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Early buzz on The Emancipation of Mimi had it that this would be the disc to mark "the return of the voice"—the voice being that glass-shattering instrument that propelled Carey to best-selling female artist of all time status—and mostly it is. But because of the small army of talent involved in its assembly, it's also way more than that. For straight-ahead, look-out-Beyonce-Mimi's-still-got-it reinforcement, try "Mine Again," a ‘70s-soul cuddle-up, "Circles," a soaring, don't-attempt-this-on-American-Idol love song, the gospel dazzler "Fly Like a Bird," and "Stay the Night." But for songs that steer this disc directly into 2005, no looking back, scan the jewel case for the tracks followed by the word "featuring": "To the Floor," with Nelly, bumps along to maximum booty-shaking effect, while Twista spins his natural-disaster-force vocal into "One and Only." Snoop Dogg, Pharrell Williams, and Jermaine Dupri also pitch in; between them and the highwire vocals, Emancipation works the kind of pure-pop magic that sets us all free. --Tammy La Gorce

More from Mariah

Mariah Carey	Emotions	Music Box
Merry Christmas	# 1's	Glitter

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Reviews (533)

The Comeback
I love this album, the songs on here are very beautiful, well written and well produced, and there is not a single filler on this CD. This album was very well received by the general public and the singles are doing extremely well on the charts. The single "We Belong Together" became Carey's 16th #1 single which puts her 4 singles ahead of Madonna, who is in second place in terms of greatest number of #1 singles amongst female artists. The album opened its first week with sales of just under 404 000 copies, which is the biggest first week sales of her career, and it's currently still in the top 5. At first, I didn't like the debut single "It's Like That" because it was too hip hop influenced and she was singing things I would expect to hear from Beyonce or Ashanti. But after quite some time, the single grew onto me from frequent radio play and now, I love the song. "We Belong Together" grew on me instantly because it was a typical Mariah Carey ballad. All in all, this is a fantastic album, like Butterfly, and if you have to get one CD this year, get this one cause it is off the charts, literally!

Lovin' Ms. Mimi!
Alright, Mariah's back after an almost 3 year solo haitus, and she's come back with a vengence! It's Like That was a great intro to a great album! We Belong Together gets Mariah her 16th #1, how sweet is that? Then we have the next single & my favorite track, Shake It Off! The track is just so much fun, it's amazing! Mine Again is a wonder ballad! The Neptunes produced tracks Say Somethin' & To The Floor may not be signature Mariah, but they are very catchy. Stay The Night is so emotional, & Kanye did a great job producing it. Get Your Number, the fourth JD produced track, is another catchy song. After all that, the ballad-love songs begin to roll! Your Girl, Circles, & I Wish You Knew may be considered filler, but being that they are back to back, they just seem to fit! Next is Joy Ride, which is aight. Lastly is Fly Like a Bird, which is another beautifully, emotional gospel song. Love the part where she belts "I need the strenth of you to survive" before she hits that extra high note. And for those that even think she's copying anyone else in the industry (Beyonce...) Uh, 1 year of solo hits doesn't compare to 10+, so get real.

What can we say?
What is there to say about a woman that has been around for 15 years through heartache, heartbreak, triumph and pain.This album is slamming. ONE OF HER BEST. I have almost all of her CD's and this is one of the best.Her range alone speaks volume but her ability to write a song, compose it and produce it speaks higher.Many are a good singer but few can write and produce.Her octaves are breath taking and just her confidence in herself is enough. I remember the first day I heard Vision of Love in the early 1990's.I said who is this singing?I have been hooked every since. The songs I love are:We belong together, Circles, It's like that,Say Somethin (with Snoop), To the Floor (Nelly) and for those who need inspiration she ends it with Fly Like a Bird.I am a singer and if my career takes off, this is someone I want to mirror.God bless you Mariah, thanks for sharing your gift of song with us.Thanks to the good Lord above for blessing her with the gift of song.READERS go and buy it.One of the best albums for 2005.Tee

Great Job, Mariah :-)
This album is so refreshing for me. It's been so long since we've all heard Mariah Carey. And I'm excited to report that it was worth the wait. I LOVE her voice and always have. This is the best album of 2005 so far.

1. It's Like That (5/5)
2. We Belong Together (5/5)
3. Shake It Off (4.5/5)
4. Mine Again (5/5)
5. Say Somethin' (4.5/5)
6. Stay The Night (5/5)
7. Get Your Number (3.5/5)
8. One And only (5/5)
9. Circles (4.5/5)
10. Your Girl (4/5)
11. I Wish You Knew (5/5)
12. To The Floor (3.5/5)
13. Joy Ride (5/5)
14. Fly Like A Bird (5/5)

1.3 Million and Counting!!!
Mariah has sold 1.3 million copies of her wonderful album, "The Emancipation of Mimi." She is currently #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with her smash hit "We Belong Together." Her 16th #1 to be exact. Mariah is breaking records and defying expectations. She is solidifying her place in history as one of the greatest singers ever. Thanks to great production and songwriting, "The Emancipation of Mimi" will surely stand out as one of her best. Hopefully, this is just the beginning of another great run. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The fact that Genius Loves Company will be Ray Charles's final new album inspires an unavoidable blue feeling. But it's also a happy reminder that the man spent the last months of his life at work. The overall effect of these dozen duets is not only autumnal, but smooth; Brother Ray is on point and cruising here. Fine moments abound--you can hear his delight even in the rather stiff company of Diana Krall and Natalie Cole. His voice sounds a bit frayed by ill health at times, but it also allows for great performances (the slyness behind the ache in his version of the old soul hit "Hey Girl" with Michael McDonald; a grand "Crazy Love" with Van Morrison). Potently, he and Gladys Knight also remind us of the continued timeliness of Stevie Wonder's "Heaven Help Us All." Its best moments make Company one more essential purchase for Ray Charles fans. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

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Kem plays his soul-and-jazz-juiced R&B like a man who has lived through more than most of us, and indeed he has: As fans who have followed the back story since his 2003 debut, Kemistry, know, he's an artist who was once reduced to sleeping on Detroit park benches while battling addiction. With the release of Album II, though, the sad stories need circulate no longer—all that's required to get swept up, off, and away by these tracks is a taste for solid R&B minus the hip-hop sideshow. Coaxing vocal cords more pliable than the face of Jim Carey into unexpected directions, the Chaka Khan sound-alike—who also occasionally ventures into George Benson territory—showers tenderness over each of these songs, sauntering into some notes with suave sophistication and sneaking up on others. Though "I Can't Stop Lovin' You" is the song throwing sparks amongst the quiet storm crowd, check his stretchy tenor on "Into You" and "I'm in Love," both so deeply felt they'll send the lovelorn swooning. --Tammy La Gorce ... Read more

Reviews (51)

Smooth as Smooth Gets
I never heard of this man before.I saw this album debut at number 1 on the R&B charts , so I was curious.I bought the cd by chance, and all i could say is "Beautiful".Some moments Kem sounds a bit like a soulful George Michael.At times the vocal styling is remarkably similiar.Of course, Kem is defiantly a bit more soulful and diverse.George Michael does well dabbling in jazz too, don't get me wrong.

thebest neo soul albums of all time
I haven't stopped listening to this CD since I got it about 3 days ago. Indeed, it's easily the best album I have. Buy the first album "Kemistry" and this one. (...)

