Customer Reviews

Nancy Wilson - Greatest Hits [Sony]

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Don't listen to Ricky Wright's review, which says that Nancy is best heard speaking rather than singing. How untrue. But I don't have to defend Nancy Wilson's career. She has been around since the late 50s, has over 60 albums, has won a grammy, an emmy and countless other awards, has a star on the Walk of Fame, sells out concerts continually, and is revered by true artists in the industry. No -- Nancy's achievments speak for themselves.

I would have given the album five stars, like I have given all of the other Nancy albums I have reviewed, but I don't believe this material represents her best work. They should have chosen more from the critically acclaimed "Love, Nancy" album, from "With My Lover Beside Me" and from her older selections. But then again, I believe that Nancy actually helped select the material, and she is most proud of the Lady With a Song album (which I don't think comes close to Love, Nancy). In any event, Nancy is great -- she continues to capture the hearts of new generations. I am glad that people as young as I, who were not around while Nancy when Nancy was in her heyday, can still enjoy her music. Nancy, we love you!!!

This recording is evidence that the work of this prolific artist is something that should be cherished for generations to come. Here is an artist who could simply ride on the success of her recordings of classic songs and yet, brilliantly takes on contemporary material with the same personalized style and success. Few artists are able to pull this off with such quality. The selections on this CD are from some of the treasures of past recordings plus a few additional songs that even the true Nancy Wilson fan will delight in hearing for the first time. If you weren't a fan of Nancy Wilson before hearing this CD, you will be by the time you experience the final track.

Nancy Wilson possesses one of those voices that only comes once in a lifetime; that is, it is unique, enigmatic, soulful, subtle yet thought-provoking, and utterly beautiful. A collection of her "greatest hits" must have EVERYTHING ever recorded by this true original. This is an excellent intro to the artist with every selection from her long career a jewel! The current crop of female pop stars could only hope to have a legacy half as long as Miss Wilson.

I am sick and tired of Nancy's fans on Amazon trashing her 80's and 90's recordings at Columbia. Granted the material wasn't as strong as her Sixties stuff, but what is? Times change and even artists have to grow and move on, and Nancy Wilson is no exception. The Eighties saw a proliferation of slick R&B/Adult Contemporary material due to the enormous success of artists like Anita Baker and Sade. I'm sure Nancy had Ms. Baker in mind when she and her producers selected material for her Columbia albums. We're talking about a 20 to 25 year time span since her Sixties heyday and it would be unfair to compare all this stuff to her work at Capitol.

I would suggest to any fan of Nancy Wilson or Dinah Washington (whom Nancy bears remarkable stylistic similarities) to give this Greatest Hits compilation a try, especially if you see a great price somewhere. The CD is still impeccably sung (just like all Nancy Wilson albums are -- no matter what decade we're talking about), and yes, the years have been kind to Nancy because her incisive phrasing and breath control are sharp as ever. Though one or two tracks here are over-produced, the rest is quite enjoyable. If nothing else, buy this CD just to hear how well Nancy's vocals have aged. Like fine wine, some things just get better, and Ms. Wilson is one of them.

This was the first recording i ever bought by her and let me tell you i was truly impressed with every song on this recording and when i am tired of listening to a thin voiced diva or some wanna be new male singer i put nancy on and listen to anyone of the classic recording from i can't make you love me to if i had my way and truly then am i listening to what music was meant to be.

"Hello like before" was my introduction to Nancy and from that song there was no turning back. This Greatest Hits Collection was a big wake up call as to the dynamic voice that is Nancy Wilson. Her songs are like butter and I have never regretted buying this album simply for the song that got me searching high and low to discover who the artist was.

I recommend this CD wholeheartedly. If a bit timid try the Album "If I had My Way" and I promise you, your next purchase of Nancy's will definitely be this collection.

Nancy knows Jazz and from all indications she probalby wrote a few of its chapters.

I discovered Ms Wilson's vocals more than 14 years ago when I chanced upon her lovely Nancy Now when I was still in the army. And what a journey I had ever since. Despite collecting virtually every album I can get my hands since then,I find that this collection of her greatest still satisfies and triggers wonderful memories that I have attached to each of her albums and songs. Rare gems like the infectious Ramsey Lewis-Wilson's The Two of Us and Marvin Gayes' Just to Keep You Satisfied being put together in one album is indeed a treat. Nancy Wilson's smooth vocals, perfect phrasing, exquisite vocal arrangements and unbelieveably superb style in her intepretations are displayed in this one album, although I would have liked other personal favourites to be included - "I Was Telling Him", "If I Could", "Dont be an Island" and "At Last". If you have not heard of her, buy it. Welcome to the World of THE exquistic vocal artist of our time. Even if you have a collection, this is a good bagful to keep you really really satisfied. This lady deserves another four decades. Bravo.