Customer Reviews

By Request: The Best of Billy Vera & the Beaters

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

 

 

If you want a taste of true non-commercial California sound, pick this one up. It is full of live tracks and very few studio tracks. The band was a well kept secret for years until 1986 when 'At This Momment' was played on Family Ties. Radio stations wanted a copy of the song to play for their listeners. The rest, as they say, is music history. Billy Vera and The Beaters live and breathe music. They are constantly playing dates to the fans that appriciate them, and they will appear in the places you least expect them to be. You might hear them do a TV theme song, or appear in a movie, or talk show. For a time, I also had their little known, out-of-print, Retro Nuevo. Still, this one is always the best for rainy days. And there are plenty to like, such as 'At This Momment', 'Hopeless Romantic', and 'Here Comes The Dawn Again' (I like Billy's opening words on that one). When it comes to California, no one does it better than Billy Vera and the Beaters.

I'VE BEEN SEARCHING MUSIC RACKS FOR YEARS LOOKING FOR THIS GEM. I BOUGHT IT AS A CASSETTE IN HIGH SCHOOL,WORE IT OUT, THEN LOST IT OVER TIME. I'VE REDISCOVERED IT AND FIND THAT THE MUSIC IS PROBABLY A BETTER FIT WITH TODAY'S POP STYLE THAN IT WAS WHEN IT FIRST CAME OUT. VERA COVERS ALL THE EMOTIONS. "AT THIS MOMENT" HITS HOME PERFECTLY. INCIDENTLY, AS I RECALL, VERA WROTE THE PEANUT BUTTER SONG FOR A COMMERCIAL. IF YOU ARE OVER THIRTY,YOU'L RECOGNIZE IT IMMEDIATELY.

I originally bought it for "At this moment". I was pleased to find out that all but two of the songs were just great (sorry - I just didn't like "Hopeless Romantic" or "Here Comes the Dawn Again".

But hey - There are very few CD's out there that I can like 78% of the songs on.

So without those two songs it gets 5 stars from me.

I sought out this album after hearing "At this moment" on the radio many years ago (I'm a sucker for a good heartbreak song) and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the music throughout. The great thing is that the horns play as an ensemble, not just good soloists. Yes, "Here comes the dawn" gets a little old after a while but it's effective. Just a darn good band overall. Great tunes, great spirit and enthusiasm and obviously a good time was had by all in attendance. A classic set.

I never will forget the image of Fox dancing with his future wife on Family Ties as this song was playing. I was hooked and have been trying to find tapes/CD's with Vera. He plays music as if he lives it 24 hours a day. I would love to be in the audience for a live concert.

Lots of good tunes like inthe corner of the night, at this moment.
The song "here comes the dawn again" is definitely the best peace of music ever written and performed.
Stunning performance. Brilliant musicians. Hear it once and you will hear it over and over again.

Ok, sometime in the early '80s, it's New Year's eve at Hop Singh's in Marina del Rey, you're up in the balcony just above stage front, and down below Billy and the guys are laying down some serious groove. You had to be there, but this cd is definitely the next best.

I first recieved a copy of Billy and the Beaters from my lost love when we were going different directions in the Navy, I wore that cassette out, I searched for years to find another one, then I came upon this one, it takes me back in time, after a hard days work, all I need is to listen to the smooth rythmic voice of Billy and the tension of the day slips away! He has a way of seeing into your soul and writing music about what he sees! I'm thanlful to Mark for getting me started on Billy Vera all those years ago!

I first recall hearing Billy Vera on Magium P.I, The song At This Moment,takes you back to your first love that you lost. Remenber how you give anything to be with that person for just one more time, it leaves you with a tear in your eye, pain in your heart,but also with a smile on your face, as you remember how happy you were. No one can ever take that away from you ever.

I was just watching the "Headliners and Legends" special on MSNBC dedicated to Michael J. Fox, and as they flashed the memorable 'prom scene" from Family Ties, I was touched. The scene made me remember my own prom where this song was played, and the many memories I had of my high school years. This song alone makes the CD a must have!