Customer Reviews

Ultimate Collection

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David Ruffin. The man behind the voice of The Temptations hits "My Girl","I Know I I'm Losing You", "I Wish It Would Rain", "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" et al. It was only a matter of time before his great talent would be showcased on a solo format. Ruffin's version of "I Miss You" absolutely blows away the previous. His performance was undeniably outstanding. The powerful, soul filled "Let Somebody Love Me" is magnificent. Why it wasn't released previously is mind boggling. Ruffin seemingly put his entire soul into that song; definite classic material.
Other album highlights are "Common Man" and "A Little More Trust." The part on Common Man when Ruffin declares ".....I'll never, never, never , never, never change one single grain of sand" is absolutely marvelous. David Ruffin's Ultimate Collection is indeed a keepsake.

I've never felt as much love and passion as do when I listen to the unique voice of David Ruffin. Mr.Ruffin's music picks me up when I'm down and makes me want to cry when I'm at my highest. It's filled with love and heartache at the same time. This man is undoubtably one of the best artist of all time. There could never be another David Ruffin. I thank you Amazon for giving me the oportunity to purchase the great sounds of this man. I never knew I could fall head over heels in love with a voice of a man I've never even seen (except on pictures) but you've helped prove me wrong! So, people if you want great music and the most incredible voice, choose this cd or any of David Ruffin's music.

Do you see all the glowing reviews of this CD? Believe them. BELIEVE THE HYPE! It's THAT GOOD. I have been listening to this CD non-stop since I got it in December, that's almost 3 months of non-stop David Ruffin blissful soul singing. You know how sometimes you can't get a song out of your head and it's really annoying? Not here. I have these songs (especially Heavy Love) stuck in my head, and I don't want to get them out. I can only disagree with one reviewer who said that the remainder of the CD is David singing disco. Let me make one thing clear - just because a song is from the mid to late 70's and you can dance to it doesn't make it disco. Reminiscent of disco yes, but not disco songs. The mid to late 70's offerings are danceable R&B pure and simple. They're all incredible songs, my personal favorites being "Heavy Love", "My Whole World Ended", "World of Darkness", "Walk Away from Love", "Statue of a Fool"...you know what? I better stop listing songs because I just realized I'm about to list every track on the CD as my favorite! If you came here, I can tell you now, you are already the prime target audience for this CD. If you've ever listened to recommendations, listen to David Ruffin on this CD because you will discover a world of music that nobody can touch these days. That means NOBODY. David may have been more than a bit proud as a person, but by all means he should have been proud. With that much soul, a voice like that - he had every right to be proud of his talent.

You have Never heard a man scream until you have heard David Ruffin on "The Double Cross" and "World of Darkness." You have never heard a man beg and plead until you've heard Mr. Ruffin's version of "I miss you." You have never heard a more tortured soul than the one that David posessed (or the one that "posessed" David) on his performance of his own composition "Statue of a Fool." David was a true master of his instrument. Vocal chops, he had. But he was about so much more. David Ruffin was an open channel. He allowed his sorrow, his regret, his pain, and joy to flow through him. Mr. Ruffin revealed himself openly to us. That is what a true soul singer does; he bears his soul. And what a soul. There are no superlatives capable of truely describing the genius of David Ruffin. I could tell you that you'll hear angels in his falcetto, and I wouldn't be lying. I could tell you that David's rasp will tug at your insides so hard that you feel it in the pit of your soul, and I would only be scratching the surphace of what the man will do to you. Buy the record and you'll understand why David Ruffin was the greatest singer to ever walk the earth...Period.

David Ruffin is simply the best, but somehow under-appreciated soul singer on the market. His work should be discovered and revealed to the general public. With this collection he should rank among the very best of the best in soul music. His voice has been described as tear stained, and it's said that he can "cry in tune". I certainly agree with those sentiments and also wish to add a few of my own. He conveys the pain of lost love so very convincingly without being maudlin. His poignant but soulful phrasing is impecable. For instance, listen to a song like "Just Let Me Hold You for a Night." He's the Frank Sinatra of soul!

