Customer Reviews

Air Supply - Greatest Hits [Arista]

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

This is a very dated collection of greatest hits. It was released back in 1983. At the time, it probably was a very good greatest hits collection. It contains 9 songs that do capture the best of what Air Supply offered during this period. Since then, there is a more complete collection called "Ultimate Air Supply" that will give you every song offered on this CD - and more (including post 1983 material). I bought `Greatest Hits' as a way to start my Air Supply collection about 20 years ago.

The Liner Notes are thin. There isn't much insight you are going to get into the band from this particular CD. But the liner notes, do tell you who participated on what instruments and vocals on the songs, however they fail to tell you what album the songs are from. The songs really aren't sequenced in order of release (which I like to see on a Greatest Hits CD).

For the most part, the portfolio of songs you expect would be on this CD. The only song that is missing from this period is "Two Less Lonely People in the World". Perhaps this is due to the fact that this was released at the beginning of the CD period and this was really more of an LP release, so there was limited space to include songs on LP. The song does include a new song called "Making Love Out of Nothing at All". This is a high point of the collection. Usually "new" songs on a Greatest Hits collection are average, but this one might be one the best songs that Air Supply ever released. Some interesting notes on this song is that Jim Steinman, the man behind Meat Loaf's `Bat Out of Hell' collection produced this song. The song almost has a Steinman theme to it with all of the keyboards. The song also has a Bruce Springsteen influence as E Street Band members Roy Brittan does Piano and Synthesizer and Max Weinberg does drums. Finally Rick Derringer does guitar work Who would have thought a Jim Steinman, Bruce Springsteen, and Rick Derringer influence on an Air Supply song???

This song really marks the peak of Air Supply's creative and commercial success. After this, they never achieved the type of success that they had in the early 80s.

Chances are, if you do get this CD - you probably are going to get it either used or at some sort of bargain sale. And if you can get a good price on it, go for it. Otherwise I'd recommend the 'Ultimate' collection is the way to go as the way to start up your Air Supply collection. Air Supply is a great group and the content is still there on the CD. My advice there are better places to start with Air Supply.

You have to respect the genius of a group that can, without having to resort to using thunderous guitars (Megadeth, Pantera)or earth shattering bass (almost all modern R&B groups)still somehow grab your very soul and take it for an emotional ride not letting go until the very last harmonic crescendo. "Air Supply: Greatest hits" sets out with a very defined mission. To allow the listener to experience the deepest levels of romantic expression in the most addictive way possible. And man does it ever deliver. From one tune to the next it is never difficult to open your heart and let it cry out in joy, remembrance, longing and even youthful arrogance. To let it join in the soaring melodies of pure unadulterated, and unashamed realities of the feelings that can grow from love. (Almost ninety percent of Air Supply's songs include "love" in the title). Never before has a group been able to succeed so completely in that very common of goals. Listen to it and find out how much feeling is waiting just around the next spin of the disk.

I've never really been a great fan of the band but I have to say that I did like "Every Woman in the World" and "All Out of Love" when I first heard them and for these reasons and possibly because the 9 tracks probably represent the best they have ever done this is a good compilation for the casual listener or those who are curious and looking for a sampler of the band.

The sound in this cd isn't that great given the many other remastered versions out there and so I'd recommend you get those instead if you have more than just a passing curiosity of the band. To put it another way, if I could do it over, I'd not get this cd but some other more recently remastered release.

Overall, as examples of great musicianship and/or songwriting, I suppose Air Supply never were but as syrupy love-song crooners, few could outdo them during that very brief period in the early 80s.

This is a collection of classic songs from the group whose work has been described by Billboard magazine as "awe inspiring". If you even mildly like Air Supply or if you were alive on Earth in the early 1980's, you will recognize the songs and it will be hard to avoid singing along. Don't leave this website without it.

This CD was one of the best recent purchases I've made! I have only had it a few weeks and I must have listened to it at least 6 times already. I graduated from high school in 1980 and this music brought back some great memories of actually being on my own and just starting college. I am only a little embarrassed to admit that I love the mellow tunes and sweet lyrics that defined Air Supply. Any music that can instantly transport you back to a time of fond memories; making your own decisions, old boyfriends, and great friends, is worth having in your collection. One especially nice characteristic of this CD is that the selections maintain a continuos mood. You can get wrapped up in it and stay there for awhile because the songs are similar in tempo and content. It may be a little sappy for most guys, but I think women, especially in their 30's (yikes!) would enjoy it.

Go to no other. This is the essential collection. All the songs you know and hate to admit you love are on this CD. Why buy a CD with extra songs that you don't want?

Their vocal abilities far surpass any ballad crooner today. Truly smooth vocals pierce at the heart with its strong lyrics and melodic arrangements. No need for vocal acrobatics or strained caterwauling.

This is the most worthy of the collection.

It's too bad there are only 9 songs on this album. But the 9 that are here are bound to be familiar to anyone who grew up in the 80's and bring back a lot of memories. I know they did for me. Maybe to some people these days, these songs may seem a bit sugary and sentimental, but what the heck, it's still good music. And contrary to one reviewer, I don't find anything wrong with the sound quality at all. Recommended for all fans of Air Supply and 80's pop.

You know you remember these songs. You know you love them. Don't hide from it! Embrace it! Sure they were probably singing the songs to each other, but you can't deny that you sang along! It is so rare to own a CD where every track is a winner, but this one is a precious jewel! Sure it's incredibly 80's! Sure you'd be embarrassed if someone pulled this out of your collection at a party and started playing it, and do you know why? Because this CD is the greatest guilty pleasure of the 80's! Duran Duran? Men at Work? Frankie Goes to Hollywood? They all take a backseat to these voices and these songs!

This CD is amazing! EVERY song on it is fantastic!
I am soo happy I bought this CD.
I recommend it to anyone who likes air supply or has never listened to them before. 5 stars!!! :)

A nice compilation of some of their early, more popular songs. I'm a bigger fan of their later material, but everyone has their opinion. This is, admittedly, very sappy. But hey, if you're a fan of AS's 80's stuff, I'd reccommend "The Definitive Collection." (You get more songs.) Russell Hitchcock has that special clarity in his voice, you can understand every single word he sings. This, coupled with Graham Russell's voice (also very nice) and songwriting skills, makes for a great band. Worth a listen!