This is mostly a collection of Grace Jones' avant-garde explorations of the 1980s. The two exceptions are her magnificent version of Edith Piaf's La Vie En Rose and the anthemic I Need A Man from the Portfolio album, a disco classic.
Her version of The Normal's Warm Leatherette is still ominous and impressive, whilst her cover of The Pretenders Private Life is interesting. Feel Up is a buoyant exploration of jungle rhythms and soulful vocals, whilst The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game is a lovely ballad.
Her famous torch songs are represented by the timeless Walking In The Rain and I've Seen That Face Before (Libertango), two of her most memorable performances. Other tuneful and rhythmically exciting numbers include Nipple To The Bottle and Everybody Hold Still.
Many of these tracks are the long album versions of the songs and the album includes a demo of Ring Of Fire, which makes it an essential purchase for the devoted fan.
The album is of course not comprehensive and the most glaring omissions are the brilliant My Jamaican Guy and the evocative The Apple Stretching. Still, the collection is a worthwhile showcase of the contribution of this innovative and unique vocalist who transformed herself from disco star into art-rocker and torch singer.
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Editorial Reviews
Import collection for the icey-cool, unique artist features 16 tracks of her best Island material, paying a generous nod to the high camp pre-Compass Point material also. Guaranteed to enchant, thrill, & shock! Universal.
Product details
- Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : No
- Product Dimensions : 5 x 5.75 x 0.45 inches; 3.53 Ounces
- Manufacturer : Imports
- SPARS Code : DDD
- Date First Available : July 27, 2006
- Label : Imports
- ASIN : B00028588E
- Number of discs : 1
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Best Sellers Rank:
#461,447 in CDs & Vinyl (See Top 100 in CDs & Vinyl)
- #3,217 in Disco (CDs & Vinyl)
- #19,105 in Dance Pop (CDs & Vinyl)
- #20,356 in Soul (CDs & Vinyl)
- Customer Reviews:
Customer reviews
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4 out of 5
34 global ratings
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Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2004
5 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2004
Do we really need another "best-of" CD by Grace Jones?
With the exception of 2 tracks, "Everybody Hold Still" and "All On a Summer's Night,"
all of these songs are already available on one of her other FOUR compilation CDs:
("Island Life 2" "Private Life" "20th Century Masters" & "The Universal Masters Collection")
"All On a Summer's Night" is at least notable for being an obscure track from her second album "Fame,"
which has not been available on CD for several years now.
To be fair, this is NOT a bad collection; it's actually an interesting assortment of songs.
It covers all of her various musical styles; it features some of her well-known hits
with some obscure album tracks along with some rare remixes and B-sides.
My complaint is that there's really nothing new here. It's just more of the same.
If they're going to give us a FIFTH compilation, can't they pick a collection of songs that AREN'T on any of the others?
I would love to see Island come out with a special compilation of songs from her first three "Disco" albums,
("Portfolio" "Fame" & "Muse") or maybe a special collection of rare remixes.
Or why not a "best-of" compilation from her two non-Island albums, "Inside Story" and "Bulletproof Heart"?
I would recommend getting "Private Life" and "Island Life-2", the latter CD having the distinction
of including her rare, 1992 techno track "Sex Drive."
With the exception of 2 tracks, "Everybody Hold Still" and "All On a Summer's Night,"
all of these songs are already available on one of her other FOUR compilation CDs:
("Island Life 2" "Private Life" "20th Century Masters" & "The Universal Masters Collection")
"All On a Summer's Night" is at least notable for being an obscure track from her second album "Fame,"
which has not been available on CD for several years now.
To be fair, this is NOT a bad collection; it's actually an interesting assortment of songs.
It covers all of her various musical styles; it features some of her well-known hits
with some obscure album tracks along with some rare remixes and B-sides.
My complaint is that there's really nothing new here. It's just more of the same.
If they're going to give us a FIFTH compilation, can't they pick a collection of songs that AREN'T on any of the others?
I would love to see Island come out with a special compilation of songs from her first three "Disco" albums,
("Portfolio" "Fame" & "Muse") or maybe a special collection of rare remixes.
Or why not a "best-of" compilation from her two non-Island albums, "Inside Story" and "Bulletproof Heart"?
I would recommend getting "Private Life" and "Island Life-2", the latter CD having the distinction
of including her rare, 1992 techno track "Sex Drive."
