Customer Reviews

"Hurt": The Best of Timi Yuro

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

For those interested in experiencing a once in a lifetime brilliant singer, do not miss this soulfully sung collection. Sadly Timi Yuro has passed but left behind this remarkable collection of masterpieces for those who love the finest in great singing to enjoy! Back in my early teens I remember hearing Timi's first big blockbuster hit "Hurt" and was completely mesmerized by this great voice and powerful emotion that stood out as a completely stunning original. Elvis was said to be enthralled by the majestic voice of Timi Yuro and would play "Hurt" endlessly and recorded a fine version himself and Willie Nelson became a lifetime fan when Timi placed his "Are You Sure" on her "Make The World Go Away" album which contained the definitive hit version of the classic title song. Timi was great in any setting and "The Wall Of Sound" came alive with "What's A Matter Baby (Is It Hurting You?)" which has an incredibly rich and powerful vocal from Timi. Throughout this great collection is one glorious vocal after another and as the sixties closed Timi went to England and recorded a total masterpiece of an album "Something Bad On My Mind" which sadly has yet to be released on compact disc but the title cut is on this collection for all to savor and enjoy...Timi was very proud of this classic lp and only expressed that some of the vocals should have been mixed more out front...God Bless you Timi and may you rest in peace...thank you for sharing your soul and brilliant voice and we miss you!

It's a shame that maybe a dozen or so individuals will stumble upon these reviews of Miss Timi Yuro and attempt to understand what a talent she was. I'd love to climb the musical mountain and shout her praises to the masses. In my opinion, she represents one of the all time great female singers to emerge in the sixties decade. That's a remarkable feat in itself. Timi's talent as a vocalist and song stylist are truly unique. Not only did she have a rich soulful voice but also the ability to interpret the song within her own style. This talent is extremely rare. A couple of examples of other vocalists who could put there imprint on a song, Sinatra, Nina Simone, come to mind.
Timi's success didn't happen overnight but that story will have to be reserved for another time. Suffice to say, that Timi, with her magnificant talent, had the good fortune to be produced by the legend Clyde Otis and have her arrangements built by the one and only Belford Hendricks. These three together in the studio made musical magic that would last a lifetime. Next were the song selections, many penned by Clyde Otis. However, it's interesting to note that selections also included numbers penned by young Willie Nelson and Burt Bacharach. I like to think that Timi recognized their talent early on. It's also interesting to ponder what would have happened if Burt worked with Timi instead of Dianne Warwick during his musical heyday. Also her interpretation of the old chestnuts, Smile and Let Me Call You Sweatheart. These were songs being sung by barbershop quartets but Timi made them her own and added a soulful touch. What happened?? How could a star shine so brightly and with so much promise practically disappear, after only a few years, behind the clouds? Timi with her dedication, energy,hard work and talent should have been a major headliner for years but sadly this wasn't the case. One of the reasons were the times. Female pop singers were literally "chewed up and spit out" by the business. Talented singers were grouped together with the "one hit wonders " and soon forgotten by the general public. No one seriously thought female pop singer, for the most part, were capable of an extended career. During the late fifties and early sixties public visibility was challanging. There were very limited public venues. Some isolated TV spot work,if you were extremely lucky, possibly Dick Clark, Ed Sullivan, etc. Musical venues were just as restrictive. Many really talented artists were tossed into rock and roll package tours with at best ten minutes on the stage shared with a dozen or more acts.It was more akin to a circus performance then a musical concert. the other alternative was night club work. Unfortunately, the club attendees were mostly in their 40s,50s and up, who'd grown up listening to big band and standards singers. A talent like Timi's was rarely appreciated on a consistent basis. Although I don't know, I suspect she was probably represented by less then enlightened management. I find it hard to believe that any talented management, given Timi's work ethic and talent, could not have sustained a headlining career. Sadly, by the late sixties Timi mostly worked the golden oldies package tour. She never really received another major break,although there were periodic rays of sunshine mostly in Europe. To soon major health problems surfaced which, although she fought bravely, finally took the ultimate toll.
All that's left is her music and the thought of what might have been for someone as talanted as she. My ongoing hope is that one of her classics will find it's way onto a successful movie soundtrack and her stylings will receive the wide audience this body of work deserves. It happened to the late Johnny Hartman(a long neglected jazz stylist)when Clint Eastwood inserted his material into the "Bridge " soundtrack. Until then, consider yourself fortunate that you somehow came accross Timi's work. Now purchase the CD and enjoy the songs for a lifetime.