Smooth Sailing
KEM is a rarity in millenium r&b music.He writes, arranges and produces his own songs without any help, and his albums have no samples, guest rappers or drum machines chugging in the background.The song titles on his second albums are about as original as the ALBUM II title, but Kem is one of the few artists whose music is so hypnotic, those cliches seem new.The best smoothies on this collection include "Heaven", "Into You", "Set You Free" and the inspiring "You Might Win" featuring a harmonica solo by the legendary Stevie Wonder.Only on "I Get Lifted", a cover of the old George McRae disco hit, is Kem out of his league.

Kem's music feature smooth Al Jarreau-like vocals, Sade instrumentation, gorgeous melodies, intoxicating chord changes, and top-notch musicianship.ALBUM II proves that you don't need a big name producer or cameo appearances by every rapper out there to make a great r&b album.

Kem II
I'm pleased with the new Kem II CD.It is everything I expected.

WOW
THIS CD IS FAR BETTER THAN THE FIRST, I LOVED THE FIRST ONE. THIS GUY ONLY GETS BETTER. THE ONE I PLAY OFTEN IS "I CANT STOP LOVING LOVE" AMAZING...... YES THIS IS A MUST HAVE....KEM KEEPS ON DOING IT. (...)

Greg Lassiter
www.misguidedproduction.com ... Read more

Amazon.com

Soul and r&b legend Ray Charles may not have lived to see the success of Hollywood's ultimate tribute to him, but director Taylor Hackford's biopic (featuring a landmark performance by Jamie Foxx as the musical legend) will further burnish his legacy as one of the cornerstones of contemporary American music. Though it stretches from 1953's ecstatic, proto-soul "Mess Around" to a sublime, bluesy live take of "Georgia On My Mind" recorded in Japan in the mid-70's, this 17-track song-score can only be an inviting appetizer to the singer's epochal body of work. Charles' artistry may have virtually defined soul music itself, yet it also triumphed in genres as far afield as blues blues ("Nightime is the Right Time") and country ("I Can't Stop Loving You," "Bye Bye Love") during the 60's, the impossibly rich era from which the bulk of this soundtrack is culled. Crucially, fully a third of the cuts here are live recordings -- including electrifying 1965 performances of "What'd I Say," "You Don't Know Me" and "Hallelujah I Love Her So" hand-picked for the film by Charles himself -- the forum in which the singer consistently operated on a whole other artistic plateau from mere mortals.-- Jerry McCulley ... Read more

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Though Amos Lee's music is frequently described as a fusion of folk and soul, such an equation fails to reflect the singular artistry of this impressive debut. Like labelmate Norah Jones (who guests on two cuts), the Philadelphia singer-songwriter recognizes the power of simplicity, distilling an emotional essence that cuts across categories. The opening of his "Seen It All Before" echoes Bob Dylan's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door"; the stunning "Arms of a Woman" channels Otis Redding's "I've Got Dreams to Remember"; "Give It Up" cuts a classic Bill Withers groove; "Black River" has the sound of an age-old spiritual; and the closing "All My Friends" follows Van Morrison into the mystic. Throughout the song cycle, the bare-bones arrangements behind Lee's vocal flutter reinforce an organic unity that transcends genre. For all of the debts he owes to the music of the 1960s and '70s, the results sound timeless rather than retro. In his cautionary "Soul Suckers," Lee sings that "nothing is more powerful than beauty in a wicked world"--and proceeds to prove it. --Don McLeese ... Read more

Reviews (59)

ladies love amos lee aka LL Amos L
i've never been one for opening acts. most of the time you just sit through an amalgam of amateur musicianship and languid lyrics, as you swill beers in succession. amos lee and his band of style-conscious pretenders were no exception.
i saw this young boy open for bob dylan and i can honestly say i was less than unimpressed. for starters, his real name is not amos lee. this should be the first clue that this is more about image than music. he must want to portray himself as an old time folk mid-western rocker of some sort. all of this, despite the fact that he's dressed to the nines and his hair is absolutely perfect. i must say, the ladies in attendance ate this up. i heard screams usually reserved for the likes of the backstreet boys. i must say i was a bit jealous. but, this was a fugitive feeling that passed away quickly.
from the opening note of his first song, i was addled by his warm reception. i came close to experiencing an aphasia. i was utterly speechless. the crowd was so energentic, i was expecting some august and impressive fellow to emerge or at least a dynamo of some sort. were they here to see amos lee? nevertheless, this obfuscation did not last long, as i soon realized that some actually were. one woman cried out in a stentorian voice, "i love you amos!" i felt like finding this wayward dame and importuning her to get some real taste in music. sure, his stuff is very polished, and he delivers a legato performance, but that's about all that can be said for him. the music may be smooth, but it's your standard country/folk/rock sound. there is nothing interesting going on with this band, unless of course you call amos lee's sexual preference into question.
why people like this stuff is beyond my ken (and i do have a wide range of knowledge). maybe, it transports their minds to some majestic elysium far away from cold reality, a blissful place where no one dares cogitate anything of substance. you immediately imagine yourself in some sylvan setting, enjoying a repast with your special someone. you eat the food of the gods and soak in fresh country air. perhaps, some adventitous occurence might cause amos lee to appear and serenade you both. with his help, you might ferret out those long dormant lustful desires, while listening to a brand of trite and bittersweet folk/rock. all in all, this stuff is not for me. i'm a much more sentient person than amos lee, despite appearances.

You heard it here first
Get this CD and be the first to tell your friends who will receive the Grammy for best new artist.

Amos Lee proves that less is more in this must have, impressive, impressive, impressive debut album. If you don't love it, I'd venture a guess that medication is in order.

Auspicious debut
Amos Lee is clearly being marketed as the male version of labelmate Norah Jones -- who herself makes a token appearance here -- but where Jones' updated easy-listening style is based in cool jazz and countrypolitan, Lee mixes singer-songwriter acoustic-guitar convention with an effortlessly soulful outlook and delivery.Like Jones' debut, however, this disc comes as a gust of fresh air in the increasingly stale realm of Adult Alternative music.Lee's sweet, expressive alto -- a more flexible version of the young Marvin Gaye's -- is given plenty of room to maneuver, as he shows a remarkably relaxed confidence and impressive stylistic range for a debut.If there is a downside here, it's in the relative thinness of the material; at 11 songs (a couple of them feeling like filler) and about 35 minutes one might worry a bit about the prospects for a follow-up, but for now put away those straining-to-be-soulful John Mayer and Jack Johnson records and check out this guy -- he's the real thing.

A phenonemal CD!
Starbucks has this CD in their stores. I am not one to normally pick up a record without having heard any tracks off of it, but I was drawn to this one and finally bought it. All I can say is....WOW! What a talent this gentleman is, great voice, great songwriting, great music. I can't help but wonder why he hasn't broken into the mainstream yet. He belongs there with John Mayer and Jason Mraz (other favorite singer/songwriters of mine). He definitely is of equal talent. Buy it, buy it, buy it!

