Be Yourself Tonight (Reis) [Original recording remastered, Extra tracks, Original recording reissued]

Eurythmics | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 15, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered, Extra tracks, Original recording reissued
• Label: Legacy/RCA/Sony BMG
• ASIN: B0000CFXNR
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,229 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Casting off their rep for digital iciness, the Eurythmics got Be Yourself Tonight over on electric fire and the fluttering warmth of Annie Lennox's voice; the first two seconds of "There Must Be an Angel" are the prettiest seconds ever recorded. In fact, it's essentially a deep soul album in white-English-geek drag, from the Stax horns of "Would I Lie to You" to the guest shots by Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder to Lennox and Elvis Costello doing their best Marvin and Tammi impression on "Adrian." But the style points wouldn't matter without great songs and this disc has some of the band's finest: the best feminist anthem ever written, rockers that dig their heels in deep, and love songs fueled by real longing and joy. --Douglas Wolk

This edition has been digitally re-mastered from the original analog master tapes by Eurythmics mastermind Dave Stewart, with input from collaborator Annie Lennox. In addition, there are six bonus tracks: a mixture of b-sides, remixes, and previously unreleased material (notably a cover of the Doors' "Hello I Love You"). The packaging is a redesign orchestrated by Laurence Stevens Design, the firm who art-directed all of the original releases, while the thick booklets contain rare photos and insightful, new sleeve notes.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Soulful sounds, January 7, 2006

By 

Pieter "Toypom" (Johannesburg) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Be Yourself Tonight (Reis) (Audio CD)

The classic Be Yourself Tonight has now been enhanced by extra tracks and reissued in deluxe packaging with new photographs. I think the album was intended as the band's excursion into R&B and Soul, but it's much more than that in its stylistic variety, exquisite musicianship and moving songs.

The sonic delight starts with the uptempo Would I Lie To You, followed by the delicate pop of There Must Be An Angel, and reaches a climax on the duet with Aretha Franklin, a brilliant tour de force. Conditioned Soul is another gem with beautiful intricate and dramatic guitar infusions and Lennox at her vocal best on some of their most poetic lyrics.

Not as resigned as Savage, Be Yourself Tonight still has an undertone of sorrow, as in the tender Adrian. A great slice of 80's R&B follows in the form of It's Alright, followed by the most sorrowful of all, the entrancing Here Comes That Sinking Feeling with its doubled-up vocals (one set sounding like it's spoken over the telephone) which gives it an eerie feel.

The bittersweet Better To Have Lost In Love, is another highlight, haunting in its blend of hope and sadness. Some of Eurythmics most literate and profound work is found here, but it's serious stuff and not always as accessible as their other masterpieces like Sweet Dreams or Revenge.

Then again, it's nowhere near as difficult as In The Garden or as bleak as Savage. Be Yourself Tonight is an album of real soul. Of the additional tracks, my favorites include the French song Tous Les Garcons Et Les Filles and the remix of Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Soulful Annie and Dave, January 14, 2006

By 

Tom (Toronto) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Be Yourself Tonight (Reis) (Audio CD)

It's easy to forget the contributions of the Eurythmics to the pop scene, particularly in the 80s, but listening to "Be Yourself Tonight", arguably one of their best albums, you realize they had a knack for creating great pop hits ("Would I Lie To You?") but they could cross musical boundaries effortlessly -- electronic, synth, pop, soul, rock, and gospel can be heard here, and they come together seamlessly.

This album features some of the Eurythmics finest pop hits including the hard-rocking "Would I Live To You?", the shimmering "There Must Be An Angel...", the feminist anthem "Sisters are Doing It For Themselves", and the infectious "It's Alright (Baby's Coming Back") which was not as popular as the previous three songs but stands on its own.

You could say this album has a warmer sound than the previous Eurythmics albums because of the move away from machines to guitars and a live sound, plus the appearances of Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder, who appear on the album, which is one of the reasons why the album is often referred to as their "soul/Motown/R&B" record. There are also some great album cuts including "I Love You Like a Ball and Chain" and "Adrian".

The remastering on this is excellent and the additional cuts are interesting, but the original album is the real deal.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Pop Album of the 80's?, January 6, 2006

By 

DAJ (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Be Yourself Tonight (Reis) (Audio CD)

This record could plausibly lay claim to being the best pop album of the 1980's. It relies heavily on the backbones of Motown and 60's British Rock, which are the foundations of Anglo-American pop music, without ever being immitative or reductive. "Would I Lie to You," "There Must Be An Angel" and "It's Alright (Baby's Comin' Back)" are all superlative pop singles, and the latter provides a direct link with Annie Lennox's most important predecessor, Dusty Springfield.

While "Sister's are Doin' it for Themselves" has never been one of my favorites--I find the lyrics to be rather trite--there is no doubt that it is one of Eurythmics perennially popular tunes. And "Conditioned Soul" and "Adrian" are two of the very best Euryhmics songs never to be singles. Add to this the inclusion of their very best b-side, "Grown Up Girls," and you have a great remastered album.

With this album, Eurythmics became a rock band, and reached the peak of their powers. It is the one Eurythmics album that sounds like a universal people-pleaser. Not as experimental as their first three, but in no way less interesting, entertaining or satisfying. A truly superb pop album.