Customer Reviews

Ultimate Blue Notes (Exp)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There are a bewildering bunch of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes greatest hits CDs out there but this one, the only one with dynamic, crystal-clear remastered sound and all full-length album tracks, is quite simply THE one to get. Superb.

This collection of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes' classic '70s songs, courtesy of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff's wildly successful Philadelphia International Records, sound just as good as they did now as when I first heard them when I was a kid! Boy, do these songs take me back. I was raised on this music...when there was REAL passion and meaning in the lyrics, and there were REAL singers behind them. Case in point: Philly-born Teddy Pendergrass, whose powerhouse and distinctive lead vocals dominated all of the Blue Notes' major (and not so major) hits, lifted the group out of almost certain musical oblivion when he joined the group in 1971. Who could've guessed that when he crooned with such force in "If You Don't Know Me By Now": "Ten long years, ten long years we've been together, if you don't know me by now..." he was only a youthful 22?! He certainly sang it as if he had indeed invested ten years in a romantic relationship.

I loved all the selections on this CD, and especially the extended versions of "Wake Up Everybody", "The Love I Lost", "Don't Leave Me This Way" and "Bad Luck". I gave this collection only four stars because "I Miss You" is in its edited version, so I felt a bit cheated. But overall, this is without a doubt one of my favorite CDs. Philly soul at its very best.

finally full Versions&a clear Sound.this is long overdue for this tight Group that were on the mark back in the 70's.you really get the Hard Soulful Grit up close with the Remastering.

harold melvin and the blue notes featuring teddy pendergrass "the ultimate blue notes" is a spended cd over view of the best of their songs released on philadelphia international records of the 1970's. favs include "wake up everybody", "the love i lost", "bad luck", "if you don't know me by now", "don't leave me this way", "satisfaction guranteed (or take your love back) and "yesterday i had the blues". teddy pendergrass shines on this cd with his powerful strong singing style. a voice that commands your attention. pendergrass sings with such force and honesty. the best of all male soul singers. he would later move on to a very successful solo career. the music and the harmony is first rate. classic 70's soul at it's very best.

The soulful sounds of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes can't be beat. I love this group! They are fantastic. This is the ultimate "I remember when..." kind of music that you just sit back, relax, close your eyes and take a walk down memory lane. I love it!

Best cd i've ever bought @ Amazon! Its just amazing to hear the sound. Happy to see it arrival in good condition too.
I give it a five star *****
:)

Although both their peak and glory years were short, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes' 1971-75 recordings for the legendary Philadelphia International label make up an exciting and important chapter in the history of 1970s R&B music. This 15-track anthology features virtually all of the group's big hits with all-around-excellent sound quality BUT the single edit version of the group's classic hit "I Miss You" is included here as opposed to the far better full-length LP version. If you are a casual listener and/or have no interest in getting the original albums (all of which are now on CD) then this collection will give you the cream of the crop of one of Philadelphia Soul's most important groups.

Purchased this CD within days of Mr. Pendergrass's demise. Was excited to receive it an immediately placed in my car to play before I arrived home. I was ecstatic. It gave me the same feelings as if I was back in that time again. Just as relevant today as then.

excellent choice of vintage classic collection of music which has been
hard to find. thanks to amazon i am completely satisfied and would not
hesitate to recomend amazon to anyone looking for hard to find music.

If you don't know Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes by now, you're a lost soul! So sad to hear of Melvin's passing, but The Blue Notes still carry on that Philadelphia sound in his name !!