1 comments about The Ultimate Collection.

1. One of the Baddest Musicians Ever. the Brother started Writing&Playing as a Kid&Just enhanced His work. string work over the years were timeless when He had Gene Page working with Him. Barry White knew how to work out a Groove&make it stick. He was very Soulful&Understood finding a balance of speaking His mind&also bringing so many folks together with His Work.strong Production,arrangements&His voice all make this is a Must have collection.

5 comments about Philly Sound: Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff and the Story of Brotherly Love (1966-1976).

1. I agree with other reviewers...The only thing that would make this compilation better would simple be more songs. ("You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine" for example.)
   
   America has been blessed with Gershwin, Cole Porter, and GAMBLE & HUFF!!!!!!!!



2. I don't know why this boxed set never made it big. It is an excellent collection. Harold Melvin, The O'Jays, Billy Paul, those great Philly orchestrations, etc. These groups were right up there with Motown. No filler. This is worth having, people.



3. Does anybody know where to write to get another boxed set of these classics released. I remember listening to PIR as a child and this boxed set, great as it is, has a whole lot missing like McFadden & Whitehead, Phyllis Hyman and Patti Labelle.



4. all n' all this is a great box set of some of the best philly hits of all time,but how could philly records leave out these fab artists of the philly sound as follows,jean carn,the jones girls,lou rawls,mcphadden and whitehead,jerry butler,the futures,leon huff, dee dee sharp,teddy's solo hits, the late,great phyllis hyman,patty labelle,brenda and the tabulations,n'the philly all stars,on n' on !they could have left out 1or2 o'jays n' blue notes n'leave room for other great artists!!keep on keeping on philadelphia!!joey hoffman in dover pa.god bless you all!t.s.o.p.(the sound of philadelphia)



5. I would have to agree with gaatkp here !! Excellent package with the 3 discs but that fourth that is non-existent would be great, an appropriate final touch to the box series. A must have box set !!

4 comments about Sun Jammin'.

1. SUN JAMMIN'??? MADACY records can "jam" this box set where the SUN never shines! A more dreadful collection of junk you will never hear. Avoid this one like the Plague! (ZERO stars)



2. Shame on Amazon for putting this CD up for sale. These songs are not the original hits but re-recordings. This puts into jeopardy Amazon's reputation in selling the "best". I will not buy the Walmart trash type CD's from Amazon. I urge Amazon to indicate the Label of the CD. This is a good indicator of the Original Hit by The Original Artists.



3. If...you don't care that these aren't the original recordings (with a few exceptions), and if...you don't mind having some songs represented as the originals when they are not (Hey Paula), and if...you don't mind that some of the songs aren't done--even in a remake--by the artists who made them famous (Fun, Fun, Fun, and Help Me Rhonda), and if...you don't mind that some of the songs don't sound very much like the orignal version...you MIGHT like this set...I don't...and I don't recommend it...even a little bit...in fact, I'm tossing it



4. Be forewarned -- only 3 of the 36 songs in this set are the original versions of the songs.

No comments about The Immortal Wilson Picket (4-CD Box Set).

3 comments about The Brill Building Sound.

1. It is so infuriating when you see a package like this ! Tons of classic tracks , many available on other collections , many not. You peruse the track listing and find 74 tracks on FOUR discs. You remember the songs--most barely cracking the 3 minute mark. FOUR discs? Yeah , you guessed it , it could have all fit on THREE (with plenty of room to spare). AAARRRGGGHHH!!!!You buy it anyway , because the music is that good. You're overjoyed with the songs when you hear them in pristine digital sound , but you never get over being ripped off by a record label.So five stars for performance minus 2 stars for packaging equals three stars !



2. At the original IN PRINT price, it's an amazing box set of an amazing time - to think of how cool it would've been to be there in a building to watch your scribblings become tunes and then become hit records right before your eyes - and to be there with fellow writers (not to mention the singers) - those days are definitely over.
   
   If you're just starting out and you love the late 50's & early 1960's shimmering pop wall of sound (along with Phil Spector), this is an amazing 4-CD set with over 80 of the greatest pop rock tracks of all time - again staggering that these all came out of that time, era and literally - one building - definitely get this CD.
   
