Customer Reviews

Thank You for Being a Friend: Best of

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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for singles fans to buy this CD: 1) The long version of Lonely Boy. The radio station issued 45 sounds like a bad edit at the end and cuts a great guitar lick from Gold. 2) Never Let Her Slip Away. One of those singles that got lost in the glut of releases in the late 70's. Gold's a real talent, and the liner notes reveal many facts you'll be surprised to learn. There's more to his story than Thank You For Being A Friend.

I first discovered AG thru the Ronstadt records in the mid 70s, which were largely him on guitars and keys (You're No Good, Heat Wave, When Will I be Loved). His incredible gifts made these songs stand out.When he released his first couple of solo albums I was all ears and as a guitar player, strived to duplicate his sound. The songs were simple, musically very rich, and very listenable. After his 4th album, Whirlwind, I kinda lost track of him. I recently hooked up w/ him again, and listened to a lot of his 90s stuff, which is a bit more complex, but still great. After a couple of listens, songs like KING OF SHOWBIZ and CAN ANYBODY SEE YOU are right up there w/ LONELY BOY and HEARTACHES IN HEARTACHES. All are included here. The (at this point) happy postscript is I met the man, and am now playing in his band! He really is brilliant. Dont let the simple melodies fool you- the chords underneath are complex and many. BUY THIS CD!!

I just found out that Andrew Gold passed away; I feel terrible about it. Andrew was a recognized talent in the show business industry who worked alongside some of the best of them! The quality of the sound here is quite good; and we get a number of songs all of which demonstrate Andrew's incredible command of his repertoire and his creativity as an artist as well. He sang everything with all his heart and soul; and just one listen proves it as you listen to this album.

There's really not a bad track in the lot. "Final Frontier" (the theme from "Mad about You") starts off the track set with Andrew performing at his usual very best; and the musical arrangement is great! Andrew seemingly effortlessly handles complex tempo and key changes although of course it really wasn't all that easy; Andrew Gold's talent always carried him through. "Thank You for Being a Friend" is so much more than just a theme song for "The Golden Girls;" this is a splendid evergreen tune that charms me whenever I hear it. It just plain sounds good; and I love that!

"Lonely Boy" is most poignant, to say the least, and I really like "Oh Urania (Take Me Away)" with that fine piano arrangement; "Never Let Her Slip Away" which is another classic; "How Can This Be Love" and "You're Free" with Andrew singing his heart out on these beautiful numbers; "Hope You Feel Good" with Andrew squarely front and center--and his excellent diction greatly enhances his delivery, too.

"One of Them Is Me" is very well done; and Andrews gives a powerful performance on "Kiss This One Goodbye." "Go Back Home Again" showcases Andrew singing without ever letting go of a superfluous note; and "Looking for My Love" is touching. "Endless Flight" has some interesting special effects; and "That's Why I Love You" is easy on the ear.

"Heartaches in Heartaches" has a somewhat upbeat melody even though the topic isn't all that happy; and "Firefly" strikes me with its natural beauty. "Passing Thing" again highlights Andrew's superlative talent; and "Still You Linger On" is another moving tune. The CD then closes with two more numbers, "Can Anybody See You" and "The King of Showbiz." It leaves me wanting more!

Andrew Gold's voice may be stilled so sadly; but his music lives on and brings happiness to countless more people forever! This CD is a good one for his fans; and it also makes a fine introductory album for people just discovering the exceptional artistry of Andrew Gold.

This compilation of Andrew Gold's music does justice to the man. I bought it to get a digital version of some of my favourite 80's/90's songs of his that I have on vinyl, and while it won't make your hair stand on end, it certainly doesn't disappoint. Gold produced classic AOR and a little more in his heyday, and all of the big hits are here. Well worth getting if you have the same gap I had in your collection - and don't forget to check out WAX, his outstanding two-album collaboration with Graham Gouldman, which is a showcase for simple, great pop, well written and well sung.

Andrew Gold is a class songwriter in the same league as Billy Joel or Christopher Cross. His music is moving, real and genuine. If you love popular music in its highest, most original form buy this album and sit back and enjoy - life isn't so bad after all!!

In my opionion Andrew Gold is one of the greatest underrated singers, musicians, songwriters, producers, engineers, ... of our time. This album contains all of his big hits from the 70s, 80s and 90s. If you are fond of pop music this is the ultimate album. If your looking for light rock music with a dash of country, this is it. Do you like heartbreaking love ballads then this album is a must for you. This CD is simply THE BEST!

Andrew Gold was a first rate tunesmith who was often overlooked behind the stellar company he frequently worked with. He came from a musical family, started his first band with the likes of Karla Bonoff and Wendy Waldman, played and wrote on several of Linda Rondstadt's early classics like "Hasten Down The Wind." As a solo performer, he's best known for the 70's kitsch classic "Lonely Boy" and for the perennial friendship song (and theme to The Golden Girls) "Thank You For Being a Friend." He also had a wry sense of humor; the title of this review comes from a letter he once wrote to Rolling Stone magazine when they made a snotty comment about his production on a Nicolette Larson album as being an LA Mellowmeister, he sent them the aforementioned comment in response.

Which is probably why I've owned several of Andrew's albums (including Wax's "Magnetic Heaven") over the years. While this compilation sticks to Gold's four albums from his tenure at Elektra/Asylum, it gives a terrific overview of Gold's easy and straight-to-the-point songwriting. His two hits are both naturally here, but you may find yourself recognizing a 70's song or two as the disc plays out. Freddie Mercury sang backup vocals on the romantic "Never Let Her Slip Away." "Endless Flight" enchanted Leo Sayer enough that he both recorded it and used it for the title of his 1976 album. "The Final Frontier" was heard for many years as the opening theme for Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt's "Mad About You" (until Anita Baker re-recorded it later).

In a more just world, Andrew Gold would have been a star on the level of Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald or a handful of other California singer/songwriters. "Thank You For Being a Friend" gathers 20 songs as convincing proof that Gold ranked with the best of them. (Sure would have been nice to have Wax's near-hit "Right Between The Eyes" or Gold's spry version of "Do Wah Daddy" here, though.) His untimely passing in June 2011 at the age of 59 made me sad, to the point where I hit the repeat on "Never Let Her Slip Away" for much of the afternoon. Here is a hope he gets the recognition now that he deserves.

Andrew had a great ear and talent for pop sensibility - an innate sense for complimenting introspective lyrics by blending enduring melody with crafty arrangements, a hugely lacking component missing in today's current music culture and scene, IMHO. I loved Andrew's voice, too - so pleasing and perfectly suitable and flattering to his art.

I once knocked on a door of a building located in our town, probably circa 1998 or 1999, because I was interested in it as a possible recording studio for my personal use due to its size and location. This casually clad guy, dressed in a t-shirt and jeans, came to the door. It was Andrew Gold. I couldn't believe it. I guess my instincts were on par, since it was Andrew's studio, unbeknown to me. He had been working out of there for a little while. We chatted briefly and then I left. I honestly did not know he worked there and felt embarrassed, having knocked on his door, inquiring. He was very kind and down to earth and I hope he accepted my sincere explanation at face value. It would be understandable if he thought I was chasing him down, as a fan.

That was a fortunate day, stumbling upon such a superb singer-songwriter multi-instrumentalist. I bought this CD several years ago and am really pleased I did. It has many nice sides and I enjoy listening to this timeless artist. RIP, Andrew, and thanks for being a friend that warm summer day when you took the time to chat with me.

I'm very happy with this cd. It was just what I was looking for.

this is a very good greatest hits compilation but i really wish his album "what's wrong with this picture" would be released.