A Piece of What's Missing From Popular Music...
A singer, songwriter and guitarist with great soul and depth, Amos Lee proves on his recently-released self-titled album that a prestigious career is in his stars. With a rich, emotive voice, he sings and plays with a conviction that is missing from the majority of today's popular music.

Although the schmaltzy lead single "Arms of a Woman" has been earning him great favor among female listeners, he clearly has more up his sleeve than romantic fluff. The opening "Keep It Loose, Keep It Tight," for example, finds Lee reflecting on the good and bad of his life so far, keeping in mind that his future is vast and looming.

In "Soul Suckers," the Philadelphia native observes that "nothing is more powerful than beauty in a wicked world," later living up to his words in "Seen It All Before" where he brushes off a girl who simply isn't worth his time, opting for self-respect instead of manipulation.

The crystalline "Love In the Lies" is an upbeat affair where Lee soaks up the revelation that "it's time to make a brand new start," while the somber "Colors," cloaked in a profoundly gorgeous melody, features vocal harmonies by Norah Jones, who is a featured player on several tracks on the disc along with her bandmates Lee Alexander and Adam Levy.

"Black River" is a cathartic track where the singer/songwriter rests assured that his savior will ease his burdens and be his guiding light. The disc ends on a similarly optimistic note with the captivating "All My Friends" where he states he will always have his arms open for those he holds dear, since life has its share of ups and downs.

Despite the fact that "Amos Lee" is clearly a powerful start to his recording career, it should be noted that Blue Note clearly is looking for a male counterpart to Norah Jones, and therefore songs that showcase Lee's charisma and witty personality like the provocative "Teddy Bear" and "Caramelized" have been left off the album in favor of a more uniform atmosphere. These can still be heard, however, at select live performances, which prove that he is even more engaging in person than on record.
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Not every 16-year-old white, English girl can hang with the likes of Betty Wright ("Clean Up Woman") and Angie Stone. Joss Stone (no relation), however, is blessed with a strong voice and a will to sing old-school soul. This debut CD is worthy of more than novelty status, though. Wisely avoiding iconic songs by the genre’s biggest names, Stone and a production team that includes Wright opt for lesser-known tunes more often by the likes of Laura Lee, Joe Simon, and the Soul Brothers Six--not to mention their digging out (with guest co-producer ?uestlove from the Roots) the great soul lyric in the White Stripes’ "Fell in Love with a (Boy)." Joss Stone occasionally misses a connection; her "Some Kind of Wonderful" is listless, and when she develops a bit more subtlety, it’ll be welcome. But The Soul Sessions has a spark beyond the album’s obvious good taste. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (277)

A Must For Any CD Collection
I'm going to be honest: there are a lot of white singers out there that try to profit off of so-called 'black music' and come off sounding fake. There are also a lot of young singers that try to sing music more grown up than they are, and sound like a joke. Joss Stone is neither of these. This 16 year old's break out album is phenomenal! From the first track, "The Chokin' Kind," up until her beautiful rendition of "For the Love Of You" you're hooked on her music. "Super Duper Love" is a wonderful soul song, in the vein of Aretha's "Think." Joss even delves into the oft-avoided blues genre with her song, "Dirty Man." If you can't feel her pain, you ain't breathin'! But it is truly the final cut that stands out. She took the classic "For the Love of You" and turned into a beautiful seven and half minutes of her pure voice with a minimal amount of instruments. From start to finish this album is a must have. In an age where most cds only have one or two good songs, there isn't a bad apple on this one. "Soul Sessions"is classic soul with a modern voice.

Subtle and Mellow
"The Soul Sessions" is definitely one of the best R&B/Soul CDs to come along in awhile. I love R&B and this collection is truly a gem amongst the generic. It not slick or flashy, it's just about singing good songs. Joss's voice is strong and powerful, yet mellow and calming. This is the kind of music that teenagers, young adults, and those older can listen to without worrying about numerous sexual innuendos. It represents what Rhythm and Blues/Soul used to sound like when I was growing up. It was more subtle and it truly moved you emotionally. Given her youth, it is surprising that her voice carries such great emotional depth. Many of her contemporaries sing on the surface. But Joss sings from the inside out. There's a certain sincerity in her voice that makes her effort believable. It doesn't sound like she's feeding you hype or manufactured tunes. Everything seems to come from the soul. This CD is worthy of its title. If you listen objectively, you might be pleasantly surprised.

Excellent 1st Effort
Whatever I may feel about the politics behind this ever lightening face of R&B/Soul music, I have to give this girl her props. The music was kept simple. Even on more upbeat tracks like Super Duper Love I was not left with a sense of overproduction which blended well with Joss' strong vocals.

Real Music- It's About Time!
As a lover of all genres of music, Joss piqued my interest the moment I heard her voice. I love the fact that the CD is so pure and real. You can hear each breath, clicks the mouth naturally makes when you sing and it's so refreshing from all the edited-to-perfection CD's being produced today.

Joss sings as though you're right there with her. The album feels like a smoky sophisticated club from another era. The brilliance of musical genius compilation is extraordinary. Stone must have felt so honored to work with each one- and for them to hear the raw talent showcasing their work.

I play Dirty Man when it housekeeping time. I sing to Fell In Love With A Boy and each song evokes a new emotional riptide from inside my soul.

In a world of over-techno'd vocals, fancy packaged future Playmates and unfeeling songs- this album inspires me to keep listening to music.

Joss is soul. She embodies every aspect of truth in music and we'll be hearing her for years to come.

Try it out, you just might Fall In Love....

