Don Johnson - Essential (16 tracks) +Album Reviews

Essentially pretentious?

K.E.R. | Mill Valley, CA United States | 05/21/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't think so. I had the original 'Heartbeat' album years ago and was looking to replace it just for amusement value. When I had trouble finding a copy, I ordered 'Essential' instead. I'm glad I did. The extra tracks on this album gave me a whole new take on Don Johnson's music. "What if it Takes All Night" and "Your Love is Safe With Me" roll so smoothly that they stay with you long after the last notes fade. "Tell It Like It Is" and "Better Place" are even better. My instant favorite, however, was "Other People's Lives". The tracks from the 'Heartbeat' album are still fun, but these 4 have put this cd toward the top of my list for almost any occasion. The stiffness that sometimes ruled 'Heartbeat'is gone and Don Johnson's distinctive sound rolls out like a flashback to a better level of listening."

Give it a chance!!!

MusicMD | Northeast Tennessee | 10/14/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Don Johnson is an under-rated actor, that is for sure. But he has most definitely been the receipient of much (underserved) harsh criticism as a singer. He can sing! Granted, he did have some great talents assisting him in songwriting and arranging, but, to be fair, he can sell a song! Give the guy a chance! Although I write this after too many Cuba Libre's, I do believe that Don Johnson has something to offer the art of music. Go ahead, give it a try... You will be pleasantly suprised and not disappointed."

Honey sweet!

Nelmarie Eloff | South Africa | 12/08/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"DAMN!!! This guy have a voice sweet as honey! I specialy love the song Lonely too long! Also the one Lost in your eyes!!! I'm a big DJ fan, and the first song I heard....I was hooked!!! This guy got too release more albums! If I had a voice like that, Enrique would not even be mentioned in the same sentence. Don, keep up the good work and thank you for the music!!!!"

Excellent selection of songs for this compilation

Preston | nc | 11/24/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I recently ordered this CD of 16 songs by Don Johnson. Loved every song on it! Though there are some times where Don comes off sounding like Jon Bon Jovi and Steve Perry, he has his own vocal style on these songs. They put 9 songs from his 1986 album Heartbeat and 7 from the 1989 album for this CD. The first 3 songs are solid, especially Heartbeat. Can't Take Your Memory sounds fabulous. But it's on tracks 9 and 10 where Don shows his best on the Bob Segar written Star Tonight with Willie Nelson singing along and the Tom Petty written Lost In Your Eyes. Tom even sings background on this song. For Don to perform with top notch stars is an understatement. Many critics bashed his singing career during the time he starred in Miami Vice. But how many actors you know can get to record with Tom Petty, Willie Nelson, Keith Richards, Bonnie Raitt, Ron Wood and others for his solo albums? Don did, and it surprised many people. I also like Angel City, Coco Don't, the jazzy What if it Takes All Night, Lonely Too Long,Other People's Lives (one of ubiquitous songwriter Diane Warren's best written songs) Last Sound Love Makes and A Better Place. I feel it's best to get this one collection than the individual albums--this is a more complete overview of Don's music in the '80s. The producer did a good job selecting and placing the songs in a cohesively done way. Johnson shifts from rock to pop to even blues within the songs he recorded and you can feel it here."

Astoundingly Good

P. Rich | Baltimore, MD USA | 09/15/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this CD on a lark because I had seen the videos for Heartbeat and Tell It Like It Is on youtube.com, and I have not stopped playing it since it arrived. I have always loved Don's voice, but put to music, it is even better. Some of the songs have that decidely 80's sound, but others, such as "Tell It Like It Is," "What If It Takes All Night," and "Can't Take Your Memory" are timeless. His voice is perfectly made for the slow ballads and simple love songs. After hearing recently that he is planning on recording again, I can hardly wait, and I will be one of the first to buy."

Search - Don Johnson :: Essential

CD Details

Synopsis

Similarly Requested CDs

CD Reviews