Customer Reviews

The Very Best of Melanie

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Although she emerged from the folk/singer-songwriter boom of the Woodstock generation, Melanie's music has always had more of a pop edge to it. This excellent collection includes most of her hits - with the exception of Bitter Bad - and the cream of her popular album tracks. It kicks off with the novelty song (and her biggest hit) Brand New Key, followed by her soulful and moving version of Ruby Tuesday which alone is worth the price of the album. Her interpretation of Mr Tambourine Man is unique and delectable too; she never fails to elegantly make the songs of her others her own (Lay Lady Lay and Carolina On My Mind). Her own compositions are catchy and intelligent, like Nickel Song or poetic and perceptive, like Beautiful People. The only serious omission in my opinion is the song Ring The Living Bell Shine The Living Light, but otherwise this album is comprehensive enough. Somehow Melanie represents the essence of the 60s folkie, although this album demonstrates her pop prowess too.

Born Melanie Sagfa but only using her first name for her music, Melanie burst on the music scene in 1969. In 1970, she had top ten hits in Britain and America with different songs - Ruby Tuesday, a Rolling Stones cover, in Britain, Lay down (Candles in the rain) in America.

Melanie's biggest hit, Brand new key, was a top five UK hit and a number one American hit. Sometimes dismissed as a novelty song, it became even more of a novelty song when the Wurzels wrote their own lyrics to it and released it (with Melanie's permission) as Combine harvester (Brand new key) - it topped the UK charts in 1976. Of course, you have to look elsewhere if you want Combine harvester - it's not here.

The New Seekers also liked to record Melanie's songs. Rival versions of What have they done to my song Ma both became minor UK hits, with Melanie doing slightly better than the New Seekers, who also covered Nickel song and Beautiful people.

While Melanie wrote plenty of original material, she also liked to record a few covers. Apart from Ruby Tuesday, this collection includes Melanie's versions of Lay lady lay and Mr Tambourine man, both written by Bob Dylan although the latter was popularised by the Byrds.

Melanie has a very distinctive voice that does not appeal to everybody although I love it. If you enjoy the folk-pop singer-songwriters of the early seventies, you will enjoy Melanie's music providing you like her voice. There have been plenty of Melanie compilations released down the years but this one is as good as any.

These performances are Melanie's classic recordings, recorded 1968 - 1971. Priceless performances, at a great price.

Tracks 1, 4, 17, 20 from the Buddah album "Candles In the Rain" (1970). (Track 4, "Lay Down (Candles In the Rain)," is in its extended version on this CD, not the shortened single version on the original album. The extended version was originally released on the 1972 Buddah compilation "The Four Sides of Melanie.")

Track 2 from the Neighborhood album "Gather Me" (released on Buddah Records outside of the United States; 1971).

Tracks 3 & 16 from the Buddah album "The Good Book" (1970 or '71, can't remember!!).

Tracks 5 & 6 from the Buddah album "Melanie" (this album was just titled "Melanie" in the United States, but it was titled "Affectionately Melanie" in England and other countries; 1969).

Tracks 7, 8, 9, & 15 from the Buddah album "Born To Be" (1968).

Tracks 10, 19, & 20 from the Buddah album "Leftover Wine" (1970).

Tracks 11, 14, & 18 from the Buddah album "Garden In the City" (1971).

Tracks 12 & 13 from the original soundtrack recording "All the Right Noises," released on Buddah Records outside of the United States in 1970. These tracks were eventually released in the United States on the Buddah compilation album "Please Love Me" (1973).

I met Mel at Philly folk fest, several yrs. ago.
My oldest sister made her music part of our family, as I now continue the tradition with mine.

My kid's know evry tune Melaine sweetly sings! They are young, and choose to listen to this angel on their own!

Thank you Melanie for what you are.

All our admiration, and Thanks to you, for being so nice, when you prob. don't even remeber doing so.

The world can be a better place because of people like you.

Please come back to PFF, if at all possible. Many fans await that terrific day!

Forever, a fan!

Joan & kids!

I'd forgotten how good Melanie is, particularly the "Christopher Robin is Saying His Prayers" track. I looked up a couple of other settings of that poem. They were more true to the original poem, but very stilted - or even grotesque. Melanie nailed the whole concept, in her melody, her pacing and certainly in her capture of a child's breathless delivery.
[This review is by my dad, for whom the disk was a gift. But I listened to Melanie growing up, and she's really good.]

Melanie had a voice that can best described as distinctive. I call her the female Joe Cocker. If you like him, you'll love her. Her covers of such classics as "Ruby Tuesday" have to be heard to be appreciated. Her original hits like "Beautiful People, " "Brand New Key," and "Candles in the Rain" are classics.

As I have grown older I look for more meaning in songs I have heard for years and this album brought home a depth of feeling like I have seldom felt. The emotion Melanie put into songs was often overlooked. Songs like "Ruby Tuesday" have played in the background of my life for years and then I heard the version on "The Very Best of Melanie" and I really felt it. It brought back memories of several girls I knew ... or really never got to know.

It's been a long time since I've listened to Melanie, but her voice rings out the way I remember it. The CD arrived on time, and in great condition, so I was immediately able to slip it in the player and enjoy it.

As in the title, a good quality dubbing from tape to CD. Just collecting old memories!

This is an exceptional album for Melanie fans, and victims of the 60's. All 21 tracks are good listening, I particularly enjoyed the "I don't eat meat" track, makes me smile each time I hear it. Even though I do!!
If you are a Melanie fan, this is a great album to have. Enjoy!!