Customer Reviews

Very Best of

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I really like Macy Gray. She has such a unique voice and sound but for some reason, she isn't quite the huge sensation she should be. I Try was obviously the biggest hit of hers to date, but that's a shame because listen to this cd and you'll hear so many other great songs. Other than I Try, my favourite is Love Is Gonna Get You. It's so boppy and contagious but then again, the whole cd is. Go and by this to hear a fantastic singer that hasn't had the success she deserves.

Macy Gray's cartoon sexy voice has both its detractors and its fans. I happen to be one of those fans, as her vocals cannot be mistaken for anyone else even though at times she sounds like one of the blues queens of the jazz age. The biggest drawback of this CD is that Gray does not have the body of work yet to put together a first-rate "best of" album, let alone a "very best" one.

"When I See You" is one of my favorite songs because of the perfect balance between Gray's voice and the instruments. "Boo" showcases Gray's unusual voice more because of its low-profile instrumentals and plaintive lyrics. "Love is Gonna Get You" is perhaps Gray's best known song, although her voice sounds even more funky here than on the other tracks. The two versions of "Sexual Revolution" are worth duplicating, as the first starts out slow then builds into an exuberant, catchy, upbeat track while the radio version starts right with the chorus. Why Gray included the two "versions" of "I've Committed Murder" is less clear as Mos Def's rap makes the song completely unrecognizable; neither of the two is memorable enough to be included.

This CD is a good introduction to Macy Gray, and fans of her music will appreciate the compilation even if it is uneven. Those who dislike her distinctive sound are not likely to be won over even by a "best of" album. -- Debbie Lee Wesselmann

It's obvious that only time will tell If Macy Gray will be accepted by the mainstream radio again, while you sleep and wait, we are presented by yet another greatest hits early too soon. Don't mind that either. The "Miss Match" theme Somebody For Me is a deliciously done Pop Gem, that didn't saw the light of radio promotion, one of the best tunes here. The melancolic "I Try" remind us how a melody and a well written song should sound, not only that Macy's voice gave it a personal touch. "Still" " She Ain't Right For You" are clones of the before mention but are easy to locate as well done tracks. "When I See You" is a very catchy number that I still don't get why? it wasn't a hit!...very strong, produced by music rooster Dallas Austin. "Why Dodn't You Call Me" it's extremely funky and hilarious, " Sexual Revolution" it's fast and upbeat, and the lyrics are so right....Although I'm not much of a fond for "Walk This Way" the cover made by Macy it's and okay one, Macy show the world that you didn't need a perfect balance voice or a superficial beauty to make great music...so this is a testimony of her and the music that sounds so good. ***** FIVE STARS, for the originality that she gaves us.

The only thing that keeps "The Very Best of Macy Gray" from being PERFECT is the exclusion of her latest (and one of her biggest) hit "Oh Yeah"! I love,love,love that song..."Just throw your head back, say Oh Yeah!". OH YEAH! Other than that unfortunate exclusion, this CD contains all the hits from "I Try" to "Sweet Baby" and beyond. Another CD that I have been recommending all over is AMBER - My Kind of World. Although stylistically very different from Macy Gray (actually she's closer to Seal and Paula Cole, even Tori Amos), Amber, like Macy, is an Original. Her Alt Rock infused Electronica first Single "You Move Me" hit #1 Stateside on XM Radio. The followup "Voodoo" is currently being remixed for an early 2005 release. And then there's the Pat Benatar-esque "Just Like That" and the Power Ballad "Sacrificial Lamb". This CD is as critically acclaimed as Macy Gray's "On How Life Is" debut CD. Billboard Magazine said in it's glowing review that AMBER deserves a place in the mainstream. If you are a fan of great Singer/Songwriters and appreciate an "Original" voice with something new and fresh to offer, my advice is to buy BOTH Macy Gray - The Very Best of AND AMBER - My Kind of World.

Even if you don't like her voice (which I personally find to be beautiful in its own unique way), you will still find a song of hers that you will absolutely love and can relate too. Her voice adds character and beauty to every single one of her songs.

