Search - Brenda Russell :: Ultimate Collection

Almost Ultimate, a little Incomplete!

Alan Russo | Cambridge, MA USA | 08/13/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you are a great fan of Brenda Russell, then you will find this compilation noteworthy, but incomplete. The booklet with pictures is very informative and is an asset to the collection. The CD does have a very nice flow, which newcomers will enjoy getting to know. They will even recognize such songs as If Only For One Night (made famous by Luther Vandross), Get Here (made famous by Oleta Adams), and her own top 10 hit Piano In The Dark. All tracks were written by Brenda except for her smooth jazz hit with Michael Franks When I Give My Love To You. Rufus featuring Chaka Khan had a hit with Please Pardon Me (included her as a duet with her husband Brian) and Donna Summer had a hit with Dinner With Gershwin. She sings a funky tribute to Al Jarreau with Jarreau. Other great tracks are In The Thick Of It, Kiss Me In The Wind, Way Back When and her first chart hit So Good, So Right. This collection includes a more cross section of material she has recorded over the years. Includes tracks from OOP LP's Word Called Love, Supersonic Lover, Love Life, Two Eyes and Soul Talkin'. Nothing from Paris Rain. It does not, however, include 3 important tracks. The singles Gravity & Stop Running Away and the B-side popular track Le Resteraunt (featuring David Sandborn). Also check out her Greatest Hits Import!"

Absolutely essential classics

Paul Hixenbaugh | Valley Village, CA | 07/27/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This new collection combines 18 songs from eight different Brenda Russell albums and is the most representative collection she has released. Included here are the hits Brenda Russell is most known for: "Piano In The Dark", "Get Here", "Dinner With Gershwin", and "So Good, So Right". What makes this collection special is the eight songs that have never been released on CD in the United States. Brenda's version of the song she penned for Rufus, "Please Pardon Me", is a stirring, soulful duet with her ex-husband Brian Russell. The price of the album is worth it just for Brenda's moving tribute to Al Jarreau, "Jarreau"...one of the funnest, sexiest songs she has ever recorded. There are some really classic moments here. I gave the CD 4 stars only because it lacks some of her later material, like the top 40 hit "Stop Running Away". Also missing are Brenda's collaborations with Oleta Adams on the song "We Will Find A Way" from the "Corrina Corrina" soundtrack and from the "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" soundtrack. Still, you get eight pages of insightful liner notes that track Brenda's career from her Canadian teen years to the present, and eight hard to find songs. Hopefully this will be the incentive her labels need to release more of her product on CD. There's no way you'll be disappointed with what's here."

"piano in the dark is priceless...simply haunting"

J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 07/30/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Intimate style with shades of romance mixed with soul, an inspiring listen from Hip-O Records ~ featuring the "Ultimate Collection" from Brenda Russell...beautiful person inside and out with talent to spare (composer, keyboardist and vocalist)...stand outs to be mentioned ~ "PIANO IN THE DARK"..."GET HERE"..."KISS ME WITH THE WIND", all three tunes show-off her versatility...and the highlight is "WHEN I GIVE MY LOVE TO YOU", featuring one of my favorite singers Michael Franks...blends his voice with Brenda, is a hauntingly beautiful duet, melody and lyrics stay with you for days...outstanding performances from the lady of the '70s, '80s and '90...BRENDA RUSSELL!Total Time: 76:54 on 18 Tracks ~ Hip-O Records 314-556-221-2 ~ (2001)"