Customer Reviews

The Best of Roberta Flack

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Every so often in the music industry, there is a alarming call for the need of quiet storm in the industry. I sometimes don't know why, but it is just that when a kind of format like Corporate Pop and Branded Hip Hop of people like Eminem, and 50 Cent, gets so overexposed it is sometimes nice to go back to the original flame in the industry that people have said died years ago. In the case, Roberta Flack is a safe flame. Her elegant voice is just one of the most unbelieveable ones I've recently heard, and it is just amazing.

Her Greatest Hits collection, Softly With These Songs, is a true revival of one of the most dynamic eras of our lives, the 1970's. With her elegant voice, Roberta has crafted some of the most beautiful songs in the industry. Songs like, Tonight I Celebrate My Love For You, My Foolish Heart, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, and Set The Night To Music. The songs are still as vital in this industry that a lot of people have kind of ignored for several years, until Norah Jones came along with Come Away With Me. Still, Roberta's voice is just one of the most elegant as you could expect from a talented diva.

Unfortuately, I gave the collection a 3, because it wasn't remastered very well. The music is great, but when they said remastered on the back of it, it seemed to be a joke at first. Hopefully, another Greatest Hits Collection should come out with Roberta Flack soon. In the meantime, enjoy the quiet fire.

Softly, gently, but persistently, Roberta Flack has spent more than half her life (she recently turned 60) creating a versatile body of work covering singer-songwriter pop, jazz balladry, and romantic R&B duets.

The most intriguing among "These Songs" are its first half-dozen, which placed Ms. Flack's atop the charts and Grammy nomination lists. "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," (featuring Ron Carter's near-perfect bass and featured in "Play Misty For Me"), Goffin-King's "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow," Lori Lieberman's "Killing Me Softly With His Song," and Flack's own "Feel Like Makin' Love" are sparsely arranged, richly sung songs of infatuation and vulnerability to lovers or even to music's seductive power. (Lieberman wrote "Killing Me Softly" after seeing Don McLean in concert).

Philadelphian and jazz historian Joel Dorn's production on "Killing Me Softly," Flack's biggest hit and a Grammy-winner, is notable. Listen to Flack's voice slowly enter echo at the song introduction, or to her wordless singing before the last chorus. What strikes you most, especially amid today's overemotive divas, is Flack's restraint with the confessional lyrics. Little wonder her music sold beyond the era's R&B balladeers to fans of Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon, and other singer-songwriters.

While "Softly's" first half is its most familiar, the rest of the set has more than its share of highlights. Flack was an empathetic duet partner who scored hits across three decades with reggae's Maxi Priest (Diane Warren's 1991 "Set The Night To Music") Peabo Bryson ("Tonight I Celebrate My Love," along with two 1980 live collaborations with Marcus Miller and Luther Vandross) and her classic 1970s duets with Donny Hathaway. You also get "And So It Goes" (co-written with Maya Angelou!) and the gentle Bacharach-Sager title song from the 1982 film "Making Love."

Sadly, Flack and many singers she influenced (Brenda Russell, Anita Baker, Sade) have been heard from little lately; even their older songs are restricted to "smooth jazz" or "groovin' oldies" radio. But despite missing one or two chart hits ("If Ever I See You Again" most notably) "Softly With These Songs" comprehensively collects the best from this genre-bridging artist and is essential to any 70s music collection.

Atlantic records held the best diva in the 1960's, Aretha Franklin. Sure enough, they did in the 1970's: Roberta Flack. She had the soul, the voice, and with great writers and producers. This collection is must, as it contains here greatest songs from 1969 to 1991. Of course, it has the best song, Joel Dorn's production of "Killing Me Softly With His Song" from Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel. Charles Fox is one leading writer of the 1970's and the 1980's, which is no surprise this song can put you in another world of your own. The best song with Donny Hathaway is also included, "The Closer I Get To You", which is another classic. Besides "Killing Me Softly With His Song", the best written song and thought provoker is "Making Love" from the 1982 film. It is a pleasure to see this song included, as it never hit the top 40 of the year, despite the fact it is a masterpiece. Another reason it is important to include this in your collection is that her other hit collections never include, since they are older, "Set the Night to Music" with Maxi Priest. Surprisingly, that is one of the best songs of the 1991. But then again, it is no surprise, since mastermind Arif Mardin produced it. Even the cover of this album is great, as Roberta's face is sincere and straight, similar to Phil Collins' on "Face Value". It is an indicator she is serious and a soul master with her music. Thanks for reading.

