Customer Reviews

Platinum & Gold Collection

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

 

 

Numerous different compilations of Ms. Hyman's work have been issued since her tragic and untimely death but most (sadly) tend to focus exclusively on the hit singles. What's tragic about this is that with singers like Phyllis, Jean Carne, Angela Bofill, Patti Austin and Brenda Russell the best songs were album-only tracks that (while lacking commercial/mainstream appeal) displayed their true artistry. This CD's strong points are the inclusion of two previously unreleased-in-the-U.S. tracks ("In Between The Heartaches" and "If You Ever Change Your Mind") and the underrated lovely ballads "Why Did You Turn Me On" and "Some Way".

this is a great CD to listen to at the end of a hard day.Very smooth and relaxing.

The past several years, there have been at times so many greatest hits albums that can reflect one single artist that have been made, it just makes listeners seem to run away to something else. That has happened with especially R&B acts like Luther Vandross, Patti LaBelle, and especially Phyllis Hyman. Although it has sadly been over a decade since her sorrowed death, there just hasn't been anything definitive to reintroduce her soulful voice that worked. The last hits album that did try and worked to the most advantage was the 2004 Ultimate Phyllis Hyman, but shortly after that a smaller hits record was released, because Ultimate Phyllis Hyman was so expensive. This one doesn't completely make the beat like the other ones did.

The 2004 Platinum & Gold Collection was made as Sony BMG's answer to the success Universal made with their 20th Century Masters: Millennium Collection series. This disc reflecting Phyllis Hyman's soulful style misses out like most of the other ones did. the songs mainly reflect Phyllis during her reign at Artista, and not as much from her smaller label work with Volcano and Philadelphia. The songs have been remastered well, but doesn't do enough to drive new fans. the album does include her classics Somewhere In My Lifetime, Give A Little More, and Living In Confusion, as well as her highest-charting hit Don't Wanna Change The World. Sadly though, the record really does overlook a lot of really great songs including Old Friend, Living All Alone, and her remake of the Stylistics Betcha By Golly Wow.

All in all, I wasn't completely satisfied with the Platinum & Gold Collection reflecting Phyllis Hyman. It just misses the makr like most of the other records have. If you haven't really heard any of her music, it would be a nice trial album, but I'd really recommend you buy the 2004 Ultimate Phyllis Hyman instead. It is a much better hits album that works well to her posthumous voice. I just feel sad though that she died years ago. We still hope she isn't living all alone.

Album Cover: B

Songs: C 1/2-

Price: C 1/2-

Remastering: C+

Overall: C

The music ok just to clarify is 5 stars, but yet 2 stars is for the record company and there need to constantly reissue greatest hits of artists with one and two bonus gems. Why not just put a all new material out. Over all the cd is good. You get the single edits of Loving you Losing you and Living in confusion. The sound quality is superb, yet to me just another greatest hits packages. The two unreleased tracks are just OK. Nothing special.