Customer Reviews

Greatest Hits

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I know, I know, really corny! Stumbled, is the word I'll use for finding out about Teena Marie. Sure I knew of the rockin' hit "Lovergirl" but I guess my navie self never thought to devulge deeper into Teena's music. So I did a little research, downloaded some tunes and I am now a fan of Teena Marie. I know this is the "Epic Era" Greatest Hits but The Ultimate Collection didn't hit on some of the songs I really dug that were on this album, such as "Out On A Limb" which I have to say is a beautiful song! Very sensual and pleading and worth one star alone. "Work It" is another one of my fave "T" songs. It's jazzy feel just flows and the lyrics are so damn catchy! "Ooh, La, La, La" is sweet and has a that Teena touch. And we all know "Lovergirl" so why should I waste time describing this excellent song? I thought this was missing the driving "Lips To Find You" which has the tightest beat of any Teena song and the coolest bassline ever. Personally this album whould have been better if it did include the "Motown Era" hits such as one of my faves "Square Biz" (I love that whole rapping thing that Teena did) and "Behind The Groove" which has another sharp bass line but I know that these are two separate great hits compliations. If you want to get into some Teena I suggest you listen to the songs I listed above and also "I Need Your Lovin", "Alladin's Lamp", "It Must Be Magic", the Rick James duets-"Fire & Desire" etc. Trust me you will be hooked by now. Teena is one of those artists (like Madonna) who reinvents herself, she went from disco to the 80's dance to heavy metal to jazz and still maintains a solid audience. If you don't know Lady T, get to know her, because her music moves your feet and your soul and you will not want to stop listening to her.

I bought this album with the intent of capturing "Lovergirl" and "Ooh La La La" on disc, given my familiarity of their airplay on the radio. Without realizing the extent of this woman's depth, understanding, emotion and love for music, I never really listened to her lyrics with the same passion that Lady T delivers them. Thankfully, I made this purchase, which allowed me to begin to comprehend her artistry and skill, leaving me with a curiosity about her music.

Teena Marie is a sorely underrated and overly talented songstress with a great story to tell as she weaves her way through a web of songs like "Cassanova Brown" "Dear Lover" "If I Were a Bell" and "Out On a Limb." Although "I Got Yo Number" and "Here's Looking at You" didn't really strike me as great, I understand and appreciate Lady T's ability to deliver both uptempo dance tracks and soft, sultry ballads with finesse and craft.

This compilation expresses some of Teena's best balladeering, but does not fully reveal her depth as the legendary artist she is, as it only surfaces on her best work. Albeit, I guess that is what makes Teena Marie such an anomaly. I don't think there is one compilation disc that contains her best work, because she has created so much beautiful and adventurous music that she always leaves you hungry for more. In order to appreciate it, her music is the kind that must be listened to, not just heard. With that said, she is easily one of the greatest legendary R&B artists since the birth of the genre.

My advice to those who want to capture her best music is to create your own compilations. Even so, you will never capture the essence of Teena Marie. Everything she has done musically is worth your attention.

Of the six Lady Tee greatest hits cds that I have, this ranks at the top as a good representation of a few of her really big hits from the mid-late '80s like: OOO LA LA LA, OUT ON A LIMB, LOVERGIRL, & CASANOVA BROWN. While also giving listeners a sample of the creativity this woman possesses by her mixture of funk/r&b/pop elements.

This disc has a good balance between music tempos - it's not as ballad heavy as some of the later greatest hits releases and is a really fun disc to just pop in and listen to.

I'd highly recommend it to Lady Tee fans as well as those who just want a sample of her earlier work.

Wow! Where do I begin? I LOVE me some Teeena Marie! Her soulful style and classic love ballads resonate within my soul. This CD is a staple in my collection and will be for many, many years to come. The only songs missing from this greatest hits is "Fire And Desire" and "Square Biz". My personal favorites are "If I Were A Bell", "Dear Lover" and "Out On A Limb". My dream is to one day see her in concert. To any Teena Marie fan---get this CD!