17 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2005
There has yet to be a career-spanning collection of Grace Jones's music. If there was, I think the track listing would appear as follows:
Grace Jones: The Ideal Collection
01. La Vie En Rose
02. I Need a Man
03. Do or Die
04. Private Life
05. Love is the Drug
06. Breakdown
07. She's Lost Control
08. Pars
09. Nightclubbing
10. Pull Up to the Bumper
11. Use Me
12. Walking in the Rain
13. Demolition Man
14. Living My Life
15. Nipple to the Bottle
16. My Jamaican Guy
17. I've Seen That Face Before
18. Feel Up
19. Slave to the Rhythm
20. I'm Not Perfect (But I'm Perfect for You)
So with that in mind, this CD is a bit lacking. Blame it on record company licensing issues, but it often seems to be oversight (or incompetence) that so many good songs and big hits are missing. And the inclusion of remixes, b-sides, and live recordings is always a nice edition; but, a little Grace Jones is better than none at all. Still, not including "Pull Up to the Bumper" or "My Jamaican Guy" is just stupid. With that in mind, it would be better (and more economical) to either save money and buy the less-expensive "20th Century Masters Collection" or splurge a little and get "Private Life: The Compass Point Sessions".
Grace Jones: The Ideal Collection
01. La Vie En Rose
02. I Need a Man
03. Do or Die
04. Private Life
05. Love is the Drug
06. Breakdown
07. She's Lost Control
08. Pars
09. Nightclubbing
10. Pull Up to the Bumper
11. Use Me
12. Walking in the Rain
13. Demolition Man
14. Living My Life
15. Nipple to the Bottle
16. My Jamaican Guy
17. I've Seen That Face Before
18. Feel Up
19. Slave to the Rhythm
20. I'm Not Perfect (But I'm Perfect for You)
So with that in mind, this CD is a bit lacking. Blame it on record company licensing issues, but it often seems to be oversight (or incompetence) that so many good songs and big hits are missing. And the inclusion of remixes, b-sides, and live recordings is always a nice edition; but, a little Grace Jones is better than none at all. Still, not including "Pull Up to the Bumper" or "My Jamaican Guy" is just stupid. With that in mind, it would be better (and more economical) to either save money and buy the less-expensive "20th Century Masters Collection" or splurge a little and get "Private Life: The Compass Point Sessions".
9 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2005
Grace Jones has always lived on the cutting edge of: music, movies and modeling. Her high camp disco years were great, but the chronicles of her art lies within the Compass Point Sessions. Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare helped Grace built a musical reputation, and "The Collection" covers a lot of their finest work. Assembled by Universal Music, I don't understand many of the track's selected for this compilation, okay, her three biggest hit singles are missing: Pull Up to the Bumper, My Jamaican Guy and Slave to the Rhythm, and that's really its failing point. However, absence of these, it allows more ignored songs to appear such as the everyday drama of "Everybody Hold Still", the hot "Feel Up" and the alouf "She's Lost Control". It also manage to pay a generous nod to her disco period; including her then theme "I Need a Man", the legendary cover of Edith Piaf's "La Vie En Rose" and the obscure "All on a Summers Night" from the album "Fame". Despite of its flaws, the music is still going strong after nearly 20 years. Her unforgettable covers still works perfectly well in today's pop trash-area. Love Is the Drug is amazing, "Private Life" stands as one of her most successful singles, "Walking in the Rain" is as ferocious as it was in 1981 and "Living My Life" would probably scare off most guys, yes, even today. Ultimately, "The Collection" fails to give a rounded presentation of Grace Jones' underrated career, her music has been a huge influence on many artists, and even to this day the shock thrill is felt whenever you listen to her stunning gestures. If they release another "Best of" please be sure to make it complete.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries
JD Milton
5.0 out of 5 stars
All her greatest hits here. If you have got the Grace - here's your Jones.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 16, 2016Verified Purchase
Fancy some Grace Jones? Wanna nearly pee yourself thinking of her b***h-slapping Russell Harty? I know I do. All the hits are here and you'll be a naughty Manhattan socialite in your mind, in no time. A wise purchase.
teresa brown
5.0 out of 5 stars
Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 14, 2015Verified Purchase
very good service and good tracks as we expect from the sultry Grace
ACB
3.0 out of 5 stars
Three Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 7, 2017Verified Purchase
Good
Dino
5.0 out of 5 stars
love this
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 3, 2013Verified Purchase
a must have for grace jones fans..arrived in good condition and in good time played over and over again took me back thank you
veronica hammersley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 30, 2014Verified Purchase
Superb, on time, no problems!
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