Outstanding - A Force to be Reckoned With
With so many artists' cds to purchase I just recently purchased "The Soul Session". My delay had nothing to do with the competence of the artist cause I know this gal can sing. I don't care what country or ethnic group this young lady is in the girl has raw talent. I am amazed that more people are not singing her praises. Compare to many of the urban talent out there, Joss is in a class by herself. The cd is an absolute masterpiece. The producers team her up with the likes of some of the greatest, namely Betty Wright, Angie Stone and Latimore. And the girl has her own band. No electronics or gimmicks here. The girls can sing with just the guitar and a drum, which is rare these days. She is pure and raw soul. I have introduced her to a few friends and they just love her. They all want to know "Who is that"?
The opening cut "The Chokin Kind" opens the cd beautifully and prepares you as the young lady takes you on a musical journey right from the first note until the last. Singing about that overwhelming controlling relationship. "My favorite line is "if you don't like the peach, walk on by the tree" Wow.
Super Duper Love - is a true head bobber. Remind me of the ole days of joot joints and pic-a-lo. I can still see the smokey roomies after the song is over. Nice love song and easy to sing along with. The guitar by "little beaver" is a great addition. An anthem of love.
Fell in Love with a boy - the bass and the tenor guitars make this song. And the way the girl climbs that scale makes me want to shout and sing along. One of the best on the album. Angie Stone and Betty Wright lend a hand on the background.
Victim of a Foolish Heart - A beautiful ballad. It really showcases the young lady's voice. Reminds me of Mariah Carey at times but more in control with her voice. She breaks it down to her man about an ex coming in and trying to tear them apart. If you got someone hollerin at your man play it LOUD. A beautiful arrangement.
Dirty Man - My niece came in the room while this was playing on day. She got a kick out of the lyrics and so did I. Singing about cheating it should have followed after Victim. But her she takes an aggressive approach to cheating and not singing the blues like some young hip-hp artist do. Takes control and shows she is not taking any sh**.
Some Kind of Wonderful - positive beat and good to sing along. This girl loves her man. I love this song. Her songs are easy to memorize and you can understand her. Her diction is perfect. She sings with such conviction for a teenager. Ole school sound. Organ is magical. And the lead guitar is amazing. Can I get a witness?
I've Fallen In Love with you - This is my favorite song on the cd. I play it over and over again. It will make you feel warm and inviting. It washes all worry away. I just love this song. And makes you believe in love (again) song with conviction.
I had a dream - It really showcases her vocals. The instruments are soft and her voice shines in it. It could make you depress tho so be careful not to have to much moonshine when listening to it (lol)
All the King horses - Now who could take an Aretha Franklin song and tackle it. Well she does and does an outstanding job. It will make you smile just listening to it. Great song
For the love of you - an old Isley Brothers Hit. The tempo is a little slower that the original but Joss adds her own flava.
Overall I would rank this cd 9/10 or 5*. The girl is bad and I will be looking for here sophomore cd. BUY IT NOW! GO! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? ... Read more

Amazon.com

This double CD collects not only Brother Ray's best-known '50s and '60s singles, but some choice semi-obscurities (the 1953 jump blues "Mess Around," his 1959 cover of Louis Jordan's "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin'") that earn their places next to "What'd I Say" and "I Can't Stop Loving You." The man's originality and infectious feeling bleed through on each of these 36 tracks, whether he's transforming "One Mint Julep" or "America the Beautiful" or collaborating (separately) with Willie Nelson and Chaka Khan. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (25)

I will get this double CD to remember Ray......
I recently read that Ray Charles had passed away. This collection will be something I will buy soon as a way to remember him. Ray Charles transcended many genres and could sing all of them so very well. He still wanted to continue making albums too. Much credit to the handlers for finding these 36 songs and compiling them all into one collection. I still love Hit The Road Jack, America the Beautiful, A Song for You, I'll Be Good To You and many others. His music still lives!

All Ray, All the Time . . .
What's he say? For black folks, white folks, grey . . . didn't matter to Ray. His gift and talent will be sorely missed. What a voice, what songs! Brother Ray was the inspiration for my starting an R&B group in LA back in '91. We jokingly wished for a radio station to play "all Ray, all the time." We didn't get that wish but we did learn "Shoulda Been Me" and "Let's Get Stoned." My warmest thoughts and prayers go out to Ray up there in that "Big Jam in the Sky," and to Ray's family. What a treasure-trove of sweet music he gave us! God bless Ray Charles!

the reviewer from california needs to check his/her history
Ray Charles was and still is one of the greatest musicians ever existed!!!!!!! He was also a great songwriter, arranger and producer and the person who wrote review from california needs to check his/her history BIG TIME!!!!!! Although I like "some" of todays artists, they can't TOUCH the chops of Ray Charles. Those cats out today aren't even in the same BALL PARK as "THE RAY"!!!!!!(PERIOD) Ray Charles influenced the musician in me that I am today!!!! Thank GOD for the gift of having such GENIUS that he WAS, IS and ALWAYS WILL BE!!!!!

Some People Can't Be Educated
The previous review of this great artist was written by someone who doesn't understand that genius comes in many forms. Interpretation is the source of musical performance. An artist need not write the music he performs. If that were the case, then we shouldn't listen to Mozart. The guy has been dead for centuries! In fact, considering some of the performers the previous reviewer mentioned, I'm not sure they should be writing or "singing" anything.

Ray Charles was a genius in interpretation of so many genres from gospel to country to blues to R&B to old-fashioned big band singing. He is an artist of the highest order and he will be missed.

This collection is outstanding in terms of the breadth of Ray's work. If you own one collection, buy this or the Ray Charles Anthology from Rhino Records

HE WILL BE MISSED
HE WAS A GREAT ARTIST I LOVED ALL HIS SONGS. HE WAS VERY GOOD SINGER SO I WILL MISS HIM VERY MUCH! GODS LOVES YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU RAY CHARLES YOU WILL BE MISSED! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Alicia Keys has more than lived up to the promise of her formidable debut Songs in A Minor, pushing beyond her flirtation with old-school soul and venturing into the modern world, even hiring Timbaland to guide her through the shoals of anthemic hip-hop on the breathless and funkified "Heartburn." Sounding like a hyperthyroid cheerleader, Keys unleashes a quirky sense of humor that no one even suspected she possessed. Her effortless singing on the beat-driven "Karma" is a wonder of sonics on this uplifting piece of pop philosophy, giving countless anxious woman hope that everything will work out as it's meant to, or on "Samsonite Man," where it won't.But despite her edgy styling and jazzy vocal posturing, Keys hasn't abandoned her love for old R&B and travels back in time, giving Gladys Knight's "If I Was Your Woman" a face lift it may not have needed, then turns around and recasts the song as the winsome and dramatic "You Don't Know My Name."But at its heart, The Diary of Alicia Keys is a gross misnomer. After listening to the disc, fans will know little more about the elusive diva than they did before, her lyrical style consistently more narrative than confessional. In fact, the title track doesn't delve into the singer's inner life, but instead is about a long-distance love affair, with Keys promising the object of her affection that: "I won't tell your secrets/Your secrets are safe with me/I will keep your secrets/Just think of me as the pages in your diary."--Jaan Uhelszki ... Read more

Reviews (207)

An average follow-up. (3.5 Stars)
I was by no means an Alicia Keys fan until I bought "Songs in A Minor" not long ago (yeah i was kinda late) & fell in love with her voice & style. So as soon as this album dropped, i had to get it.

Alicia Keys is more talented than any female in the business, with the exception of Christina Aguilera. She's pretty, smart, and won't take anyone's crap, & it comes off in her music. But "Diary..." lacked all that much versatility. There's only so far that a piano can take you.

"Diary..." is pretty bland. There are some great tracks: Karma, You Don't Know my Name, Dragon Days, (Harlem's Nocturne...an intro, i know), but then there are some bad ones: Diary, So Simple, Samsonite Man, etc.

This CD is pretty good, but for every good song, there's a bad one. Still, it's a solid buy, better than most of the garbage in our industry.

So I'd suggest picking it up, especially if you think commercial garbage like Britney Spears is music. This is what real music should sound like. It's not great (not even as good as Songs in A Minor), but it's not bad.

