Search - Brian McKnight :: Gold

Back Again At One

Michael Kerner | Brooklyn, New York U.S.A. | 06/25/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"There haven't been many soulful singer/songwriters that have really thrived at maintaining their soul. With the music industry being more interested in acts like Ciara and Beyonce, or Hip Hop artists like 50 Cent that are just more about beefs and violence. For somebody like Brian McKnight, these past few years have been very difficult. Aside from a heartbreaking divorce, he left his 15 year era with Universal music from labels like Mercury and Motown. Nevertheless, he made some delightful songs that really are great. Although his style has mostly been compared to Stevie Wonder and the ballad-felt songs of Lionel Richie, he has always been true from the heart. Now, a second hits record is out reflecting into his delightful career, but does it deliver a tune, or is it just down in the dumps?



Brian McKnight's 2007 Gold, part of Universal double-album greatest hits series, is a deep and soulful reflection of Brian's era from Universal. The collection includes nearly 30 of his best tracks. The collection delivers nicely to newcomers, while adding on what made his previous hits record From There To Here 1992-2002. The songs have all been remastered well, and include some new tracks from his albums that were overlooked. The collection includes soul and somber tracks like One Last Cry, Back At One, to his deep and driven Anytime. The collection also expands onto his last two Universal records Gemini and U-Turn, featuring standout tracks Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda, and Win from the Cuba Gooding Jr. film Men Of Honor. Although the album delivers nicely, there are still some great tracks I wish could've been highlighted but sadly overshadowed, especially his sensual duet Love Is with Vanessa Williams which was featured on his last hits record, and tracks from his latest record 10 like Used To Be My Girl.



Despite a few overlooked songs, Brian McKnight's Gold follows well at showcasing a great singer and some of the best R&B tracks in the past decade. It doesn't draw in too much as a must buy for new fans, as well as it remains a great add-on for die hard fans. It just makes the mark, but doesn't completely feel like it is back at one.



Album Cover: B



Songs: B-



Price: B



Remastering: B



Overall: B-"

Huge B. McKnight Fan!!!

S. Crowder | South Carolina | 03/30/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is awesome!!! Considering I just saw the man himself about 3 weeks ago, I was very pleased to get some unreleased cuts on this CD. All true fans should get these CD's."

Definitive Collection

tyc1106 | Brisbane, Australia | 03/09/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"To be upfront, yes, the album does contain a lot of Brian's materials available from his albums.



But out of the 29 songs, the following 9 aren't readily available on his standard releases:



I'll Take her

Whenever you call

Distant lover

Win

Over and over again

Over

Careless Whisper

Don't lie

To you



So this compilation encapsulates songs that were featured on soundtracks, other artists' albums and bonus tracks from Brian's Japanese editions albums.



The only disappointment I have with this release is that the 2 bonus tracks from the Japanese edition of Gemini (Don't lie & Sexy) were not included. Otherwise, I would have given it 5 stars.



But apart from that, this is quite a definitive collection of his popular and rare materials and is a must-have for all Brian McKnight fans!

"