Customer Reviews

Gloria Gaynor - Greatest Hits

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

 

 

With her soulful vocals and a powerful backbeat, Gloria Gaynor was the only Disco Diva who seriously challenged Donna Summer's title as "The Queen of Disco"--but although Gaynor certainly had a remarkable, unique sound, she lacked Summer's talent for creating one hit after another, and today she is best remembered for her anthem-like "I Will Survive."

And "I Will Survive" is the reason for purchasing this particular collection, for unlike most versions available this is the full, extended play mix that made the song such a legendary, monster hit of the disco era. And there is absolutely nothing to criticize about it: Gaynor has a jazzy, soul-struck voice that leaps and dives with incredible, beauty, power, and fury here against the song's driving sound. Almost as effective are her popular recordings of "Honey Bee," "Never Can Say Goodbye," and "Reach Out."

But ultimately this collection suffers from the same problem as Gaynor's career: a lack of material that could equal or top "I Will Survive." Once you've listened to that one, the rest seems increasingly tame by comparison, and only the first few songs in this collection are really memorable. Even so, even Donna Summer herself couldn't best that extended remix of "I Will Survive," and that alone would earn this collection four stars. Get ready to get down til you give out!

This disc is one of Gaynor's many best-of collections, but it is noteworthy because it has the rarely-found 8 minute version of "I Will Survive." This version work better on dance floors because the extended uptempo body of the song makes the slower intro worth the interruption to the party's rhythm. The disc also includes the great McFadden & Whitehead mid-tempo production "Let's Mend What's Been Broken."

This collection has a absolute disco standards: I Will Survive, Never Can Say Goodbye. It has a cool song that I don't remember hearing in the 70s: Casanova Brown (clearly an album track, with the long spoken middle section). And there is the filler: Reach Out, not nearly as good as the Four Tops original, and Walk On By, which is pretty awful in this version.

But I've ripped this disc to itunes, and the good tracks are favourites in my disco playlist.

Hello Ms. Gaynor,

I've been a fan since your song "I will survive" became a hit. I realized that this song has made countless women stand up from the pitfalls of unrequited love as I have also. I keep this song playing in my mind and in my heart when my so-called future husband backed out on me and said that he does not love me anymore. I'm telling you, this song does keep my spirits up and I thank God that you sang this song for all of us. Thank you and more power to you!

love, Ms. Shahmyn Cecille Sencio

Hello Ms. Gaynor,

I've been a fan since your song "I will survive" became a hit. I realized that this song has made countless women stand up from the pitfalls of unrequited love as I have also. I keep this song playing in my mind and in my heart when my so-called future husband backed out on me and said that he does not love me anymore. I'm telling you, this song does keep my spirits up and I thank God that you sang this song for all of us. Thank you and more power to you!

love, Ms. Shahmyn Cecille Sencio