Customer Reviews

Petals: The Minnie Riperton Collection

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I recall faithfully purchasing all of Minnie Riperton's albums in the 1970s, then reading lukewarm reviews by critics who felt she overdid it with her forays into the higher octaves (didn't Mariah Carey get the same flak early in her career?). Her love-based song themes also drew criticism (ala Paul McCartney's music). Apparently music without angst was a no-no (and still is by some). Well, I didn't agree with them then, and still don't now that more than a quarter century has passed since her biggest hit (LOVING YOU). In fact, her music seems bolder and more original in retrospect, passing the test of time with room to spare.

This remastered 2CD set is the best overview of Minnie's career, and is available at a bargain price. I've never been able to get into Rotary Connection's music, but the presence of three tracks from Minnie's early-1970s tenure in that ensemble effectively fills in the blanks between the early "Andrea Davis" singles and the solo works for which she is known by most fans. Four tracks from her overlooked 1970 COME INTO MY GARDEN album offer an early indication that Minnie had a rewarding approach that paid little heed to what musical trends that were going on around her.

Even so, Minnie scored a huge hit with LOVING YOU, from the Stevie Wonder-produced PERFECT ANGEL album. Although the following three albums issued during her lifetime sold only moderately well, the generous helping here of tracks from each release offer a consistently satisfying listening experience for those who are looking for heartfelt, soulful music, sung by one of the great pop music romantics of her time (note the fine cover version of Joni Mitchell's WOMAN OF HEART AND MIND, too)!

Years ago, I only knew Minnie Riperton for one song..Yep, you guessed it, Loving You..However, I was listening to the radio one day and I heard Inside My Love..Thats when I picked up the greatest hits collection from Capitol Records..I was content with that, until one day, I heard the original version of Memory Lane on the radio (not the shortened version that they have on the Capitol records album)..Well I saw Petals in the record store and thought, what the hell, I might as well buy it..Im so glad I did..I was stuck on her after listening to the first greatest hits album I brought, but she became one of my influences after listening to Petals..I get sad sometimes because she's not alive, but Im content with having her powerful music and hearing her powerful voice..So let me run down some of my fave tracks:

1st Disc: Les Fleur, Seeing you this way, Reasons, Take a little trip, Loving you and Everytime he comes around

2nd Disc: Perfect Angel, Adventures in paradise, Young Willing and Able, Baby this love I have, Can you feel what Im saying, Inside my love, and Memory Lane..

It would really do her music an injustice if I tried to write too descriptive of a review because you just have to hear for yourself what this woman is all about..You can feel the love, passion and sweetness in her voice..She is one of the greatest who ever done it, no matter the record sales of other popular but extremely untalented artists..Forget Mariah, if you want to hear a high note, listen to the originator..This is some of the greatest soul music I've ever heard..Minnie Riperton is a legend..I love you Minnie!!!

This is by far the most definitive Minnie Riperton compilation to date! It includes previously unreleased versions of "Seeing You This Way", and a live verion of "Lovin' You" with George Benson, Joe Sample, and Grover Washington, Jr. This version of "Lovin' You" is worth the price of the cd alone! The Petals compilation is superb and a must have for any Minnie Riperton fan. You can read my complete review in the discography section at minnieriperton.com

This is a superb two-disc set of Minnie Riperton's recordings. It is a true treasure! Her music is a fresh today as when it was recorded which is testimony to her artistry. Since her life and career were cut short, Minnie hasn't received the recognition she truly deserves. "Petals" contains her earliest work with "The Rotary Connection" and there are some fine songs to be heard. I find the best work beginning on track twelve which is a demo. Now there is the Minnie who had found her real voice and the sound for which she became famous for. "Petals" is a great anthology which lead me to obtain the "Capitol Gold:
The Best of Minnie Riperton" and the two 2 albums on one disc put out by Stateside EMI. I had to have the songs "Stick Together" and "Dancing and Acting Crazy". If one collection of the "Essential" type of collection, here it is! "Petals" is well
researched, remastered, and contains a marvelous well illustrated booklet. It has made me truly appreciate the work of an artist who left a legacy of great music. Now if only the posthumously released album "Love Lives Forever" were remastered and released with gems from the vault, I would be ecsatic. Minnie Riperton is much more than "Lovin' You" and this collection proves it. I cannot recommend "Petals" enough for anyone interested in hearing an underrated artist. To hear Minnie sing is a sublime experience.

The unprecidented octive range needs no further explanation. The woman was just absolutely amazing with sweet,passionate, soul-stirring voice; still to this day there is yet an artist so elegant and silky smooth. The first time that you heard "Lovin You", you can honestly admit that that song enbodies everything that is beautiful in life. One the most sensual songs ever recorded, "Inside My Love", is truely an experience preferrable shared with someone special. Every note in that song just sends chills down the listener's spine, including the unbelieveable note She holds at the end of the song. Priceless! Even the introspective "Return to forever" emits tears from the stereo, as it's dramatic tone evokes memories of going back in time to be with that long,lost lover one more time. This collection is a definite must-have!

I love Minnie. Her music has always spoken to my spirit directly. Now that Capitol has released this wonder-full anthology, perhaps they will re-release the stellar individual albums, with digitally remastered sound, original cover art and liner notes. Minnie's music clearly warrants such treatment and has been unavaliable for far too long now.

The day Minnie Ripperton left the earth, was a day that heaven gained, and we all suffered a major loss. This beautiful woman's irreplaceable voice is one of the most important in American Pop Culture. This collection should be treasured by all.

No other artist has penetrated my soul as deeply as the voice, and the music of Minnie Riperton. I feel so much joy when I hear her voice that it is almost orgasmic. She makes people feel hope, love, so much peace. Hearing her sing, I know that there has Got to be a heaven someplace.

If you're anything like me- raised in the very late '70's, you thought the only song Minnie Riperton sang was "Memory Lane", since earlier works of hers were not often played (with the exception of 'Loving You')

A few years ago, I bought the Capitol Gold Series', "Best of Minnie Riperton". Being that the majority of her music is soooo hard to find, all the songs on that particular disk are the only songs that I knew she sang. That was until I found this disk!

Being that I was born in '77 (which Minnie died two years afterward), I never knew the extensive body of work that she'd done. The beautiful introduction to this full body of work, "The Edge of A Dream", is one of the most beautiful songs that I've ever heard. The message in the song, along with Stevie's (Mr. Wonder, that is) brilliant and vibrant piano playing, make this song a standout. Another one of my favorites is "Take A Trip", along with the sultry/bluesy "Everytime He Comes Around". Of course there are the staple songs like "Memory Lane", "Can You Feel What I'm Saying", "Loving You", "Here We Go", "Lover and Friend", "Light My Fire", "Simple Things", etc., there are some that are new to me that I really like. "Completeness" is a nice, yet haunting song in where Minnie sings the background vocals as almost like an opera singer. "Ready For Your Love" and "Love and It's Glory" are other new favorites of mine.

I would recommend this to any die hard Minnie fan, and to anyone who would like to get familiar with such beautiful talent she possessed. This is a definite must-have.

one of the Greatest Talents that I Have ever heard Period.Her voice&music are timeless.finally a full set that gives Her Her Long Overdue.so much Great WOrk here that you feel it like the first time you heard it.She is a Artist that you can never forget.I hope She gets more Attention because She is a Musical Treasure to these Ears&Heart.