Customer Reviews

B.J. Thomas. 22 Classic Tracks. CD Double Play

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

 

 

Well, I'm writing this review AFTER I got my CD, and I'm really unhappy. It says, right on the cover, "All Original Recordings." Baloney. These are not the original recordings, but re-recordings done later. There are obvious differences in Thomas' vocals, the instrumentation, etc. Is it badly done? Not necessarily. I suppose if you're a die-hard B. J. Thomas fan you'll find this a decent set of alternate recordings for your collection. But if you want the original songs you do not want this CD. My review and rating are based solely on this CD not being what it claims to be. For shame.

This CD seems to be a combination of old and new versions of some of B.J's great songs. B.J. Thomas has an incredible voice when at his best, and had the knack of selecting wonderfully melodic songs with great lyrics, especially throughout the 60s and 70s. Unfortunately the new recordings on this CD lack the energy and sincerity of his originals, both in terms of B.J's vocal performances, and in regard to the arrangements. Why you would want to change such gems as this man's originals of

These are NOT the original tracks that we all heard on the radio. They sound like primitive rehearsal tracks with marginal singing, bad orchestration,and different arrangements.

Do Not Buy This CD --- or on second thought, please buy mine.

Forrest

Thomas is appreciated here as I have 19 of his albums in my collect. The reviewer who left a one star rating is NOT a fan but surely something less.

Over the years, can anyone guess had many times Thomas sang or recorded: Raindrops, Hooked On a Feeling, Billy and Sue, Rock & Roll Lullaby etc....Nobody, including Thomas himself I'm sure.

For the obsolete nut jobs...who want the every same song, over and over again, year after year is filled with baloney! Waiting just a week and you'll have a different vocal, we're not machines buckaroo's. The instrumentation will change. Engineers and producer's will have different inputs to the sound that we finally hear.

These package deals or greatest hits will have different sounds as the engineer or compiler lays down the tracks with different levels (volume) or use different technical equipment as dictates by the times. Record companies have many different version of the same song by any particular artist that they'll offer to license. This collection is a 'bargain bin' type collection from a no name company, I'll readily admit.

An awful lot has changed in the 43 years since Thomas first hit (Hooked on a Feeling*) and to say I only want the first 1968 recording is your right but go get that album from that record company. Who to say the same song recorded in 1969 is any better or worst?

*Note: I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry was a big hits in 1966 for Thomas but was a re-record of Hank Williams hit of 1949.

Having heard various B J Thomas tracks on radio over the years and liked them I thought it time I bought a CD. I chose the one with the most tracks that I had previously heard/enjoyed although there were others which I hoped I would also like. Unfortunately this wasn't the case and I would regard about half of the 22 tracks as not very memorable. However, the sound quality was excellent and at the price paid it worked out about $1 per track that I liked and I regard this as good value.

Whereas purists might cry foul at re-recordings, I have enjoyed this collection for years. Some of the tracks are the original versions. In fact, I don't think anything really sounds inferior. And frankly, 22 tracks from such a talented voice at a bargain price makes for a good value. Plus, there are a few rare gems here, such as the haunting Jimmy Webb-penned tune "Song for my Brother."

Just as I remember them on vinyl. Great sound quality. If you want to bring back memories a must.

I forgot about some of this music so its pretty cool having it again after all these years

I am writing this before I even receive my CD. He has been one of my favorite singers for over 20 years. I have all his old records and want to get a started on a CD collection. This will be my first selection. I can't wait to receive it!