Alicia Keys - The Diary of Alicia Keys (J, 2003)
(3 1/2 stars)

Though I gave her first album a 4, Alicia Keys bypasses the sophomore jinx with this album (although so many people wanted to see her fail this time around). I liked "You Don't Know My Name" but it is so overplayed (like all of Alicia Keys' singles) that I just skip it while I play the album (moreover, the way she keeps saying, "baby, baby, ba-BY", starts to sound annoying). "If I Ain't Got You" is also a great song and "Diary" featuring Tony Toni Toné has great production. The promo song, "Streets of New York" featuring Nas and Rakim is supposed to be on here, but I'm glad it's not because the song is awful. There are also a few flaws like the "butchering a classic" moment, "If I Was Your Woman" over the Issac Hayes' "Walk On By" sample. At times self-indulgent, Alicia shows that she has talent, even though I don't know if it's worth all the praise that she's getting. Alicia's almost there: if she stops all that screaming and actually write some more mature songs, by album three she'll be ready for diva status. -EJR

one of the better albums of today's modern music
alicia keys is one of the more talented young artists of today with her melodic piano hooks, velvet-smooth voice and deep lyrics. She has really grown as a writer, pianist and artist overall on this CD and gives you that feeling old school motown music gives you with it's live instrumentation and soulful vocals. Standout tracks are Heartburn, If I was Your Woman, You Don't Know My Name, Diary, So Simple etc. This was what r&b music was about and should be about, buy immediately!

alicia keys
I thought this cd was great! All of the songs were put together perfectly. My favorite song is "If I aint got you." I think the lyrics are great. I actually just printed them out. The beat to this song is fabulous. I love how she uses her own experiences and puts them together to make this song. I think alicia keys has a great voice and I think she plays the pianno like no other person. Her pianno alone moved me. I taught my dance class a combination to this song. I was beautiful. I was very pleased with this cd. i hope she comes out with more cds just like this one. Thanks Alicia you're the best

I highly recommend this CD!
This marvelous album is the work of the great Alicia Keys. Jazzy, this album features some great instrumentation, which was masterfully mixed. Plus, the best part is simply Ms. Keys wonderful voice. I must admit that this is the first of her albums I have heard, so I cannot compare it to any of the others. But, unlike some reviewers, I found this to be a great album, one that I love listening to over and over again!

So, if you like great music, with that smooth jazz sound, then you will love this album - I did! My favorite track was the first, Harlem's Nocturne, but they are all good. I highly recommend this CD! ... Read more

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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 Wright ... Read more

Reviews (40)

Great EWF Compilation!
Like another reviewer has posted, EWF's Greatest Hits is just that...all their hits in one cohesive cd.

This set is great for people who are re-discovering EWF like myself - who really only heard their popular hits on the radio, but never bothered to buy a single EWF CD/Album.

What is neat about this set when I bought it is that with some of the titles, I never knew... until I heard the song and said..."oh I know this one!... "didn't know they did this song"!

It ended up I knew about 12 of the 17 track on here already, which was great!

Bottom line: Great funky tunes, R&B classics, as well as nice soulful ballads. That's what EWF is and will always be... a shining star.

Get it!

EWF Greatest Hits Collection Shining Bright To See
Mid-1970s black music seemed dominated either by fun, mindless party jams like "Jungle Boogie" and "Skin Tight," or dour warnings like "Future Shock" and "Living For The City." Stevie Wonder sang his share of life-affirming music but Earth, Wind & Fire, here with a definitive one-disc greatest hits, made such positive strength the heart of their musical identity.

Some of the era's most needed, heeded messages ran deep and sweet atop Verdine White's bass grooves (front and center on "Getaway"), brother and leader Maurice's drum and percussion tracks honed over years with Chess Records' rhythm section ("Saturday Nite," "Kalimba Story," 1977's dazzling "Serpentine Fire"), Louis Satterfield's horn section scrambling through jazz-rock mazes every track (becoming a 80s rock stalwart backing Phil Collins), and Phillip Bailey's high, clear falsetto on "After The Love Has Gone," the prom dance standard "Reasons," the soaring chorus of "September," and the elegant "Fantasy" which, with "Serpentine Fire," gave R&B one of its best 1-2 LP opening tracks. (It's restored to album length here, with Larry Dunn's superb keyboard intros, after being edited on two previous best-ofs).

Messages like "You're a shining star...shining bright to see what you can truly be," "If you sing a song today, you will make a better way," "Try to resist all the hurt that's all around ya..." moved feet and hearts, misinterpreted by spiritual seekers and hedonists alike in the "Me" decade's last discofied days. The Whites understood disco's falsity: "Morning deals a bad hand to a woman who has made too many bets," Maurice sings on 1979's galloping disco smash "Boogie Wonderland," adding, "You dance and shake the hurt." But by early 1982, needing a hit after a slow-selling double-LP the year before, EWF gave in to the dance grooves and party-down lyrics of "Let's Groove," their last Top 5 hit.

Despite a generous 18 tracks (and an excellent geneology of the group by Kevin Goins), longtime fans will miss "In The Stone," "Fall In Love With Me," "Head To The Sky," "Let Me Talk," and others. These are found on 1995's "Eternal Dance" box, the "Elements of Love" ballads collection, or two previous best-ofs. This "Greatest Hits" packs their best-known pop songs into an exceptionally sounding disc (thanks to Mark Wilder's remastering), providing an essential introduction to one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's most surprising, satisfying member groups.

best CD of all time
If I could give this CD more than 5 stars I would. I'm 23 and my mom (43) and grandma (63) were on a road trip listening to the CD. All of us LOVED it. This is the greatest CD of all time.

Lovin' It!!!
I am in the sixth grade and I LOVE this CD! (In fact, I'm listening to it as I write this!) For school, we had to bring in CDs that people don't listen to now (2004) and I brought in this CD. EVERYONE in the class loved it, including myself and my teacher, who remembered it, and loved it, both when she was a kid and now! She was even singing along to "Let's Groove"! :) Kids asked me what the songs were called, who sings them, etc. and we all love it! It's great music to sing along to and dance to and, as one kid in my class put it, "You can just picture all these guys with afros in bell-bottoms singing it into the microphones! :)" Lately, instead of popping in Black Eyed Peas or Now 15 (which are both great modern-day music CDs...thumbs up to them, too!) in my portable CD player, boom box, or parents' cars, I've been listening to Earth Wind & Fire! I love disco music and, for me, disco never died and never will! If you love disco, too, you HAVE to get this CD and listen to it! Enjoy! :)
P.S. I recommend "Shining Star", "September", "Got to Get You Into My Life", "Fantasy", and "Let's Groove" as the Top 5 songs on the CD!

la-la-LOVE IT!
So I'm you're average high school student who's in love with Earth, Wind and Fire [kudos to my parentals]. I just have to say that this is by far the best cd I have in my collection. It has the perfect mix of songs to dance to, sing to, get intimate to, and just to feel good to. Thank you Earth, Wind & Fire. ... Read more

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 Wright ... Read more

Reviews (88)

Smooth and perfect - gets better every listen
Why is Al Green so much better than so many recording artists who think that they have soul?

