Essential Collection [Import]

Lesley Gore | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 18, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Polygram UK
• ASIN: B0000256GY
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #44,699 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #82 in Music > Pop > Oldies > Girl Groups

Track Listings

1. It's My Party

2. Jusy's Turn To Cry

3. She's A Fool

4. You Don't Know Me

5. That's The Way Boys Are

6. I Don't Wanna Be A Loser

7. Maybe I Know

8. Hey Now

9. Sometimes I Wish I Was A Boy

10. Look Of Love

11. All My Life

12. Sunshine, Lollipops And Rainbows

13. My Town, My Guy And Me

14. I Won't Love You Anymore(Sorry)

15. We Know We're In Love

16. Young Love

17. Califonia Nights

18. Summer & Sandy

Editorial Reviews

The pop vocalist's first 18 chart hits for Mercury from 1963-67, and in chronological order. Includes 'It's My Party', 'You Don't Own Me', 'Judy's Turn To Cry' & 'Sunshine, Lollipops And Rainbows'. 1998 release.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All the essential hits and most of the minor ones, September 27, 2004

By 

Peter Durward Harris "Pete the music fan" (Leicester England) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Essential Collection (Audio CD)

Even in her American homeland, Lesley didn't have many hits. In Britain, she only had two hits (It's my party and Maybe I know) and only the first of them is famous. Nevertheless, compilations of her music continue to be released at regular intervals.

This particular compilation has all the essential hits, these being It's my party, Judy's turn to cry, She's a fool, Maybe I know, You don't own me, Sunshine lollipops and rainbows, Look of love and my personal favorite, California nights. Most of the other songs here were minor American hits -minor in terms of chart placement but major in quality. You know the way pop music goes - once singers are deemed unfashionable, radio schedulers ignore their music.

Selecting a compilation among a choice of several is normally a tricky business. With Lesley, it's simple - the cheapest is the worst and the most expensive is the best, with the prices of those in between reflecting their quality. So (for example), this compilation is superior to the 12-track 20th century Millenium compilation but not quite as strong as the 30-track compilation, Start the party again, which one of my friends has reviewed. The only way to improve on that is to go for the double-CD (Anthology, now apparently out of print) or the 5-CD boxed set, both of which I reviewed a long time ago.

With 18 tracks, this compilation is probably just right for most people seeking Lesley's hits of the sixties.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure Talent, December 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Essential Collection (Audio CD)

This Lesley Gore collection really shows that even in her early teens, this girl could sing! Besides her choice of materials to record, all the arrangements are full and compliment Miss Lesley's voice and style.This collection reflects her hits but she was and is so much more then just the hits. Any recording by Lesley showcases a gifted and talented singer and a superb master of her voice. I feel that in today's market, she can show these new arrivals what it is all about. All they really have to do is listen and they will learn. I give this CD collection 5 stars!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet Innocence, October 2, 2005

By 

Bobby Underwood "starlighthotel" (Manly NSW, Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Essential Collection (Audio CD)

Lesley Gore embodied the teen angst of growing up and navigating the turbulent waters of young love. She was hugely popular with girls and boys. She was either your friend or your girlfriend and everybody felt they knew her. Her wonderful songs captured an innocence that would soon be lost for the youth that adored her as Vietnam loomed like a dark cloud on the horizon.

I've had several of Lesley's albums over the years and almost everything that was great about her is here on this one. It is the perfect blend of bubblegum and teen sincerity. I pop Lesley in whenever I'm feeling a little nostalgic and it never let's me down. She was beach parties and surfers riding the big wave, going steady and having your heart broke for the first time. From the upbeat and melancholy to the sweet, this one covers it all.

Good music can come in a lot of forms, and this is definitely good music. It's easy to listen to and will leave you feeling better than you did when you put it on. How much music do you own you can say that about? We'll surely never see this blend of youth and innocence ever again, but it certainly is nice to know we can go back and remind ourselves what was great about the 60's.

You'll have difficulty finding anyone who doesn't like Lesley and you will also if this is your first listen to her. It's more than worth the purchase price for this much enjoyment. You don't want to miss this terrific music.