CD-Charts Position 1
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Greatest Hits & Rarieties

by: Brenda Holloway

Release Date August 10, 1998
Every little bit hurts was not typical of T M at the time.The song was by an outside writer Ed Cobb who was one of the 4 Preps and it was covered by Cilla Black as well as a few groups like the Spencer Davis one.A classical sounding song with an aching melody which suited Cilla Black but not really groups like the Small Faces
By the time a new single was issued it could have been anybody.When I'm gone was to my mind rather a poor My guy soundalike.
Later came a single called You made me so very happy-which was good enough to have been a Goffin-King one but its cover by Blood Sweat & Tears is what made the song famous
Her sister Patrice was on the Capitol label and cut a single called Love & Desire-which was nearer the ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
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The Essential Sarah Vaughan

by: Sarah Vaughan

Release Date February 15, 2003
Some rave about Ella Fitzgerald, her tonal purity and mirth, but say she could lack emotional depth (not sure I agree). Some rave about Billie Holliday, but have to cede that she had a narrow range, although she was a groundbreaking stylist. Sarah Vaughan was the third great female voice of jazz, and believe you me, she lacked nothing!

This album is a wonderful budget introduction to one of the most remarkable voices of all time. Her range and her sheer musical intelligence are unsurpassable.

CD-Charts Position 3
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Hits Collection

by: Dusty Springfield

Release Date February 28, 2000
If you were born in the late 1940's to early 1950's then you will be more than familiar with Dusty Springfield. She was on TV more than most, (and we only had 3 channels), and out of the 21 tracks on here virtually every one of them was a single. It's one of those great CD's where, even if you have a lousy voice, you put it on and find yourself singing along. Dusty may have been more for Mum's and Dad's at the time, but growing up when her hits were around, I find I enjoy this album more now than ever before. Nostalgia. That's what it is. And Dusty's unique voice is better than any around today!

CD-Charts Position 4
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Gold - All Her Greatest Hits

by: Ella Fitzgerald

Release Date February 03, 2003
If you want just one or two of Ella's CDs ... then it should be this "Gold - All her Greatest Hits" and "Ella and Louis Together" (and if you can have the third, please make it "Ella in Berlin [Live] - Mack The Knife")

I have most of her CDs, and I can tell that the person who assembled "Gold - All her Greatest Hits" and "Ella and Louis Together" loves Ella so deeply. The songs he picked and the song order are of the absolute perfection. If you are after compilation CDs of Ella, look no further.

This "Gold - All Her Greatest Hits" is a wonderful CD if you want music that has full of passion, elegance and serenity at the same time. Specially. her 'Manhattan' is the best of all (naturally). I have heard this song by many other singers, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
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The Essential Billie Holiday

by: Billie Holiday

Release Date September 02, 2002
I love Billie Holiday and have for a long time.
Her voice haunts my soul every time I hear it, it reminds me of the first time I heard it in a cafe in Soho London, time seem to stand still as she sang "Strange Fruit".
This box set is a perfect start to her music and you can see the all other music from jazz to hip hop flowing through it, if you have never heard her sing then I plead with you to buy this boxset and start a journey that will take you to new highs.

A good start to female jazz vocals and from the queen herself.

CD-Charts Position 6
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Hound Dog - The Essential Collection

by: Big Mama Thornton

Release Date July 05, 1999
I love Billie Holiday and have for a long time.
Her voice haunts my soul every time I hear it, it reminds me of the first time I heard it in a cafe in Soho London, time seem to stand still as she sang "Strange Fruit".
This box set is a perfect start to her music and you can see the all other music from jazz to hip hop flowing through it, if you have never heard her sing then I plead with you to buy this boxset and start a journey that will take you to new highs.

A good start to female jazz vocals and from the queen herself.

CD-Charts Position 7
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The Best Of The Mamas And The Papas

by: Mamas & Papas

Release Date October 23, 2000
Listening to the Mammas and the Papas was a real nostalgia trip but how I hate CD's with tracks that fade out before they finish, it totally spoils the experience. I have a vision of a man behind the stage at a live performance turning a big volume control down leaving the group playing and singing silently to a bemused audience. Had the tracks all been full length I would have given this CD 4 stars.

CD-Charts Position 8
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Little Dreamer

by: Beth Rowley

Release Date May 19, 2008
Was wondering what to buy recently when I saw a review of this album and an interview with the singer in a sunday magazine.Turns out that this is a brilliant album,and has traces of blues,gospel,pop,country,and a touch of the brilliant Karen Carpenter about it.

Stand-out tracks for me include the intense deep gospel of Nobody's Fault But Mine and One Cloud,and the lighter yet still uplifting pop of So Sublime and i Shall Be Released.

A varied collection then in some ways,yet with a pleasing undercurrent of blues running throughout the whole album to string it all together and give it a sense of identity.

Really uplifting and at times extremely powerful! For once the hype may be justified!

CD-Charts Position 9
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Essential Collection

by: Muddy Waters

Release Date August 07, 2000
Depend who this is supposed to be essential do-the newcomer to the Urban blues which influenced the British blues bands or essential as the biggest songs are here.Big via other people not especially Muddy who I don't think troubled the pop charts.
Which is besides the point-the pop charts are only a mirror to public taste.
In the U K Muddy waters was represnted in the 50s by a solitary EP which retailed at the same price as Cliff Richard or Elvis so it died a death and was only there because Decca were licensing product from Chess having only just obttained the catalog.
Muddy Waters was also a very unlikely artist to aim his music at the charts for the simple reason that while he may have introduced Chuck Berry to Chess he was not aiming his music at teenagers ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
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Rockferry

by: Duffy

Release Date March 03, 2008
Much has been made of this album and the singles lifted from it, particularly the now grating 'Mercy' (surely a candidate for most annoying pop single of the year). Dont get me wrong I quite liked this when I heard it for the very first time but after a being force fed it by the radio several times I suddenly realised how weak it was. Its trying too hard to be something it is not ie a classic 60's pop song, its simply a pale approximation.

How she has been compared to the legendary Dusty Springfield is one of lifes great mysteries it must surely be simply a visual thing. Otherwise its like comparing cheap wool with silk. Will she be remembered in 30 years time? I doubt it.


If you like weak retro songs with little depth or substance sung by a pretty ... Read More: