Customer Reviews

Neil Sedaka - All-Time Greatest Hits

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

 

 

This collection spans from 1958-1963, an excellent overview of his first heyday. For the record, the #33 hit "Bad Girl" is missing and "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" is the upbeat version not the ballad. This collection along with "Laughter In The Rain: The Best Of..." is all you will need. Thus, this collection is ideal for the casual and hardcore fan.

.... After tunes like "Stupid Cupid" and "Where the Boys Are" would become hits for Connie Francis, the still-teenage Sedaka began singing and playing on his own records, and (pardon the cliche) a star was born. His first release, 1958's "I Go Ape," began a five-year rule of the pop charts. For those who prefer the "first" string of hits to his "second," (as in late '50s and early '60s to mid- to late-'70s), then Neil Sedaka - All-Time Greatest Hits is definitely the CD you should choose to add to your collection.

Some might say sadly, the silly "monkey" (no, not "Monkee"--they came later) novelty song isn't included in this compilation album, but all the "important" hits are. A master of self-described "wraparound" ditties or so-called "sandwich songs"--a nonsensical or rhyming intro, followed by the verse and chorus, ending with the intro again--you'll find perfect examples of this style of songwriting in "Next Door to an Angel," "Calendar Girl," "Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen," "Oh! Carol" (dedicated to then-girlfriend Carole King), "Stairway to Heaven," and one of only three #1 singles Sedaka would enjoy in his career: "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do," one of 1962's biggest hits. The last of these, of course, would be re-recorded by Sedaka in 1975 as a ballad and would once again hit the Top 10 on the charts.

Sedaka's mother complained that his pop success was ruining her desire to see him become a serious, classical pianist, so he tried to appease her by writing a ballad in a minor key. "You Mean Everything to Me" would become one of Sedaka's lesser hits but is probably one of the most satisfying cuts on this compilation. Another favorite features the whimsical Biblical references in the banjo-laden "Run, Samson, Run," one of Sedaka's last early hits. ....

But this compilation gives us a good sampling of his early successes: admittedly lightweight, but lots of fun.

Rating: **** (out of 5); updated 29 Jan 08 -- BOB BOURBEAU

Yeah, the hits are here, but Sedaka has way more to offer than "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do". If you are looking for more, you should get "All Time Greatest Hits" volume 2. Which offers great songs like "The Dreamer" "Look Inside Your Heart" "The Closest Thing To Heaven" and "All The Words In The World" just to mention a few.

This is a typical compilation of Neil Sedaka's hits from the early sixties. If you have nothing else by Neil Sedaka, this is recommended. All songs are in true stereo.

I was very happy to have this cd which contains the songs I grew up with. I am totally enjoying it.

Reviewers often allude to the "60s" when writing about Neil Sedaka but that can conjure up images of stringy-haired protestors and riots. That is not what Sedaka is about. His joyful tunes started before that time and unfortunately ended (until the mid-70s) just as the British invasion came. Both "Run Samson Run" and its flipside "You Mean Everything to Me" got lots of airplay in the early 60s. Besides the other even bigger hits on this CD, Mister Sedaka wrote songs for other artists ("Another Sleepless Night", Jimmy Clanton, comes to mind). Thankfully, he was rediscovered in 1975. Most recently (note the date), he performed here and got a great reception and review. If only he'd do it more often. Cherish this CD; it's worth the bucks.

These songs rock!. I remember when I was 6 and 7 years old my mom use to be playing these songs when we use to be coming home from the beach in her car late in the evening. But in those days they were on a cassette because CD'S haven't been released yet. I still listen to them as a teenager now. We definately need to bring back people like Neil Sadeka, Connie Francis and Forester sisters in this now and day. And get rid of people like Britney spears, Christina aguliera and all those Divas who songs are pointless and not even worth a fart. Anyway coming back to Neil sadeka these songs are great his songs, the Forester sisters and Connie francis songs are the best. I would recommend this Neil sadeka album to anyone.

Neil Sedaka turned out great tunes all the while making it seem effortless. Not only was he one of rock and roll's pioneers, his warm voice was full of masculine sensitivity and he sang with a type of passion that really made his ballads shine. Neil remains a force to this day. This CD gives us some of his greatest hits; although I think to be completely thorough Neil's hits would be more than just the fourteen on this CD.

The CD track set begins with one major hit for Neil entitled "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do." The melody has that early 1960s feel to it; and the beat remains strong all through the number. Neil sang with all his heart; and the backup chorus works well to enhance "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do." I prefer this version of "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" to other interpretations that have a much slower tempo. The upbeat melody belies the sadness of the lyrics and for some reason it works wonders for this rendition of this number. However, if you want a song that has a more doo-wop flavor to it, give a listen to "The Diary." "The Diary" is a romantic tune with a solid musical arrangement; the percussion and the backup chorus work well again for this ballad.

One of my personal favorites of all time is Neil Sedaka singing "Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen." This coming of age song gives us all something to relate to when we hear it; and the upbeat melody proves infectiously catchy and very memorable the very first time you hear this tune. Great! "Little Devil" continues the upbeat flavor; only this time the boy Neil Sedaka sings of wants his girl to settle down and go steady with him. The playful musical arrangement charms me because it works so well.

"Oh! Carol" switches back to a more doo-wop type of love ballad; Neil sings of how he loves his girlfriend even though she treats him poorly. Neil performs one verse by simply speaking it while the female chorus backs him up well. "Next Door To An Angel" swings while being just about the best doo-wop song you could ever ask for; Neil sings about a young man who discovers that the girl next door is the girl for him. The upbeat melody is unforgettable and it complements Neil's vocals perfectly. On the other hand, "King Of Clowns" explores the pain a young man feels after his girlfriend leaves him. The percussion provides a good base for the tempo and the guys doing backup harmonize to perfection!

"Run Samson Run" equates the troubles of a Biblical hero to a young man's plight in these times because his girlfriend will hurt his feelings; and "Calendar Girl" gives us a joyous ode to how Neil loves women and the thought of being in love with a beautiful woman who he calls his "little calendar girl." "Calendar Girl" has a great beat--love those chimes, too!

The CD set ends with "Let's Go Steady Again;" the guitar starts the musical arrangement and this early rock and roll type ballad features Neil singing his heart out. His voice exudes masculine sensitivity and the backup chorus does a great job as they help to make this a great ballad.

The liner notes don't give us much more than the song credits; this disappoints me but the music more than compensates for this. I also would have liked a few extra numbers on this CD; but the very high quality control of the numbers on this CD impresses me so much that I will give this one five stars anyway!

Neil Sedaka left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of teenagers everywhere back in his day; and he will always be fondly remembered as one of the better American artists. In fact, he still remains a force to this day! I highly recommend this CD for casual fans of Neil Sedaka or people who want to experience Neil's magic for the very first time. Big fans of Neil Sedaka might consider the German import entitled Neil Sedaka - Greatest Hits as well as The Definitive Collection CD released just two months ago. The Definitive Collection contains demos and rarities that you may enjoy.

This is a great collection, sung exquisitely by Neil Sedaka It really is a great listen. Fast delivery from Amazon and worth every penny.

When I was growing up my parents listened to this all the time. I loved it. I know each song word for word and just feel a sense of happiness when I hear my music again. I cant tell you just how happy I was to find this on cd. This is actually the second one that I've bought of the same cd. When my father heard it he asked me where I had found it and we just started talking about when I was small and how my sister and I would sing and laugh. I just knew I had to get it for his birthday. He loved it too.