Beautiful Noise
Desiree
You Don't Bring Me Flowers
Forever in Blue Jeans
September Morn
America
Love on the Rocks
Hello Again
Yesterday's Songs
Heartlight

"Headed for the Future" is awful and should be ignored as much as possible. And "You Are the Best Part of Me" is good, but doesn't fit in here.

Your best bet is to buy "Classics: The Early Years," "The Neil Diamond Collection," and "12 Greatest Hits Volume 2." That 3-disc collection covers most of the Essential Neil Diamond. You'd be missing a couple, but it would be better than live versions.

A must have cd.......2006-02-21

Wonderful cd the music brings back a lot of childhood memories! A must have for those who are looking for a cd that includes Neil Diamond's top hits.

A novice fan........2006-02-20

While I am not the biggest N.D. fan, I do like his hits. So I figured this would be a good album to get. And I'd say it was for me. Disk one is great! It has almost all of his biggest hits on it. And would be close to perfect if it weren't for the live tracks! There are a lot of live tracks on this collection. I'd say only one of them is good. Most of them are down right terrible!

Disk 2 I didn't care for as much. It starts with live tracks, and the studio tracks are more obscure songs that didn't really do it for me. However, on disk two you have 2 of his all time best songs; "Love on the Rocks" and "Forever in Bluejeans".
All in all I'd say this is a pretty good collection for a novice fan like myself. But if you can find one without the live tracks but the same # of songs. I would suggest getting it instead!

C'mon guys!.......2006-01-29

-- the album has 38 songs... 9 of them are live cuts... what's the big deal to complain about an acceptable sampling of live materials for an "essential" collection? (ie, only one out five songs, is a live cut)... gimme a break!

... beware that this is not a "greatest hits" collection, if that's what you're expecting to get, there's these couple of volumes previously released as such...

... read the labels before you... write!

Average customer rating: Fabulous collection of Barbra's best A Delite ESSENTIAL BARBRA Love it! Love it! Love it! A very good "Best Of"... Even when missing some great perfomances of BS!

The Essential Barbra Streisand Barbra Streisand Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Contemporary | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Classic Vocalists | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Box Sets at 30% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Musicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Duets Streisand: Live In Concert (2 CD's) Barbra Streisand's Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 Guilty Barbra Streisand - A Collection: Greatest Hits...and More ASIN: B00005V3WH Release Date: 2002-01-29

Tracks:

1. A Sleepin' Bee
2. Cry Me A River
3. I Stayed Too Long At The Fair
4. Lover, Come Back To Me
5. People
6. My Man
7. Second Hand Rose
8. He Touched Me
9. Don't Rain On My Parade
10. Happy Days Are Here Again (Live From Central Park)
11. On A Clear Day (You Can See Forever)
12. Stoney End
13. Since I Fell For You
14. What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?
15. The Way We Were
16. All In Love Is Fair
17. Lazy Afternoon
18. Evergreen
19. My Heart Belongs To Me
20. You Don't Bring Me Flowers (w/ Neil Diamond)
21. The Main Event/Fight
22. No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) (w/ Donna Summer)

Tracks:

1. Woman In Love
2. Guilty
3. Comin' In And Out Of Your Life
4. Memory
5. Papa, Can You Hear Me?
6. A Piece Of Sky
7. Putting It Together
8. Not While I'm Around
9. Send In The Clowns
10. Somewhere
11. All I Ask Of You
12. Children Will Listen
13. As If We Never Said Goodbye
14. I Finally Found Someone (w/ Bryan Adams)
15. Tell Him (w/ Celine Dion)
16. I've Dreamed Of You
17. Someday My Prince Will Come (2001 Version)
18. You'll Never Walk Alone (2001 Version)

Amazon.com

Barbra Streisand's bravado made her one of the 1960s' overnight sensations. This 40-cut compendium traces her recording career from early tracks that frequently relay her subtlety to often impressive accommodations with soft rock and still later vibrato-fests that find her taxing the limits of performer's ego and listeners' ears. The narrative is one of direct, sometimes showy, emotion giving way to empty displays of technique. By 1983's icky anthem "A Piece of Sky," Streisand has plowed under the light touches of "Lover, Come Back to Me" and the triumphal Central Park version of "Happy Days Are Here Again." Where she produced schlock masterworks when teamed with Neil Diamond ("You Don't Bring Me Flowers") and Donna Summer ("Enough Is Enough") in the '70s, a diva summit with Celine Dion led to the car wreck of 1997's "Tell Him." Essential wraps up with previously unreleased takes of "Someday My Prince Will Come" and "You'll Never Walk Alone." --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews:

Fabulous collection of Barbra's best.......2007-07-07

Loved each and every song. Great way to hear all her best in one collection!

