Customer Reviews

Heartbreaker

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The fact that Barry Gibb could give back to Dionne the vocal prowess and stylings that Bacharach & David originally gifted her with in the 60s is alone startling...the achievement is amazing.

I was sick and tired of playing my old vinyl so I gave in and bought the import - and it has been worth every dollah! This is an amazing recording - and once again we must ask - what is wrong with these U.S. record companies? SO much great stuff is available in Japan & Europe - and they are all American artists! Nothing makes sense in this country anymore - so I can't imagine why I am shocked that such a landmark album as "Heartbreaker" - the combined genius of Dionne + Bee Gees is not available. This was a huge hit and the title cut as far as I am concerned is Dionne's best post Bacharach/David single to date. There are a few - but far between - clunks in some songs on the album - however as far as a cohesive Dionne recording - this is the most listenable full length she ever made.

Jazzy, Pop, Dancey, Mellow, Swingy, Groovy. That is Dionne.

HELLO ARISTA? What is wrong with you? Release this in the US in a deluxe edition. All you idiots sign garbage like 50 Cent and expect returns on that in the future? Good luck. This is timeless music.

I've been listening to this album for 20 years, ever since Gary Mckee in Atlanta played the title track over and over. I had never heard anything like the swirling melody on the lyric, 'suddenly everything I ever wanted' and the hiccup syncopation of the opening vocal still makes me smile.

Through the years, I came to like the other tracks as well. 'Yours' is as strong a ballad as I've ever heard and Dionne's playful improvisation at the end of 'Take the Short Way Home' drive me to dance.

These songs are everything a pop song should be: simple, predictable, yet clever and memorable. But they are also challenging especially in rhythm. Pay attention to the bass line in 'You are my Love'. The syncopation is so off the beat in so many different ways that it's hard to imagine how the player pulled it off, yet it still manages to drive the tune and makes you move.

Don't have this cd? Get it. I promise it'll delight and entertain you for years to come.

If your to young to remember the sixties,and loved " That,s what friends are for" then Heartbreaker is a must have album for your collection. This is a recording of Dionne at arguably her very best,with her stirring version of Yours, my personal favorite All The Love In The World, Take The Short Way Home, and of course the smash hit Heartbreaker. No true fan of Dionne Warwick should be without this title.

When a person listens to the Dionne Warwick of the eighties, that person is listening to damn-near perfection! While that period in her career is generally not as celebrated as her phenomonal sixties period, I consider it her peak. Her voice had matured from that youthful, vulnerable sound of the sixties, and blossomed into a rich, multi-layered powerhouse still capable of blowing the roof off of anyone's house! Add to that the fact that her technical skills had only improved and grew, and you see the magic of her eighties work. This album was one of her most successful projects of the decade (and her career, for that matter), and it's easy to see why. Barry Gibb's unusual, tricky songs are reminiscent of the songs of Bacharach, and seem the perfect fit for Warwick's vocals. She is at turns explosive, smooth, giddy, and solemn. Always a master at emotion, Warwick captures the essence of each song. This effort far surpasses the Streisand album with the Gibbs, even though it didn't elicit quite as great a response. And what a shame, indeed. Warwick is a rareity and a national treasure!

I first heard this album whilst living in Germany just after it's release and absolutely hated it. Maybe it was the fact that my Mother wouldn't stop playing it in the car or maybe because I was entering adulthood. However now it is one of my top ten albums. Complete easy listening from a fantastic singer who deserves far more recognition in my home country. Each track screams quality singing and song writing, the Gibb brothers seem to just at home producing as when singing themselves. All I can really say to anyone that would like to remember the best of the 80s is listen to this album once, then buy it.

Dionne Warwick has come and gone, but has always remained a valued musical icon. This Gibb produced set with Barry Gibb singing back-up was the 'breath of fresh air' Warwick needed. Reportedly, she did not want to record "Heartbreaker", as she considered it not suitable for her voice. It became a huge hit for her even if the album didn't have a great sales record.

The other single, "Take The Short Way Home", is an awkward endeavor, seeming forced and lacking the 'funkiness' it deserved. "All The Love In The World" is classic Warwick and the Gibbs seem to have a knack for pulling out the personality of singers they produce and write for. "You Are My Love" is another example of this talent and is a great bouncy number that makes for nice finish.

"Our Day Will Come" is the only non-Gibb tune in this set and although it's rendered nicely, it seems out of place - almost like Dionne wanted one of her favorites on this album. That's fine, but the credit truly goes to Barry Gibb and his siblings for such a remarkable production. This is a great tribute to the talent of Dionne Warwick.

I'm a huge bee gees fan and a huge Dionne Warwick fan so it was just a blast for me when I found out about this album.
You can hear the sweet sound of the bee gees doing back up for every single song on this album which adds much more flavor to Dionne's songs.
Overall, a very good album!

I wish this album was still in print in America. However,there are used copies for sale where compact discs are sold. They could also be found in thrift stores. This 1982 album is another incredible production by The Bee Gees. The title track,a Bee Gees composition,is the biggest hit from this album. It would be covered by the Bee Gees themselves in 2001 for THEIR GREATEST HITS-THE RECORD. Another hit from this album,this one minor,is TAKE THE SHORT WAY HOME. OUR DAY WILL COME is a non-Bee Gees cover,written and first recorded in the sixties. The Boneroo Horns are heard on several tracks. The brass ensemble began working with the Bee Gees in 1976. The title track also appeared on the various artists album SOUL OF THE BEE GEES,and on Warwick's later compilations. Also what's out of print in America is Kenny Rogers' EYES THAT SEE IN THE DARK album,another Bee Gees production following this one. Barbra Streisand's 1980 album,GUILTY,another Bee Gees production is still in print. Obviously,that album's sales record is still very good after its being on the American market for 24 years.

The songs of this album are sang by D. Warwick and written by Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees. It is a very nice album. It is a must have if you are a Bee Gees/Barry Gibb fan, as well.

I just came on Amazon to try to remember the song mentioned in above review, thanks for providing it. "Yours", this is a tremendous ballad over love gone , when I was .....Yours, sung with every ounce of depth, experience you could wish for by Ms. D., and you'll heare it only on this album , incredibly , never heard it on the radio when album was released, but of course the title cut was played to death, but that was always pleasurable to listen to the incredible singing of Dionne . The instumental backdrops to all songs are all classic B.Gee's. I was surprised that the Gibb's gave this material to Ms Warwick and didn't keep for themselves, but they knew they had the right combination when they chose each other. Kudos to all concerned for such wise musical decisions. The rest of the cuts on album aren't far behind these two gems ... 30 yrs later , haven't heard in while , but remember this album quite well, my cassette copy of it was in tatters by time I got done playing it so much for all the reasons cited in other reviews and more , it just amazes , especially the vocals , way to go Ms. Warwick and Gibb brothers for bringing her back for her greatest album. Considering all the classic's she's had , that's saying something.