Customer Reviews

Ultimate Phyllis Hyman

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While this is a fine compilation of Phyllis' work, the 2-CD set "The Legacy Of Phyllis Hyman" offers a better value for your money as it includes the full-length LP versions of most of Phyllis' best songs- sadly, this collection includes only the single edit versions of "Loving You Losing You", "You Know How To Love Me","Betcha By Golly Wow", "Living In Confusion" and "Don't Wanna Change The World". Instead of issuing another compilation, Arista Records and BMG should (seriously!) reissue all of Phyllis' 1978-83 LPs on CD.

Betcha By Golly Wow (Single Version) - Norman Connors featuring Phyllis Hyman
Loving You - Losing You (Single Version)
I Don't Want To Lose You
Somewhere In My Lifetime
Here's That Rainy Day
You Know How To Love Me (Single Version)
Under Your Spell
Can't We Fall In Love Again - Phyllis Hyman and Michael Henderson
Just Another Face In The Crowd
The Love Too Good To Last
Riding The Tiger
Old Friend
Living All Alone
Don't Wanna Change The World
Living In Confusion (Single Version)
I Refuse To Be Lonely
Meet Me On The Moon
A truly definitive collection that covers her Buddha, Arista and Philadelphia International hits. Phyllis had a talent that is sorely missed today. Many of the reasons why are included here. Truly soul and jazz at it's best.

All of these songs are heartfelt,from "Betcha by Golly Wow" to "Meet me on the Moon". All of her lyrics are a cry for love,either a love not to end or refusing to be lonely as in the song "I Refuse To Be Lonely". This song should be an anthem for anyone who thinks their life can't go on after a relationship. Some of her upbeat disco songs are "You Know How To Love Me","Under Your Spell","Riding The Tiger". Anyone who is a fan of old school r@b will enjoy this, and of course the fans of Phyllis. She was such an incredible talent that was cut too short.

The ultimate collection by Miss Phyllis Hyman is a true treasure. I've been searching for a single particular cut off of the "Can't We Fall in Love Again" recording. I have never been able to find it until this recordings release.

Anyone familiar with the sultry love ballads of the 80's knows what I'm talking about.

Thank you to whoever put this compilation of recordings together.
The Love Too Good To Last. Personal touch to Phyllis who will live forever in my heart.

I hope to see you on the other side of heaven.

Phyllis Hyman is One of the Greatest Vocalists ever&also One of the Most underrated Artists ever IMO. Her voice takes over&you are caught in Her spell from start to finish. this is a Great Introduction to the Newbie Fan finding out about the Legacy Phyllis Hyman."betcha by Golly Wow! alone still blows my mind&Her version is neck&neck with the Stylistics version to me.She is Missed&truly made a Mark with Her Gift. RIP.

Betcha By Golly Wow (Single Version) - Norman Connors featuring Phyllis Hyman
Loving You - Losing You (Single Version)
I Don't Want To Lose You
Somewhere In My Lifetime
Here's That Rainy Day
You Know How To Love Me (Single Version)
Under Your Spell
Can't We Fall In Love Again - Phyllis Hyman and Michael Henderson
Just Another Face In The Crowd
The Love Too Good To Last
Riding The Tiger
Old Friend
Living All Alone
Don't Wanna Change The World
Living In Confusion (Single Version)
I Refuse To Be Lonely
Meet Me On The Moon

A truly definitive collection that covers her Buddha, Arista and Philadelphia International hits. Phyllis had a talent that is sorely missed today. Many of the reasons why are included here. Truly soul and jazz at it's best.

It definitely seems like to me that people don't actually appreciate older R&B acts today. While there have been so many acts that've relased records these past several years like Vanessa Williams, Patti LaBelle and Natalie Cole, the R&B standards acts unfortunately don't have the credibilty radio will allow. That also is said for Phyllis Hyman, even though it has sadly been over a decade since her heartbreaking suicide, there are still those that are interested in listening to her silky, sophisticated voice, but there haven't really been any definitive hits records that actually told the beginning to end life of her career, but this one is the one that says it all.

The 2004 Ultimate Phyllis Hyman, reflects the late R&B songstress through all her labels and eras of recording from Arista, Philadelphia Internation, all the way to her work on Zoo. This one really does mostly say it all. The songs here have all been remastered well, and highlight her 3 decades of recording. The collection includes a lot of great songs that simply show her essence in soul, from her beginnings with cover of The Stylistics Betcha By Golly Wow, all the way to her final overlooked tracks including I Refuse To Be Lonely. The album also the soulful and seductive Old Friend, the upbeat Hip Hop felt Don't Wanna Change The World and Living All Alone. Although I wish that tracks like When You Get Right Down To It and First Night Together were also included to the great hits album, this collection stands out well.

While there have been so many hits records relased reflecting the late Phyllis Hyman over the past several years, this is the definitive one that works the best, even surpassing collections like Arista's Legacy Of Phyllis Hyman and Under Her Spell. I do feel sad though that many people absolutely don't appreciate Phyllis as much these days, in favor of current R&B divas like Beyonce' and American Idol's oxerexposed Fantasia Burrino. It is too easy to forget about how talented she really was. I really recommend Ultimate Phyllis Hyman, it really works, and still doesn't make her spirit feel like it is living all alone.

Album Cover: B

Songs: B+

Price: B

Remastering: B+

Overall: B 1/2+

The late Phyllis Hyman's talents were tragically under-appreciated. She was an amazing vocalist whose career spanned over three decades. This compilation includes all the hits from all the record labels.

ULTIMATE PHYLLIS HYMAN consists of 17 songs, released 1976-1995; songs are in chronological order. Disc packaged in clear jewel case; total running time: 79:37. Booklet includes an essay by David Nathan, production information, titles and years of albums of origin, chart positions, and several black & white photographs from early in Phyllis's career.

Songs are from Norman Connors's 1976 album (track 1), her self-titled 1977 Buddah debut (tracks 2 & 3), her four 1978-1983 albums on Arista (4-11), her 1986 Philadelphia International Records album (12 & 13), her 1991 Volcano/Zoo Entertainment album (14, 15, 17), and posthumously released 1995 Philadelphia International Records/Zoo Entertainment album (16).

There are three songs from both 1981's "Can't We Fall in Love Again" and 1991's "Prime of My Life", including her only #1 R&B single, "Don't Wanna Change the World".

I only have two criticisms: one, I would have appreciated photographs that spanned her career; and two, that the track information is adequate, not truly complete, because, for example, the male vocalist/rapper on "Don't Wanna Change the World" is not credited. It should also be noted that there are no songs from her run in "Sophisticated Ladies", the Broadway tribute to Duke Ellington's music.

This is a great collection for someone that wants a solid Phyllis Hyman collection.

music: 3 stars
packaging/comprehensiveness: 5 stars

I was so happy to get this, to hear songs from my past, There will never be another Phyllis, miss her

I love this CD. I put Phyllis Hyman in the same category as Nina Simone and Dinah Washington. Listening to the songs gives me chills.