A Delite.......2007-06-26

A fan could not do better for a one purchase item to have Streisand a part of a CD collection

ESSENTIAL BARBRA.......2007-06-11

EVEN THOUGH THIS IS AN OLD ALBUM - THE COVER HAS BARB'S DO AS A FRIZZ HEAD AND SHE PROBABLY HATES IT. BUT THE VOICE IS THERE AND GREAT SONGS. ABSOLUTELY A MUST IN ANYONE'S COLLECTION

Love it! Love it! Love it!.......2007-02-23

This is the only Barbra Streisand CD I've ever purchased. The reason I decided to make this purchase is when I discovered Barbra sang the song, "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life" - a song I have developed a fondness for as the result of a TV commercial (believe it or not!).

I played both CDs at work and my coworkers would stop by and ask, "is that Barbra Streisand?". They would then sit, look at the song list and share memories about certain songs, their surprise that she did a certain song, etc.

This CD is far more than I ever imagined it would be and will be a top player (behind Barry Manilow, of course) in my play list.

A very good "Best Of"... Even when missing some great perfomances of BS!.......2006-10-26

This compilation is really an "Essential" one from the extraordinary Barbra Streisand. However, I would have voted for including her wonderful performance of "Memory" from Broadway mega-hit CATS. In spite of that, this collection of BS hits is quite good, the booklet provides very essential information and the sound quality is excellent.

Average customer rating: Great comp, but missing a few singles... Hall & Oates 80's fan looking for the most comprehensive Hall & Oates collection? So many hits

The Essential Daryl Hall & John Oates Hall & Oates Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Contemporary | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music Blue-Eyed Soul | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Box Sets at 30% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music R&B | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Our Kind Of Soul Gold The Essential Michael Jackson Greatest Hits The Very Best of Daryl Hall & John Oates ASIN: B0009ML256 Release Date: 2005-06-14

Tracks:

1. She's Gone
2. Vegas Turnaround (The Stewardess Song)
3. When the Morning Comes
4. Camellia
5. Sara Smile
6. Do What You Want, Be What You Are
7. Rich Girl
8. Back Together Again
9. It's a Laugh
10. I Don't Wanna Lose You
11. Wait for Me
12. How Does It Feel to Be Back
13. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'
14. Kiss on My List
15. You Make My Dreams
16. Everytime You Go Away
17. Private Eyes
18. I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)
19. Did It in a Minute
20. Your Imagination

Tracks:

1. Maneater
2. One on One
3. Family Man
4. Say It Isn't So
5. Adult Education
6. Out of Touch
7. Method of Modern Love
8. Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid
9. Possession Obsession
10. Everything Your Heart Desires
11. Missed Opportunity
12. Downtown Life
13. So Close
14. Don't Hold Back Your Love
15. Starting All Over Again
16. Promise Ain't Enough
17. Do It for Love

Customer Reviews:

Great comp, but missing a few singles..........2007-03-21

"It's Uncanny"(#80) & "Why Do Lovers(Break Each Other's Heart?)"(#73) weren't huge hits, but how did the live Apollo medley(#20) not make the cut? Oh well, the songs that are here are great & they sound fantastic. The one disc collections don't really do H&O justice, so this is the way to go.

Hall & Oates.......2007-02-26

I bought this CD last month. I have "Rock and Soul part I" and think it is a fantastic collection of their music. This disc has all of the songs on R&S and a few more I was glad to get. However, there are also several mediocre if not just terrible songs included. Just buy Rock and Soul and download any other titles you want from itunes.

80's fan.......2007-01-12

I got this as a Christmas gift and I love it. I was a Hall & Oates fan when I was a teen in the 80's and they are still great to listen to now. It has a lot of the songs I loved but then they have a lot of older stuff too. There are a few hits they missed, but it still a really good CD.

looking for the most comprehensive Hall & Oates collection?.......2006-12-22

maybe you're like me and you're looking for the most complete Hall & Oates collection. well, let me save you some time. After looking through the 5 or 6 "greatest hits" collections in their catalog, THIS 2-CD set has virtually ALL of the songs that the other collections have and then some. Nothing is left out.

