The Very Best of Daryl Hall & John Oates

Hall & Oates

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 23, 2001)
• Original Release Date: January 23, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B000056CCH
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,285 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Hall and Oates often enlivened '70s and '80s radio with sharp pop concoctions that drew on a wellspring of R&B influences picked up in their hometown of Philadelphia. They scored frequently enough, in fact, that this 20-track collection--intended to supplement or replace the earlier Rock 'n Soul, Part 1 with post-'83 winners--doesn't capture all their finest moments. (Where, for instance, are "She's Gone," recorded for another label but licensed by RCA for Rock 'n' Soul, and the terrific new wave/funk fusion "Your Imagination"?) Still, much of what's here is fine music that should appeal not only to those who carry fond memories of radio and MTV playing it the first time around, but also to a good-sized handful of their kids. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "The Very Best Of Hall and Oates", January 24, 2001

By	V. R. DeVonish "Potential dog owner" (Brooklyn, NY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The '80s were filled with great songs that either touched me emotionally or made me want to dance. Hall and Oates, talented musicians whose rock 'n soul will permeate the airwaves forever, produced some of these songs. Their newest compilation includes the beautiful ballads "Sara Smile" and "One on One" as well as "Kiss on My List," "Private Eyes," and "I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)". It also includes the one song I can listen to over and over, "Out of Touch." Fortunately, the tracks aren't cut off early like on some other greatest hits collections, and are the versions you're familiar with from the radio. As a true Hall and Oates fan, this CD is a definite must. It's more than worth the money, especially since you get 18 tracks for your listening pleasure. And you may even discover something new as you realize Hall and Oates sang a few songs you're not as familiar with.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rock and Soul Part 1 and 1/2, July 29, 2001

By	Anthony G Pizza "trivialtony" (FL) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Someday the combined musical appreciation societies of Rhino and Buddha Records will release the domestic Daryl Hall/John Oates collection their fans long searched for.

It will include their hits in complete versions (the extended, atmospheric beauty of "She's Gone," their Temptations medley with Eddie Kendricks & David Ruffin) their last RCA & Arista hits ("Your Imagination," "So Close," "Everything Your Heart Desires") their should-have-beens ("Do What You Want, Be What You Are," "Back Together Again," "Don't Change" from 1977's "Beauty On A Back Street") and even Daryl Hall's solo hits like "Dreamtime" and "In a Philly Mood."

It could easily cover two discs and complete the unique "art & soul" picture of a sound this prolific duo created and used so well the first, most memorable years of the 1980s. For now, this is at least the most complete, if not best, Hall & Oates hits set.

"The Best of Hall & Oates" covers nearly all the duo's RCA chart hits including their impressive 1980-84 string matching soulful harmony and backbeat to frosty, stomping new wave rock ("Private Eyes," "Family Man," Fall 1984's still thrilling "Out Of Touch.") The set also restores David Foster's studio-produced version of "Wait For Me" (heard live on 1983's earlier "Rock n' Soul Vol. I") and adds 1978's poignant Top 20 "It's A Laugh."

Michael Hill's instructive essay accompanying the CD quotes Hall as comparing his and Oates' personalities to Lennon-McCartney's, calling his duo "the eighties Beatles." The comparison is not simply ego or wishful thinking; while "Did It In A Minute" and "Rich Girl" are not songs the whole world sang, they infused great pop melody and simple, sometimes sweet lyrics with foreboding and even danger. Hall often pointed out that "Kiss On My List" meant yours was only ON the list, not necessarily topping it. Like Philly contemporary and one-time producer Todd Rundgren, Hall & Oates filtered art-rock lyrics and folk-soul harmony through Motownphilly R&B they worshipped as children and young musicians.

"The Best of Hall & Oates" will do for casual fans needing a quick early-80s fix. But longtime fans should reach for Rhino's "The Atlantic Collection," the scarce "No Goodbyes," or early, cohesive LPs like "Abandoned Lunchonette" and the superb "Bigger Than Both of Us." These, plus this recommended set, should give an excellent picture of Hall & Oates underrated, near-30 year career.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Blue eyed soul....Revisited, January 31, 2001

By	Jeffrey Harris (South San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Fresh for the new millenium is this greatest hits package from one of the most successful duos of the 70's and 80's. Covering the years 1976 to 1985 nearly all of Hall and Oates top 40 hits are here including the #1's "Rich Girl", "Kiss On My List", "Private Eyes", "I Can't Go For That", "Maneater", and "Out of Touch". Just about all of the tracks are the full length album versions except "It's A Laugh", and "Out of Touch" which are the single versions, "Adult Education" is the promo 12" mix(remixed by Bob Clearmountain & Nile Rodgers), and though the timing on the back of the CD lists "I Can't Go For That" as the edited version from "Rock N' Soul part 1" it is actually the album version. Because this package only includes their hits on RCA, other Hall & Oates hits like "She's Gone", "Everything Your Heart Desires", and "So Close" aren't included. But with this disc clocking in at 75 minutes, it's hard to complain too much. A strong compilation and worth picking up.