Music Review: Roberto Carlos: Grandes Exitos. (Greatest Hits) (2007)

I was not familiar with Roberto Carlos but looking him up in Wikipedia I learned he is the King of Brazilian Music.  Portuguese is his native language but this C.D. is in Spanish.  He is likely the biggest star of all time in Latin America.  None of his songs are familiar to me but I especially like the beat and the sound of "Mi Cacharrito" (Road Hog).  He got a loaner from the car repair shop and talks about how the girls loved his car which he drove around town at 10 miles and hour.  It is a very funny song and he adds sound effects like beep beep.  His C.D. is mostly love songs and this is a nice change.  This song is actually one of his earlier songs.  

Roberto Carlos if known for popularizing pop rock in Brazil.  His influence extends beyond Brazil's borders.  Other songs I liked on the C.D. are "Lady Laura," "El Gato Que Está Triste y Azul". (The Cat that is Sad and Blue), and "Amada Amante" (beloved lover). I enjoyed this set of songs.  

Music Review: The Turtles: 20 Greatest Hitsl

 The Turtles: 20 Greatest Hits, Rhino Records, 1984.

The Turtles have a unique sound, but they must not have4 had very many hit songs because some of these are rather painful.  Only a couple r4cogizable songs, "It Ain't Me Babe" a cover of a Bob Dhlan song, and "Happy Together."  This is their only number one hit.  It is very recognizable and a fun song.  Another top scoring song was "She'd Rather Be With Me."  I also like Elenore.  

Music Review: LeAnn Rimes: Greatest Hits

LeAnn Rimes: Greatest Hits, Curb Records, 2003.

LeAnn Rimes can sure sing.  This C.D. is mostly of music written by others.  Only two songs where Rimes was listed as a writer, "This Love" and "Life Goes On."  She is really good at covers.  She sings "O Holy Night" and "Unchained Melody" which would fit in this category.  She sings "Written in the Stars" with Elton John.  She sings another duet, "Last Thing on my Mind" with Ronan Keating.  There are no show stopper songs, except for "Unchained Melody."  She does a very good job her.  She also does well with "O Holy Night" which was a promo for her upcoming Christmas album.  

Music Review: The Essential James Taylor

The Essential James Taylor (2013) Columbia Records and Legacy Recordings.  The Essential James Taylor has a good compilation of James Taylor Songs.  It starts with Sweet Baby James from Taylor's second album of the same name.  It then includes songs of his albums up until 2002.  It is likely the best compilation album of James Taylor's work, but there were three previous greatest hits albums.  

I cannot get enough of "Fire and Rain" and "You've Got a Friend."  But there are many more impressive songs.  "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight," "How Sweet It Is to be Loved by You," "Shower the People" and "Your Smiling Face" are all very nice.  It seems just about everything James Taylor does turns out nice.  He even gives a different feel in "Steamroller" which also works.  

And that is the first C.D.  The second C.D. does not have as many hits but it carries itself.  "Her Town Too" is very nice.  As are the next couple songs, "Everyday" and "Only One."  "You are my only one" keeps going through my head.  I also like "You Can Close Your Eyes."  "I still love you, Close Your eyes, I don't know no love songs, I can't sing the Blues anymore.  But I can sing this song, and you can sing this song."  

Music Review: Cher and Sunny and Cher: Greatest Hits

Cher and Sonny and Cher appears to have been released in 1998 as a compendium of their music after the death of Sonny Bono.  It includes many of there hit songs, and misses a few.  "I got You Babe" is their anthem and a concert version concluded the C.D.  I would have preferred a studio version because the concert antics got in the way of the song.  The two big hits of Cher were included, "Half-Breed" in which Cher talks about her Cherokee ancestry and "Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves" which has a very catching beat.  "Crystal Clear/Muddy Waters has a very nice message, one upon which I have reflected in my life.  It is the torrent that clears the muddy waters and sometimes in life it is the fire that heals.  "United We Stand" is also very nice with a relatable theme.  

A couple things missing.  I use to love seeing Cher sing VAMP on the Sonny and Cher show.  Also the son "The Beat Goes On" is missing.  

Music Review: Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits

Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits, Columbia Records, 1967.

Bob Dylan is most known for his writing the iconic song, "Blowin' in the Wind."  That is the feature song of this C.C.  However there are only ten songs on the C.D.  The other on that s pretty popular as an anti-war movement song is "The Times, They Are a-Changin'."  Who knew that Bob Dylan wrote the song, "It Aint Me Babe" which Johnny Cash and June Carter recorded.  Another song in the same category is "Mr. Tambourine Man."  Dylan recorded this several times but the Byrd's version reached Number one.  The other song that is quite popular is "Like a Rolling Stone."

Dylan sings with a raspy kind of voice.  Some of the songs have a blue grass feel.  However the song that makes this C.D. enjoyable is "Blowin' in the Wind."  I sand this song with the Jr. High choir many moons ago.  

Seals & Crofts | Greatest Hits (1975) [FULL ALBUM]

Music Review: Seals and Croft: Greatest Hits (1975)

This album is a compendium, so the music is not new to the album.  However it includes hits from their nine previous albums.  This album peaked at number 11 on the billboard charts.  It included their first big hit was "Summer Breeze."  The story telling in the song is excellent.  Some of their songs include references to the Baha'i faith.  This includes "Diamond Girl."  I personally love "King of Nothing" and "Ruby Jean" (a tribute to their spouses.)  "Diamond Girl" is also one of their most popular and sounds great.  This set also includes "I'll Play for You" and "We May Never Pass this Way Again."  The only song that was originally done is "When I Meet them" which had been previously recorded, but a different version.