Customer Reviews

Collection

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

One of the most distinctive and powerful voices in the music industry, it's a shame that this is the only collection of his solo work so far (not counting the "Greatest Hits" import, which is basically the same songs with a few added on that this version ommitted). I guess I was looking for more of a greatest hits or something, than a B-sides overview that this should be considered as, which is probably why I'm being a bit harsh.

The remakes of the songs he performed with Chicago are OK, but would have been better to have put them in a box set or something, not using up the space of three tracks on an eleven-track disc. The age-old wisdom holds true here, "you don't mess with the classics." I don't fault him for trying to update the sound, it just didn't really fit with what he's been doing as a solo artist.

I enjoyed the duets: "Next Time I Fall" w/Amy Grant; "Feels Like Heaven" w/Chaka Khan; "(I Wanna Take) Forever Tonight" w/Crystal Bernhard--although his voice really overpowers hers; but especially the inclusion of "After All" w/Cher--very happy to see this here. And the new songs were pretty good, too, with "Do You Love Me That Much" grabbing my attention the most.

For a stronger collection, that would brought more satisfaction to his listeners (and probably bigger sales), they should have included "Glory of Love", "Big Mistake", "Daddy's Girl", "Only Love Knows Why", "One Good Woman", "Heaven Help This Lonely Man", "Restless Heart", "Even a Fool Can See", etc. To avoid having to hit the SKIP button you pretty much have to pick up his other cd's and burn your own compilation of favorites.

Some bright spots here--completists will need it for the new songs and "After All" (unless you have the Cher greatest hits cd). Otherwise hope for a future "Best of..." release from Mr. Cetera.

This is a good CD, but if it turns out to be Peter Cetera's only "collection," future civilizations will know him primarily as a duet master. "Duets and Remakes of Chicago Tunes" would have been a more apt title for this CD, because such excellent (solo) songs such as "One Good Woman," "Even a Fool Can See,""Glory of Love," and many good album cuts, are not included on this disc. The three remakes of Chicago songs aren't better than the originals, and aren't that different. "She Doesn't Need Me Anymore," a new cut, is excellent, and unfortunately didn't garner the airplay it deserved. Bottom line - a good CD if you're a Cetera fan, but if you can only buy one of his CDs, get "World Falling Down" or "One More Story" instead.

This collection features 11 love songs by a truly gifted adult contemporary singer/song-writer. Some of the songs are re-makes of old Chicago tunes ("If You Leave Me Now", "You're The Inspiration"), some are duets with famous female pop stars ("Next Time I Fall" with Amy Grant, "After All" with Cher), and two are new releases ("She Doesn't Need Me", "Do You Love Me That Much"). However, this is not my favourite Cetera collection since it is missing some of his biggest hits and only contains ballads; yet it's a worthy buy nonetheless. His "Greatest Hits" collection is a much better mix of slow and up-beat songs, and is worth purchasing if only for the pleasure of hearing that ballad-to-end-all-ballads, "Glory Of Love".

This collection features 11 love songs by a truly gifted adult contemporary singer/song-writer. Some of the songs are re-makes of old Chicago tunes ("If You Leave Me Now", "You're The Inspiration"), some are duets with famous female pop stars ("Next Time I Fall" with Amy Grant, "After All" with Cher), and two are new releases ("She Doesn't Need Me", "Do You Love Me That Much"). However, this is not my favourite Cetera collection since it is missing some of his biggest hits and only contains ballads; yet it's a worthy buy nonetheless. His "Greatest Hits" collection is a much better mix of slow and up-beat songs, and is worth purchasing if only for the pleasure of hearing that ballad-to-end-all-ballads, "Glory Of Love".

