Customer Reviews

Complete Collection

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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I didnt know what to expect from this box set of Lisa's work, but I am very pleased with it, if not extactic! All of her albums are here, with new liner notes and packaging. The CDs are Digi-Packs, with new cover art. The insides of the CDs are simple, they contain the CD with a booklet that fits into a slot inside of the front cover. Each booklet has something written about Lisa that focuses on her mind set and how the songs were composed for that particular album. This set also contains a seperate CD that has some rare and remixed songs on it. The box is simple and has Lisa's name on the front,it holds all 6 CDS nicely. All in all, this set is excellent, and I am happy to see it finally released. This is your best chance to find her music this side of the Atlantic, as her music rarely touches our shores. I highly recommend this set, believe me, it is well worth the money!

Each cd comes with nice pocketbooks with lyrics.Bonus songs are nice additions and the box set brings back a lot memories. I got it for $42 from a used cd place but much to my surprise it was in a brand new packaging.Her latest cd "The Moment" is one of the best releases as well.

I really dug Her voice&found Her to Be a solid Artist&when She truly put Her feelings into a Song you felt it.She wasn't generic.this Box Highlights alot of Her strongest moments&it's sad that She kinda got forgotten because Her Voice is way more Soulful than many acts out now who are getting so much hype with half the Chops Lisa Stansfield has.

While this box set CD is mana from heaven for Stansfield fans, I really wish they would have splurged and put out a bonus CD of really RARE remixes from the 90s that never made it onto CD - for example, the 11-minute US remix by DJ Mark 45 for ALL AROUND THE WORLD - NEVER officially available on CD anywhere except a promo 4 min edit...or the MORALES mix of WHAT DID I DO TO YOU?...or the MASTERS AT WORK remix of SET YOUR LOVING FREE...or the FRANKIE KNUCKLES remix of CHANGE...I could go on & on - this is the kind of CD that Lisa Stansfield fans hanker for - so why doesn't Arista/BMG finally listen up? Mine the catalog while you still have fans actually buying your CDs instead of downloading - hello?! Still, the box set is value for the money, and a nice place to collect (mostly) all of Lisa's greatest moments.

When this box set finally arrived I felt like a kid in a candy store. I couldn't wait to hear all of the bonus material, especially the Live/Rare/Mixed CD which you cannot find anywhere to buy. Eventhough I already have all of Lisa's Cd's I had to buy this box set for the great bonus material. Boy, was I glad that I did! However, I really would like to see ALL of Blue Zone's material released, their "Big Thing" Cd is great too by the way. Oh, and just to plug Lisa's "The Moment" newest release to date, that one is really great as well.

From the moment I got a sneak preview of the "Affection" album before it was released domestically, I knew that Lisa was special. Frankie Crocker began spinning "All Around the World" on WBLS in the fall of 1989. The station lit up with request. Arista UK had delivered their first superstar. I had already fallen under the hypnotic spell of "All Around the World". (Ironically, around that time I was indeed traveling all around the world for my career. And as with a lot of people, love seemed elusive, so the lyrics and the music spoke to me). Her manager at the time, Jazz Summers, was the dynamic presence on the European scene. Lisa could not have chosen a better manager to launch her career around the world. They would eventually part ways but not before her career was blazing from Europe to Asia to these shores.

To my pleasant surprise,, the entire "Affection" album was indeed infectious. Songs like "You Can't Deny It" , "Sincerity", "Live Together" and the beat boxed title track were on perpetual replay in my Cd player. Jazz had the vision to capture as much of Lisa on video as possible. Both of her initial releases had video counterparts. The sold out U.K tour of the "Affection" was captured in a live concert video. Lisa immediately demonstrated that she was the real deal by being letter perfect in her delivery of the songs from the album. She would reveal on the "Real Love" home video that her initial influence was none other than the Diva, Diana Ross. In fact, the Devaney/Stansfield/Morris copyrights owed some homage to the Jobete copyrights.

If there was any question about how deep my "Affection" for Lisa would run, "Real Love", her 2nd album solidified that point. "Real Love" would be my favorite of her endearing body of work. The European video for the first single, "Change" was fashion forward but apparently too forward for the American market so she shot a 2nd video that was more slanted to her musicianship. Whereas the apple bonnet cap would be a signature for the first album, Lisa wisely moved on from that look and transformed herself with European fashion stylings. The "All Woman" video would be a cinema verite. Lisa acted and emoted in this video and was quite compelling. That would become her 3rd #1 R&B U.S. single from 2 albums. "Affection" was certified double platinum in the U.K. and the U.S. bringing her sales over 2 territories to over 6 million. The title track, "I Will Be Waiting" and the seriously sensual "Make Love to You" all contributed to making "Real Love" a personal face.

"So Natural" her 3rd album would be unfairly misjudged by the American marketplace. Despite songs like "Wish it Could Always Be This Way", "Goodbye" and the theme song from "Indecent Proposal", "In All the Right Places" were well received abroad and though not as alluring as it's predecessor, "So Natural" would eventually receive a U.S. Cd release in late 1993. Lisa's strength as a music video star contributed greatly to making this album receptive. The videos all had an international flare filmed in Italy, Spain and Portugal.

She rebounded in the U.S. market with her next self titled release. "Real Thing", "The Very Thought of You", "Honest" and "Suzanne" found Lisa in fine voice. Once again, video played a hand as her revealing, arresting video for her take on Barry White's "Never, Never Gonna Give You Up" to maximizing this projects appeal. She would walk away with another Gold certified release.

"Face Up" once again found resistance in the states though "Let's Call it Love" and "8,3,2,1" were vintage Lisa. Prior to that she enjoyed more global exposure with "Someday, I'll Be Coming Back" from "The Bodyguard" soundtrack. This maintained her visibility in the states. The video for "Let's Just Call it Love" featured Lisa looking a little more reticent.

Then came time for her greatest hits compilation, "Biography". Once again the full length video counterpart reminded everyone of how special an artist Lisa had become. The compilation video is wonderful escape fare illiciting memories of worldwide travel and romantic adventures.

So here is "The Complete Lisa Stansfield" for novices and fanatics alike. A truly wonderful affair with unreleased songs like "Apple Heart". It does not come cheaply but it is worth every moment. The only downside is that it is reminder how much Lisa is missed on the scene.

Not one wasted note! The only other vocalist who comes to mind when I listen to Miss Stansfield is Aretha Franklin. Like the best of Ree Ree's recordings from the 60s and 70s Lisa's voice is in lock step with her soul. There are singers, there are song stylists and then there are vocal artists. Miss Lisa Stansfield is the latter.

This Box Set Has Lots To Offer!!! The Sound Is Much Better & The Bonus Cuts Are Very Nice To Have!!! This Is A Must Have For Every Lisa Stansfield Fan!!! I Have 90% Of This Material But Still Bought This Set For The Remastered Quality!!! Lisa Is One Of The Most Under Appreciated Artists Here In The States (How Sad)!!!! Do Yourself A Favor And Pick This Up!!!