Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Melodic Pop & Moving Folk, March 29, 2003
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.
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17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The very best of, played by heart and soul. Lovely, February 13, 1999
The best of the best. The very special "Lay down", hardly to find on CD in this way. The long track, over 7 minutes. The whole CD is one of the best "Best of.." ever. And, for this time, the story of Melanie is correct.Kees.
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13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Folk-pop singer-songwriter of the early seventies, March 3, 2005
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.
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See all 21 tracks on this disc
by Melanie Safka 
