Beautiful People: The Greatest Hits of Melanie

Melanie | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 30, 2011)
• Original Release Date: July 13, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Buddha Records
• ASIN: B00000JIL0
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,585 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Beautiful People: The Greatest Hits of Melanie by Melanie

This product is manufactured on demand using CD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An American Treasure, December 9, 2000

By 

K. Glenn "TangSongs" (Arizona, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beautiful People: The Greatest Hits of Melanie (Audio CD)

Melanie's been discounted unjustly over the years as a hippie flower child of the Woodstock era, mainly because of her record label's marketing but also because of her many peace songs and earthy style. This is unfortunate because Melanie is a songwriter of incredible style and wit and no one out there sounds quite like she does. This collection spans just about her entire career from the fans' favorite, "Beautiful People," which was her first single, through the quirky number 1 single of 1971, "Brand New Key," which many feel doomed her as a cute, one hit wonder, through a couple 1990s tracks, "Summer of Love," and "I Will Get Over." Melanie's other big hit, "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)," is here as well and what a song it is even today. The arrangement still sounds fresh in the year 2000 and Melanie's vocals are downright inspired and inspiring. A couple of cuts from her incredible but neglected 1974 album, "Madrugada," are included as well. "Love to Lose Again," should have been a huge hit for Melanie and her rendition of Jim Croce's, "Lover's Cross," is second to none. This is the compilation CD, along with 1999's, "Ring the Living Bell," to have of all of the compilation CDs out there of Melanie's music because it has been digitally recorded from the masters so the songs are as clear and resonant as Melanie's powerful voice.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Animal Crackers are in this year...", April 14, 2000

By 

Megg (Napa, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beautiful People: The Greatest Hits of Melanie (Audio CD)

WOW! I first heard MELANIE, when I bought the Boogie Nights Soundtrack, and heard "Brand New Key"and it was a song that was easy to learn and fun to sing, and my roomates and I sang it ALL over at our Art School. And its somethig we still laugh about. It wasnt until I bought the ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY : 1970 variety CD, and heard "LAY DOWN (candles in the rain) " that I realized, it wasnt at ALL about the simplicity in learning her lyrics, but the way her music just seems to wiggle its way into your life and nuzzle up to your heart. I have NEVER EVER in my entire life, heard a song, or voice, that makes me want to crawl up in bed and write in my journal, and then cry, and not shave my legs, and grow my hair long, and protest everything, and love everyone, and at the same time, just BE....BE content, BE happy, BE sad.........simply BE me. This CD will make you want to move around , and do ANYTHING BUT listen, because you will be petrified to let the words in, seeing how the melody, clings to your soul, and shakes it to the very core, and makes you feel as though you cant breathe. Yes...you should buy this CD, but only if you intend on expanding your CD collection with ALL of her CD'S, because MELANIE is the curve in my smile. She does that too you......listen to her, SHE will change your senses, and make you whole.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Digitalized, Re-Energized Melanie, July 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Beautiful People: The Greatest Hits of Melanie (Audio CD)

Finally, a compilation of Melanie's music that has been re-mastered digitally from the original masters, and apparently, from some masters that have just recently been discovered after being feared lost. What a joy it is to listen to some of these old chestnuts in brilliant stereo with crystal clear sound quality. In addition, there is a new cut of her fairly recent, "Summer of Love," which is quite good (though we'll let slide the kitchy faux audience cheering near the end), and the re-mixed, "I Will Get Over," from her 1993 effort, "Freedom Knows My Name." One wonders about the possibilities of commercial success if that entire album had been mixed as beautifully and professionally as this cut has been.

The joy in this compilation CD, though, is how absolutely fresh all of the songs sound, and most of the songs are 20 to 30 years old! Now: Melanie's fans could use a compilation album of her more obscure songs that are loved as much as these. Re-mastered digitally, of course! And how about a collection of her unreleased recordings? Their existance is well known and Melanie's fans won't rest until they are released on a collection as well. Re-mastered digitally, of course. How about it?