Customer Reviews

Very Best of Oleta Adams

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This is a stunning compilation of the jazz/r&b stylings of one of the most underrated singers in the music industry. Oleta Adams initially graced us with her stunning vocal presence as a guest performer on the pop duo's Tears For Fears highly acclaimed album "The Seeds Of Love" in 1989. Her robust vocals on the hit single, "Woman In Chains," addressing domestic violence, led her to a recording contract. "The Very Best Of Oleta Adams" covers her first 3 solo outings: Circle Of One(1990)/Evolution(1993)/Moving On(1995).

Also included on this fabulous collection are several recordings that were included in special projects: "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" is her impressive, soulful rendition of the classic Elton John tune, that originally appeared on the Elton John tribute "Two Rooms" album. From the soundtrack from the movie "Jason's Lyric" is the moving rendition of Jimmy Cliff's "Many Rivers To Cross." She covers Gershwin's "Embraceable You" with grace and finesse. These songs have been covered by a myriad of respectible artists over the years and it is Adam's impeccible vocal delivery that makes these performances just as memorable as the classic originals.

Of her covers, her most popular is Brenda Russell's "Get Here." Many are not familiar with Brenda's lightweight wispy original version that she penned as the title track to her hit 1988 album. Oleta's version, included on her debut "Circle Of One" is striking as she makes the beautiful song her very own. The song shot to #5 on the pop charts and is her signature song. It was also nominated for best pop vocal performance, female at the 1990 grammies.

A counterpart to "Get Here" from the debut album is a beautiful and stirring vocal performance inherent on "I Just Had To Hear Your Voice" which echoes similar sentiments of a lover expressing the importance of regular communication as an important and essential signpost in their maturing relationship. This song was accompanied by an engaging video clip that aired on VH-1 for only a brief time (it was produced by the same person who shot Whitney Houston's video for "I'm Every Woman" from "The Bodyguard" soundtrack).

This collection contains the perfect dose slow moving, emotionally heart-wrenching love ballads and upbeat songs of inspiration and hope. Of the uptempto songs, I thoroughly enjoyed "Circle Of One," the title track to her debut album and "Rhythm Of Life," which was her first solo release before the international success of "Get Here."

Since those successes, her profile has been lowered, yet her performances are just as rich in texture and substance as her debut, as evidenced on the self penned tracks, "Lover's Holiday," the emotionally tender ballads "Hold Me In Your Arms" and "My Heart Won't Lie," which beautifully opens her "Evolution" CD. "Window Of Hope" is an upbeat, gospel oriented, inspirational epic that finds Adams reaching the highest vocal heights that serves as an impeccible closer on her second CD as well as on this best of collection. All these songs were written by Adams herself, which illustrates that she is also a competent songwriter in her own right (she (co)wrote seven of the songs on this collection).

I wasn't as familar with her 3rd album "Evolution." This album is represented with 4 tracks. "Never Knew Love" was the initial single that flopped on the charts. It is an engaging, middle of the road, tune that deserved more exposure, as did the rest of the songs on the album. "We Will Meet Again" is another Brenda Russell penned tune, that doesn't measure up to "Get Here," although it is graced with simplicity and style. Also included is "Love Begins At Home" and "I Knew You When." Although sung beautifully by Adams, these are the least memorable tracks on the album.

Nonetheless, this is a fantastic collection of adult comtemporary, soulful, jazzy selections from one of my favorite divas on the planet. If you are a fan of Gladys Knight(of the 1970's) or Anita Baker(of the 1980's), there is no doubt that you will gladly embrace Oleta Adams(of the 1990's)!

Some artists are permitted a few chart-toppers by the fickle American public and then, apparently, drift off into obscurity, although they continue to release albums with lackluster sales performance. Adams happens to be one of those gifted and original voices that haven't received, outside her loyal fan base, the recognition that she richly deserves.

This compilation features selections culled from three of Adams's albums: "Circle of One" (1990), "Evolution" (1993), and "Moving On" (1995). It also has tunes from her collaboration with Tear for Fears (on "Woman in Chains") and her contribution to "The Glory of Gershwin" (the classic "Embraceable You").

The musical "anthology" shows the singer at her best and most diverse. She can do it all. And for that reason, she may just be too good for the "untrained" ears of the record-buying public that has been deafened by the thunderous thumps and beats of hip-hop, rap, and contemporary rock.

"The Best of Oleta Adams" is a good starting point, as well as a spark to light the incendiary for those that need to experience Adams's FIRE.

While it may be true that Oleta Adams doesn't carry the name recognition of Anita Baker, she is perhaps one of the only "modern" songstresses whose talent speaks for itself with an unmistakable honeyed-soul voice.