In fact, there are two 2-CD sets here (ESSENTIAL Hall & Oates and ULTIMATE Hall & Oates) and THEY HAVE THE EXACT SAME TRACK LISTING. What the hell's the point in that? LOL So buy whichever one is cheaper.

You're welcome. :-)

So many hits.......2006-11-10

When you pop this 2-CD set in, you suddenly go back to the 1980s, early 1990s and are amazed at how many hits these two guys were responsible for. This is a must-have if you are nostalgic for the 1980s, and the music and sound quality stand up to time.

Average customer rating: 'Essential'ly perfect! Another FAN of TOTO..... From a former hardcore fan Bizarre single disk version. Only 14 tracks ?????????

The Essential Toto Toto Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Very Best of Asia: Heat of the Moment (1982-1990) The Best of Kansas Foreigner - Complete Greatest Hits REO Speedwagon - The Hits The Very Best Of Supertramp ASIN: B0000CF30I Release Date: 2003-09-30

Tracks:

1. Hold The Line
2. Rosanna
3. Africa
4. 99
5. Make Believe
6. I'll Supply The Love
7. Georgy Porgy
8. I Won't Hold You Back
9. I'll Be Over You
10. Without Your Love
11. Pamela
12. The Turning Point
13. Mindfields
14. On The Run

Customer Reviews:

'Essential'ly perfect!.......2007-03-10

Every song on this album is absolutely amazing...

Okay, I just walked away from my computer for ten minutes so I could calm down and finish writing this review.

For those of you who have complaints about this album because it does not contain certain songs which you think would have been better--well I really don't know where to being with you. Everyone song Toto ever created is a breathtaking masterpiece which sits on a celetial pedastal above all other music...save, perhaps, selections from Hall and Oates.

I don't know how you can distinguish between the infinite perfection that each song contains---someone please enlighten me!

Another FAN of TOTO............2007-01-29

As another fan of Toto, in my opinion, this is a great CD to own.
It sure brought back great memories for me.

From a former hardcore fan.......2006-04-30

I became a hardcore fan of Toto in 1988 when Pamela came out. I was in Jr. High and to me at the time that was the coolest song released that year. I soon discovered that I enjoyed a lot of their older songs too and began collecting all the standard Toto albums. I then joined the fan club and bought two Toto shirts I wore so much people started to call me "Toto". Why am I telling you all this... well I wanted you to know my background to put my review into perspective. I am no longer that hardcore fan I was back in the day but I still enjoy certain albums (my favorite being their 2006 release "Falling In Between" check it out). I now consider only 4 CDs essential because honestly I don't think most of their albums have held up well over time. I am going to spilt this review into two section. One for the casual fan (which this CD is intended for) and one for the diehard fan (which I used to be one):

CASUAL FAN REVIEW:

If you are looking up this album you are probably a fan of one or two of Toto's hits. This CD may be for you. It has all the major hits and the best thing is they are all beautifully remastered and they have never sounded any better then they do here. There are also a number of album tracks to give you a feel for some of the other songs that Toto has done over the years and you get a sampler of almost all the albums that Sony has the rights to release in the US. If you aren't as big of a fan of Toto's rock hits like "Hold the Line" buy the CD "TOTO: Love Songs". That too is remastered and contains one of the bands best songs that never was released in the US as a single "I Will Remember". Personally I would recomend both "Essential" and "Love Songs" even though there is a lot of the same songs because both these collection, with little exceptions, together have most of the "essential" Toto songs. Also avoid collections like "Super Hits" which to the best of my knowledge are not remastered.

TO THE HARD CORE FANS:

Many of you have pointed out that this is not a 2 CD collection like what is available overseas. There is a very good reason for that... Toto hasn't been a huge hit in the US since I would say 1986 but they continued to have success in Europe. Sony made a wise decsion by not releasing it in two disks which would shoot the cost up. Considering that the casual fan in the US would not need a two disk set since only the really hardcore fan or music collector would even have any knowledge of a lot of the extra stuff on the 2 disk set. I would also argue that the 2 disk set is padded with some unnessesary tracks including some newer songs from "Past to Present" where I believe even the band members would like to see those songs go away. If you want "converts" to the Toto fan base THIS set is a good way to start. It is affordable and it does give a decent overview of Toto's later work. So in my opinion you should give this collection some slack. By giving this poor reviews because your personal favorite song is not on here you have made this album "star wise" look less favorable to a casual fan.