Macy Gray is unique----her look, her sound, her songs. This best of collection is a welcome addition to my cd library. Of course, her biggest hit, "I Try" is included (along with a club remix of the song) as well as singles from her other cds. The main reason I bought this cd, however, is "Love's Gonna Get You", which was the theme song to the charming but unfortunately cancelled show MISS MATCH starring Alicia Silverstone (Shame on you NBC---that was a good show!) I really like this song and was stunned to find it was a part of this set of songs. I looked everywhere for a copy of the song when the show was still on the peacock network but never had any luck. Its a great song and I can't stop listening to it! Macy fans will be pleased with this "best of" cd as well as new fans, who may be giving Macy a first listen. A fun cd, worth buying!

While Macy Gray has been well received the past 5 years, why put this album out? She's only done THREE ALBUMS! This is all too early and premature to do this. Of course she's done the Grammy winning I Try and the next two albums didn't sell as well as the massive selling debut. I do think that Macy is a very talented artist and her raspy voice is that good on her mostly live songs. But they could have waited until 2009 or a few more albums from her to do a best of. I think this is one of those stunts from the record company just because I Try was such a massive hit during early 2000. I wonder if Macy herself knows that this album is out when she hasn't recorded quite enough to put her personal favorites on a best of album.

I became so fascinated by Macy Gray when I first heard the song "Still" back in 1999. Her voice was so alien, but strangely beautiful. Her debut album became a huge sensation, propelled by the hit single "I Try" (Billboard Hot 100 #5). The album, "On How Life Is" (Billboard Hot 200 #4) was truly a great album, and five of the album's ten song made it onto this compilation, and rightfully so. "I Try" is an extremely catchy tune, and both "Do Something" and "Why Didn't You Call Me" are low-down, funky tunes. "Still" is Macy Gray at her absolute best, and "I've Committed Murder" is oddly fascinating, like Macy herself.

Her sophomore album "The Id" followed in 2001, and it was a success peaking at number #11 on the Billboard Hot 200 album chart, and was certified Gold, selling over 500,000 in America alone. Strangely, none of its singles made the charts. Highlights were: "Sweet Baby" with Erykah Badu, and "Sexual Revolution", both included on this compilation.

Her third album "The Trouble with Being Myself" was released in 2003, to moderate success (peaking at number #44). Again, none of its singles failed to make any impact on the charts, but that's not to say that they weren't great songs. "When I See You" is very catchy, and should have been a hit. "She Ain't Right for You" is again Macy doing what she does best. That being said, the album was packed with filler, and the aforementioned songs are best taken out of context of that album - in other words: they were the only good ones.

"The Very Best of Macy Gray" is a bold title, as it suggests more than it delivers. Then again, Macy Gray have always been a singles artist, so collecting the good songs and put them together into one cohesive album, was a pretty good idea. That being said, I can't help but feel like Macy is wasting her talent and time on recording the wrong kind of music. She wasn't labelled "the Billie Holiday of her time" for nothing. I think she would excel at Jazz, and if she ever records an album of old Jazz standards, it would be phenomenal.

I don't understand the complaints about the voice of Macy Gray. She is an absolute throwback to some of the great blues singers of the past. Her voice is distinctive in a world of music where pop divas embellish every other note just because they can, and it is hard to tell one from another. For originality, and humor alone, I think Macy is wonderful. I also highly recommend Madeilyne Peryoux as an original, yet throwback singer. Long may they sing!!!!!!!!!!

I must admit I was a little surprised when Macy Gray decided to release a Greatest Hits CD. After only three studio albums, I was more hoping for an album of new material, but on the contrary we now have a Best of Collection spanning the years 1999 to 2004. Each one of the twelve actual hits is a treasure in its own right. This is a woman with an extraordinary voice whose every song has become a top reaching hit either in the United States or abroad. The selection is very satisfying and shows the ever-strengthening progressive pattern of the singer's immense gift of talent. This is a CD that should be on everyone's CD shelf. Absolute favorites include "I Try", "Still", "Sweet Baby", "When I See You", and "She Ain't Right For You". In addition to the hits, the disc includes one cover of Aerosmith's "Walk This Way", three remixes and also "Demons". The music is genuine and heartwarming and the voice is powerfully soothing and comforting....a true Must-Have!