   If you already have an extensive CD collection of that time, you might want to review the tracks to make sure you're not duplicating them. This set does NOT contain any demos or alt takes.
   
   Or if you find the USED print a bit steep, here are some things to keep in mind. If you're a real big fan, you're probably better off piecing together the greatest hits packages of: Neil Sedaka, Connie Francis, The Drifters, Chiffons, Shirelles, The Righteous Brothers, Shangrai-La's etc ... since their tracks in this box are just sprinkled throughout and not complete (except for maybe Neil Sedaka's early stuff) or you'll pretty much sweep through and collect virtually all the tracks with a handful of hits of the 50's and 60's compilations. You'd be hard pressed not to swing a compilation CD of that era and get Little Eva or Ben E. King, etc ... as for the sound quality, the more recent greatest hits releases match or beat the sound quality of this box set. The only exception are the Sedaka tracks they sound better here than my NEIL SEDAKA'S ALL TIME GREATEST HITS CD but mine might be an older compilation anyway.
   
   The only relatively rare tracks are from the Cookies or the Girlfriends and frankly, they are pretty much minor league stuff and really more for competitsts - but then I don't really need to talk you into this box set. So, really, 100% of the best tracks are all available elsewhere and also the best artists are not complete here so you'll probably want to buy their greatest hots or anthology set of that particular artist anyway.
   
   This is not to be dismissive of the Brill Sound box set, it's a great sampling and a great set but perhaps not at the USED price as it stands now - at its original price, there's no question you should click BUY IT NOW.



3. This collection is a well-put together selection (based upon a special TV series) of great '60s tunes, with valuable liner notes and photos. If you haven't seen the documentary, "The Hitmakers," the liner notes will tell you the story, supplemented by these classic songs. If you have seen the documentary, then just sit back and enjoy the tunes all over again...

5 comments about The Collected Recordings - Sixties to Nineties.

1. Well, this is a great collection. And I am one of Tina's biggest fan...of my 19 years walking this earth, 16 of those were walked to the sound of Tina...
   
   So...
   
   I of course love anything of hers.
   However, this collection seems an attempt at a complete collection. Which, as said, it kind of achieves, in that its the most complete so far.
   
   But I think for us die hard fans, there needs to be a Complete Solo Recordings CD containing all that she has recorded since her break up with Ike.
   
   Something I have long wanted on Disc is the version of One Of The Living that appears in Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome.
   The version on the soundtrack is great - as the song is awesome, but in the films opening credits, there is a quite different mix. Both mixes need to be out. As is the same with many of her songs: there needs to be a complete collection featuring all the different mixes.
   And why is Break Every Rule always left off her collections? I think its one of her best tracks.
   
   So overall: this is the best you can buy.
   But it could be better - complete it Capitol - give us every record...please



2. The reason why I titled this review like this is because this collection could have been much, much better.
   This Collection was released in 1994 and contains her early years hits with her ex husband Ike Turner, some rare recordings and Tina's solo hits.

   *DISC 1 (Ike and Tina):
   This cd contains the collection of Ike and Tina's hits and some of their best recordings. This goes from 1960 to 1975.
   Their biggest hits were "A fool in love", "It's gonna work out fine", "I idolize you" and "Proud Mary". "Nutbush city limits" and "River deep-mountain high" were recorded during the Ike and Tina years but were official Tina singles.
   Together they recorded several albums and singles but they were just big on stage. With this I'm not saying that they were bad, they were very good, they even won a Grammy in 1971 and toured in Europe with the Rolling Stones and alone but it didn't work very well in the charts.
   On this cd you can also find some covers that were moderate hits like "Come together", "I've been loving you too long", and "Honky tonk women".
   I also really like "I want to take you higher" and "Crazy 'bout you bay".

   *DISC 2 (Tina's rare recordings):
   On this cd you'll find some songs that were recorded for soundtracks, various albums, live songs, duets and even demos that Tina recorded to get music deals after she broke with Ike Turner.
   The opening track "Acid queen" was specially recorded for Tina's part in "Tommy", "Total control" appears in the "We are the world" album, "It's only love" (I don't know why this song is here because it was a very big hit that she recorded with Bryan Adams so it should be in disc 3), "Don't turn around" is a wonderful song that she recorded for her "Break every rule" album but it only appeared as the B side of her "Typical male" single. Finally you'll find "Addicted to love" a song that Tina has been singing sience 1986 on stage. And the duets with Eric Clapton and Rod Stewart "Tearing as apart" and "It takes two".

