Customer Reviews

Greatest Hits

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Alex, Alex Baby! What'z up wit cha?" That's what I planned to say but once I heard that sexy, seductive voice on the other end of the phone, it quickly changed to "May I speak with Mr. O'Neal please?" I got nervous as hell because I realized just who I was talking to. On the other end of the phone was an "All True Man" whose songs have occupied my cassette deck and cd player for more than a decade. To no surprised, he was a very sweet, personable man who was more than willing to talk to me about yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Another milestone was crossed by Alex on August 24, 2004 when Tabu/EMI Records dropped "Greatest Hits", a compilation with 15 of Alex's songs. Cuts like Fake, Criticize and What's Missing are included as well as the huge duet songs he made with Cherelle.

I began by asking Alex what this "Greatest Hits" compilation meant to him in terms of accomplishments. "It's a great thing!" He replied. "It's great to be working with a major record company as well was with Clarence [Avant]". Clarence, the history making innovator who made Tabu Records a household name. He was very influential on the careers of Alex, Cherelle, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis and the SOS Band just to name a few. "Mentor", was the word which Alex used to describe Avant. "He's a mentor".

Being so much more than a vocalist and performer, Alex was very smart about surrounding himself with individuals who could enhance his gift. "I didn't use to like my voice". He said modestly. "I felt it was too nasally but soon I learned to appreciate its uniqueness." After a brief stint a lead singer for (believe it or not), The Time, Alex embarked upon a solo career, never cutting his friendship and ties with fellow band members Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. We all know how those Brotha's can write their asses off but what I was most curious to know was if the duo wrote all of those hits to fit his style or was his style predominately developed out of their writing? "My style was created from a combination of a few things." He replied. "At the time, the Minneapolis music scene was huge and Jam & Lewis had the same feelings about the music which made it easier for them to write. There were songs that they wrote especially for me because they understood my style and what I was about musically."

Now don't get it twisted. Even Alex said that "a lie's not the truth unless you believe it" so don't believe the hype that he's not still doing the damn thang. He's been touring over seas and domestically, he's stared in the hit gospel play Guilty Until Proven Innocent, he's been raising his 8 children, and working on a new project. "I have a new deal with EMI and I'll be working again with Clarence, Jam and Terry." I don't know about you, but I can't wait for that. With so many attributes under his belt, I asked him if there were any plans for a biography. "Maybe at some point, but not just yet. There's so many more things that I'd like to do before I write a book."

Reflecting upon all of the changes in music within the last 10 years or so, I asked him his feelings about R&B music today. "The young generation is doing a great job of keeping the tradition going". He answered. "Hip hop adds excitement to the music. Usher is bad and his album is one of the best albums that I've ever heard. Every song is good. I like other artists like Beyonce & Joe as well." I interjected with my two-cents at this point of the interview with the comment that if Alex and all of the other mature R&B artists that we love so much had the avenues like the internet, videos and cable music channels to rely upon like Usher, Beyonce and Joe there's no telling where their careers would be to date? Michael Jackson was one of the only artists lucky enough to jump on that band wagon. "You're right!" he agreed. "The support is there for them. We weren't allowed to cross over. They wouldn't allow us to sell our music like that and cross over. We had barriers."

Finally, I played a little game of word association with Alex. I told him that I would call out a name and I wanted him to give me one word to describe the person and here is how he responded:

Alexander O'Neal? And he replied "Consistent"

Prince? And he replied "Misunderstood"

Cherrelle? And he replied "Adorable"

Bobby Z? And he replied "Genuine"

What makes our word association exercise so unique is that most of the words that he used to describe others, we his fans use to describe him. Alexander O'Neal is a genuine Brotha with an adorable talent who consistently makes hits with many more to come.

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Alexander O'Neal along with Tony Terry, Chuckii Booker, David Peasotn and countless others were prince's in eighties R&B, when it was more about love and less about sex. With the production of the amazing Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Alexander is in top form on the tracks If You Were Here Tonight, Heresay,Saturday Love and Never Knew Love Like This. My only compliant about the CD is it lacks Sunshine. R.Kelly needs to takes notes from from this man,because at the end of the day it's more about pure vocal ability and less about some damn Trapped In The Closet Series.

