Customer Reviews

Brenda Russell - Greatest Hits

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a fabulous collection of soft melodic soul music from Brenda Russell's solo albums from 1979 through 1990. Brenda is an incredible talent that has unfortunately been for the most part overlooked. Her songs have been recorded by such talented performers as Luther Vandross, Joe Cocker, and Oleta Adams...to name a select few.

On the collection of 10 songs, there are two chart highlights. Her signature song is the exquisite top 10 "Piano In The Dark," which initially graces the collection. This a modern adult contemporary classic with Brenda's signature sultry vocals and features addtional vocals from Joe Esposito. It peaked at #6 on the charts in 1988 and earned Brenda a grammy nomination for best vocal performance, female. It is a timeless ballad that still graces many easy listening radio stations, even to this day.

The other major pop chart hit was her first chart song, "So Good, So Right" (#30) released from her 1979 self titled debut collection. The song has simple, spare arrangements which was reflective of the nature of her first album. Also represented from that album is the tender, "If Only For One Night" and the melodic, yet mediocre track "Way Back Then."

The title track to her 1990 set, "Kiss Me With The Wind," serves as a beautiful, feel good, and upbeat love song. Also included is the classic "Stop Running Away," a song that addresses domestic violence. On "Dinner With Gershwin," she playfully woos her mate indicating that his company is just as important than the company of many icons in our culture. Donna Summer recorded this for her "All Systems Go" album in 1985 and it was a minor chart hit for Summer.

"Get Here" is the title track that hightlights Brenda's wistful, seductive vocals as she urges her lover to return to her after a long time of being apart. This is one of her greatest songwriting accomplishments which was given a robust vocal interpretation from ex-Tears For Fears collaborator and diva Oleta Adams on her 1990 debut "Circle Of One." It was a solid chart hit for Adams peaking at #5 and earning Adams a grammy nomination as well.

The gorgeous, "Le Restaurant" is a consummate closer to this beautifully collection of well-crafted songs. It features David Sanborn on saxaphone. This is a tasteful mood piece that should have been a hit, but surprisingly wasn't released to the massses.

In her 2 decades in the music business, Brenda Russell has endured as a singer/songwriter crafting a series of quiet melodic classics. If you like light, middle of the road, catchy pop and soul music with a heir of elegance and style, the CD is a pleasant listening experience that is highly recommended.

My only criticism with the collection is its length. It is only about 40 minutes long. The colection only highlights 3 of Brenda's albums over an 11 year time period. I believe there are 2 others (the titles escape me at the present moment) that are out of print, which could have been represented here to make the collection more complete.

There are several omissions that would have enhanced the collection even more. "Gravity," was a minor chart hit from the "Get Here" collection that is missing. She also recorded several other projects: a duet with Al Jarreau "The Body Song" on a collection of socially conscious songs called "People," and a beautiful duet with Oleta Adams "Love Will Find A Way," which appears on the soundtrack to the Whoopi Goldberg film "Corina, Corina."

This compilation was a bit premature. In 1993, she released a very good collection of songs called "Soul Talkin'" that is well worth the bargin bin price! On that album, she expands her range and sings many upbeat tunes and lovely ballads about love and the perservation of the planet. Among its highlights are "Matters Of The Heart," "No Time For Time," "You'll Fall In Love Again," and "Who Are You" (a duet with Bobby Caldwell). This album is worth searching for.

For those who wish to keep up to date with Brenda, her current album is called "Paris Rain"(2000) which has been heralded as her most mature and sophisticated set that has international feel to it touching on many genres: adult comtemporary pop, rhythm and blues, torch, with a touch of jazz thrown in for good measure.

I bought the IMPORT version because it has 12 tracks instead of the USA version - 10 tracks. The extra two tracks "Gravity" and "In the Thick of It" are both great. "Gravity" was one song that I thought should have been a hit from her "Get Here" album but only "Piano In The Dark" was a hit. And what a huge awesome hit it was, still the best song from her by far, in my opinion. My second favorite song is "Le Restaurant", a light jazzy love story in song. Brilliant.

Given the fact that she's undeniably one of the best singer/songwriters of our time, it's almost incredible that Brenda Russell is so underrated and overlooked by many. "If Only For One Night", "Get Here", "So Good, So Right", "Le Restaurant" and "Stop Running Away" are timeless musical masterpieces which will make you a fan of this incredibly talented lady. The only reason why I did NOT give this fine compilation a 5-star rating is because its producers failed to include even one song from her 1981 LP "Love Life" (incredibly).

The Greatest Hits CD does have the radio hit 'Piano In The Dark'
and songs she's written that were made hits by other artists, "Get Here"-Oleta Adams, "If Only For One Night",-Luther Vandross and
"Dinner With Gerswin"-Donna Summer. A true Brenda fan [yours truly]
would opt for the ULTIMATE COLLECTION. Brenda Rusell has put
out many studio albums that never disappoint.

Good CD! The song titled "Piano in the Dark"...what a classic. This CD truly has the best of Brenda Russell's best songs.

from an underappreciated and underexposed talent. "Piano In The Dark" is nothing short of brilliant from both songwriting and performace perspectives. Plus, it's the long version of the song, not the radio edit. Worth it, and a great value.

Many people may not remember Brenda Russell but her voice it's unforgetable as her songs. Each song has no waste, it makes you sing each one of them and feel relaxed. Many of the singers in these days should listen to her and learn how sing, I recommend this product oif you want to listen good music and one of the best singers in the world.

Brenda Russell has such a smooth and silky voice. It's heaven to listen to. This is a good collection of her best songs (with the exception of Soul Talkin being left off this cd). Le Restaurant and Get Here are two of the better songs here, but the absolute stand out classic and stunning song is Piano In The Dark. What a song. That should be in the Hall of Fame for some kinda award because it's amazing and one of the best R&B songs in the universe.
You really should treat yourself to this great cd, because it's a great introductory way to learn about Brenda's work if you aren't familiar with it already, or if you are familiar, it's a good way to get your favourites onto one disc. And once more, let me say that you need to hear Piano In The Dark. I can't stress enough how beautiful that song is. I just wish that Brenda Russell was not so underrated.

I've been wanting to get this album for the longest time! It brings back many of the wonderful memories of my younger years. I'm glad I found it on Amazon! Shipping was quick, price was great!

I bought this CD for my husband and had never heard of the artist. I didn't think I would like it. However, after listening to it,I found it was a nice CD and that I liked it, since we have different taste in music.