Very Best of the [Enhanced, Import]

Jackson 5 | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 5, 2004)
• Original Release Date: 2004
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Enhanced, Import
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00020JPI6
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #624,628 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Can You Feel It (Single Edit)

2. Blame It On The Boogie

3. Enjoy Yourself

4. Show You The Way To Go (Single Version)

5. Dreamer

6. Even Though You're Gone

7. Goin' Places

8. Torture

9. Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground) (Single Version)

10. Lovely One

11. This Place Hotel (Aka Heart Break Hotel)

12. Walk Right Now (Single Version)

13. State Of Shock (Ft Mick Jagger)

14. 2300 Jackson Street

15. Nothin (That Compares 2 U) (Video)

16. Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough (Live From The 1981 U.S. Tour)

Editorial Reviews

Although there have been countless compilations over the decades, The Very Best of the Jacksons could well be the most definitive. Split across two discs, disc one primarily features the early Mowtown days and the second, mainly their hits as the Jacksons (as opposed to Jackson 5) released on Epic. Often overshadowed by Michael's subsequent success as a solo artist, this anthology demonstrates why the Jacksons' perfect balance of pop and soul has endured when compared to one-time peers such as the Osmonds. The irresistible funk of 'ABC' and 'I Want You Back' are classics of the period as are the incredible ballads 'Got to Be There' and little Michael's ode to a loveable rodent, 'Ben'. Highlights of disc two are predominantly from their massive albums Destiny and Triumph, released in the late 1970s, early 1980s; 'Can You Feel it', 'Blame it on the Boogie' and 'Shake Your Body' to name but three. It was around this time that Michael began his adult solo career and The Very Best of the Jacksons appropriately ends with a live version of "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough" from MJ's Off the Wall. Michael may have gone on to eclipse his family but there can be little dispute that the Jacksons are one of the most important musical dynasties ever. Sony. 2004. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Most comprehensive, cross-label J5/Jacksons compilation yet, August 23, 2004

By 

Music Fan Jeff (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Very Best of the (Audio CD)

At the same time that Hip-O in the U.S. released a cross-label Jackson 5/Jacksons compilation (called "The Jacksons Story"), Sony and Universal in the UK issued this title. The differences between the two titles are considerable. First off the Hip-O collection is only one disc, so it obviously does not include many of the tracks that are available here. The first disc of this collection (track list below; Amazon's description only shows the tracks on disc two of this collection) focuses on the Jackson 5 and Michael Jackson's years at Motown. It has all of the big hits that the Hip-O disc has but also contains some album tracks and the hit "Lookin' Through the Windows." The one omission is the Jermaine Jackson hit "Let's Get Serious," available on the Hip-O collection but not here.

Disc two focuses on the Jacksons' Epic years. It's here that this disc really trumps the Hip-O compilation. Included here is "Torture," mysteriously missing from both the Hip-O disc and the "Essential Jacksons" disc that Sony issued in the U.S. last year. Also included here are popular Jacksons tracks like "Goin' Places," "Dreamer," and "Even Though You're Gone," the latter two also being missing from Epic's earlier "Essential Jacksons." What's also great about disc two of this collection is that, apart from "Lovely One," it contains the original 45 rpm single edits. (The "Essential Jacksons" disc contains the full length album versions.)

I am giving this collection only 4 instead of 5 stars because the track selection on disc one could have been better. Instead of the Jackson 5 singing "Doctor My Eyes" or "Ain't No Sunshine," it would have been nice to have had other hits like "Maybe Tomorrow," "Little Bitty Pretty One," and "I Am Love" or the popular b-side "I Found That Girl" or the stand-out early Michael Jackson-led "Who's Loving You." It also would have been nice if they had used the original mono mixes for the Motown tracks (they are all stereo here). The stereo versions are much easier to find on cd. Given the focus on single edits on disc two, it's curious that the compilers did not pay attention to using the original singles mixes on disc one.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Material, October 10, 2004

By 

A customer "mistermaxxx" (usa) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Very Best of (Audio CD)

you know Michael Jackson truly did something incredible in 3 phases of His career. first starting out as a Member of the Jackson 5&also as a Adult Member of the Jacksons&we aren''t even gonna talk about His Greatness as a Solo Artist.this is a truly Ultimate Collection of the Jacksons Work on Motown through sony. you gotta get this ASAP if you are a Jacksons Fan.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars how that music just came pouring out--THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING !!!, June 30, 2009

By 

Matthew G. Sherwin (last seen screaming at Amazon customer service) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Very Best of (Audio CD)

The Very Best of The Jacksons is one of the better retrospectives of their work together; we get terrific music from them all the way through. The Jacksons are no longer a group, of course; and Michael has left us. However, this two CD set allows their identities to live on through their music and that's wonderful. The quality of the sound on these two CDs is excellent and I like the artwork.

The first CD begins with an awesome track, "I Want You Back." "I Want You Back" features Michael front and center; his vocals are awesome and the others do a fantastic job, too! "ABC" is a great tune that's infectiously catchy; I love it. "The Love You Save" is also another classic Jackson 5 tune; Michael sounds perfect on this track and the rest of the group performs this with panache. These three numbers make a stunning beginning for the first CD--and ""I'll Be There" shines equally bright--what a good number this is! "I'll Be There" uses the percussion rather well and they harmonize faultlessly. "Mama's Pearl" is also catchy; and I really love their original rendition of "Never Can Say Goodbye" by Clifton Davis. "Never Can Say Goodbye" again has Michael in the spotlight and it all holds it all very well. "Dancing Machine" has a strong disco beat that gets my feet tapping to the beat even all these years later; and "Doctor My Eyes" gets the royal treatment from these artists who deliver it without letting go of a single superfluous note! "Got to Be There" charms me with its beauty; and wow, how the music fits in perfectly with their vocals! "Rockin' Robin" is cute; and a rather young Michael Jackson outdoes even himself on the classic hit entitled "Ben."

The second CD continues the hits. "Can You Feel It" is a fast paced hit that sounds wonderful--this ought to get you up on the floor and dancing practically wherever you are! "Blame It on the Boogie" continues in the same vein; and "Enjoy Yourself" is a masterpiece by The Jacksons that proves they had a singular talent--awesome! "Let Me Show You the Way to Go" is also very well done; this just plain sounds good. In addition, "Goin' Places" is another major highlight of this two CD set--this music is all THAT good. The Jacksons also perform "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" flawlessly; this leaves nothing to be desired and that percussion makes the music just right for their vocals. "Lovely One" has great vocalizing and the beat is catchy yet again; and I always enjoy hearing them do their usual best on "This Place Hotel (aka Heartbreak Hotel)." "Walk Right Now" from their album entitled "Triumph" has a flavor that almost sounds like a pop number mixed with a touch of disco and The Jacksons do "Walk Right Now" to perfection--and beyond! The Jacksons also do a great job on a live track of Michael's "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" which was recorded when they were touring.

The Jacksons deliver so much good music on these two CDs it hard for me to truly single out just two or three songs that are sublime. Indeed, their work was nothing short of untouchable genius and when I listen to these songs I can easily understand why they are remembered so fondly. I highly recommend this for their fans; and perhaps fans of Michael Jackson will want this for their collections as well.