Customer Reviews

The Very Best of Cher: Special 2-CD Edition

5 star:		(129)
4 star:		(26)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

Cher's recorded for a lot of labels over the years. This is the first set to include recordings from all of them. Her 60s Sonny & Cher ATCO phase is represented by I Got You Babe and The Beat Goes On (I would have liked to have seen Baby Don't Go included here too). Her 60s solo hits on Liberty, Bang Bang and All I Really Want To Do are here (omitting the hits Alfie and You Better Sit Down Kids is no big whoop).

In the 70s, Cher recorded for Kapp/MCA. Her trilogy of trash (Gypsies Tramps & Thieves, Half-Breed, and Dark Lady) are here, but not the top 10 Way Of Love (where Cher sounds like a man) or her hits with Sonny (All I Ever Need Is You, A Cowboy's Work Is Never Done). Her lone Casablanca hit from the 70s, the disco fave Take Me Home, is here, hinting at Cher's future as a dance diva.

In the 80s, Cher made a major comeback on Geffen Records singing power ballads like Heart Of Stone, I Found Someone, Just Like Jesse James, and If I Could Turn Back Time and the wedding fave After All with Peter Cetera. The one major recording left off from this era is my theme song: We All Sleep Alone.

Major comeback number two, with Cher as the ultimate dance diva on Warner Brothers, is well-represented by her hits Believe, Strong Enough, Song For The Lonely, and Different Kind Of Love Song (the latter improved in a faster-paced mix).

Even if you have Cher's strong collection If I Could Turn Back Time, you should get this for the added Warner Brothers dance hits and 60s Liberty singles, plus The Beat Goes On. It would take two discs to get all of Cher's hits collected and until someone does, this Rhino set is clearly the best sampler

There have been several Cher "Greatest Hits" compilations over the years, but this one is the best. While I would have preferred they dropped the 2 songs with Sonny and included a few more of her hits (e.g., "The Way of Love," "Love and Understanding," "We All Sleep Alone," "Living in a House Divided" and "Train of Thought"), and put in the original version of "A Different Kind of Love Song" (far better than the remix version on this CD), I nitpick. This is still a good representation of her songs from the 60's to today. The range of music is pretty amazing, and only Cher can carry it off. She's not technically the best singer, but her voice is distinctive and sounds appropriate for rock, country, pop, and dance. Everyone I know that has listened to this CD has loved it.

The latest in an outrageously long line of Cher compilations is being released with the airing of her televised "Farewell Tour" concert. For those who have seen the show (and there are millions of you) - we all know what an amazing barrage of hits the ageless hippie/pop star/chanteuse/rock'n'roller/disco diva avalanches at you as you are swept up in an unabashed tribute to the 40 year spanning career of the superstar, CHER. This CD replicates the gushing and fascinating Kurt Loder notes from the tour program (with a wonderful ending twist) and despite the blonde Living Proof image cover (we all know and love Cher as raven haired gypsy)- this is the definitive Cher CD. Why? It has absolutely no filler (i.e. album cuts, lesser known hits). Cher executive produced this release, so the cuts are what she chose. Higher charting hits ("Love & Understanding", "We All Sleep Alone" etc.) are omitted to include personal faves like "Save Up All Your Tears" - which the songstress has often mentioned is one of her favorite recordings. Two major gripes for this reviewer: "The Way Of Love" tracking at just over 2 minutes could have been crammed on; this is one of her signature tunes. The mention in the liner notes of her '67 top 10 hit "You Better Sit Down Kids" also points out blatant omissions. But - hey - it's a single CD, Babe, so groove to the way it vaults from 2003 through the decades to '65 and believe that Cher, is without a doubt, the Queen of the recording industry.

There is no way the very best of Cher can be offered on one disc. Her five-decade career has truly been amazing and her triumphant comebacks are always anticipated. While this CD certainly contains a lot of the 'very best,' it is still missing a number of brilliant tracks that should have been included. Didn't anyone think a two-disk woud have been more appropriate for this timeless diva, who--along with Madonna--is the best of the best?

Thankfully "Dark Lady," "Half-Breed," "Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves," "If I Could Turn Back Time, " "Just Like Jesse James", "After All," "Heart of Stone," "And the Beat Goes On," and of course, "I Got You Babe" are all included here.

