Customer Reviews

Honey Cone - Greatest Hits

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When Holland Dozier Holland left Motown in the late '60s and started their Invictus/Hot Wax labels, they wanted a girl group in their stable to continue the legacy they started with the Supremes. They approached Edna Wright (sister of Darlene Love) about forming a group and she put together Honey Cone with fellow session singers Shellie Clark and Carolyn Willis.

The Cone's early singles (the feminist "Girls It Ain't Easy" and "While You're Out Looking For Sugar") were r & b hits-only in 1969. In 1971, however, they exploded on the pop and r & b charts with the Jackson Five knockoff "Want Ads." It was followed by the similar sounding "Stick Up" (about a man who stole a woman's love and knocked her up!) and the latin-flavored (arriba!) "One Monkey Don't Stop No Show," also major hits.

In 1972, the Honey Cone's chart placements dropped, but not because of a reduction in quality. "The Day I Found Myself" is a touching ballad that shows Edna Wright could caress a slow song as effectively as she belted out the up-tempo hits. Its follow-up "Sittin' On A Time Bomb (Waitin' For The Hurt To Come)" was the artistic apex for the group. From Wright's opening wail of "Mercy!," a desperate mood is established that builds to a frantically, feverish climax. I find "Sittin' On A Time Bomb" quite cathartic and feel it should be required listening for all people who are going through a rough relationship. That it only reached # 99 on the pop charts is a crime!

By 1973, the Cone weren't even denting the charts anymore, although the urgent single "If I Can't Fly" is definitely among their best recordings. At this time, Invictus/Hot Wax was collapsing, promotional support wasn't forthcoming, and not surprisingly, Honey Cone disbanded. A big shame, as they were one of the most potent female groups ever.

This 14-track set collects all of the Honey Cone's singles for Hot Wax, as well as a few key album tracks. If you can afford it, the two-disc set Soulful Sugar is even better.

When I was a kid in the early 70s, the Honey Cone and the Jackson 5 were my favorite groups. These talented young ladies made Destiny's Child sound like Alfalfa on the Little Rascals! "The Day I Found Myself" is an anthem for female empowerment. "Ace In The Hole" is an obscure jam! "One Monkey Don't Stop No Show" is simply fun to listen to, as well as "Want Ads" and "Stick Up." "Innocent Til Proven Guilty" has catchy hooks that modern rappers and samplers would die for! This goes to show you that there is so much that's not played on "oldies radio" that needs more attention!

The Honey Cone are a rarity. A girl group with an aggressive, powerful attitude, that can actually harmonize and sing with gusto and great power. Each one of these 3 women could each carry their own weight on a solo LP if necessary, but put them all together, combine the soulful, luxurious music of Holland/Dozier/Holland's HOT WAX label with majestic string and horn arrangements and what you get is pure honey..from the bee.

A must have for 70's r & b afficionados or just anyone who appreciates strong melodies, powerful female voices and fun lyrics.

There is not a bad track on this LP, but stand-outs are the very tongue-in-cheek "Stick Up", the shockingly sexual "Want Ads", the effervescent "One Monkey Don't Stop No Show", a funky ode to the uncertainty of love called "Sitting On A Time Bomb" and the poignant "Innocent Till Proven Guilty."

Step aside Spice Girls...the Honey Cone have TRUE GIRL POWER!!!

Honey Cone were way before my time, but as a young child in the early eighties i was given a second hand LP of Sweet Replies, my first record, which became my all time favourite. Searching for Honey Cone years later proved fruitless, until Greatest Hits came up. With many good tracks - Want Ads, Stick up, When Will it End, etc. I was still disappointed - where was the raw edge and power I'd come to know from Sweet Replies? In general it is missing. Even though the songs on greatest hits are the groups singles from 1969-1973 what we really need to appreciate the r'n'b, funk soul pop mix that is Honey Cone is Sweet Replies. Can copyright owners reprint it? Other that that Greatest Hits is good enough for people to make do with.

Before there was SWV and Brownstone...before there was Jade and Expose...and even before there was the Pointer Sisters...there was Honey Cone!! The best that these ladies offered back in the early seventies is captured here on one disc and the music has held up very well indeed. Among the many highlights are "The Day I Found Myself", "Stick Up", the ever-popular "Want Ads" and "One Monkey Don't Stop No Show." A must for any fan of girl groups and/or 70's soul music- these ladies were and remain the REAL THING!

Sittin' On A Time Bomb (Waiting' For The Hurt To Come) is one of my all-time favorite songs and a must for anyone in a bad relationship (it can also be effectively used by anyone coming out of a bad relationship as a catharsis). Get it today.

The Honey Cone Greatests Hits CD was in excellent condition and arrived as specified. I will be ordering again from Amazon.Com.

I loved the "Honey Cone" when growing up in South Central LA during the 70"s I thought the were very prettty ladies and talented.I turned my 22 yr old daughter on to them that's who I purchased the CD for
and she fell in love the them also as well as her best friend.

the Honey Cones were very Soulful&Much in line with the female Groups on Motown back in the day.Want Ads&stick up are the cuts. now they have a Formula sound that will remind you of the Jackson Five's I want you back&ABC but Musical stylings aside the Honey cones could truly sing&had flavor with there presentaton.they are One of the Most slept on Acts.this is a Good set to get Hip to the Honey cones.