Customer Reviews

Greatest Hits

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1987 was a good year for Rick Astley and producers Stock-Aitken-Waterman, who hit the jackpot with the international hit, "Never Gonna Give You Up." It turned Astley into an overnight star, thanks to the catchy single and his ultra-deep barritone. Platimum records ensued, and people were even so bold as to align him with other, more seasoned, r&b vocalists. The following year, he released his second album, and while it spawned a couple hits, it didn't sell as well as its predecessor. The next year, he severed ties from Stock-Aitken-Waterman, and tried to make it on his own before he faded out of public consciousness. The Rick Astley story is not uncommon, but, at long last, we finally have a hits collection that throws together his hits and some well-known tracks. While I'm happy to see that "Together Forever," "Never Gonna Give You Up," and "Take Me to Your Heart" are here, the big surprise is the appearance of the b-side "My Arms Keep Missing You." This song is dynamite and is one of Rick's very best songs. Not surprisingly, the strongest songs on this disc are the ones produced by SAW, although "Cry for Help" is a pleasant, if unspectacular, ballad. Regardless, this album comes recommended: it's a well-put together package featuring one of pop's brightest hopes of the late 1980s.

Rick Astley made his US debut with a little song by the name of "Never Gonna Give You Up" which not only became one of the best pop songs in 1988 but also arguably one of the best pop songs of all time. Combined with the production and writing skills of Stock/Aitken/Waterman, Rick came, Rick sang, Rick conquered the top of US charts with 2 consecutive hits ("Never Gonna Give You Up" and "Together Forever") and in the process became the first new male artist of the 80s to accomplish such an achievement. This compilation includes all the US singles including all the singles released only in the UK. It's nice that they have included the mixes of the songs rather than the album version which I'm sure most of the fans have already in their collection. The bonus track is of course the first track Rick made to be released on the RCA label "When You Gonna". An experimental track at best, it's a typical 80s production with Lisa Carter on the vocals. I had hoped that some of the B-sides would be included but I'm satisfied that BMG Heritage decided to do justice to Rick by releasing this collection. Nominated for a Best New Artist Grammy in 1988, it's sad that the music industry did not reward Rick for his vocals. So much soul coming from a white man, it's easy to assume Rick as a black gospel singer. The best tracks are Never Gonna Give You Up, Whenever You Need Somebody, My Arms Keep Missing You, Together Forever, It Would Take A Strong Strong Man, She Wants To Dance With Me, Take Me To Your Heart, Hold Me In Your Arms, Cry For Help & Hopelessly.

This is the first Rick Astley compilation in the US, and it covers all his chart hits in the US and UK from 1987-1993. Good, 2002 up-to-date liner notes with chart (US and UK) information, photos and solid sound. This is a perfect CD for Astley beginners and fans who want all the hits in one place.

Back in the late '80s, Rick Astley caught a lot of (undue) flack for his music, but everybody was secretly entranced by the infectiousness of his singles. His two biggest--"Never Gonna Give You Up" and "Together Forever"--are obviously included on this Greatest Hits collection, and that will keep the casual fan satisfied. However, Astley had a few more aces up his sleeve as a listen to this album proves: The groove-driven "When You Gonna" is worth checking out, as is the oddly catchy ode to broke-heartedness "Giving Up On Love". The album sleeve also contains a mini-bio and USA/UK chart positions for his songs; neither are all that essential, but they're both fun.

Grunge music effectively killed Astley's career, and as such he's usually nothing more than a footnote in musical history. But for a few years in the late '80s, back when pop music ruled the world, Rick Astley was a star, and this hits collection will show you why.

This is a must for both casual and diehard fans. All of Rick's best hits are here, and also included are 12" mixes of When You Gonna and My Arms Keep Missing You.

This is a greatest hits with a pretty good amount of hits on it. However not every song on here hit the top 100, just like some other greatest hits such as Tiffany's. Although some weren't hits they are still worth listening too. The highlights on this CD are "Never Gonna Give you Up", "Together Forever", "She Wants To Dance With Me", "Cry For Help", and "Hopelessly". This is a great collection for the person just discovering Rick Astley.

"The folks at BMG Heritage did a wonderful job assembling Rick Astley's long-overdue Greatest Hits, for it succeeds in presenting a definitive and complete collection of the 1980s pop sensation's U.S. and U.K. hits. Not only does this set include all of his singles, it also boasts excellent liner notes, photographs, and chart positions. Included are his American chart-toppers 'Together Forever' and 'Never Gonna Give You Up,' the latter arguably one of the 1980s' most recognizable songs, as well as all of his other Top Ten hits, including the Motown-ish 'It Would Take a Strong, Strong Man,' 'She Wants to Dance With Me,' and the 1991 ballad hit 'Cry for Help.' All of Astley's U.K. hits are accounted for, including 'When I Fall in Love' and its non-album B-side, 'My Arms Keep Missing You,' 'Take Me to Your Heart,' 'Whenever You Need Somebody,' and 'Hold Me in Your Arms,' as well as lesser-known singles such as 'Hopelessly,' 'Move Right Out,' 'Giving up on Love,' and 'The Ones You Love.' Despite the years and changes in musical trends, the songs on this collection still sound fresh and Astley's voice always packs a wallop and leaves one with the undeniable impression that he was much more than a passing fad; he was, in fact, an extremely underrated and timeless talent who should be remembered as much more than simply a late-'80s pop phenomenon. ~ Jose F. Promis, All Music Guide"

The quote above is mentioned on the CD cover. This barrel chested singer is one of the bright spots of British music for the eighties. I moves through his hits through early nineties at a great pace. Rick is one of the most underrated songsters in history. I first saw Rick on the British TV show, "Top Of The Pops!" Do not count this CD out! If you want 80's --- its spoken here!

For many years I had been looking for a thorough Rick Astley Greatest Hits package. Finally this one was issued. I think Rick has a great voice, and it is a shame his career has sort of died. I suspect he was written off as a Dance/Pop Teen Idol and was never really taken seriously. But I think his voice is every bit as good as Josh Groban, and he should seriously pursue the kind of career that Josh Groban is having. I loved Rick's updeat dance tunes, but the ballads like "Cry for Help" and "Hopelessly" showed his true vocal prowess. I also like some of his songs that did not perform as well here in the states such as "The Ones You Love" and his remake of "Ain't Too Proud to Beg". All of his hits are here, the big ones and the not so big ones. I recommend this CD highly.

I loved his voice when he first came out...and I was overseas for three years during the late 1980's so I was priviliged to hear what was being released on both sides of the ocean for a time. His voice (very rich and soulful) and his selection of songs he recorded was a refreshing breath of fresh air to me then, and I am pleased to report that they still are!! His music is a pleasant mix of very soulful and "real" songs as well as dance selections that are very lively...His music makes you glad to be alive, puts a smile on your face, and makes you want to dance...I just got this CD delivered yesterday and my 19yr.old and 15yr. old daughters have "discovered" (LOL) his music and I am pleased to know that he is one artist we all actually agree on!! One daughter, my 19yr. old, actually wants to borrow the CD for this weekend. This is a great "starter" CD for those who are not really familiar with him...but it is also a great CD for those who love his music because of the mix of all of his chart hits from both sides of the ocean. Whether you listen to him regularly or haven't heard him in a while (but have great memories of his music)...trust me, he is BETTER than you remember him being and this CD will remind you of why you loved him and his music so much all those years ago!