Customer Reviews

Ultimate Collection

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I've been a fan of Eddie's for years. I felt that this package did not do him justice. I'm not disputing the choice of material on this CD, it's just that Eddie had such a cache of material during his Motown tenure that I was truly surprized that more wasn't included. What happened to "Son Of Sagittarius", "Eddie's Love", "The Thin Man", "One Tear" and all those other tunes that deserved to appear on a collection such as this? It's truly not fair. It's bad enough that Motown/Universal won't re-release his most popular albums. I gave it four stars because it included my favorite EJK song, "Girl You Need A Change of Mind" in its entirety and because to this day I still love the man. Motown, show Eddie's fans some respect and at least release some of his albums on CD, like PEOPLE...HOLD ON or EDDIE KENDRICKS!

Cut #2 ("If You Let Me") was covered by no less than three Motown acts: The Four Tops, The Temptations, and Kendricks, each bringing their/his own distinction to the Frank Wilson song. By having different artists in its stable perform the same song, Motown further solidified its stature as a one-of-a-kind company.

Now, to the entire album at hand, "The Ultimate Collection" showcases some of the best of the late talent. While many remember his brilliant falsetto on many of The Temptations' classic tunes, Kendricks scored with two top ten tunes on the pop charts ("Keep on Truckin'" and "Boogie Down") along with the number one R & B smash "Shoeshine Boy".

Besides the familiar three, there are other outstanding cuts, chief among those are the passionate and revealing "This Used to Be the Home of Johnnie Mae", the highly spiritual "He's a Friend", the evocative "Intimate Friends", and the many-contoured "Can I".

Kendricks may be physically gone but his spirit lives on in this fine tribute to his skills.

I am completely blown away with Eddie's smooth vocals. I promise you will not be disappointed with this collection of the late Kendricks hits. I give it 10 stars++. I am not just saying this because I am his biggest fan. I grew listening to the 70' and 80's sound. I love the Tempatations by somehow Eddie and David Ruffin always stood out.

I highly recommend these favorites:

*He's A Friend /*Intimate Friend /*Goin Up In Smoke / *Girl You Need A Change Of Mind / Tell Her Love Has Felt The Need / Get The Cream Off The Top /*Keep On Truckin / Boogie Down / Darlin Come Back Home / Shoeshine Boy.

Listening to this album is so relaxing it takes you to another time and place while you forget about your troubles and once you forgotten about your troubles you can dance the night away!

I send this album out as gifts to people I know who can use a little inspiration. I heard nothing but rave reviews. Now I will have to order more.

Don't get me wrong, this is a good collection. But motown needs to put Eddie's solo albums on CD. I would love to listen to: The Hit Man, People Hold On, Eddie Kendricks, All By Myself, and Slick, on CD. All were great albums that had nothing but quality music. Eddie Kendricks left us all a legacy of great music during his solo years. It's time for that legacy to be discovered by a new generation of music fans, or to be rediscovered by us who still cling on to these albums on vinyl and want to hear EJK on CD.

There never has been nor will be another like Eddie Kendricks! That sweet falsetto that soared above all other voices will always be remembered! This cd is a very good compilation of his work. The switch between falsetto and his natural voice appears so gracefully that it is truly amazing! While the cd can't possibly contain all of Eddie's great songs, it does show the broad spectrum of his career! It's a must for all Eddie fans, especially new ones!

I was and am a true fan of the music of Eddie Kendricks throughout his years with the Temptations, and his solo career. To the producers of this collection, I say, someone is just trying to make some more money off of a talented singer who died in his prime. This is not an "ultimate" collection by any means. To me, to call this "ultimate," one would have to make it a box-set of all, or at least most of Mr. Kendricks' solo recordings. Please, give us a better selection of his work. In fact, why not just re-release all of his albums on CD? What we have here in this "ultimate" collection is practically the same thing that has been previously released on the "At His Best," and "Motown Superstar Series" collections, so what's the difference except someone is after profit? Please don't defame the memory of Eddie Kendricks with this offering!

If you're a fan of old school music like I am, you'll love this CD. The more you listen to it, you'll realize that Eddie Kendricks was the heart and soul of the Temptations. Not only was he an impeccable falsetto, he sang wonderfully in his natural voice. Eddie Kendrick paved the way for falsettos like Phillip Bailey (Earth Wind & Fire) and countless others. This is an uplifting CD that I truly enjoy every time I listen to it.

For those of you who may or may not know, there is a sensational album by Eddie Kendricks called "For You". This a very good album (as many of Eddie's solo are were). I really wish there was some way Motown will release this album. I feel it is time to give this album it's due. It is Eddie at his best. This collection has a couple of the songs from that album, but all in all the album itself is very good. Rest in Peace Eddie.

Few artists could match the talent and style of Eddie Kendricks. Along with David Ruffin, Eddie was on of the driving forces behind the Temptations' phenomenal success. As a solo artist, he continued to produce stunningly beautiful music, with his trademark soulful delivery. The performances here are excellent, but the packaging leaves much to be desired. Some of the best performances of Eddie's career have been unaccountably (and inexcusably) excluded, which makes this a good compilation, but hardly the "ultimate" one. Eddie Kendricks was a superb artist, and deserves a better treatment than this one. I would give five stars for Eddie's performances, but have to subtract one for the omissions.

Motown is notorius for repackaging compilations and releasing them with a few added tracks or new photos. A truly "ultimate" EK collection would also include: It's So Hard For Me To Say Goodbye, Eddie's Love, Just Memories, Day By Day, Each Day I Cry A Little, Not On The Outside, Son Of Sagittarius, Honey Brown, One Tear, Happy, You Loved Me Then, Part Of Me, Never Gonna Leave You, Diamond Girl, among others. Please Motown or Universal, give Eddie his due.