Customer Reviews

James Ingram - The Greatest Hits: Power of Great Music

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I know that although I'm a semi-professional classical musician, I'm so in love with James Ingram. There aren't that many soulful singers that move me, but he definitely does. My favorite track on here is "How Do You Keep The Music Playing"---and it's clearly evident--how do you keep the music playing? Simple. James Ingram does on this one!!! It was one of those rare albums that the power of great music just blew me away. I can't even listen to "Somewhere Out There" or "I Don't Have The Heart" without getting teary-eyed.

I know I'm only 26 years old, but I grew up listening to some of Quincy Jones' and James Ingram's finest works on the radio.

The Power of Great Music says it all!! Keep up the excellent work, JI!!!!

Given the fact that virtually all of James' studio CDs are currently out-of-print this CD is a truly essential purchase for any fan of good 1980s and '90s soul. James Ingram is blessed with one of the smoothest, purest and most breathtakingly gorgeous voices in contemporary soul, R&B and pop - this CD proves this perfectly. Sadly, James' duets with other artists were far more successful than his own solo albums but this CD pays proper tribute to one of the best male vocalists of our time.

Giving the STARS:

*- Even if you're the most loyal fan, you don't deserve this album
**-If you've got money to burn, buy this CD or else,...just copy the songs
***-Need something to add in your CD collection?
****-Fans from this artist's music genre would enjoy this
*****- a CLASSIC.

Decades before the popularity of talented R&B artists like Usher, Brian McKnight and R. Kelly, there was the legendary singer-musician-composer James Ingram. Yes folks, if you remember, James Ingram was one of the few old skool R&B crooners being nominated in the Grammy's not just once, nor twice, but at least FIVE times. Wow!...And why not? The former keyboardist for Revelation Funk is well-respected for his strong vocal chords and intense versatility. Actually, I was only a toddler when Sir James was creating his best hits so I only appreciated this awesome collection in 1998.

This greatest hits CD is a sure hit to love/ballad fans. Although this album is packed with James' gorgeous love songs, there are a couple of songs which shifts to pop-blues-r&b, such as "Yah Mo B There" (with Michael McDonald), "Whatever We Imagine" and the funky "Baby Come To Me" with Patti Austin.

"Where Did My Heart Go?" is the first song of the CD which opens a beautiful orchestra-esque introduction by Producer Thom Bell. The musical production is way spectacular. To say Thom Bell is a musical genius is certainly an understatement. There are three tracks in the album which feature three famous balladeers during the 1980's- Patti Austin, Linda Ronstadt and Michael McDonald. The first duet in the album is "How Do You Keep The Music Playing?" with celebrated singer, Patti Austin. Emotional and impressive, the enthralling voices of the two companions exchange delightfully in this second track. The memorable piano introduction opens for "Just Once", which gave James two Grammy Nominations in 1981. "Just Once" has to be James Ingram at his best in his younger days when he showed his true potentials as a singer. "Somewhere Out There" provides a free ticket down to memory lane as James and Linda Ronstadt sing together the theme song of Steven Spielberg's film, "An American Tail." Though it is quite short, both of the renowned singers share the spotlight in this 1986 classic. My all-time favorite ballad track has to be "I Don't Have The Heart". Unlike the other hits, it does not have a complex musical quality because James' talents alone shine in this song. BTW, this was also produced by Thom Bell who arranged a short but unforgettable strings accompaniment after the second chorus. Well-talented Quincy Jones produced seven cuts for this collection including "There's No Easy Way", "Just Once" and the jazz-influenced "One Hundred Ways". Speaking of Quincy Jones, he also produced "Baby Come to Me", which turned out to be a great collaboration with Patti Austin. The '80-ish electronic drum beats starts for the Michael McDonald duet, "Yah Mo B There". When I first heard this song, I had a hard time identifying who sang this or that line. I learned that Michael's voice came in more raspy while James was the more soulful one. "Whatever We Imagine" ends this great CD with a catchy title-line. The lyrics aren't too deep and the music is a far-cry from Thom Bell's produced tracks but heck, just leave this song to James and rest assured it would still sound like a masterwork.