This release of some of Mr. Cetera's greatest solo work, along with a few remakes of his best songs with "Chicago" is definately synonomous with his whole career....wonderful. After a very successful 17 1/2 year carreer with Chicago, he desided to spend less time touring and more time with his family and has blessed us with many popular solo hits. He now has collected just a few of his past hits, and given a new twist to some older songs which have left in us many good memories. This collection has left me with a great tast in my mouth, and has been in my CD player non-stop for 2 years straight. All of you who think this release is sub-par need to get your ears cleaned out and realize that when you listen to Peter Cetera's music, your listening to one of the best voices ever on earth. I guess that's why all the people that have downed this CD havn't had a successful music career and never will.

This collection of Peter Cetera's and Chicago's most famous songs is the best CD I have ever listened to. It contains songs which go right under your skin and send shivers down your spine. Peter's voice is as intense as always and creates an atmosphere of intimacy few vocalists are able to create. There are songs for every mood, so you can listen to it not only when you are down and out and want to indulge in your sadness but also when you are madly in love and sitting at the fireplace with your sweetheart. So if you haven't bought it yet, do it now !

All I can say is that when I first heard this song I going through a breakup of a girl that was my whole world. I didn't know who it was singing it or anything. All I knew was that he was singing everything that was on my mind. Years later I found out that it was Peter Cetera. I haven't really heard any other of his songs but all I can say is that it really helps. I actually did get to get back together with her and it was "like before" Well I'm going through a breakup with her again and it's still my song. I don't know where it came from but I'd just like to say to Peter "Thank You for your help!"

For the record, I grew up when Peter Cetera and Chicago were having hit after hit in the early to mid 1980s and *hated* Peter Cetera's voice. His falsetto put me on edge, and it annoyed me that I knew the words to as many of those songs as I did. Then a bride-to-be requested "She Doesn't Need Me Anymore" as the father/daughter song at her wedding and I found myself grudgingly ordering Peter Cetera's "Collection."

The songs were all re-recorded. Gone was the staccato falsetto, replaced by a smooth and very listenable singing voice. While this album will never make my Top Ten of Anything list, it is pleasant. Songs like "If You Leave Me Now" and "You're the Inspiration" are now quality adult contemporary listening instead of schlocky 80s cheese. I never thought I would be able to say that I enjoyed hearing Peter Cetera's voice, but these re-recordings have made me say just that.

I've been a Chicago fan since the mid-1980's, when I was in high school. I've always felt that Peter Cetera brought a balance to the group, writing songs that were more mainstream than the rest of the members. I wasn't the least surprised when he launched a solo album and had a very successful career that lasted through the early 1990's.

This album is basically a collection of ballad material from his second solo release "Solitude/Solitaire" up through new material at the time of this release in 1997. Cetera has always delivered a commanding performance and his songs are enjoyable to listen to; however, I've never been much for his duets primarily because I didn't enjoy listening to the female singers. The exception to this is the duet with former ABBA lead, Agnetha Faltskog - I've always enjoyed her voice. It's all a matter of taste, so please take it with a grain of salt.

Three new numbers are remakes of Cetera's glory days with Chicago: "You're the Inspiration," "If You Leave Me Now," and "Baby What A Big Surprise." Gone are the warm French horns in "If You Leave" and the brass in "Big Surprise." Call me stuffy and rigid to change, but the updated versions are too sterile, with pre-programed "snaps" and simple instrumentation. Then again, who am I to criticize - he wrote them and can do with them as he wants.

One additional tune is ABBA's "S.O.S." Surprisingly, the duet is not with one of the ABBA ladies, but with country singer, Ronna Reeves. It's pleasant enough to listen to, but having grown up with the original to compare it to, this version didn't do anything for me.

So....if you're a Cetera fan and need to complete a collection, you'll want this album. If not, buy his studio releases instead. Having listened to three of his solo works, I can confirm that not only will you get more variety, but a better idea of Cetera's output. Best of luck.

Because it has three of my favorite songs. I wish they could include more of his very popular songs like "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" and "Glory of Love". And I would really love to have a collection of his original versions.