   *DISC 3 (Tina's hits sience 1983):
   This disc contains Tina's hits but some are missing and others like "Help" and "Paradaise is here" which are great songs but were not big singles are here, leaving behind "One of the living", "Two people", "I don't wanna lose you", "Show some respect" and "Way of the world" which were big hits.
   The great hits that are here are: "Let's stay together", "What's love got to do with it", "Private dancer", "Better be good to me", "We don't need another hero", "Typical male", "The best" and "I don't wanna fight".

   In general this collection is good but they should do a real collection with all the hits and more rare songs and even songs that were not released as singles but are great recordings.




3. I love this set so much it is the perfect set for a tina addict
   highly recomended



4. When Capitol records announced the release of "collected recordings" at the end of 1994, I was really thrilled. They said it would be a three disc collection. Disc one would focus on the Ike and Tina days, Disc Two would have RARE Tina recordings and disc 3 would be Tina's solo greatest hits. I think the collection starts great with the Ike and Tina disc. It's a good compilation of the duo starting with "Fool in love" from 1960 and including their greatest hits and also some songs which have been not easy to find over the last years ( for example "Letter from Tina" and "It ain't right Loving to be loving" from their 1969 album "Come together" ). What disappoints me about this collection is especially disc 2. This is suposed to be a disc with rarities, but what we get is not that rare at all. Only two songs on this disc I consider rare and these are "Games" and "Johnny and Mary". What about her b-sides "Don't rush the good things", "Don't turn around" ( later covered by Ace of Base and Aswad ), Stronger than the wind,... + their must be tons of Tina recordings which have never been released before...Maybe capitol is saving them for future releases.... The booklet also mentions her 1985 single "One of the living" taken from the Mad Max soundtrack, but it's not on the disc. Also on disc three some of her greatest hits are missing. Where are "Two People", "Girls", "Break every Rule", "I don't wanna lose you", "Show some respect",... This collection is a nice effort, but definately not the Ultimate Tina Turner collection. I think Capitol/EMI should consider putting together a new collection and make it MINIMUM a 5 disc set, because Tina's been doing what she does best for over 40 years now ! You can't get the picture of her career on three discs...



5. Could a Tina fan/addict ask for more? A wonderful 3-CD box full of great songs plus a wonderful booklet... A MUST FOR EVERY TINA FAN OUT THERE !!!!!!!!!!!! BUY IT...NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

2 comments about The Encyclopedia of Doo Wop/The Complete Book of Doo Wop.

1. Collectables should be congratulated for this release. It's far superior to any of the Doo Wop albums issued by Rhino. If you love this type of music, this is *the* collection. There are no others. I've purchased three of these sets... friends have absolutely loved it!



2. fantastic is all i can say hard to find songs all original recordings by the original singers. i was shocked to find sweetest one by johny maestro and the crests and dear one by the scarletts bye bye baby by the channels pretty little girl by the monarchs the wind, and half the price of rhinos doo wop box and every bit as good if not better.but the best part of this 4 cd set with 100 great songs is the encyclopedia of doo wop catalog that comes with it ,in a real box not cardboard with a SLIDING TOP THE BEST $46 I EVER SPENT.TRHANK YOU AMAZON FOR MAKING THIS MUSIC AVAILABLE.i also have the doowop box bny rhino and it cost me almost $80.

2 comments about Significant Singles.

1. This historically important compilation spans The O'Jays 1975-87 Philadelphia International recordings. More than any other group, The O'Jays epitomized the "Philly Sound" and covered everything from romantic ballads to sizzling-hot disco numbers. The extensive liner notes give a very detailed biography of the group and its recordings. Indispensable.



2. the O'jays words can't even begin to describe the Soul these Brothers laid down back in the day&still do.Vocals that made you feel Warm&Hit your Mind all at once.together with Gamble&Huff&the Philly Family they created Classics upon Classic that still hold up to this day like they came out Last Tuesday.I Have these songs on Various Sets&they are treasured.this is a Box Set that does Justice very full&Captures the Greatness of this Group.