Al doesn't sound forced or unnatural, and rarely shows you the full range of expression of which he is capable. The biggest hit that he ever had, "Let's Stay Together," begins with Al and the background vocalists whispering, and thereafter he does not raise his voice much from that. All the parts are very subtle, with each instrument seemingly arranged to disturb the whole the least. It's simple, danceable, and has real dynamics, even when the songs are generally quiet.

While I appreciate R+B made in the last twenty years, I don't like the group of mainly female vocalists who think that soul is shrieking your way up and down a given scale. Saying more with less notes is the heart of soul, and it makes for a consistently enjoyable listening experience.

Buy this. It's tremendously... for the value, and if you like soul, it will be one of the few CD's in your collection to which you can listen without skipping. In fact, it might even irritate you that fifteen songs is all that's here.

A Gorgeous Album
Al Green was probably the greatest exponent of arguably the greatest American music ever produced: soul. And this CD has that in droves. Listen to the acknowledged classics "Let's Stay Together", "Tired of Being Alone" and "I'm Still in Love With You" and you'll hear perhaps the finest non-classical tenor singing with all his heart, emotion and life experience. When Al croons "Belle... The Lord and I have been friends for a mighty long time", one is that much more open to his spiritual message because it is conveyed in such a beautiful manner. How could what Al's saying possibly be wrong? This is the first Al Green CD I acquired way back when I was building my soul music collection. For the beginner that I was, it made me so much more receptive to and appreciative of this wonderful music. This, in short, is ground zero for soul. Start here, and afterwards get your Wilson Picketts and Otis Reddings.

One of My favorites
I love the Best of Albums, and this is one of the best. Al Green is awesome and I love how this was comprised. By the time the CD gets to Love and Happiness, I am in tears. Yet, it is excellent.

Words don't describe
Al Green was bad back in the day, he had that great style all to himself, a gritty southern vibe with lush rythmns, orchstration, and Als gruff but smooth vocals. This Greatest Hits set was released in 75 after Al had scored a string of classic albums for the Hi label, and includes most of the singles. This is such a great listening experience from front to back, it don't really matter if your a serious Al fan with all of his albums or just a casual R&B fan, anybody can dig this set. This new version has been digitally remastered for extra bump plus the 5 extra hits tagged on are cool, my only complaint is that the hit 'Take Me To The River' is missing, one of Als killer jams. That aside, this is still Must Own material for any fan of black music.

Great 70's Soul
I only knew 3 of the songs on this album, but I love the rest of it too! ... Read more

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Some thought it would never happen, but after solo successes and a three-year hiatus the ladies of Destiny's Child have reunited for the eagerly-anticipated Destiny Fulfilled. The Houston-based trio of Kelly, Michelle and some girl named Beyonce follow up their mega successful Survivor with another album full of infectious dance grooves and melancholy tales of women done wrong. Lead single "Lose My Breath" is their first offering of the former. Backed by a kinetic marching band sample, they sing with an urgency that bolsters the Rodney Jerkins-produced track. Current single "Soldier" is more of the same. Featuring T.I. and Lil' Wayne, the song allows the trio to sing the praises of the kind of men they like.

Despite this one-two uptempo punch, DC does do ballads. They go old-school on the moving "If." Michelle, who has several impressive solos throughout, and Beyonce trade lines about finding and holding on to love. However, on "Bad Habit" the trio goes for the paint-by-numbers woman finding her inner-strength theme. Other highlights include the 9th Wonder and Beyonce-produced "Girl" and the midtempo gem "Free." --Rashaun Hall ... Read more

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While most neo-soulsters crank out albums like their hip-hop counterparts, Jill Scott takes a more traditional approach to her craft. Four years after the release of her debut, Who Is Jill Scott, Words & Sounds Vol. 1, Scott returns with the masterful Beautifully Human: Words & Sounds Vol. 2. The album features a collection of lush and hypnotic songs that will make you want to fall in love, live life, and be a better person all at the same time. Lead single "Golden" is a prime example of this. Set to a midtempo groove made for the dance floor, "Golden" is a shiny, beautifully-written narrative about living life to its fullest. The old-school R&B ballad vibe of "Petition" is reminiscent of Minnie Ripperton or early Chaka Khan. However, "Bedda at Home" is anything but laid back. Combining elements of jazz, soul, and old-school hip-hop breakbeats, Scott extols the greatness of her man with a swagger that can only be described as cool. Other highlights include "Family Reunion" and the socially conscious "Rasool."

The album's only flaw may be that it ends too soon, but then again it's always better to leave a listener wanting more. For Scott, being "Beautifully Human" means just that--finding the allure in all that life has to offer and that's well worth the wait. --Rashaun Hall ... Read more

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The great soul singer made his secular comeback with 2002's I Can't Stop, but Everything's OK is truly Al Green's return to form. Green left the concert stage for the pulpit in 1979, and while his pretty falsetto reading of Joe Cocker's "You Are So Beautiful" could easily be holy praise, he makes it clear in his asides that he's keeping things on a strictly earthly plane this time. Twenty-eight years after "Love and Happiness," these satisfying songs glide on those emotions as Green celebrates joy and carnal desire. He couldn't be clearer than in numbers like "I Wanna Hold You." When he sings about lovemaking his voice seems buoyed by helium, it's so light, high, and soaring. Green and producer Willie Mitchell made magic together at Memphis's Hi Records in the '70s with their mix of Green's buttery tones and ecstatic cries and deep percussion-, horn-, and keyboard-swathed grooves. They do it again here repeatedly, capturing the élan of their heyday on numbers like the title track and "Build Me Up." If Green's new missionary work is putting a little love in our hearts during these turbulent, conflicted times, this reassuringly titled CD is a great start. --Ted Drozdowski ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Memphis sound is back!!!
Al Green has always been a favorite of mine.I grew up with soul music as a staple.
I slipped this CD in and I thought I was back in the 70's
His style has not changed at all,I was impressed that he can still(with a little push) hit those same high notes he did when I was a young man.If you want to go back to the better times than this CD is for you.

STUNNING ORIGINALS = MASTERPIECE~BRAVO AL GREEN!!!
Everything is more than OK with this stunning collection of unforgettable soulfully charged classics...from the GREAT opening title song, it is clear that Al Green is back in all of his soulful magnificence and more..."You Are So Beautiful" is a ethereal spiritual experience while "Build Me Up" shows that Al Green is at the peak of his wonderous artistic powers! Standouts abound in this awesome collection of original classics and hopefully "The Grammy Awards" and "American Radio" will rise to the occasion of this stellar collection from one of the most brilliant and prolific singer/songwriters ever...this magnificent collection of great songs and tremendous performances define what true greatness is all about in the world of music..."I Wanna Hold You" is a funky jam with a vocal performance beyond compare while "Real Love" defines what great soul singing is all about and is one of the greatest soulful athems ever..."I Can Make Music" is spellbinding while "Be My Baby" is a classic rocking cooker and the soulful trip down the "Magic Road" has the feel of peak Motown at its finest..."Another Day" is totally infectious and contains a wildly passionate vocal that is the ultimate...Bravo Al Green~you are the greatest!!!

