Customer Reviews

Anthology

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

 

 

And it's the compilers with whom I have a problem. I own a number of anthologies and while they all don't necessarily present a singer's songs in the order in which they appeared, they are anthologies! ALL of the artist's work is presented with occasional exceptions for lesser hits, favored album cuts and the like. Patti soars on the songs here but where is "I Don't Go Shopping", "Little Girls" and "Down the Aisle" from the days when Cindy Birdsong, a future Supreme, was a backup singer? The former Patricia Holt does not let you down, but where do the packagers of "Anthology" get off representing this as a complete compilation of the great lady's work? Greedmerchants.

THIS CD IS EXCELLENT I CAN'T EVEN DESCRIBE IT HER "WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU" IS THE BEST TRACK ON THE 2-DISC SET. BUY IT!!!

Patti is one of the top three live performers in the world who always receives a standing ovation and her songs are legendary.

There are just so many ways you can make a decent greatest hits record. It can make, or mostly break a reflection of any artist who has defined a legendary career. Yet for so many acts, there are very few that have achieved that as a whole. For Patti LaBelle, she has been one of those few artists that has not only defined that for nearly 45 years, but has kept the beats going on and ageism in just pure dust. Yet, she has had some very well put hits collections out, but there are just very few of them that don't hit that mark very well in the long term. This collection is unfortunately one of them.

Patti LaBelle: Anthology is a double album that reflects Patti on her own as a solo act, with LaBelle, and when she started with The Blubelles. The double-album is scattered all around, mainly focusing in on her reign during her time Philadelphia International during the late 70's and early 80's. The collection includes some great classics such as I'm In Love Again, the soulful If Only You Knew, On My Own with Michael McDonald, her remake of the classic Over The Rainbow, and many other songs. Yet, while there is so much to choose from, the collection also has some very surprising downsides. The album overlooks a few great classics Patti recorded including the Beverly Hills Cop track New Attitude, Oh People, Yo Mister, and other great sonnets that may discourage some longtime LaBelle followers.

All in all, the 2004 Patti LaBelle anthology is fair, but not a well released collection of her material. Instead, I strongly suggest you pick up another Patti LaBelle hits collection such as her 1996 Greatest Hits instead of this compilation. This one, that doesn't feel like another one, just is one that misses the mark quite a bit and without the new attitude.

Album Cover: B-

Mastering: B

Songs: C-

Price: D+

Overall: C-

Another "Timeless Journey"
This musical icon just introduced her latest compilations in 04' entitled "Timeless Journey", which illustrates the longevity of this magnificent powerhouse. On the hills of such a wonderful production we are introduced to a collection of never to be forgotten masterpieces from the mistress of R$B commencing her early years as a solo artist. Unlike many other artist who's greatest hit cd's are pushed out to pasture because of failure to produce any other musis, this rare treat gives us a taste of the glory divine produced by the diva during her 3-decade rein in the industry.
Even though there has been countless "Best of" cd's this one covers a particular period of time such as Ms. Patti's stint on PIR and include some of her best covers. It also follows her through her Epic and MCA years. The songs on this cd combine those years for one powerhouse performance on 2 cd's
Such songs, which are rarely heard, as Love Lives, I Fell in love Without Warning, Shoot him on Sight, Over the Rainbow without Nona and Sara since they did it as a cover as Labelle, Lover Man, a fine tribute to Billy Holliday, are all staples to any Patti Fan.
Most peeps are familiar with her years at Epic and these cuts can be found on cd-2. The one flaw that I find in this collection is that it excludes "New Attitude" which was a big crossover hit for her, Stir it Up, and "Lady Marmalade".
Nevertheless, with so many "greatest hits, best of, and millennium collections, you are bound to find these songs on one of the fore mentioned.
What makes this collection more unique is that they are sifted from her vinyl years. I had this problem with some of her earlier material that I only had on albums and were not available on cd's. But finally most of those songs have been included on this collection.
Check out Patti's rendition of "If you don't know me by Now" It is the whole live version.