There is not one track on this CD that does not move you, delight you, break your heart and/or uplift you. I have been a gigantic R. Flack fan since her monster days in the early 70s, when she scored the biggest, Grammy-winning best songs two years in a row, and the hits we all know are of course fabulous. But the best recording, for my money, in this package of perfection, is WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME TOMORROW, the Carole King pop classic that takes on a completely new, incredibly melancholy and poignant feeling in this spare, stunning arrangement and vocal. Everyone should have this record in their collection -- it is timeless and elegant pop music at its supreme best.

This is a great Roberta Flack Compilaion Disc with most of her most memorable hit songs from the 1970s to the 1990s. Since this disc clocks in a full 76 minutes and 29 seconds, it is not possible to fit in any more classic hit songs ("Jesse," "If I Ever See You Again," "You've Got a Friend," come to mind.) I am happy with all the selections presented on this disc.

However, my only gripe with this package is the absence of any lyrics. No write-up of Roberta's music career. The 10-page foldout booklet only devoted 2 1/2 pages to the song listing - the other 7 1/2 pages are all black & white photos of Roberta that amount to no significance of anything. All these wasted space should be devoted to lyrics and background write-up.

Given the quality of these songs and the full use of the space on the CD, it still deserves a five-star rating. Highly recommended.

No "best of" collection is perfect. It usually has the sounds that did well in the charts. If you are really picky about the song choices, or if you think its too pricey, feel free to buy every album instead. Roberta Flack is an artist that is enjoyable on every track, even if it wasn't suitable for radio play. As these sets go, this is quite complete. Ten of the 17 tracks here are rock solid, including two of the best songs of all time: "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" and "Killing Me Softly With His Song". "The Closer I Get To You" is a classic track as well. What's missing? Not much at all. If I could, I would include "This time I'll be Sweeter" from the "Blue Lights in the Basement" album, but I have a personal attachment to that song and that album, as most of us do when music is playing during key moments in our lives. And frankly, Angie Bofill's version of "This Time..." a few years later is exceptional. The price of this set simply reflects the gathering of so much great music by this legend under one roof. I would recommend this highly, and also the Roberta Flack/Donny Hathaway collaborative album. Not the one in 1980, but the 70's one, with "Where is the Love" (included here), and "Be Real Black For Me".

Roberta Flack has been one of many talented artists in the world today. Her voice is one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard. The sound of her soulful and subtle voice is so relaxing that it will easily put you to sleep. In 1993, Roberta gave everybody the chance to relive their years when her music was first released and she gave us that chance by releasing "...Softly With These Songs: The Best Of Roberta Flack". Every song on this album is amazing and you'll see why.

THE FIRST TIME EVER I SAW YOUR FACE
From Roberta Flack's 1969 album FIRST TAKE. The first time ever I heard this song, I had chills running through my body. Her voice is so amazing on this song. This song will always remain a classic.

WILL YOU LOVE ME TOMORROW
From Roberta Flack's 1971 album QUIET FIRE. Beautiful cover.

WHERE IS THE LOVE? (duet with Donny Hathaway)
From Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway's 1972 album ROBERTA FLACK AND DONNY HATHAWAY (1972). My mother and father had always loved this song when I was growing up. When I was growing up, I never cared for this song, but now, I find the song to be another favorite of mine.

KILLING ME SOFTLY WITH HIS SONG
From Roberta Flack's 1973 album KILLING ME SOFTLY. This is another amazing classic. Everybody should know this song.

FEEL LIKE MAKIN' LOVE
From Roberta Flack's 1975 album FEEL LIKE MAKIN' LOVE. Not bad.

