Customer Reviews

Essential

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This CD contains the best of the DURAN DURAN remixes available, and it's clearly a must for fans because, it's an excellent package of pictures & liner notes in addition to the music. And, there are a few benefits of ownership when you hit the Duran Duran Web Site as well.

I own both this and "Strange Behavior". This gets 4 stars because it omitted the [excellent] remix versions of "All She Wants Is", "Notorious" and a few other later songs -- and I suspect that this is why "essential -|- night songs" is no longer in print (more people opted for the expanded song selection on STRANGE BEHAVIOR than the unique packaging & web-access offered on this CD).

A minor point here: I also wish that the verison of "New Moon On Monday" had been placed on the same CD as the rest of the music. But at just over 70:30, the main CD is certainly not "too short", by any strech.

Like DURAN DURAN "Decade" which featured superior packaging, but was superceded by "Greatest" which featured more songs, this CD, sadly, has not remained commercially competitive. On the plus side, people who did buy it have what is arguably one of the best dance and pop CD's available.

I debated giving this 5 stars, but decided that if it is not good enough to keep in print because it was "outcompeted" by a more comprehensive set, then 4 was all that this CD package merited (if AMAZON.COM ever goes to a "10-scale", this one's a "9"). The 5 star rating would be merited if the remixes of "All SHe Wants Is" and "Notorious" were included here -- but then the package would be so good that fans might not ever buy anything else...

This is the CD I've been waiting for since CDs started to be created. Duran Duran's music and remixes epitomize the 1980s. From the title of the CD, yes it is essential for you to have.

In the 1980s I was (and still am) a huge Duran Duran fan. I bought everything from trading cards to posters to magazines to pins and even a satin jacket. The one thing I was obsessed with having were the extended mixes of their songs. Being a teenager and under the drinking age, I never was able to hear these in a club setting and rarely on the radio. However, they were available in my local record store in the import section on vinyl. I can remember taking my allowance and getting the next extended mix that I didn't have from week to week.

This CD contains extended mixes of their hit songs as well as a bonus disc for "New Moon on Monday" which can only be listened to after visiting their official web page. This disc worked when the CD was first released in 1998. I have recently contacted the official web page to find out if they have a way for people to listen to this disc now since it is for Windows 3.1 and 95 and the web page doesn't reference this compilation. The CD also has a booklet attached to the cardboard case containing the story of Duran Duran with some early photos as well as during their tour in 1983-84.

When buying and listening to this CD remember, these are not what you heard on the radio in the 1980s. These are extended re-mixes of the songs. If you are a fan of 1980s re-mixes and a Durannie, then this is the CD for you!

On This CD, my favorite re-mixes are "The Reflex" (6 minutes and 36 seconds), "Is There Something I Should Know?" (A predominantly instrumental mix and 6 minutes and 42 seconds), and "Girls on Film" (5 minutes and 29 seconds). This version of "Girls on Film" is featured in the 'rated X' video which was not shown on MTV or VH-1. It was only found on their video compliations or Sony's Video 45s of the 1980s.

This CD was an excellent addition to my Duran Duran collection. It is great to have these re-mixes on CD. No more scratchy noises from the LP or having to think about transferring the LPs to tape or CD.

Back in the late 80's, EMI/Capitol embarked on a limited series of "Essential" packages of artists, highlighting B-sides, rare and unreleased material. While must were just junk, some (like a Pet Shop Boys and Blondie set) were treasure troves of out of print and never before seen on CD collections.

Duran Duran were in the treasure chest. As one of the first "New Wave/New Romantic" groups to recognize that the future of rock and roll was hidden somewhere on the dance floor, they consistently released amazing 12 inch singles during a time when many bands just taped extended interludes into pre-exisiting tracks. But DD went even farther, frequently reentering the studio to re-record entire arrangements and release them under the banner of "Night Versions." There was even a great four song EP called "Carnival" that was used to hype the new "Rio" album. (Long since deleted.)

