Customer Reviews

Greatest Hits

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I was a big fan of Ray Parker Jr. back in the 80s, and only recently found some of his albums on CD; "A woman needs love", "The other woman", and "After dark". Most of the songs on this greatest hits are taken off his earlier albums; "Jack and Jill" and "You can't change that" (off the first Raydio albums), "Two places at the same time" (the title track, "For those who like to groove"), "A woman needs love" (the title track, "That old song"), and "The other woman" (the rock-ish title track, "Let me go").

A sprinkling of songs off later albums also appear, as well as his #1 smash "Ghostbusters" from the movie of the same name.

So why get this collection if one already owns the earlier albums? Well the Pop/Rock-tinged "Bad boy" (one of my favourites) never appeared on any studio album (it was a new track on his 1983 Greatest Hits collection. I wish the other new track "The people next door" was also included here), and there's also "Jamie", and "Christmas time is here" (the latter boring if you ask me) for the completists.

Aah, the memories.

The Ghostbusters soundtrack, as I said long ago, was the first popular music album I ever bought, thanks to the movie and Ray Parker Jr.'s #1 title track. Hence, he was one of the artists I got into back in the 80's. In my CD days, I was hard-pressed to find a greatest hits compilation, then found this one awhile back. Parker embodies a more crossover pop sound than pure R&B, perhaps influenced by Lionel Richie. A funky synthesizer keyboard is accompanied by a blaring rock guitar.

Obviously, "Ghostbusters" is on there as the leading track. It was last year that I learned that he was sued by Huey Lewis for ripping off the riff to their "I Want A New Drug." While certain sounds are comparable, I see the lawsuit as unjustified, as there are discernible differences.

"The Other Woman" features a rock guitar set to a funking beat and details a one-night stand to hot romance. The protagonist has a lot of chutzpah, as he clearly relishes his actions: "Now I hate to have to cheat, but it feels better when I sneak." Say wha...? Such a nerve, but the song's got a great beat.

The skippy "You Can't Change That" has Arnell and Darren Carmichael, his usual backing vocalists, having some solo bits here. "A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do)" was one of my favourites by him, a mid-paced made lush by flute accompaniment. He's quite the progressive here, dismissing the double standards of women mostly gone, but the gist is, give her affection when she needs it. Giving that excuse "about being tired and working late" will result in the man's feelings being hurt.

"I Still Can't Get Over Loving You" is another favourite, the sole representative of his Woman Out Of Control album. Set with a mid-paced drum, pulsing bass, keyboards, a nice host of backup singers, and a blaring rock guitar, missing someone to the point of expecting his new girls to be like her and every girl dated resembling her.

There was a thing about Ray Parker Jr. back in the 80's. He had a greatest hits in 1982. Then in 1983, he had Woman Out Of Control. And in 1984, to capitalize on Ghostbusters, yet another compilation titled Chartbusters popped up, with three new songs, one of them being an extended version of "Ghostbusters." From Chartbusters, two of those songs ended up here, the upbeat "Jamie," and the pleasant seasonal "Christmas Time Is Here," with some melodies from "Jingle Bells."

"Jamie" is quite an interesting love song, as she's someone the protagonist lost, and he doesn't want anyone else to have her, yet he gives advice on what Jamie likes, but it's clear that after training her the way he likes her, she left him because he was a control freak.

Could this next song be a sequel to "The Other Woman"? "Bad Boy" is an apology from a guy who's had an extramarital affair, admits he was being a "macho man and being cool...so go ahead and punish me, because I deserve to be hurt too." He gets desperate here, per the excuse that he was egged on by his friends, but admits he has nerve to come back after the other woman left him. I don't know if I'd go as far as "spank me, whup me, let me come back home," but at least he's learned his lesson.

"Girls Are More Fun" has a party atmosphere like Kool and the Gang's "Celebrate," though not with the intensity of that classic.

There is one instrumental here, the funky synth groove of "For Those Who Like To Groove," sporting guitars and whistles, from Two Places At The Same Time.

This compilation is missing the two songs from Woman Out Of Control that was included on Chartbusters, the title track and the sci-fi "Invasion" featuring some computerized vocals. Still, if one can find that elusive album, this compilation has enough to give Parker his due.

A nice collection of the good old music from Ray Parker Jr., yet some nice tracks are missing. Some listeners might recall songs which lyrics center about the aspects of an unsatisfying love life; "I don't think that man should sleep alone" and the one that gives the story about a girl showing up at the store complaining about her radio playing only sad love songs of which of course Ray has a fool-proof cure. The fifth star would be within reach by the two songs added to the album. It is a bit sad that Ray is "Ghostbusters" alone to many potential listeners. Explore and Enjoy!