ULTIMATEVOCALTOUR-DE-FORCECLASSIC-VERY HOT!
"I Can't Stop" brought back Al Green to the forefront of great soul singers and Reverend Green really defines what great soul singing is all about...and "Everything's OK" cements this fact in grand style as it is a stunning set of great originals that find Al Green at the peak of his artistic powers!A masterful vocal with a grand sweeping arrangement make the engaging opening title track a magnificent opener...then on to a deeply heartfelt and sublime "You Are So Beautiful" and any lover of great soulful singing will be in seventh heaven!!!! This incredible collection of originals is all new and complex therefore it takes a few listens to fully appreciate all its nuances and the fastest way to appreciate this masterpiece is to sit down and relax and follow with the provided lyrics-it is a killer collection!!! "Build Me Up" is a great rhythmic love song that has fascinating tempo changes with an exhubertant and great vocal while the deeply soulful "Perfect To Me" contains a smoldering stellar vocal that is perfection...another soul classic "Nobody But You" and its clear that the Reverend is better than ever-those incredible pure highs are awesome to experience and behold and all the vocals on this set are loose, funky and incredibly inventive. Al Green always includes a down and gritty ballad that takes the listener to the heights and depths of soulful bliss and "Real Love" is that masterpiece in this awesome set...can't wait to see Al Green in concert in LA this summer with these classics!!! "I Can Make Music" and can he ever in this wild funky jam that is a sensual soulful delight which includes a really great harmonica by Bobby Rush that makes this one of the real highlights in a set full of them...a hot rocking invitation "Be My Baby" is another winner and any of these with airplay could be huge hits...I hope that American Radio gets it together on this one!A catchy "Magic Road" sounds like another hit as its a great trip down a very soulful lane...Al Green is a creative genius and anyone who gives this set a close listen will agree.A really classic infectious funky jam is the winning "I Wanna Hold You" which is another great defining moment of what great soul singing is all about with its incredibly great complex arrangement and a vocal that is peerless."And I think it'll be alright Another day" laments Al in the inspirational "Another Day" and you can tell he will...closing with the sublime "All The Time" with the hook "But I do my best all the time" and listening to this masterpiece that says it all!!!Bravo Al Green and lets hope that Grammy and American Radio rises to the occasion of your incredible accomplishment...

Everything is a Whole Lot Better than OK
This cd is truly Al Green in true form.'Perfect To Me' is my favorite song from the cd and it takes you back to the days when you would hear an Al Green record and no one had to say, "who sings that song" you knew it was Al Green. The same goes for Everything's Ok, this cd sounds like the Al Green I grew up on. It's good to hear some real music. The cd is a must have.

My god, what are these people smokin'?
Ok, I confess to being a long-time Rev. Al fanatic.That out of the way, I will confess to being mildly disappointed with the good reverend's last effort, I Can't Stop.It had it's moments as any Al Green CD would, but I didn't think it was up to his earlier classics, which I had worn down to the proverbial nub!I am now listening to Rev's Everything's OK for the first time--and you know what? Everything IS OK!!These people who are dissing this CD either a) aren't long-time fans, b) have some kind of problem with the classic soul genre, or c) are COMPLETE IDIOTS!!Don't waste one minute, buy this fabulous CD and BELIEVE!!! ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

Van Morrison went a long way towards defining his wild Irish heart with his first two classic albums: the brooding, introspective Astral Weeks (1968), and the expansive, swinging Moondance. If the first was the work of a poet, its sequel was the statement of a musician and bandleader. Moondance is that rare rock album where the band has buffed the arrangements to perfection, and where the sax solos instead of the guitar. The band puts out a jazzy shuffle on "Moondance" and plays it soulful on "These Dreams of You." The album includes both Morrison's most romantic ballad ("Crazy Love") and his most haunting ("Into the Mystic"). "And It Stoned Me" rolled off Morrison's tongue like a favorite fable, while "Caravan" told a tale full of emotional intrigue. Moondance stood out in the rock world of 1970 like a grownup in a kiddie matinee. --John Milward ... Read more

Reviews (124)

My Own Private "Moondance" with Van.....
This review refers to the Warner Bros. audio tape of Van Morrison's "Moondance"....

I have to confess...I bought this "fantabulous" album on tape so I could pop it in my walkman and have my own private time with Van Morrison, his band and the exhilarating music. But alas, I always get caught. The music and the lyrics are just ones that I can't help singing aloud with(you know...'LA LA LA LA... LA LA LA'...), and playing on my own air instruments!

The familiar and soothing voice, the soulful and oh so recognizable tunes, will "let your soul and spirit fly Into The Mystic". It's always "a marvelous night for a Moondance", and who could ever tire of "Come Running" and "Caravan". So 'rock your Gypsy soul', 'turn it up',and fall in love again to "Crazy Love".....'she give me love love love love...crazy love'.It'll 'seem like and feel like' a "Brand New Day" every time you play it.

All the great sounds of the vocals and the band, including the wonderful solos sound great on this tape.If you are just starting to collect Van Morrison, start with this one.It's definitive of his work and one that you just won't be able to get enough of... 'And so you know, it's got soul'(see buying info for complete list of songs)

Van..."Can I have just one more 'Moondance' with you"??? Just let me know and I'll "Come Running"....
enjoy...Laurie

It's a marvelous night for "Moondance"
Moondance is a wonderful album. Van Morrison is a truly gifted songwriter, not to mention his wonderful, yet unique voice. If you want to hear music that is more flash and glitz and commercialism, give Moondance a listen. Just reading the lyrics to this album could stir your soul. The lyrics are amazing, and the music is great too. In addition to the great acoustic guitar playing, bass and drums, Van has also added saxophones, flutes, clarinets and pianos to many of the songs, giving the album a rather distinct sound. My favorites are Come Running, Moondance, These Dreams Of You, Caravan and of course, the BEST song on the album, maybe Van Morrison's best song: Into The Mystic. This album would get 5 stars just for Into The Mystic even if all the other songs were bad. Fortunately though, that's not the case. Moondance is marvelous from start to finish.

Ice cold audio orange juice
It's not as complex, beautiful and enigmatic as "Astral Weeks" and it's not as much of a soulful, one-two-punch workout as "Blowin' Your Mind," but for sheer, consistent, horn-driven happiness, you can't do much better than "Moondance."

But because of my affection for those other two disks, I admit, I generally tend to underrate this album. But "Moondance" keeps coming back to me in the most unexpected ways at the most unexpected times: I'll hear "Caravan" in "The Last Waltz," or "Everyone" at the end of "The Royal Tenenbaums" or "Glad Tidings" three times in the "Sopranos" Season 5 finale, or notice "Into the Mystic" on the PA at the grocery store and be reminded that I need to let it out to play more often. That's the sign of a truly great musical work.

he got stoned all rite!
yo my parentz lissen tu dis cd! i mean theyre old, and i am an informed consumer uv hot topic clothing! so i must have a better taste in muzak, rite? i mean, da shtuff i lissen too is on da billbored chartz! like, American Idol peeps so bust Van da man fer rekord salez!