Starting with 1990's "Circle of One", Adams proved herself a vital vocal talent with both covers (the exceptional "Everything Must Change" and the hit "Get Here") and self-penned tunes ("Circle of One") alike, all produced with exceptional artistry by Tears for Fears founder Roland Orzabal and Dave Bascombe. Unlike many artists who "suffer the sophomore curse," her 1993 follow-up album, "Evolution," showed just that: a major work covering the spectrum from heart-wrenching ballads (Jud Friedman & Allan Rich's "I Just Had To Hear Your Voice" and the Diane Warren-penned "The Day I Stop Loving You") to out-and-out soaring gospel-baked house-burners (the self-penned "Window of Hope") with some old fashioned devoted-love in between ("(Baby I'll) Come When You Call"). The "evolution" in this album extends beyond her vocal and songwriting talents, to a new feather in her cap: creating wonderful arrangements with producer Stewart Levine that are ideally suited to her sparkling alto. Her third album, 1995's "Moving On," saw a shift from the pop mode of her first two albums to a more reserved, gospel-oriented effort, concentrating more on vocals and less on her own songwriting talents. Adams's fourth album, 1997's "Come Walk With Me," shows her making the complete transition to her gospel roots with an all gospel album, which was nominated for a 1998 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album.

Now, "The Very Best of Oleta Adams" explores her dedication to the craft of song and songwriting and gathers into one place all of the sparkling gems of her first ten years, beginning with her collaboration with Tears for Fears ("Woman in Chains," from their 1989 album "The Seeds of Love"), and winding its way through her four solo albums and various contributions to collections ("Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" from "Two Rooms: Celebrating the Songs of Elton John and Bernie Taupin" and "Embraceable You" from "The Glory of Gershwin"). One can only hope that this well-deserved collection doesn't, as is often the case, signal the end of a career, but instead paves the way to another ten years of brilliance.

This is a songstress of a quality that ranks among such greats as Dinah Washington and Billie Holliday. She is able to captivate in much the same manner as they did. Highly underrated, she is still an almost closely guarded secret between those of us who have found her. It's time to share.

If you allow yourself to surrender ( i.e. forget about your office, your politics, your waistline, your 401K...) to the voice of Oleta Adams, I promise she will transport you to another place. Soak in solitude long enough, she will bring you to tears. Heartstoppers from this CD:"Get Here, My Heart Won't Lie, We Will Meet Again, Had to Hear Your Voice, and I Knew You When."

I have been a fan of Oleta Adams for six years and never fail to pack her for a road trip. For lack of a better metaphor, Oleta is fine wine. She is special--not heard or seen on every shelf. You will not drink her everyday, but save for special, intimate occasions. Your palate will appreciate that this makes her a true original.

Enjoy!

To me Oleta is the Gladys Knight of the '90's...
Same great voice, same problem with material and producers not always up to the audience expectations...
This collection includes all the singles off the first 3 albums by Oleta plus a cover of Jimmy Cliff's MANY RIVER TO CROSS (just as good as Cher's)and Elton John's DON'T LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON ME.
I fell in love with her voice when i first heard back in 1991 GET HERE - funny thing, ten years on and this is still one of my favourite. It's actually become OUR song for me and Wayne...
I JUST HAD TO HEAR YOUR VOICE is so full of hope over a love lost or a long-distance relationship that i easily relate to its themes.
WE WILL MEET AGAIN is a lover's promise and LOVER'S HOLIDAY is what all couples plan to do once in a while.
You also do get the r'n'b stuff such as CIRCLE OF ONE, WINDOW OF HOPE, but to me ballads is what Oleta delivers best.
Get a copy n enjoy it full time!

Just listen to this song. It is intoxicating. I for one am not a huge Oleta Adams "get here if you can" fan, however, few songs stir the soul and connect you with the rhythm of your own life and emotions like this one. Truly a modern day anthem that I feel a lot of people can connect with. To bad this song doesn't get more radio play. I think it's grammy worthy. This song will grab you and not let go until you are groovin and movin' such a cool song.. Listen....and .... ENJOY.....the rhythm of life...

Oleta Adams is one of the best singers out there today!! Her voice is a wonderful tapestry of rich musical textures. She is undoubtably one of the most underrated singers around. Her voice, with what seems like a considerable lack of effort, puts you in touch with both the mundane and the spiritual. You absolutely have to feel "something" when you listen to an Oleta Adams song. The entire album is spectacular; no song is a throw away. From the profoundly deep, "Rhythm Of Life," to the wonderfully melodic, "Hold Me For A While," this album is a MUST HAVE! Definitely an example of MONEY WELL SPENT! You're going to really enjoy this one!

Oleta Adams' voice is just AWESOME!! I love this CD. My favorite song is I Just Had To Hear Your Voice, but I love this entire CD. Do yourself a favor and get this CD.

Oleta Adams is a truly gifted woman.To hear this woman sing is truly a blessing,when I listen to her it feels like my soul itself is being reborn.I could go on forever and tell you how this beautiful woman of song has touched me,but I wont what I will do is dare you to go out and buy any of oleta's cds and feel for your self the beauty the serenity the calm that comesfrom hearing her voice.I promise you it will become your most priced possesion