Customer Reviews

I Am Woman: Long Hard Climb

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I LOVE THIS CD!! It has been years since I heard either of these albums in their entirety; I originally had Long Hard Climb in the 8-track format, and played it so much I had to replace it. Even though I was very familiar with the material, I was not prepared for the crystal clear sound from this remastered edition. Little harmonies and musical flourishes that I had never heard before! If you like Helen Reddy's music ( and what Baby Boomer wouldn't!?! ) this is a definite MUST-BUY!!

If you grew up in the 1970s, you'll be aware of HELEN REDDY as a pop vocalist. During that decade, she hosted THE MIDNIGHT SPECIAL and was frequently a guest on the major talk shows with JOHNNY CARSON, MERV GRIFFIN, and MIKE DOUGLAS. She even appeared on film (playing a nun in AIRPORT 75) and was nominated for an OSCAR for her rendition of the title song in PETE'S DRAGON. Her vocal styling made an impact on the pop sound for female vocals in the early part of the 70s. She won a Grammy for her anthem; I AM WOMAN thus becoming a part of 70s pop culture. This compilation combines two of her strongest albums; the Grammy winning I AM WOMAN and the chart successful LONG HARD CLIMB. The CD is an educational experience in "the sound of the 70s". Pure pop that could be mellow! This CD should be considered as an "add to collection" for all serious collectors.

Besides Perry Como nobody has done "And I Love You So" quite as beautifully as Helen Reddy. It was the right voice for the right song, with just the right accompanyment.
Definitely worth the price of the album.
Also, "Oh Babe, What Would You Say" is a great addition.

i lived in pueblo colorado in 73 when this album was popular and the radio station there played I DIDNT MEAN TO LOVE YOU and said it would be the next single. it would have been the third single so it never did make it . but it stands as one of the most heartfelt and beautiful songs of all time. helen had a brief but incredible chart life. her version of THIS MASQUERADE is still one of the best. and this grammy winning album still shines. helen we miss you. you are woman!.

I just want to say I just recently got Helen Reddy's I Am Woman/Long Hard
Climb & Love Song For Jeffrey/Free & Easy CDs

I have been waiting years for her albums to be re-issued to CD so when I was looking into Amazon for music and
thought well just let me try Helen Reddy and see what thousand of
compilations are on offer and so to my amazement I saw these two CDs and
ordered them right on the spot.

The funny part is when these 4 albums were first released I was between
the ages of 7 to 10 and did not get into her music until I was a teenager.

But after not hearing these songs for over 20 some odd years and after
experiencing life I am listening to these songs in a whole new light.

I guarantee these CD are brilliant and they have been re mastered so the sound is so clear and Helen's vocals are crystal clear!!!!

I can't wait for the next 2 for 1 release!!!!

For fans of the under appreciated Helen Reddy, the wait has been far too long for these two wonderful albums to be reissued on CD. Thank God for the cool reissue label Raven for unearthing these buried treasures. Too bad that Capitol never saw the potential in giving one of their label building artists' catalogs the reissue treatment it deserves. I Am Woman and Long Hard Climb are without a doubt Helen Reddy's two finest albums. Sans beating the drums of the Top Ten hits from these two albums the majority of the non single tracks are absoulute gems by top notch songwriters of the time such as Leon Russell, John Sebastian, Buffy Sainte-Marie to name just a few. Ms. Reddy's version of Hit The Road Jack alone is worth the price of this CD. If all you have ever owned by Helen Reddy are the abundant various standard hits packages, then treat yourself to this 2 on 1 CD and truly experience what a gifted versatile artist this Australian songbird really is. Bravo to Raven Records for this long overdue Helen Reddy reissue. Keep em comin'

I love Helen Reddy! After years of just owning her hits collections, I finally get to hear not one, but two, of her original albums! Two great albums on one CD!

Of the two, "I Am Woman" is my favorite album. I really like her versions of "Where is the Love" and "Hit the Road, Jack". The title track has always been a favorite, as well as "Peaceful".

The CD sounds terrific! It has been digitally remastered and the quality of the recordings is fantastic!

All Helen Reddy fans and music lovers will love this CD!

I was not a fan of the song "I Am Woman" BUT I was a big fan of arranger-conductor Artie Butler so I bought this album when it originally came out. This album works!! Many thanks to producer Tom Catalano (Neil Diamond) and engineer Armin Steiner who worked wonders capturing Ms. Reddy's voice in songs that suited her range, tone and feelings. Absolutely wonderful arrangements of Kenny Rankin's "Peaceful", Leon Russell's "This Masquerade", and especially Don McLean's "And I Love You So", Paul Williams' "What Would They Say", the Roberta Flack/Donny Hathaway hit "Where Is The Love" and the centerpiece of the album, "I Didn't Mean to Love You" co-written by arranger-conductor Artie Butler. As much as I admire Dionne Warwick, her version of this song does not even come close to matching the loveliness and sadness of Ms. Reddy's version. An equally wonderful version of the Ray Charles hit "Hit the Road, Jack" and a beautiful "Where Is My Friend" make this album a underrated classic. Again, many, many thanks to Artie Butler for creating a magical setting for Ms. Reddy. Ms. Reddy, You Are Woman...and we were lucky to have such a classic to enjoy again and again.
Long Hard Climb was a more varied album with selections from Paul Williams, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Peter Allen and John Sebastian. The title song, by Ron Davies stands out from the rest. Listen and enjoy!

I have been waiting to buy this album on CD for years. Finally, the wait is over. All I have ever been able to find are the 'greatest hits' packages. I hope that Raven records continues to release Helen's other studio albums particularly my favourite, Love Song For Jeffrey. She was such a huge seller in the seventies. I have never understood why she is so underrated.
Thanks Raven records, you're number !

Wow -- I've be waiting a long, long time to get these albums on CD -- and 30 years after release they're finally here -- 2 great albums on one CD. So different and refreshing, that pure voice still gets me with its inflection of humour. Nothin' beats Helen Reddy for picking me up at the end of hard day. I love 'A Bit OK' played loud in the car and 'Long Hard Climb' is a sumptuous ballad (also done by Maria Muldaur). Let's hope her other albums follow soon -- in particular Ear Candy and 'Lets Sing in the Sunshine'