To that end, if you're either a Durannie from the 80's or an ancient habitue of nightclubs from that era, this collection will have you twitching with delight. Superb versions of "Planet Earth," "The Reflex" and "New Religion" are all here. The mix from the X-rated video version of "Girls On Film" is here. A fun look at Duran History courtesy of Nick Rhodes is also included. While not for a casual fan ("Greatest" will feed your appetite), "Essential Duran Duran" gives you a chance to hear some clubland oldies without the scratches and pops of the old 12 inchers.

well to tell the truth this cd blew my mind. it was a good cd,the music was organized in such a way that after each song you wanted to hear the next one and so on. i didn't expect this kind of music from the group,it was also great to dance to it was a hit at my sister's party,everyone wanted a copy,

This is a rare and out of print copy of the remixes of duran duran songs that i picked up in 1998-99. I am a duran duran fan and i saw it in the music store , there were only 2 copys left and i picked it up because it looked unique. Well it definetly is a good find- it contains remixes of union of the snake, hungry like the wolf, rio, planet earth and many more. It also comes with a 2nd enhanced disk of the song new moon on monday (extended mix). The packaging is cool , it has a picture of the band on the front and inside a booklet with a story about duran duran and how they began and also contains pictures of the band. Very good find. I prefer thier regular songs better than the remixes but still worth the money and rare. Recomended.

When I bought the Rio CD, I was disappointed at the abbreviated radio version of "Hungry Like the Wolf" that was included. The original vinyl had a longer version that was far superior. Well, here it is, finally on compact disc in Night Versions, along with several other classic DD tunes. These are not wacky, over-sampled, shadowy cousins of the originals. These are the originals as they would have been heard on the radio if time constraints did not come into play. This is an essential part of any DD fan's collection.

Just wanted to update my review of this CD,...still like it very much because of the longer 'Night Version' of "Hungry Like A Wolf",...I have three copies,believe it or not. I refer to this CD as my 'shoulder ride' CD,...why? Because everytime I listen to "Hungry Like A Wolf",I feel like a very small child being taken on a shoulder ride as the song plays,...and I enjoy that ride,too!

I also have the "Duran Duran/Strange Behaviour" CD,...which I also like because of the seven minute long 'Night Mix' of "Planet Earth". "Strange Behaviour" is referred to as my 'other shoulder ride'CD because I receive the same feeling of a very small child
being taken on a shoulder ride while listening to "Planet Earth" as well,...and I enjoy that ride even more. Everybody reacts to songs in different ways,and these are the feelings I receive while listening to both of these songs on both of these CDs. But if I have to choose which I like best,..."Essential,..Night Versions" is still at the top of my list because of the shoulder rides up on "Hungry Like A Wolf(Night Version)".

I have to tell everyone that this is one of the most amazing albums I have ever heard!!! I personally own a 12-inch mix album called Nite Romantics that was released only in the far east. On it are two of the night versions that you can hear on this CD - only cleaner sounding!

I hope that while you listen to these tracks you not only remember the times when these, and many other great songs from the eighties, played an important part in your life, but also that you hear the artistry that truly was early Duran Duran.

After the loss of John, Andy and Roger Taylor (not related for those of you who care)from the band the sound of DD was changed forever. This is not to say that some of the newer music is not of high quality. I just feel that the earlier, less artsy Duran Duran gave the common listener more to associate with. Sure, some of the lyrics made no sense and maybe you couldn't identify with their outfits back then, but something about the heavy drum tracks and throbbing base along with the distinct voice of Simon made everyone connect with the band's sound.

I hope you enjoy this as much as I do and that it brings back as many good memories to you as it has to me!

Many a music fan have complained to me over the years, that the problem with dance mixes and extended mixes, is that they don't sound anything like the song. On the contrary, "Night Versions" is filled with versions of Duran Duran hits that sound just like the song, only longer. If you long for the days when you were dancing to hits like "Wild boys" and "Hungry Like the Wolf" you will love this CD. My favorites on this disc are "The Reflex(Dance Mix)", and "Is There Something I Should Know?(Monster Mix)". BUY IT!!

I have been listening and enjoying Duran Duran since they first came to our shores.They have an incredible sense of style and music.This cd is a must for all Duran Duran fans as well as everyone else who wants an upbeat, full of life cd. I start everyday waking up to this cd . Its full of mystery and romance .Simons voice will melt you like butter! They will hypnotize you and make you dance! Dont miss out on this one!