I find it very strange that Timi Yuro never got the acclaim that she deserved. From the very first single 'Hurt' I collected her exquisite albums on vinyl and still have them. I have got more than one of the Best of .. compilations on CD and this one is as good as it gets until we have an entire box set retrospective. Only two female vocalists have been able to make me cry with just the sound and phrasing of their voices alone (not counting certain songs which have the same effect) - Timi Yuro is one. For those that know her Liberty albums but nothing else, search high and low for "The Amazing Timi Yuro" a Mercury release (on vinyl in 1964)and play, and cry to, 'I'm still around' or 'Maybe you'll be there'. In the meantime marvel at the power and the surprising sublety of her voice and her trademark 'NOW' at the beginning of many lines in her songs. And for an instant attack of the sobs, just play 'Make the world go away', the definitive version of this superb song.

She was SUBLIME and recorded virtually no dud tracks in her entire career. A true underrated superstar

This CD captures the full, vibrant, dymamic richness of Timi's voice. The emotion, energy and fullness of both her voice and the background sounds are like I remember 35 years ago on the old LP's. My wife and I have already spent several evenings just listening and reminiscing and yes even dancing to some of the songs. We significantly preferred this CD to "The Great Timi Yuro" CD. It must be the original recording , etc. but you can definitely hear the difference. I highly recommend this for Timi fans.

Up until I bought this CD, the only two songs that I had ever heard by Timi Yuro were "Hurt" and "What's the Matter Baby". After listening to this CD I will probably buy another one of her's with different songs. She sings her songs from the heart and puts that extra feeling into them thru her voice. Some of the songs on this CD I had never heard anybody sing before and think they must have been specially written and composed for her.

It is a travesty that so many Americans have never heard this wonderfull voice. This entire CD is filled with songs that once heard cannot be forgotten. I have bought many copies of this and given them away to friends who have loved it.....Give the samples a listen, the voice will amaze you

What happened to the art of singing? To find the really good good singers you need to take a trip to the past. Timi Yuro is no exception. Her voice is one of the most powerful and soulful voices ever. This cd is a must for any fan of 60's soul and ballad singing. This little lady packs a punch. Just listen to her title song "HURT" and you will really be touched by the emotions in her voice.

For those unlearned in the world of femal pop singing, you must purchase this album along with several others in the catalog of this amazing singer.

I can remember as a child of listening to my mother playing Timi for hours on the HiFi when I was supposed to be in bed.

I have been listening ever since. Trust me, you will not be disappointed. This is the woman who is the inspiration for most of the great woman singers of our times (and many of the men, including Elvis, who was a huge fan).

Buy it, you won't regret.

I PREFER "18 HEARTBREAKING SONGS" AND THIS CD. WONDERFUL SONGS THAT WILL CARRY YOU AND LIFT YOU.
THE "VOICE THAT GOT AWAY" CD IS NOT WORTH THE $$$. I WOULD START WITH "18 HEARTBREAKING SONGS" AND "HURT: THE BEST OF TIMI YURO" AND BRANCH OUT FROM THERE. I SAW TIMI IN LAS VEGAS WHEN I WAS IN THE AIR FORCE AT NELLIS AFB. SHE DIED IN 2004 OF THROAT CANCER.

I JUST GOT THIS CD AND IT IS ONE OF THE BEST CD's I GOT THIS YEAR. I AM SORRY TO HEAR THAT SHE IS NOT WITH US TODAY. HER SONGS--ESPECIALLY 'LET ME CALL YOU SWEETHEART' HAS KNOCKED ME OUT SINCE 1962 WHEN I FIRST HEARD IT. UNTIL YOU HEAR HER RENDITIONS OF 'MAKE THE WORLD GO AWAY' AND 'ARE YOU SURE' YOU HAVEN'T HEAR COUNTRY MUSIC THE WAY IT WAS MEANT TO BE HEARD. WHILE SHE IS NO LONGER WITH US, I STILL FEEL SHE IS HERE WHENEVER I HEAR THIS CD. THANKS FOR MAKING IT AVAILABLE AT A REASONABLE PRICE . GOD BLESS HER WHERE EVER SHE IS.