Excellent introduction in Van Morrison
I was only familiar with the Brown Eyed Girl and Gloria Van Morrison but bought this because of the strong 5 star rating with nearly 130 reviews. They are right. This is a great CD filled with easily listened to (not easy listening) music. The lyrics are absolutely heartfelt. The speed of the music fluctuates from not to fast to slow and cool. This would be great entertaining music for a small group of people or just for that one person. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Flawed CD
The VERY BEST of Ray Charles? I don't think so. How can you call it that when you leave off Ray's most beautiful ballad "You Don't Know Me." I'm trying to find a CD by Ray Charles that carries "You Don't Know Me," "Georgia on My Mind," "I Can't Stop Loving You," "Hit the Road Jack," "Unchain My Heart," and "Let's Go Get Stoned." Can ANYBODY help me?

It's The Very Best Indeed!
Hats off to Rhino for another winning single disc anthology that more than lives up to its title. There was a time I had about ten Ray Charles CDs and felt that, while all were worthy, it sure would have been great to have all the best key cuts from the length of his career on one convenient disc. And...here it is! Thankfully, Rhino opted to include the full-length version of "What'd I Say". The cool part about this set is the way you go from "I've Got A Woman" to "Georgia On My Mind" to "Hit The Road Jack" to "Unchain My Heart" in one sitting! Solid notes, decent remastering, all the key hits. What more could anyone ask for? The first and best place to get into Brother Ray's genius...

The Very Best of Ray Charles [Rhino]
The Very Best of Ray Charles [Rhino]~ Ray Charles is a tremedous singer, musician and entertainer. I loved every song on this stupendous compilation. 5/5.

Absolutely Essential
This is the Essential Ray Charles collection. A must have for any fan. It has the best of the best of his recordings.

Very Best Of Ray Charles In An 18-track CD? Can't Be Done
I would think that, after putting this together and then releasing it in 2000, the folks at Rhino likely wished they had come up with a better title like, say, "18 Of His Very Best." Because, quite frankly, I don't believe it's possible to squeeze the "very best" of Ray Charles into one 18-track CD.

After all, the man put 76 selections into the Billboard Hot 100 between 1957 and 1989, and from 1949 to 1993 added another 26 that scored only on the R&B Top 100 singles charts [most of the others charted on both].

As another reviewer points out, there are far too many notable omissions which, by any definition, would have to be included in anything labelled his "very best." For example, while track 5 was a solid R&B hit in 1959 [# 5], but a low # 95 on the pop charts, songs like You Don't Know Me [# 2 pop/# 5 R&B], Take These Chains From My Heart [# 7 R&B/# 8 pop], Crying Time [# 5 R&B/# 6 pop], Here We Go Again [# 5 R&B/# 15 pop], and Yesterday [# 9 R&B/# 25 pop] were smash hits on both.

However, if you can get past the title and just accept these as 18 of his very best it is a welcome addition to any Ray Charles collection. Five pages of informative background notes written by Bill Dahl, and several more shots of Ray, are augmented by a complete discography of the contents showing label and chart details and the musicians involved on each track. The sound reproduction is flawless. ... Read more

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Like the Beatles' The Beatles 1, this rundown of Stevie Wonder chestnuts is merciless in cutting a huge list of classic tracks down to a single disc's worth of the most recognizable. Anyone who's treasured even one or two of these songs and yet never bought a Wonder record will be more than pleased with the acquisition of The Definitive Collection. These records continue to ring with importance and history, but more important, all except two or three remain fresh and capable of surprising even veteran fans. Those listeners may note, though, that Wonder is among the few performers who could release a retrospective containing 15 No. 1 R&B hits and still invite the complaint that the album felt incomplete--not least in explaining how the man transformed himself from a multitalented teenage hitmaker into the funk-pop visionary of Talking Book, Innervisions, and Songs in the Key of Life.--Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (33)

Somewhat Overjoyed
Lots of classic Stevie is packed onto this single disc collection, no doubt about that. It's in chronological order, which means "Fingertips" kicks off the set--dating all the way back to 1962! A small handful of his early work is represented, including "I Was Made To Love Her," but this set really picks up steam in the middle with his brilliant work from the 1970's. Songs like "You Haven't Done Nothing," "Living For The City," "Superstition," "Higher Ground," "Sir Duke" and "Master Blaster" (actually from 1981) are all brilliant and rank among the very best pop and soul music from that period. Wonder's work declined a bit after that, and although "Part Time Lover" and "I Just Called To Say I Love You" were huge hits, they don't hold a candle to the great stuff mentioned earlier. If you're a casual Wonder fan and simply want the biggest hits over the course of his long career, this is for you. But a strong case can be made for the brilliant compilation "Musiquarium." Then go back and find a reasonably priced collection of his 1960's work. There won't be any overlap, and you'll have all the essential Stevie without any of his lesser works.

The definitive Steve Wonder htis collection...for now...
The first collection of Stevie Wonder hits came out in 1968, when he was still a teenager. Of course, as a pre-teen "Little" Stevie gave Motown its first #1 album. In retrospect 1968 turned out to be a pivotal year in Wonder's career, which began covering Ray Charles songs and whose first hit "Fingertips, Part 2" actually came as a pre-teen, because that was the year he finally started writing most of the songs on his album (e.g., "My Cherie Amour"). The Wonder years definitively come in the early Seventies when he was putting out albums like "Music of My Mind," "Talking Book," "Innervisions," and "Songs in the Key of Life." This explains why the middle part of this collection is the best. Stevie Wonder is one of those artists where an album like this presenting his best work should give you impetus to go check out his best albums. Certainly there are artists where a good hits collection is all you need to have in your music library, but Stevie Wonder would not be one of those artists whose distinctive blend of odd riffs, incessant modulations and unpredictable melodies take advantage of his three-octave range. Yes, if you have but one Stevie Wonder album "The Definitive Collection" would be the one to get, but you should also explore at least the middle pair of the above referenced quartet.

Stevie Wonder - The Definitive Collection
Stevie Wonder - The Definitive Collection~ Stevie Wonder is an amazing collection from a very tallented songwriter and musician. He is intelligent yet not prententious and seems to have great time making his music. A must have...

21 Songs To Adjust Your Mood
This collection is awesome!! Stevie Wonder's music remains timeless. 15 number 1 hits!! Plus 6 more that reigned at the top of the charts! Stevie Wonder's genius cannot be squashed into one CD but they did a GREAT job trying. We all may have our favorites, some have been left out BUT 21 Stevie songs is nothing to complain about. If you grew up with his music, this CD will transport you right back to that time, and leave you overjoyed. A time when EVERYBODY knew all the words to EVERY song, because EVERY cut on the album was great. If you were too young, you still won't be able to keep from groovin' to this CD. Invite some friends & family over. Through the burgers on the grill. Pop in this CD. Feet can't help but move, heads will be boppin', as everyone relaxes to Stevie Wonder's heart and soul he put into his music.

Also, the CD insert is worth reading. A good bit of trivia that they included was how each song rated on the R&B, Pop and Adult Contemporary charts.

left out a small number of good songs, but the rest is tight
Love this album, nearly every song is a gem ... Read more