Three decades of great music
Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 08/28/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In the sixties, Dionne Warwick was much more successful in her native America than she was in Britain, but this was mainly because so many of her American hits were covered by British artists and became hits for them instead. As time progressed, this practice died out and Dionne gained the recognition she deserved in Britain too. This compilation, covering Dionne's best music from 1962 to 1990, is proof of that.Bacharach and David were prolific songwriters in the sixties and Dionne relied heavily on their songs at that time. The first CD is devoted exclusively to Dionne's versions of Bacharach-David songs. Do you know the way to San Jose and Walk on by were the only songs here to provide Dionne with significant British hits. Many of the other songs provided Dionne with American hits, but even in America, some songs were given to others to have hits with. Among the songs here that were hits for other singers in Britain, America or both are Anyone who had a heart (Cilla Black), Raindrops keep falling on my head (B J Thomas). I just don't know what to do with myself (Dusty Springfield), Always something there to remind me (Sandie Shaw), I'll never fall in love again (Bobbie Gentry), I say a little prayer (Aretha Franklin), Close to you (Carpenters), Make it easy on yourself (Walker brothers), What the world needs now is love (Jackie De Shannon), Alfie (Cilla Black), You'll never get to heaven (Stylistics), The look of love (Dusty Springfield) and Only love can break a heart (Gene Pitney). Indeed, there are very few songs on this CD that will be unfamiliar to fans of sixties music.Dionne's biggest success in Britain came with her 1982 album Heartbreaker, which was produced by the Bee Gees. Four of its tracks can be found here, of which the title track and All the love in the world were both big hits. Other notable tracks here are I'll never love this way again and That's what friends are for (on which Dionne is joined by Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder). The set is completed by four of the songs that Dionne recorded in the sixties that weren't written by Bacharach and David.This is a comprehensive collection spanning almost thirty years of Dionne's excellent music."
Best Collection EVER of her hits!!
Ed VerSchure | Grand Rapids, MI | 04/18/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Where else can you find a CD album of her duet with Barry Manilow.."Run to Me"!! Imagine..both artists on Arista Records in the late 80's and this song was only available on a 45 single !! Never released by either artist, including, believe it or not, a duets album on Arista. I'm a deejay and owned an FM AC station in Michigan in the late 80's and played this song religiously and had a great response from our listening audience! I consider this single along with "Don'T Talk" by Larry Lee of Ozark Mountain Daredevils and "Words" by F.R. David to be 3 of the rarest songs to find on CD. Also on this album is "All the Love in the World"..another great single by Dionne with background harmonies from Barry Gibb. BUY THIS ALBUM.!!"
Dionne's Most Complete Compilation
Andrew G. Knippel | Saginaw, MI, United States | 04/20/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Considering Dionne had been successful as a singles artist for three consecutive decades, it's surprising there have been no box sets (or double CDs) on any US labels. This is the one to get. To my understanding, there is no other compilation that includes That's What Friends Are For, What The World Needs Now, and Close To You. Her vocals and style on the 60s hits are unmatched. She'll absolutely blow you away if you're new to her music, and this compilation is a completist's dream. I'm still waiting for a box set, so that maybe we can get some of the rare tracks from her two live albums, "Hot Live and Otherwise," and "The Dionne Warwicke Story"."
Track Listings (42) - Disc #1