Customer Reviews

Nothing Says I Love You Like I Love You/the Best L

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

 

 

Finally, The Best Love I Ever Had is available to the public in this two-CD set. When I discovered this rare gem of an album (as a single CD in a bargain bin at a bargain music store), I was shocked and questioned my own taste when I discovered that the album's tracks were amazingly fine, unforgettable, stellar '70s soul. What were those marvelous songs doing here, sleeping on this obscure "budget"-produced album, with nary a word about them on the 'net (this was back in '02 or so) when I ran a Google search? Oh, well--at least it seems the word is getting out now, and late is better than never. So lie back, turn it up, and chill with some of the Ice Man's finest, most poignantly-delivered tunes of his career.

Perhaps because they were both released at a time when disco ruled the charts these two albums' sales figures were dismal--the material on both, however, was nothing short of glorious and superb. Jerry Butler's reunion with Gamble and Huff resulted in some great Philly Soul with gorgeous numbers like "Let's Make Love", "Angel Face", "Would You Mind?", "Don't Be An Island" and both the disco and slow-tempo versions of "Nothing Says I Love You Like I Love You" being key cuts.

I bought this CD because I wanted to get to the first song in the CD, (Just thinking about)Coolin Out. This was the only album by Butler which featured this song title. He is smooth as ice, to borrow a cliche, and this song was a major "beach music" hit in the day. The other songs on the album were so, so for me. I like his classic stuff much better but really like Coolin Out.

I flat out do not understand the reviews that have been submitted so far. I purchased this double album on the basis of them, and I'm mad. I'm just a few years younger than Jerry Butler, and I've been a fan all my life. (From Chicago, too.) I have never before listened to an album of his that had nothing--zip, nada--on it that I came even close to liking. This is a practical joke of an album: there's that beautiful voice, singing two collections of songs without any redeeming features. There are boring melodies, dragging tempos, limp rhythms. Was Jerry in the midst of a contract dispute? You wouldn't even use these songs to pad out an LP in the old-fashioned way. If there are samples you can hear, listen to them before buying this album, then step away and look for some of the out-of-print collections from this period of his career. You'll be glad you did.

Wonderful, this cd is the best I ever had. Music and souds are wonderful.. For those lovers, you need to purchase this cd.