Although this is missing some other greatest hits, I have to say that this album is wonderful! "Work It," and the dedication to Marvin Gaye, "My Dear Mr. Gaye," are just beautiful. Lady T writes and produces all of her songs and to sit and listen to this sultry, soulful voice is sure to put anyone at ease. I can play this CD over and over again, and believe me when I tell you that I do. I would recommend this album to anyone.

after leaving Motown what could teena marie possible do for an encore? well continuing to write,arrange,produce,play almost all the instruments on her albums and sing with the same soul and fire she came back with ooo la la,lover girl,if i were a bell,my dear Mr.Gaye etc.. this set was good but the motown one hit a little bit more for me.however her years on epic seem to give her more pop exposure and i feel and still do that she is one of the most under-appreciated geniuses of our time.i can't wait for her next release.

OOH LA LA and LOVERGIRL are two of my favorite songs, but you don't know nothing about my idol TEENA if you havent heard her latest album that was released in 2004, "LA DONA". I purchased this this album before ever hearing one song. An album by her, after 10 years, was sure to be her best. This is the best money I have ever spent. After listening to all 17 tracks, I wanted to pass it around to everyone. None of these songs are played on the radio here. We all know about TEENA, but when I ask if anyone has heard "LA DONA" I get the same response. "I didn't know she released a new album." So I actually gave my copy away and went to purchase a brand new one for myself. I have done this at least 7 times now. "STILL IN LOVE", "HONEY CALL", and "MY BODY'S HUNGRY" are my favorite. The title of these songs should be enough to make you wanna listen. "MAKAVELLI NEVER LIED" will have you dancing everytime. "I GOT YOU", the duet with Rick James, brings back memories of the old school music from both Rick and Teena. I have contacted local radio stations to request this song. I love what TEENA MARIE does with music. She even uses her voice as an instrument, not only singing, but with every HEEEE and UHHH and OOH WEE and WOOOOH. If I had to describe her in one word: "EARGASM" Give me your address. I'll send you a copy. You are missing out!

It's no secret that Lady Tee was very vocally critical of her "Emerald City" album from 1986, BUT to exclude such great material from it such as the two singles, "Lips 2 Find U" and "Love Me Down Easy," seems like musical sacrilege.

What IS here, though, are what songs were culled from her eight year tenure with Epic/CBS records from such legendary albums as "Robbery," "Starchild," "Naked to the World" and her swansong, "Ivory."

I would have liked to have seen "Since Day One" chosen over "Just Us Two." It was clearly the better song and the chilling, "Naked to the World" over "Call Me (I Got Yo Number.") "Casanova Brown" and "My Dear Mr. Gaye" were NOT hits. They were album cuts which became classic Quiet Storm staples years later.

All 'n all, The Ivory Queen of R&B will satisfy (SOME) fan appetites with this seemingly "randomly selected" sampler from her brilliant and progressive 80's catalog despite some blaring and questionable omissions. I would encourage perusing "Lovergirl: The Teena Marie Story," ALSO on Epic and which is a far BETTER and more cohesive anthology over THIS one. The latter features a 12" extended version of "Fix It," adds "Stop the World" and a few other little gems, but still skips over "Emerald City's" finer moments. This one seens geared more toward casual fans over those who rightfully prefer (some of) her far greater musings from her Epic/CBS repertoire.

This music artist will be missed due too her untimely death. Teena Marie music talents will definitely be remember by "Baby Boomers" who grew up on Stone City Band music.

I bought this CD so I could show my teenage kids how much better the music was just before they were born. There are good singers today, but few can touch Teena Marie. These songs are classics; I especially love the slow songs. Now my kids know that my generation enjoyed the best music and some of the most beautiful voices that ever sang a song. Thanks Teena Marie!