Customer Reviews

All-Time Greatest Hits

5 star:		(65)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you're planning to get this CD because of what you've seen and heard on Ally McBeal, I should warn you that the version of "You're the First, the Last, My Everything" is the "single-edit" of that song, which means that it does NOT include that oh-so-smooth spoken introduction ("We got it together, didn't we?....") that's been featured prominently in the show. If you want the whole song, you want to get "Greatest Hits (Vol. 1)," or the original album it was featured on: "Can't Get Enough." Other than that criticism, though, it's a very good collection--decent remixing, clear sound, and a good selection of songs that evenly breaks down the albums of the first decade or so of his recording career. Just not everything you Ally McBeal fans may want in a Barry White album.

I am eternally grateful to Alley McBeal for introducing the incredible music of Barry White to me. The name has always been familiar to me, but I'm not quite old enough to have been properly exposed to the man's music. After watching my favorite character John Cage psych himself up with Barry White music each week on television, I knew I had to have a Barry White CD, and it had to feature You're the First, the Last, My Everything. This All-Time Greatest Hits album, packing twenty hits from 1973-1979 onto one disc, pretty much sells itself. I know there are lengthier collections available now, but this remains the best one-CD ensemble of Barry White staples you will find. I do believe that several of these tracks are somewhat edited from the longer versions featured on the original albums, but I don't have a problem with this. I wanted an authoritative introduction to the man's music, and that is exactly what this album delivers. The original, full-length versions of his songs are all out there waiting for me to get around to buying all of his albums.

I really don't even know where to begin in terms of discussing these 20 tracks; every song on here is incredible. In the liner notes, you can see where each song peaked on the R&B and/or pop charts as well as find out the original album each song was taken from. The songs I am particularly enamored with are I'm Gonna Love You Just a Little More, Baby; Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe; You're the First, the Last, My Everything; Let the Music Play; You See the Trouble With Me; and Your Sweetness Is My Weakness. I might point out that two of these tracks are instrumentals: Love's Theme (which is instantly recognizable) and Satin Soul. On each and every track, Barry is just laying down that soul groove in his incredibly cool, untouchable way. Obviously, that deep, silky voice is famous for its romantic powers, but, speaking as someone with no one at this time to create the appropriate mood for, this music is also well suited for helping you mellow out and relax after a long day. When you need a little confidence boost, follow the example of Alley McBeal's John Cage; Barry White is the man. You don't listen to Barry White music; you experience it.

There are a number of Barry White greatest hits packages available in the market, the most recent being "The Ultimate Collection". I decided on the older "All Time Greatest Hits" compilation because it is the most comprehensive, including all of Barry White's 70s R & B hits and in chronological order rather than in the haphazard hit and miss way such collections are often presented. As the grandfather of heavily syncopated smooth disco soul of the 70s, Barry is without peer. Barring the opening Love Unlimited instrumental which has sadly lost its appeal through commercial overuse and consequently degenerated into muzak or jingle, the first half of the compilation confirms that for the kind of music he was making, Barry was peerless and could do no wrong when he was tearing up the charts. "I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More, Baby", "I've Got So Much To Give", "Never, Never Gonna Give You Up", "Can't Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe" and "You're The First, My Last, My Everything" still sound as fresh and terrific today as they did more than 25 years ago. But by the time we get to "I'm Qualified To Satisfy You", the listening experience becomes interminable because the songs begin to sound the same, except that they're of far less distinguished quality. Even "It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next To Me" which was something of a latter day chart stormer for Barry fails to impress. The slower "Playing Your Game, Baby" breaks the monotony momentarily to provide some relief but the CD's best moments have long passed. Covering Billy Joel's "Just The Way You Are" isn't a good idea. This is a classic case of less being more and the law of diminishing returns setting in once past the optimum point. While Barry White fans will no doubt disagree - and I symphathise - the casual listener may be better served by a more concise greatest hits package concentrating on his early smash hits. But you can't please everyone. "All Time Greatest Hits" is still a wonderful anthology of Barry's hit making years and great value for money. What more can you ask for ?

