Customer Reviews

The Best of Brook Benton: 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

if you buy an album by Brook Benton, look for the Originals.
There are many albums, where the songs were done anew, and are not like I remember them in my mind. Not bad, but not like the old ones.
This is an album with all the originals, Wonderful CD, a great joy.

I only knew of Brook Benton from his Rainy Night in Georgia song. I love that song so much, that I decided to buy the entire CD. And unlike so many CDs of today, this entire CD was excellent. This type of music is just so "charming"... While all of the songs were great, IMHO Rainy Night really stands apart from the rest. That song stirs up such feelings in me, and it really paints a picture. I've never been to Georgia, but when I hear that song, it's almost like I can visualize and feel the place that Brook was singing about.

The songs on this CD are all memorable, done in Brook Benton's own style. You will not be disappointed. After several years of being off the charts, he recorded "Rainy Night in Georgia" written by Tony Joe White ("Poke Salad Annie") and reminded us all that he still had the talent. There are some tunes missing here that would have enhanced this CD but perhaps they were recorded for another record company. There has to be a reason "Revenge" and "Walk on the Wild Side" are not included as the latter was used in a movie by the same name. Anyway,as stated, you will not be disappointed by the songs that made the cut.

Rainy Night in Georgia is My Song.A Friend of Mine told me about Brook Benton years ago.i have been Hooked ever since.His Voice is Strong&The Songs still Sound Great to this day.he is worth checking into.a True Soul SInger.

A MOST 'GENIUS' OF ARTIST! THANK YOU FOR 'WONDERFUL SITE'! THE 1962 FILM. "WALK ON THE WILD SIDE' STARRING JANE FONDA, LAURENCE HARVEY, CAPPUCINE, AND BARBARA STANWYCK. SHOULD 'BROOKE BENTON' BE ADDED TO THAT LIST? HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR YRS FOR THAT RECORDING! THANK YOU, L. ALLEN

Brook Benton's voice had a potency and intimacy all its own. When Brook sang, you listened. Moreover, you listened carefully, because his voice invariably expressed the slightest of nuances in each and every word he sang. This CD offers us a great opportunity to become more familiar with some of Brook's greatest hits.

The CD showcases Brook as a crooner with the opening number entitled "It's Just A Matter Of Time." His voice is vibrant and displays his broad vocal range. As with many other Benton hits, Clyde Otis' musical arrangement stuns you with its memorable string section. Awesome!

The CD speeds up for the next hit, "Endlessly." Brook professes his undying love for his woman and again Clyde Otis' musical arrangement complements Brook's performance flawlessly. "Thank You Pretty Baby" has a great beat to it and Brook's voice conveys all the affection he feels for his woman. "Thank You Pretty Baby" possesses a masculine strength to it at the same time, too.

Brook shares the spotlight twice with Dinah Washington on this CD. Together they sing the playful and romantic numbers "Baby (You've Got What It Takes)" and "A Rockin' Good Way (To Mess Around And Fall In Love)." While Dinah maintained that she and Brook didn't exactly get along too well; but you would never guess it on these two tracks. Their chemistry is very convincing--I wish they had done an entire album together!

Brook even sings a novelty song on this album entitled "The Boll Weevil Song." This track charms you with its playfulness and it enhances the quality of this CD.

Other great songs on this CD include the romantic "Fools Rush In" and "Lie To Me" which Brook sings with The Merry Melody Sisters on backup vocals.

The CD ends with the classic "Rainy Night In Georgia" performed by Brook with Cold Grits. This memorable ballad features Brook's voice from his more seasoned years and the melody is beautiful, too.

The liner notes have both color and black and white photos of Brook; and you get an excellent picture of Brook and Dinah Washington rehearsing together. Stu Hackel contributes an informative essay about Brook as well. You get the song credits, too.

I ordinarily complain that the 20th Century Masters label never puts enough material on their CDs. Their CDs are budget priced; this is true. However, they once again had more time to add at least one or two more Brook Benton songs to this CD. Unfortunately, I must take off a star for this flaw. This will be a four star review.

Brook Benton shared his gift with us and we are all better off because of his wonderful contributions to the arts. I highly recommend this CD for Benton fans and people who want to get a strong introduction to Brook's artistry. People who enjoy pop and R&B music from the 1960s cannot afford to pass over this CD. Great job, Brook!

Beautiful music by a wonderful talent. Put on this CD and sit back to relax and dream. Great buy. BHamilton, below Savannah Ga.

This Cd is great. All the old songs of Brooke Benton. Good Quality.

No collection is complete without this soulfull classic by the late, great Brook Benton. I just wish his version of "Nothing Takes The Place Of You" would be on this cd, but nevertheless, this is a good lineup of his greatest work. It's so wonderful to know that his classic duet album with the late, great Dinah Washington "The Two Of Us" is on a cd too !!

A year ago I was in a dirve thru McDonalds with this CD playing "It's just a matter of time." Not only did the young window guy, who heard it coming from my car appreciate the sound, he called over a co-worker to listen, too. Capturing an era--those high pitched background singers and violins with the soul soaked intensity. This is music. This is the best.