THE CLOSER I GET TO YOU (duet with Donny Hathaway)
From Robert Flack's 1977 album BLUE LIGHTS IN THE BASEMENT. Beautiful.

MORE THAN EVERYTHING (duet with Peabo Bryson)
From Robert Flack & Peabo Bryson's 1980 live album LIVE & MORE. Beautiful.

ONLY HEAVEN CAN WAIT (FOR LOVE)
From Robert Flack & Peabo Bryson's 1980 live album LIVE & MORE. Not bad.

BACK TOGETHER AGAIN (duet with Donny Hathaway)
From Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway's 1980 album ROBERTA FEATURING DONNY HATHAWAY. Roberta and Donny are back together again. Not bad.

MAKING LOVE
From Roberta Flack's 1982 album I'M THE ONE. Great song.

TONIGHT, I CELEBRATE MY LOVE (duet with Peabo Bryson)
From Roberta Flack & Peabo Brysobn's 1983 album BORN TO LOVE. I have always liked Peabo Bryson's voice, especially on his song, "If Ever You're In My Arms Again". This is another great duet.

OASIS
From Roberta Flack's 1988 album OASIS. By this time, Roberta started experimenting with an updated sound of her style of music. This song is one great example of her experiments.

AND SO IT GOES
From Roberta Flack's 1988 album OASIS. Not bad.

YOU KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE
From Roberta Flack's 1988 album OASIS. Not bad.

SET THE NIGHT TO MUSIC (duet with Maxi Priest)
From Roberta Flack's 1991 album SET THE NIGHT TO MUSIC. This is my favorite song off of this album. This is a classic song. You know something, this song would make an excellent prom theme.

MY FOOLIST HEART
From Roberta Flack's 1991 album SET THE NIGHT TO MUSIC. Back to her roots. Smoothly beautiful.

UH-UH OOH-OOH LOOK OUT (HERE IT COMES) (Steve Hurley's House Mix)
Original version from Roberta Flack's 1988 album OASIS. I like the original better. Sometimes, you should not remix a great song. If you do, do it right.

This is an album that puts me into full relaxation, but don't forget that Madonna's music relaxes me too. I didn't forget you, Madonna. You're still my favorite. But Roberta is neck and neck with Madonna in relaxing me after a hard day. Roberta has the most beautiful voice I have ever heard and this album helps you remember just how beautiful her voice is.

Roberta Flack deserved a far better remastering of her lovely songs than is represented by this inferior product. The equalization is poor overall, but in Killing Me Softly the bass amplification is a crime. I will be more cognizant of Joe Gastwirt's work on future labels.

Roberta Flack captures the celebratory nature of love in "Tonight I Celebrate My Love" and "Set The Night To Music." And the magic and wonder of love in "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face." Yet, in a song such as "Only Heaven Can Wait (For Love)," she also accepts that love can run its course, and there is a time to end it. And in "Killing Me Softly With His Song," she addresses the pain and regret of remembering a past love that didn't work out. "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow," one of my favorites on the album, speaks of the fear of losing love, and "My Foolish Heart," another favorite, tells of the quivering heart, the weak knees that love can bring about. She has a voice which can communicate all aspects of love, rich and husky, filled with expression and feeling. Her background musicians add a great beat. This CD is lush, reminding us all what a treasure a great song is, and a great singer. Reminding us all that, even as eras change, and primes are passed, some things always stay the same.

Although it has the radio-edit of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face", this is most likely the best collection of Roberta Flack's love songs to date. The only omissions which disappointed me were "Making Love" and "When You're Smiling" (from the "Dollar$" soundtrack). "Killing Me Softly With His Song" is just as devastating today as it was in the early '70's, when Flack was a glittering diva on the singles charts. "The Closer I Get To You" and "Where Is The Love" outlass the Carole King covers, and the Donny Hathaway duets didn't do much for me, but "Jesse" and the little-heard "If Ever I See You Again" (sort of a rewrite of "You Light Up My Life") are priceless heartbreak.