This CD has all the great hits you either grew up on or are experiencing for the first time. These are all great songs. My only problem with this particular CD is that some of the songs are cut. "Never Never Gonna Give you Up" is cut at the beginning, no symbols. "The First, Last everything" the monologue part at the beginning is cut off. "Can't get enough..." is also cut in the middle. I think it's the 45 edit. My girlfriend has a better CD version of his greatest hits and they aren't cut.

Not a great CD for the greatest crooner of all time. There are better versions of these songs on other collections.

The essence of soul is captured in this collection of grooves by the Maestro. Not only does his smooth bass voice resonate in the hits such as Can't Get Enough... and My First, My Last, My Everything. But he also slows it down on Oh What A Night for Dancing, as well as an excellent cover of Billy Joel's Just The Way You Are. If by chance you are the casual Barry White fan, You may not want to get to close, this disc will bring out the true Barry lover in you. To say this cd is hot is too much. Hot things seem to burn out quickly, instead Barry just simmers lasting as long as romance itself. If you want a quick fix look elsewhere. If you want Soul,R&B, and Funk wrapped in a pleasant package. You have arrived at your destination.

This CD is a good sampler of the maestro's material from early 70's to the end of that decade. The remastering here is excellent and it receives high marks for sound quality and the inclusion of Love's Theme in the compilation. The version of this cut is in its full format (unlike the truncated version on many various artists instrumental collections) However, almost all of the other cuts are edited single versions which by the way is not necessarily a bad thing but it does hurt in the case of Can't Get Enough. This version is weak and the drums and horns on it sound dull and muffled. The version on Greatest Hits Vol.1 is longer by about 30 seconds and the percussion sound much more full and crisp. The latter version is clearly one of the 10 best singles of the 70's. If it wasn't for this minor but important flaw, this CD would have rated five stars.

this man is pure genius.his string arrangements,and multi-guitars,drums,bass,keys and horns ring out his signature sound all the way thru.his writing is well known as is his voice.the man has been doing his own thing for many moons and very well.i don't watch ally mcbeal or any current tv show.i just know great music when i hear it and this is it.the song ectasy which though he didn't write has all his trademark qualitys all over it.

This compilation of songs is certain to put you in a melancholy mood. Barry has a subtle way of letting the woman he's talking to know exactly what he wants, without getting straight to the point too quickly. He tantalizes the senses, soothes the spirit, and calms the inner chaos, ever so slowly and deliberately.

The essence of soul is captured in this collection of grooves by the Maestro. Not only does his smooth bass voice resonate in the hits such as "Can't Get Enough... and "My First, My Last, My Everything." But he also slows it down on "Oh What A Night for Dancing," as well as an excellent cover of Billy Joel's "Just The Way You Are." If by chance you are the casual Barry White fan, You may not want to get to close, this disc will bring out the true Barry lover in you. It's White's intention that you should be with the one you love or for the one you want to swoon.

What more need be said; of the master of the love ballad. The strings & horns blend themselves very well into his work of art. Mister Barry White has the charm to soothe the savage beast in anyone! So "Heres" to the master of Swoon!!! Mister Barry White!!!

O and again...... Barry Whites "All time greatest Hit" is a pleasant package that should arrive to your destination.

If you ever feel romantic and decide to fill half your CD changer with recordings that set in the mood, there are three specific recommendations I have: Marvin Gaye's Let's Get It On, Al Green's Greatest Hits, and Barry White's All-Time Greatest Hits. I would suggest three other CD's to fill up the changer and thus make a perfect 6-CD collection, but I'm afraid that nothing else immediately comes to mind.

What makes Barry White's Greatest Hits so great is that the theme of each song is consistent. And that theme is hot romance to the max. Barry White has been able to deliver the message of love as only a true gentleman can. He commands it in a deep baritone voice that can drive the women wild as opposed to those squealing falsetto attempts that never really made it to first base.

Essentially a very thorough compilation of his 20 biggest singles that runs over 75 minutes, Barry White's All-Time Greatest Hits is missing very little. There may be slightly different arrangements in the original LP versions that some listeners might prefer otherwise, but for those who want a definitive collection of Barry White's works, this is about as good as you will ever get.

And some might say that unlike David Lee Roth's A Little Ain't Enough, you definitely can't get enough from this one particular disc. But let's be thankful that we do have this assortment, anyway.

God bless my freind, you will be missed.