Tracks that should have been included are "You Better Sit Down Kids"; "Where Do You Go"; "Alfie"; "Living in a House Divided"; "The Way of Love"; "All I Ever Need Is You"; "A Cowboy's Work Is Never Done"; "Train of Thought"; "We All Sleep Alone"; and "Love and Understanding," plus a few more, which would have made for a terrific second disk. I'm sure every fan wouldn't have minded paying more for that.

Rodney Jerkin's remix of "Different Kind of Love Song" is inferior to the original album version, which should have been included but unfortunately is not. However, "The Very Best of Cher" gets bonus points for including the phenomenal track "All Or Nothing," from the "Believe" album, an underrated and overlooked flop single that's just as good as "Believe," if not better. This CD makes for an addicting guilty pleasure from one of the most fabulous female entertainers around.

Her newer fans should definitely pick this up. It is still a pretty good representation of her songs from the 60's to today. The range of music is pretty fantastic, and only Cher can carry it off. Her voice is distinctive and amazing, able to carry all types of beats-- from folk, pop, disco, rock, country, and house. The queen continues to reign. Let the beat go on!

Back in the 60's if one was to say that the young, dark-haired hippie chick of the duo Sonny and Cher would have one of the longest careers in pop music history, they probably would've been laughed off the face of the earth. But it's true. Cher's career has lated through 5 decades. Always evolving, she's kept up with the times. This collection represents that evolution magnificently. You get 60's Cher as part of "Sonny and Cher." You have story-song/ disco Cher for the 70's. Then there's 80's rock chick Cher followed by 90's surprise comeback Cher. Then finally new millennium dance/club Cher.

This collection kicks off with the biggest hit of her career, the astounding 1999 #1 hit "Believe" *which was also the biggest single of that year. You then get her successful 80's rock/pop material ranging from the #3 power-ballad "If I Could Turn Back Time" to the top 10 "I Found Someone." And who can resist her duet with Peter Centura "After All" *which hit #6.* Also featured is the minor hit "One By One" followed by two 90's dance hits "Strong Enough" and the very catchy "All Or Nothing." "Song For the Lonely" is on here also from her 2001 release "Living Proof" as is one of my personal Cher favorites "A Different Kind of Love Song." Then you het her old-school 60's/ 70's hits including the #1's "Half Breed," "Gypsies Tramps and Theives," and "Dark Lady." Also her #1 signature duet with Sonny "I Got You Babe" and "The Beat Goes On." Another one of my Cher preferences is included which is "All I Really Wanna Do" *which unfortunately was not included on her previous "If I Could Turn Back Time" compilation.

The question is, was this collection really necesarry considering she just had a "Greatest Hits" come out in '99. Well, you do get the hits from her last two releases "Believe" and "Living Proof" which were not included. There are also a few that were left off on "If I Could Turn Back Time" including "One By One," "All I Really Wanna Do," and "The Beat Goes On." So, if you're looking for these songs, don't hesitate! This isn't totally up to perfection seeing how "The Way of Love" and "Love and Understanding" were left off, but oh well. Still, a great career retrospective.

This new collection really does showcase Cher at her best. "Believe" is the international #1 smash that catapulted Cher back into the musical spotlight. I am not familiar with electronica or house music, but I know a great song when I hear it. The vocal effects and insistent beat work to great effect, and Cher never sounded better. The power ballad "If I Could Turn Back Time" is another classic Cher song. Judging from her recent TV concert, it appears that Cher may have discovered a way to turn back time, since she doesn't look anywhere near her age. "I Found Someone" is another great power ballad that, judging from the tabloids, reflects Cher's love life! Just when the disco era threatens to overwhelm this compilation, the playfully upbeat "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss)" reminds the listener of an earlier musical era. That song is immediately followed by "All I Really Want To Do," Cher's first solo hit. Listening to her early vocal style, one can hear the influence of Sonny Bono. Cher's voice is more mature on the melodramatic "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)." Three #1 songs follow in rapid succession. "Half-Breed," "Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves" and "Dark Lady" helped define Cher as a solo artist and allowed her to emerge from the shadow of Sonny Bono. This compilation would be painfully incomplete without including Sonny and Cher's two biggest hits, "The Beat Goes On" and their signature tune, "I Got You Babe." However, this is a Cher collection, and it ends with a remix version of "A Different Kind Of Love Song." Cher wisely acknowledges her past, but also reminds the listener that she has succeeded for several decades as a solo superstar.