4 comments about 3-PAK (That's The Way Of The World/All 'N All/Gratitude.

1. The cerebral sounds of this ultimate 3-CD collection will uplift and transport you to and thru another dimension.
   
   I have both this CD (3-PAK) and the imported CD The Great Earth, Wind and Fire 3-CD set. While the imported The Great..3-CD set has many great tunes, it does not compare to this 3-PAK. The 3-Pak has been masterfully remastered with EWF's best albums.
   
   This is the zenith collection of cerebral music.



2. If only there was a way to have had remastered copies of
   "All "N All","Gratitude" and "That's The Way Of The World" on CD
   in one discount package when I got into this band.Actually a
   companion set with "I Am","Raise!" and "Powerlight" would be nice
   two,but these alone are must-have's-a shameless festival of
   unmitigated funky mysticism that demanded to be accepted on it's
   own terms.Really beyond essencial!



3. These Re-Mastered Versions add More Structure To The Originals and Give up a Stronger Mixes.Hearing The Voices Of Maurice&Phillip sound even more Powerful.The Horns&The Grooves SOund even More Crisp.The Genius Mind Of Maurice White Is Due More Props than He ever Gets But The Production&Mind Set Of Maurice White is Incredible.These Discs are Special to folks that Respect Talent&Genius.These Kind Of Feelings In Music are Sadly Missing from todays Artists.EWF are a One of a kind Group.



4. I. These remasters sound REALLY good. A noticeable difference from the previously available CD versions. The extra material included in these discs in the form of demos and alternative mixes enhance the experience in a good way too.

   II. Relatively few artists are making music of this caliber today. It has a spiritual feel.

   III. Relatively few people are speaking and sharing Truth today. It is a spiritual dialog.

   IV. Should you find yourself spending time with the music of Earth, Wind & Fire your Mind will benefit from the experience. The rest will follow.

   V. On the level, it's fun! Move to it.

   VI. On the level, it feels good! Sing with it.

   VII. This is what true music contains, and in fact is. It's a tremendously lovely vibe. Special thanks to Maurice White and all of the wonderful people involved in helping to channel the energy and the spirit to where it was intended to go.

   Alright ch'all!

   LOVE to You.

1 comments about Anthology.

1. Mr. Scott Brown (below) is exactly right. This 1986 release was the first substantially sized Supremes set put out in the CD-era. It exactly duplicated the 3-LP set of the same name from 1974 and, to take advantage of added room, it reached back further for "Your Heart Belongs to Me," then included a dozen obvious selections from the post-Diana Ross era. Certainly the '74 vinyl issuing was a big deal, but by '86 this was considerably less exciting. Some substitutions might have livened things: from "A Bit Liverpool," their sassy reading of "You Can't Do That" over "A Hard Day's Night," "Cupid" over "You Send Me" from "We Remember Sam Cooke," and the comic "Sadie Sadie" or "If a Girl Isn't Pretty" over "Greatest Star" from the "Funny Girl" album.

   This set was subsequently reworked in 1995 and 2001 and, in my opinion the September 1995 version, if you can find it, is the best of the three CD versions. The 'outside' material was dropped for LP and B-side rarities: "Mother Dear," "He's All I Got," "Remove This Doubt," "Long Gone Lover" and the Phil Spector-produced "Things Are Changing," among them. Best of all, it was in mono and, for us 50-ish types, this took us back to the way we remember Supremes stuff when it was REALLY new. But I also bought the 2001 version even though it went back to stereo and restored the show tunes, because it also reached all the way backward to "I Want A Guy," and finally included "Whisper You Love Me Boy." Motown ain't stupid, and each re-working has included one or two new must-haves, so you shell out the money even though you've got 90% of the stuff already. (You bet, before it was a month old, the five-disc, crushed red velvet box set of 2000 got bought too, and "70s Anthology" awaits). Such is the lot of hard-core Supremes fans.

   Classy guy that he is, Mr. Brown chooses understatement when referring to the included booklet. It's downright laughable to read contemporary Motown releases stubbornly perpetuating the party line that, in 1967, Florence Ballard "wearied of the groups hectic schedule and traveling, and bowed out to spend more time with her family." As if anyone, not yet even 25, would CHOOSE obscurity over placement in the number one female entertainment act of the time. Give it up already!