This compilation is just a "sample" of the talent that is Alexander O'Neal. Gritty yet compassionate, forceful yet reflective, the singer possesses a voice that should be envied by other so-called "soul singers."

O'Neal had a string of 80's hits and then seemed to disappear from the public after 1991's "All True Man." Though he released two subsequent albums, he has yet to match the power or sales of his earlier releases.

That is due, in part, to changing musical tastes and record labels concentrating on "younger artists. O'Neal's apparent estrangement from producers/writers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, responsible for the singer's successes as a solo artist and a duet partner with Cherelle ("Never Knew Love Like This" and "Saturday Love") hasn't helped resusitate his career either.

Perhaps, this package will stimulate commercial sales and get the artist back into the forefront.

A voice as dynamic as his doesn't need to remain in obscurity.

An Alexander O'Neal greatest hits album w/o Sunshine???? Oh no , how could that happen ?? The first greatest hits was more complete. BMG used to sell it but I think it's out of print.

I originally asked for this album for Christmas, and man am I glad I got it. My taste in music somewhat differs from my peers, I tend to like older music or things with a retro sound, and for me this is just one of the elements that makes Alexander O'Neal's Greatest Hits such an awesome album. The fusion of electric guitar jams and overall funky sound combined together with O'Neals amazing voice makes great music to listen or dance to (which I often do in the kitchen while cooking). There are quite a range of songs on the album, with some great hits like 'Innocent', 'Fake', 'Criticize', and 'Saturday Love' while I also love 'If you were here tonight', this is my favourite song. If you're familiar with some of his songs and like them then definitely buy this album, you won't be disappointed.

Alexander O'Neal is the bomb..and that's why he automatically gets (5) stars. But who in the heck put this compilation together? I had to buy it because it has a few songs that are missing from my other Best of AO. There are at least (3) Best Of's out there and I don't see the one I own even listed here (probably because I bought it while in Europe). Anyway, it's disturbing to find this CD doesn't contain his songs, Sunshine and Aphrodisia? It should be against the law! Hmmpf!

I was completely knocked out by the sweet Soul tenor voice of Alexander O'Neal. What a voice! Songs like "Fake" and "If You Were Here Tonight" were amongst my favourites from the late 1980s. His voice could be compared to that of the older, and sadly missed, Luther Vandross. There just aren't any Soul voices like this around anymore, or, if there are, I haven't heard of them.

Many will know that the great musicians and producers, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, were responsible for the instrumental accompaniment of Mr. O'Neal, and their work with him was excellent, of course.

There isn't a lot I can add to the other enthusiastic reviews of this CD, other than to say that Mr. O'Neal had devoted fans even in Australia.

ALEXANDER O'NEAL HAVE THAT VOICE THAT MAKES YOU WANT TO DANCE AND SING. THE FUNK BEHIND HIM BACK IN THE DAY WAS IT. HE IS ONE OF THE BEST SINGERS BACK IN THE 80'S. I WONDER IF HE IS DOING ANYTHING NOW. DESPITE THE FACT OF WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT HIM I THINK HE IS STILL A ALL TRUE MAN.

This is the most comprehensive compilation of Alexander O'Neal to date of which I am aware. I own "The Best of Alexander O'Neal" however, this cd chronicles his latter hits up to "What Is This Thing Called Love?". This was definitely a good investment!

Alex is my all time favorite singer. I know there is Marvin and all the old school classics, but, Alex...I love this man. Saw him twice in concert. The first time when he toured w/ Cherrelle and I got to go up on stage with him! (Got to the 2nd time, too, but who's braggin?) LOVE, LOVE, LOVE HIM! I see people list there favorite songs, but they are all my favorites, honestly. I can't pick one or two or three! If you want the ultimate throw back to the early 90's R&B, this album is for you. Personally, this album is OK, but I found a different Alexander O'Neal Greatest Hits CD that has every single one of his songs. I still have it and have to burn it for alot of people, can't find it anywhere else on internet. Too bad for all yall!