David Ruffin was the greatest R&B singer of all time, and this compilation is superb from beginning to end. Every song is delivered with soulful style, as only Ruffin could have done them. Get this album and listen to it - you will never tire of it. David Ruffin was one of a kind, and no one else has ever come close to his greatness. FANTASTIC!

David Ruffin was one of the greatest voices at Motown, yet you would never know it from looking at his solo chart placements after leaving the Temptations. He had only two big hits: the aching "My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)" and the silky smooth Van McCoy production "Walk Away From Love." After hearing his ear-opening Ultimate Collection, the lack of success has to be blamed on inadequate promotion (rather than the material or Ruffin's singing, which is first-rate throughout).

Motown did a pretty good job of assembling Ruffin's best recordings for this twenty-track set. Aside from the two big hits, we get all of Ruffin's minor solo chart efforts like the desperate "I've Lost Everything I Ever Loved" (too similar to "My Whole World Ended..."?) the inspirationally upbeat "I'm So Glad I Fell For You," and the pretty "Everything's Coming Up Love." There are also some dynamite album tracks, including the reflective "Who I Am" and a scorching "I Miss You" which is the equal of Teddy Pendergrass' hit version with the Blue Notes.

Most noteworthy is the haunting "Statue Of A Fool," which continues to be a favorite at oldies and adult contemporary stations everywhere. (An odd sidenote to this recording. It is listed in the booklet's track lineup as a Ruffin composition, with lyrics quoted and attributed to Ruffin by annotator David Ritz - who should know better - in his accompanying essay. In actuality, this gorgeous ballad was a number one country hit by Jack Greene in 1968 and was penned by noted Nashville songwriter Jan Crutchfield).

The only conspicuous omission on this set is Ruffin's charting duet with brother Jimmy on the Ben E. King classic "Stand By Me." Maybe they are saving it for a long overdue Jimmy Ruffin collection (we could only hope). Or perhaps it was left off since this "buddy" version doesn't fit in thematically with the rest of the songs, which all deal in various stages of romantic relationships. Whatever the reason, one oversight isn't too bad - particularly for Motown. It's also far more in-depth than the sets which came out at the same time on Eddie Kendricks and Edwin Starr.

This year on June 1 marks the 10th anniversary when David Ruffin entered Soul Heaven. This greatest hits CD is focusing the 2nd chapter of David's career after performing with the legendary Temptations (my favorite group). I'm familiar with "My Whole World Ended," "Walk Away From Love," & "Heavy Love," but there were some other songs I haven't heard before which I consider them classics. "I Lost Everything I Ever Loved" will put a tear in your eye. Other songs I enjoyed are "Double Cross," "World of Darkness," & my personal favorite "Who I Am." David trips me out when he recorded a Harold Melvin & Blue Notes classic "I Miss You" & his own composition "Statue of a Man." No one can sing, beg, or scream in a 5-octave range like David can. It shocks me when he passed away 2 years after he & the Temps were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Plus, he was in the middle of a comeback when he went on tour with Dennis Edwards & Eddie Kendricks. But his music & legacy will live on forever. If you haven't purchased this CD, you need to. Don't take my word for it. Check it out yourself. :-)

the first eight tracks on this CD are absolutely great, the rest of it is David Ruffin doing disco, which is pretty weak. I'd buy it for the first few cuts on it, though. It's interesting to contrast this CD with the Eddie Kendrick's Ultimate Hits CD, because they WERE and always will be the two voices of the Temps.

My, my, my, David was the epitome of a sentual,sexual,soulful entertainer. I think his raspy sexy voice has taken its place among the Angels in heaven. How sad Motown, release the greates songs ever too late for David, but not his FANs.

Mr. Ruffin lives on in my heart along with Marvin Gaye. My 18 and 16 year old asked who's that singing, Then I tell the story of one of the greatest singers ever. Please Lord up above Let somebody Love David, he's simply a Common man, trapped in a World of DARKNESS, asking WHO AM I my Heavenly Father. I love and miss YOU Mr. Ruffin.