Customer Reviews

My World: The Definitive Collection

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Smokey Robinson was a fixture on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart for nearly three decades. He is also widely regarded as one of America's greatest songwriters. "My World: The Definitive Collection" offers a fine overview of the career of this multi-talented and legendary performer. Enjoy once again several of his 1960's hits with the Miracles including Motown's very first hit single "Shop Around" as well as the 1967 smash "More Love". Among the other Miracles tunes included on this disc are "Going To A-Go-Go", "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" and Smokey's most popular song of all-time "The Tears of A Clown". Kudos to the engineers for an outstanding remastering job! Each and every track on this disc is crystal clear and this will add to your enjoyment of Smokey's inimitable falsetto voice.
But this treasure trove of hits also includes several of Smokey's biggest solo recordings from the 1970's and 1980's. "Quiet Storm" and "Cruisin" are fine examples of Smokey's work in the 1970's. Smokey Robinson's popularity would soar in the 1980's with three Top 10 hits. "Being With You", "Just To See Her" and "One Heartbeat" are all included in "My World: The Definitive Collection".
I was quite excited to discover that Smokey Robinson recorded two brand new tunes for this collection. I have sampled both "My World" and "Fallin'" a number of times and to be honest with you neither tune excites me. Perhaps they will grow on me with time but the old magic just does not seem to be there.
Nevertheless, the great remastering job coupled with the inclusion of tunes from both his days with the Miracles and his own solo career makes "My World: The Definitive Collection" a winner. This is a solid four star offering. Recommended.

I really don't often see a very well put reflection these days about what classic R&B is really about. Yet, the past few years, a great ordeal of acts really came back out to the music scene. Soul legends from Prince and the legendary Patti LaBelle, all the way to modern R&B divas like Alicia Keya and Mariah Carey. Yet, with all that R&B, nobody has ever done the feeling of soul like Smokey Robinson. On his own, and as a team member of the soulful Miracles, Smokey has defined the feeling of classic R&B music. For many, there really hasn't been a definitive career spanning single collection, until now.

My World: The Definitve Collection, continues where Motown has conjured some greats definitives from acts like Lionel Richie, and the legendary Stevie Wonder. The 2005 Smokey Robinson collection really does deliver very well with showcasing Smokey at the top his game on his own, and with the Miracles. The collection includes over 20 great tracks that stand out great including hits like Being With You, Just To See Her, the seductive and sexy Quiet Storm, and classics like Ooo Baby Baby, the R&B standard Tears Of A Clown, and his legendary hit Crusin' which was covered by D' Angelo, and Huey Lewis & Gwenyth Paltrow from Duets. Yet, like all hits packages, there are a couple of dissapointments that have been noticed. One of those is that a few of Smokey's great songs were overlooked like Ebony Eyes, his collaboration with the late Rick James, and The Agony & The Ecstasy. Another dissapointment is that many people may consider another pair of hits collections like the solo ultimate collection & Smokey's ultimate collection with the Miracles, because there is a whole lot more to play around with and double the tracks.

Yet, with all of today and its R&B, it is just too easy to forget those classics. Smokey Robinson may not have it anymore, but his songs can still always carry the best of it anyday. For those who haven't heard this singer or anybody who has been a die hard Smokey Robinson fan, this is truly a remarkable collection and is really a must have just to hear him again.

Songs: B+

Album Cover: A-

Price: A-

Mastering: B 1/2+

Overall: B+

Smokey Ronbinson is one of the first artists that I fell in love with when I first started listening to Motown. He's so incredibly talented and legendary and no wonder why when you look at this collection and remember just how many hits he's had. And they are pretty much all here. It's almost impossible to pick a couple of favourites as they are all good, but if I absolutely had to, I'd say the best songs are Mickey's Monkey, Being With You, The Tracks Of My Tears and I Second That Emotion. There are still so many songs that I left of that list, but that's because he's barely made a bad song. He is a legend and this is a great start for new fans of his, or for his old fans to reminise over. I love it.

Ahhhhh, I've loved this man's smooth voice since I was a young girl. A good representation of what Smokey can do here. Old fans will recognize their favorites; new fans should definitely grab this one.

You won't be dissapointed with the Definitive Collection. Great sound and brings back memories. Enjoyable with established fans and new ears. It was good to hear the sweet sounds of Smokey once again. Love "Ooo Baby Baby" and "Mickey's Monkey". Worth the money and great addition to any collection!!

While the material here is mostly 5-star, this compilation is not as complete as it should be. While the obvious hits are all here - "Cruisin," "Tracks of My Tears," "Being With You," etc., I would like to have had "Baby Baby Don't Cry," "If You Can Want," and "I'll Try Something New" from the Miracles and the solo "Agony and the Ecstasy." These are all better than the two new songs, and several others included here, including "Yester Love" and "I've Made Love to You a Thousand Times" really aren't from the cream of the crop. Plus only 74 minutes - enough room left for two more Miracles tracks. The sound quality and liner notes are good, and I am glad that the complete, "R-rated" album version of "Cruisin" was included. This is good enough for the casual fan, but, for those wanting the whole picture, the two-disc compilations of Smokey Robinson and the Miracles and Smokey solo are better.

I have only one GRIPE with this collection .... ONLY ONE...but it's a SERIOUS ONE..About the time this collection was introduced... a companion DVD WAS TO APPEAR... It was to be a CAREER SPANING VIDEO COLLECTION OF CLASSIC FOOTAGE OF SMOKEY'S HITS WITH THE LEGENDARY MIRACLES along with some of his SOLO HITS...LITERALLY THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF "MOTOWN DEFINITIVE" DVD COLLECTIONS OF ITS TOP ARTISTS .... BUT IT NEVER APPEARED !!!! IT WAS ADVERTISED ALL OVER THE INTERNET , AND EVEN IN THE RECORD STORES ...BUT STILL... NO DVD !! SINCE THEN ,MOTOWN "DEFINITIVE DVD COLLECTIONS" OF MARVIN GAYE AND THE TEMPTATIONS HAVE APPEARED ...BUT STILL N O M I R A C L E S !!! So,ONCE AGAIN, fans of this legendary group have been DISAPPOINTED..First by their INEXCUSABLE OMISSION from the ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME (only SMOKEY was inducted} , and NOW THIS !! SO MOTOWN , AND UNIVERSAL....WHERES THE MIRACLES DVD ??

Fantastic! All the great songs are on this CD (new and old). Happy to have it in my collection. Going to see Smokey in concert on November 26; can't wait.

With so much 'greatest hits' packages out there, here is one where one senses they are getting their monies worth. A truly beautiful person, he is also one of the greatest performers amongst us.
This set includes all of his hits, and not just sparingly. Obtainable at a reasonable price, this set delivers exactly what is it supposed to do.
For the Smokey fan, and for those who are just discovering his voice, and talent, enjoy!!

No disappointment with this purchase. The blend of some new material with classic older was worth every dollar spent