The Best of Michael Franks: A Backward Glance

Michael Franks | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 29, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rhino Records
• ASIN: B001BAWKIS
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #248,818 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Popsicle Toes

2. Eggplant

3. The Lady Wants to Know

4. Antonio's Song (The Rainbow)

5. When the Cookie Jar Is Empty

6. Tiger in the Rain

7. Baseball

8. Love Duet

9. When Sly Calls (Don't Touch That Phone)

10. Your Secret's Safe with Me

11. When I Give My Love to You

12. Island Life

13. The Art of Love

14. Soul Mate

15. Hourglass

Editorial Reviews

2 CDs at one low price.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Frankly speaking ...., December 1, 2002

By 

Thomas L. Bennett (Indented Head, Victoria Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Best Of: Backward Glance (Audio CD)

If you haven't cottoned on to Michael Franks by now, it's time you wised up.

I heard "The Art of Tea" and "Sleeping Gypsy" at the one sitting in the late Seventies. I became an instant addict.

Eventually, my Michael Franks RECORD collection included every one of his albums. I'm now in the process of replacing the older ones with CDs.

I've only ever done that with a handful of discs (Pet Sounds, Sergeant Peppers, some Kenny Rankin stuff, and Miles' Quiet Nights ... oh yeah and Sinatra and Jobim)

Anyway, the Franks repertoire is cool, hip and sexy-smart. There's a hypnotic quality to the grooves - they seem familiar and you swear you've heard them somewhere else before. The lyrics are quirky, observational and intelligent - most of all intelligent.

Image Blossom Dearie a hundred years younger. If you love Blossom, you'll love Michael Franks.

If you've not traveled down the Franks road, then this greatest hits collection is a fair place to start.

But there's a danger here. Once sampled, you may find yourself on the right side of a Michael Franks' addiction.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Perry Como of the 'Boomer generation, June 2, 2001

By 

R. L. MILLER (FT LAUDERDALE FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Best Of: Backward Glance (Audio CD)

The above thought occurred to me when Como's passing coincided with a recent spell of Michael Franks listening on my part. My first impression of Franks was that, despite his skill at songwriting, he was a bit of a lightweight--I asked myself; "Who says jazz needs its own John Sebastian?" Anyone who has that initial reaction to Franks should do what I did--let him grow on you. It isn't an easy thing to do for rock fans, who are used to the first impression either hitting you or missing you by a mile--we're used to being figuratively smacked upside the head by our entertainers. But this album's a good start--the song you might already know is love song cum geography lesson "Popsicle Toes". Who can argue with the cleverness of a song that says the thing that turns you on the most about your lady is that she has cold feet? Which correspond of course to Tierra del Fuego? Franks' writing style is literate and tongue-in-cheek sexy and his talent for arranging shows the capacity to come up with whatever fits the song, rather than songs that all sound alike except for the lyrics and melody a la Barry Manilow. He can even come up with lyrics for another artist's tune (see "The Dream", based on the Yellowjackets' "Local Hero", found on his "Dragonfly Summer" as well as their live set). The singer-songwriter format is alive and well, and in Franks' case, better than ever. It's just that artists like him go more for staying power than short-term overhype.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best of the Best, August 3, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Best Of: Backward Glance (Audio CD)

Wow! I've loved Michael Franks' music since the 70's and this compilation expresses through each selection all my reasons why. It truly is the "best" of his magical, sensual style -- what an amazing collection on one CD! Every song could be considered his finest. It's delightful not to have to choose just one (although I'm quite partial to "The Lady Wants to Know"). Not only are you taking home Franks' playful voice on lyrics, but you are treated to Joe Sample's tinkling of the keys, David Sanborn's sexy sounds on the sax, Larry Carlton's fabulous way with his guitar, to mention just a few of soft jazz's greats. Would I recommend this CD? Yes, yes, YES!