Truly, this is a wonderful best hits album (even if "What About Me?" wasn't included). I recommend this album to all r&b slow jam fans, especially people my age (I'm in my late teens). This CD comprises a bundle of love songs but I'm certain that they're not cheesy enough to make you feel like a romantic desperado. This is a rare treat from this r&b legend and I will really, really feel sorry for you if you will not recognize a James Ingram classic.

This man is wonderful. I love his voice so much. He is singing in my wedding and that is that :-) 100 ways, I don't have the heart, and just once are classics. I am so sad that this man is not really doing anything. He needs to come back and school these new artists on how to make women melt in a classy way. You don't have to pack your music with smut in order to appeal to listeners. This CD is a must have

If it were possible to create the perfect light music CD, it would sound a lot like this. Nearly all of the songs here are well-known favorites that never go out of style, and James has probably the best vocal delivery of any balladeer today. I hear his licks being borrowed by many of the male singers out now, from R. Kelly to Justin Timberlake, but none of them compare to the original. But his musical sensibilities extend beyond singing, into the areas of songwriting (he's written hits for many others), producing, and even playing keyboards (hearing him weave his melodies on the organ is as enjoyable as his singing). I would suggest you start out by getting this CD, and then pick up "Forever More", a later collection which contains fresh re-recordings of many of these songs, allowing you to hear James work them from a different angle. They're both great. I had the pleasure of seeing him perform live recently, and he has lost none of his winning ways onstage. If anything, he's only getting better. Google my name (Gerry Aire) to check out my own music, in a similar style.

One of the smoothest, most passionate soul crooners ever to step in front of a microphone, the career of James Ingram has been hurt somewhat by the fact that his individual albums are often uneven and often filled with material that is much less special than his voice. He's also achieved great success as a wildly popular guest artist who has been the male lead on a number of memorable duets. This collection does an adequate job of collecting most of his essential singles, but it's also relatively small, missing a couple of great songs, and so far, there has not been a proper James Ingram anthology of 20 or more songs.

Is his voice, which is great, and does not only shivers women but also for me as a male listener. I followed the reviews about James and I'm agree that there's no other male singer who can perform at this level. Listening to all his songs I've noticed the consistence work he delivered. Each song on this compilation is as pure as gold. I certainly recommend it...

There are a few cd's that I can listen to over and over again and James Ingram's "Power of Great Music" is certainly one of them. His smooth yet powerful voice engages the listener with romantic & soulful tunes that are hard to get out of one's mind. Certainly a cd worth purchasing. It's guaranteed to make you feel all warm and fuzzy.

James Ingram a very underrated vocalist. This man has nice smooth voice. He has worked under the production of Quincy Jones he has done some beautiful songs. One of the best duets of all time "Baby Come to Me" w/Patti Austin. He has done some great material he does great work and he is a great singer. Some of my favorites on here are : Baby Come To Me, Just Once, Yamo' B There w/ Michael Mc Donald, One Hundred Ways, and many other great songs I love this album and I enjoy James Ingrams's music. If you enjoy James Ingram's music or Quincy Jones then you would definitely enjoy this album it is a must have for any Quincy Jones or James Ingram's fan!!!!

I've been a James Ingram fan since his song "Just Once" came out on Quincy Jones "The Dude" album back in 1981. For over 30 years I have never stopped listening to the uniquely soulful voice that can only be defined as quintessential Ingram. This album aptly compiles a group of songs that, when listened to in its entirety, will take you on a musical journey that will ultimately land you in a blissful Eden of Soul. It is perfect because it takes the perfection of James Ingram and extols his music and voice to the level that he truly deserves. If you are not a fan of the masterful soul singer, this album will undoubtedly make you one. It will put you in that place that only music, only true soulful music, can bring you. Take the journey and experience Eden.