Very Best of Cleo Laine - 34 Classic Hits

Cleo Laine | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 20, 1997)
• Original Release Date: May 20, 1997
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: RCA Victor
• ASIN: B000003ETW
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,937 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. He Was Beautiful

2. I Loves You, Porgy

3. No One Is Alone

4. Birdsong (Sambalaya)

5. Solitude

6. Streets of London

7. I Don't Know Why

8. Send in the Clowns

9. Dreamsville

10. Gonna Get Through

See all 17 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Lies of Handsome Men

2. Play It Again Sam

3. I'm Gonna Sit Right Down (And Write Myself a Letter)

4. If

5. Thieving Boy

6. Won't You Tell Me Why

7. I Remember

8. Just A-Sittin' and A-Rockin'

9. Woman Talk

10. Sophisticated Lady

See all 17 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dame Cleo is the tops!!!!!!!!, September 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Very Best of Cleo Laine - 34 Classic Hits (Audio CD)

An incredibly versatile singer! Cleo can go from swinging jazz to stately showtunes with amazing ease. This collection showcases all sides. She really swings on the Ellington tunes: "I'm Beginning To See The Light" and "It Don't Mean A Thing" among them. Her scat-singing is on par with Ella and Sarah. Good enough to make a silly song like "Birdsong" listenable. Then she shifts into Sondheim territory and turns in one of the best "Send In The Clowns" I have ever heard. A gifted writer, her "He Was Beautiful" is simply beautiful. She is almost bluesy on the heart-wrenching "I Loves You Porgy" and "Bill" from Showboat is a showstopper.

It is criminal that Cleo is not more universally renowned and revered. I recently saw her perform in Glendale, CA and at 70+ she is still a dynamic, mesmerizing performer. This collection is a great overview of her career and it will undoubtedly whet your appetite for more.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars She IS beautiful!, August 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Very Best of Cleo Laine - 34 Classic Hits (Audio CD)

I can't believe that just a few years ago I never heard of this beautiful lady and today Im big fan of hers, with 40 albums in my collection! I saw her live on two occasion and she was always sensational! This album contains material recoreded for RCA - its the creme of the last 25 years since Dame Cleo became star outside of her native England and the body of work of a mature singer in a full prime.The new songs are duets with her daughter Jacqui, very moving and nice in their way but of course its Cleo that shines here, with suport of some first-rate guests.For those who are interested in her earlier albums I recommend "The British sessions" since its unbelievable strong album and represents Dame Cleo as she was when she was younger and full of fire!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb performance in a wide range of music, September 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Very Best of Cleo Laine - 34 Classic Hits (Audio CD)

This two-CD set shows the breadth and depth of Cleo Laine's range. While I'd prefer more of her "scat" works in a "Best of..." album, when she does it, it does you (i.e., Turkish Delight). This album is better appreciated after seeing Dame Cleo in concert with her husband and three piece back-up (ala Santa Fe in July). Witnessing her style, grace, the mesh of the ensemble, and the perfection of her performance is a thrill that can draw you into this album and help you fully appreciate the wealth of this music.