I am giving this 5 stars even though one or two of my personal favorites aren't here because this CD does what is supposed to do... provide a "best of" and quick over view of the bands work. Also the remastering makes this, "Love Songs", and "Falling in Between" the only Toto CDs I listen to on a regular basis.

Bizarre single disk version........2005-11-10

I noted the previous review on this compilation, and had a double take. I have the album and it is a double disk set. However, and quite strangely, it does not include the track "On the run", which is included in this single disk version. Not that any self respecting Toto fan wouldn't have it on it's original Toto XX album release. You can't knock the content, except that some tracks are edited versions. It is the packaging that scores so low. If you must buy it, look for the double disk set.

Only 14 tracks ?????????.......2005-09-24

If this 14 track collection is the only one released in the USA it is a scorn against all the US fans.
In Europe we got a 32 track doubble set to the price of a single cd. I really cannot understand this unjust.
The responsible publisher should be ashamed.

Average customer rating: Barry's still Tha Bomb wonderful music Forgot how good Barry was absolutly amazing Belt `Em Out, Barry

The Essential Barry Manilow Barry Manilow Manufacturer: Arista ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Contemporary | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Box Sets at 30% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Greatest Songs of the Fifties The Greatest Songs of the Fifties Singin' with the Big Bands Gold Barry Manilow - Live From Las Vegas ASIN: B00082ZR62 Release Date: 2005-04-26

Tracks:

1. Mandy
2. It's A Miracle
3. Could It Be Magic
4. I Write The Songs
5. Bandstand Boogie
6. Tryin' To Get The Feeling Again
7. Beautiful Music
8. This One's For You
9. Weekend In New England
10. Jump Shout Boogie
11. Looks Like We Made It
12. Daybreak
13. New York City Rhythm
14. Can't Smile Without You
15. Even Now
16. Copacabana (At The Copa)
17. Ready To Take A Chance Again

Tracks:

1. Somewhere In The Night
2. Ships
3. When I Wanted You
4. I Don't Want To Walk Without You
5. One Voice
6. I Made It Through The Rain
7. Lonely Together
8. The Old Songs
9. Somewhere Down The Road
10. Memory
11. Some Kind Of Friend
12. Read 'em And Weep
13. When October Goes
14. I'm Your Man
15. Brooklyn Blues- featuring Tom Scott
16. Hey Mambo- with Kid Creole and The Coconuts
17. I'd Really Love To See You Tonight

Customer Reviews:

Barry's still Tha Bomb.......2007-07-13

I grew up listening to Barry Manilow, and his songs always bring back fond memories. If you are a Barry fan, this product is truly essential. If you are just getting to know Barry, this is the only disc set you'll need to become a fan forever.

wonderful music.......2007-04-11

I like very much Barry Manilow, and I was looking for a special song a lot of time. I found in this disc. "Hey Mambo". In my country there are only a few discs. this is my solution. Thanks a lot.

Forgot how good Barry was.......2007-01-04

If you can forgive the corniness of the "Copa," and his formula ascending-key-change climaxes, Barry Manilow offers some truly wonderful songs with believable lyrics and rarely-matched sheer musical beauty. I would have preferred that they didn't include live versions (BM Live! covers those well enough), but then again he's such a raw talent that there's not much divergence from studio quality. He loses authenticity in the 80's recordings, but hard core fans will be glad those were included.

absolutly amazing.......2006-08-12

berry manilow is my favorite song wrighter/singer. from the first time i herd him i absolutly loved his work.right now i only have 4 cds. the essentile barry manilow disk 1 and 2 , greatest hits of the 50's, and the christmas album.i dont under stand why other people dont like him because he has the most umbalievaly terific outstanding work i ever herd . my last dying wish is for him to sing a song for me.

Belt `Em Out, Barry.......2006-08-08

O--o-o-o-o, I LOVE this one! It's a great two-CD collection of 34 tracks of beautiful Barry-tunes. This CD is cheaper than going to a movie and you can listen over and over again. I haven't worn mine out yet!

This set includes the old favorites, like "Mandy", "Even Now", and the subtle-sexy "Somewhere in the Night" plus many others. The beautiful tunes "I Don't Want to Walk Without You," "When I Wanted You" and "Memory, some of my personal favorites, are also included". These songs would melt me if I were frozen solid in Alaska in the winter. "Some Kind of Friend, I'm Your Man, Hey Mambo" -- Like, getouttahtheway and move over! Lemme dance!!!

I listen to this CD at least once a day. Another essential for the Manilownian.

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