CD 1 (The very best)

The collection of songs here is very good, you'll find her biggest songs in just one cd which for me is very good because I hate albums that come in two discs. Because every time that you want to listen to one or other song you have to switch cds. The only two mistakes that I found with this collection is that they didn't add her 1987 Top 15 hit "We all sleep alone" and instead of that song you'll find "A different kind of love song" which is a good song but wasn't a hit and the other mistake is that "Bang, bang" appears in its original version. The new version from 1987 is much better.
Some of the songs here are: "If I could turn back time", "Believe", "Save up all your tears", "Strong enough", "I found someone" and "Take me home".

CD 2 (Live, The farewell tour)

Cher's Farewell Tour was very good, the songs were very good chosen and the show was very Cher.
In this cd you'll find almost all the songs that she sang. The missing ones are "Save up all your tears", "A different kind of love" and "All sleep alone". Cher's voice and music are very good live. On the shows she sang in a medley her early hits "All I really want to do", "Gypsies, tramps and thieves", "Dark lady" and "Half-breed". That's the version that you'll get of those songs in this cd.
There's nothing left to say about this cd 'cause we all know Cher (whether you love her or hate her).
The only thing that I'd recommend is to buy the Farewell Tour DVD.

What a great compilation cd,although the order of the cuts is rather random. And still this cd leaves some hits out, including the current disco smash, "When the Money's Gone, and "We all sleep alone".
Cher has 3 plus decades of folk rock, (All I really..)to current disco anthems with a few "gypsies " in between.The original version of "Bang Bang" is superior to the Geffen version, and that too is here.The voice that cuts through concrete sailed through the new millenium.Cher has been known as a single artist,and this cd supports her successes in the single arena.She has preveiled through several styles. Once again her 70's Warner Brothers material is missing,and there is no real reason for the dedicated fan to purchase this if they are looking for a stone unturned. The voice is powerful today as it was in the 70's,and the image only gains momentum. Choicest cuts are "Believe", "Heart of Stone",and the 60's flower power anthem, "I got you babe" with Sonny Svengali Bono.
Cher proves a voice plus a character as strong as they come preveil.This so far is the definitive greatest hits package.So why is this icon absent from the rock and roll hall of fame I ask?Well perhaps the powers that be will reconsider after looking at this compilation?Five stars for the hits alone, even if there is some question on the order the tracks are placed in. This "babe" needs a comprehensive box set...

Out of an uncountable number of Greatest Hits collections, this is the one we certainly can count upon. Unlike the previous TGH-Album, its not just released for sales promotion of her current album.

Definitely the biggest features of this CD are- BELIEVE, SONG For The Lonely, HALF Breed, ONE By One, HEART Of Stone, IF I could Turn Back Time, GYPSIES Tramps & Thieves, I GOT You Babe and her most recent no.1 (THIS Is)A DIFFERENT Kind Of Love Song - alongwith many others.

Totally spanning her entire carreer right from the 60's, this album is of the biggest help to discover Cher's glorious past for her newest fans. Offering a string of 21 melodies, this CD doesn't lets you take your ears off it! I need not explain why!

Presenting most of the genres, this CD also features 3 of her best duets, two with former hubby Sonny Bono, and one with Peter Cetera alongwith a remixed version of "DKOLS". I would've been even happier, if they'd have included her duet "Più Che Puoi" with Eros Ramazzotti. Anyways, the new songs from 'Believe' and 'Living Proof' albums only make the CD tougher

The multitalented, Oscar winning actress and Grammy winning singer Cher with her tallest position in the music world is still reigning high while almost all other divas are facing the earth. No one compares to her. Wishing her luck for future, I'd hugely recommend this CD with all my heart not only to her fans worldwide but to everyone intrested in good music. Hail to the true Queen of Music.

There are few that started when Cher did that are doing other than the "state fair" circuit. Cher's chameleonlike qualities have allowed her to last for over close to four decades. That's not bad for the former Cherilyn Sarkisian from El Centro, CA.

To be honest, I had not paid attention to much of her work after the 80's until her "rebirth" with the monster smash from '99, "Believe". I purchased "The Very Best of..." in order to update my knowledge of the diva.

The "discovery" from the album that made it worthwhile is "One on One" from 1996's "It's a Man's World". I don't know why the song didn't soar on the charts for it has one of Cher's most alluring vocals and also sports a killer musical/choral accompaniment.

THAT standout, among an album of standouts, makes this a purchase that I am glad to have made.