This CD is a definite addition to any soul music lover's collection. It includes material when Ray Parker, Jr. was with Raydio. My favorite songs on this album is "You Can't Change That", "A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do)", and "Jack and Jill". All of these songs sound so good and have that unforgettable sound of the late 70s and early 80s (old skool at its best)! Before hitting it big with Raydio, Ray Parker, Jr. appeared on other artists' albums playing guitar and played on my favorite soul singer's album, YOUNG HEARTS RUN FREE (1976) by the wonderful Candi Staton.
Surprisingly Ray Parker's biggest hit, "Ghostbusters" doesn't sound as good when compared to his earlier material. So if all you've ever heard from Ray Parker, Jr. is "Ghostbusters", then you are missing out on a lot of good tunes.

"Ray Parker Jr. Greatest Hits" is an outstanding collection, which chronicles the former session musician's career, both as a founding member of Raydio and as a solo artist. As almost all the songs will attest, Ray is more than just "Ghostbusters", which should be pointed out that Ray took a lot of heat with this monster hit, in that its' lead guitar riff is somewhat reminiscent of Huey Lewis & The News' "I Want A New Drug". These two songs shouldn't be compared to each other at all, for one doesn't really sound like the other when it comes to musical versatility. On to the other stellar compositions as featured in this collection. The upstart "Jack And Jill" is a cute adaptation of the classic nursery rhyme, which features solid instrumentation from the band, not to mention some ultra-sonic keyboard playing and soaring lead guitar majestics, courtesy of Parker. The other "Raydio" hits, "You Can't Change That", "Two Places At The Same Time", "A Woman Needs Love" and "That Old Song" are stand-up compositions as well, and these posess many bittersweet qualities, especially "You Can't Change That" - with its' bouncy, frolicky instrumentation and tender, playful lyrics and in "That Old Song", complete with references of yesteryear just brimming with nostalgia. "Two Places At The Same Time" demonstrates Parker's ability to make a ballad into a lyrical piece of art, and he drives the point home with a sensual vocal precision. "A Woman Needs Love" provides an insightul look into the "man vs. woman" crescendo, with a "two can play at this game" mentality. After a successful stint with Raydio, it was now time for Ray to take flight with an equally successful solo career, which got off to a flying start with the smash hit "The Other Woman". This was followed up with more successful singles: "Ghostbusters" (from the blockbuster motion picture, of course), "I Still Can't Get Over Loving You" and the synthesizer-heavy "Jamie", to name others. Smooth instrumental jams are contained in the wonderful "For Those Who Like To Groove", as Ray and Raydio are right on the money with this one. It's unusual that a holiday track would be found in a collection of regular songs, but that is the case with the joyous "Christmas Time Is Here". Almost all the songs in this well-put-together collection of Ray Parker, Jr. favorites are worthy of repeated listens, with the exception of "Jamie", which may be too synthesizer-heavy to suit some people (myself included), although there are certain people who might get some enjoyment from it. Overall, with "Ray Parker Jr. Greatest Hits", the "Raydio" man really did himself and his legions of fans proud, and is thus worthy of being in every music fan's CD library, whether they are a fan of contemporary rock or soul.

Yes, all the hits are here and they are great. But Arista or somebody needs to upgrade this CD. Released in 1993, it includes no liner notes (except for song info). All of Ray's albums deserve to be on CD and a new compilation needs to be done. Black-pop doesn't get any better than this. Here's hoping the Ray Parker Jr. revival occurs soon.

While I wince everytime I hear 'Ghostbusters'...I truly believe that the song,'(I still can't get over)Loving you' is Ray's best work, the emotion in his voice is astounding...
This is coming from a guy who's into genres that alot of you aren't familiar with, ie: Goth, Industrial & EBM.
So if you ever see a freak walking down the street with a purple mohawk and torn jeans, listening to Ray Parker Jr./Raydio...say hello, I don't bite!

....Jack and Jill, The Other Woman and Jamie? There is not a bad song on this CD. I suppose I'm a bit biased, because Jack and Jill has become one of my favourite songs of all time. (How many lyrics today ask...why do you think I cheat, I wasn't getting love from YOU). I've always been a huge fan of Ray Parker, but not only, because of the quality of the songs, but the all the lyrics seem to have a message that about loving relationships, that you didn't and still don't seem to hear everyday. You'll have to listen to see what I mean.

As I listen to "A Woman Needs Love.." I remember just how I determined that I wouldn't buy an entire album from Ray Parker, Jr. However, I could kick myself for waiting this long. This is true R&B and I hope that no one lets themselves get hung up on that one song, and take the time to actually listen to some of these classics. "Jack and Jill" is also another tune that will stick in your head for years to come.

I remember losing a woman to a guy singing Ray Parker's 'Bad Boy'. So, yeah, it's got meaning for me. And it's a little song about masochism for all of you who don't know. This guy could put together some really interesting songs. Jack and Jill, You Can't Change That and Ghostbusters. A Woman Needs Love. What a writer. As I recall, at one point, he was a session guitarist. Play on.