Nancy Wilson - Greatest Hits [Sony]

Nancy Wilson (Jazz) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 7, 1999)
• Original Release Date: September 7, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00000J28Z
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #105,718 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Two tracks from Nancy Wilson's early Capitol Records years outclass everything else on this compilation, which otherwise concentrates on the jazz/pop/lite-R&B singer's '80s and '90s work for Columbia. On the two torchy Capitol tracks, "Guess Who I Saw Today" and "Save Your Love for Me" (the latter from Wilson's 1962 collaboration with Cannonball Adderley), she blends strong, bluesy chops with bittersweet sentiments. The more recent stuff is hardly as straightforward; most of the time, her vocals are swamped by ricky-tick adult-contemporary production that renders the music fit only for smooth-jazz radio. And when Wilson does slip into a stripped-down trio format with the likes of Brad Mehldau and Christian McBride on Stephen Sondheim's "Loving You," she still has to contend with bland duet partner Peabo Bryson. Greatest Hits serves mainly to point out the fact that Nancy Wilson best uses her voice these days as host of public radio's Jazz Profiles. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The epitome of elegance, June 13, 2000

By 

John Jones "Musician" (Chicago IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nancy Wilson - Greatest Hits [Sony] (Audio CD)

When someone sustains a musical career for forty years and counting, there's got to be a good reason. In the case of jazz singer Nancy Wilson it's that voice, that heartstoppingly warm, awe-inspiringly wise voice that caresses phrases with the touch of a lover, always mindful of when to hold back and when to let loose. Her gift has only gotten richer and more beautiful with time, to which this collection of hits from Columbia Records is ample testament.

Two tracks from her early years are featured, back when her voice sounded a little sweeter and girlish; still, she gives "Save Your Love for Me" (with Cannonball Adderly) a moving once-over that will leave you breathless, and "Guess Who I Saw Today" proves that she always had chops beyond her years. The rest of the songs are from the 80's and 90's, representing Nancy's more pop- and R&B-flavored work. But Nancy makes a strong argument that a song doesn't have to be written by Gershwin or Cole Porter to be given a mature, jazzy performance, and as a result, Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me," the Emotions' "Don't Ask My Neighbors," Bill Withers' "Hello Like Before" and Marvin Gaye's "Just to Keep You Satisfied" all recieve renditions of the highest order, crossing genres in an easy, even motion.

The album's finest moment, however, is "When October Goes." Placed in the dead center of the record, this beautiful, wistful track makes for the perfect centerpiece as Wilson wraps her vocals around the arty ballad that was a posthumous collaboration between Barry Manilow and the late Johnny Mercer. "Love Won't Let Me Wait" is a close runner-up, though, as Wilson offers a generous helping of unbridled soul and her grace-note vocal flourishes, an almost yodel-like ad lib that has become her trademark.

Spanning four decades and showcasing her instinctual music abilities as well as innate good taste in selection of material, this Greatest Hits compilation should be in the music collection of any jazz, soul, or Nancy Wilson fan.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Past Remembered, October 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Nancy Wilson - Greatest Hits [Sony] (Audio CD)

It's been quite a while since I first heard the voice of Nancy Wilson. About 30 years or so.

It's also been about ten years since I had listened to one of her "records".

Then, while browsing through a music store, I heard a voice from the past and recognized it immediately.

I not only bought this CD on the spot, but several others to replace the old vinyl LP's that have been gathering dust.

Classics never go out of style.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars she is a ten, October 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Nancy Wilson - Greatest Hits [Sony] (Audio CD)

this woman is superbad.her voice just gets better with time.she has so much range and style it's unbelievable.i love her tone and this hits set showcases her legend.we need more vocalist like her.people that make time-less quality sounding records and that go from decade to decade still in top form.she is a jewel and a foxy lady as well.