Search - Lonnie Gordon :: No Regret

No regret? I regret buying this...

Adrian Thacker | 10/01/2000

(2 out of 5 stars)

"So I had purchased Lonnie's 1993 album "Bad Mood" when I was 16 years old because of the track "Happenin' All Over Again". I had not realized that this song was originally from 1990 and remixed in 1993 when I heard it. It has also been remixed in 1998. There is a reason that the track has been remixed. It's Lonnie's strongest single, and the record companies know this. Sure, Lonnie has got a stellar voice, and a pretty decent following of fans, but for the most part, she way surpasses her material. A quick overview of "No Regret", Lonnie's "greatest hits" album.1) Happenin' All Over Again - 3:24 - This is early italo-house, a genre that died out quickly, one of the few surviving songs of the time, which is a club standard. Good track, although you might want to search out the 93 or 98 remixes for something a tad fresher sounding.2) Gonna Catch You - 5:42 - This one was produced by Black Box in 1991, and you can tell. This one could have been taken off of Black Box's "Dreamland" album, and no one would know the difference. It's got a fabulous toe-tapping beat and some great horn wook that when paired with Lonnie's vocals make this one a solid track that does not seem too dated.3) No Regrets - 4:18 - According to the liner notes, this a year 2000 remake of one of her earlier hits. What on earth is going on? This sounds so late 80's dance that it's not even funny. It sounds like a Christmas tune sped up! This one must be avoided. Frighteningly bad. I've never heard the original version of this song, and I don't think that I want to.4) If I Have To Stand Alone - 3:27 - Coming out at the same time as "Happenin All Over Again", and confirming Lonnie's "powerful woman in control" image, this single is basically "Happenin' part 2". Even the same music is supplied, different vocals though. Not a bad track, just the sequal to "Happenin'", and we as music buyers deserve more than just a retread.5) Don't Turn Around - 4:13 - The earliest recording featured on this collection, Lonnie recorded this one under the name Quartzlock in 1988, and damn does it ever show! I can totally hear this one being played at an 80's night at some tacky gay bar with some hideous drag queen lip-synching her tired ol' heart out. Not a bad song, but dated. And unless you've loved Lonnie since this track was released, you're probably not going to like it now.6) Beyond Your Wildest Dreams - 6:50 - The first down-tempo song on the disc, and also one of the strongest tracks on the disc, because although released in 1990, it does not sound as though it is. Produced by Stock Aitken Waterman (as are tracks 1 & 4), who had a string up upbeat pop hits, give us something more substantial here. A great vocal experience on this, which isn't hidden behind synths and cheese.7) Do You Want It - 5:38 - A very solid single from her 1993 album "Bad Mood" which has some good verses and a chorus hook that you just can't get out of your head. One wishes that one of the remixes would have appeared on this collection rather than the album version, only because the remixes were quite good.8) Bad Mood - 4:02 - Coming from the album of the same name is this "man-bashing" anthem. Another Black Box production, complete with butt shaking beats and stellar horns. Lonnie's third #1 Billboard dance hit (thanks to remixes from Roger Sanchez, Murk, MK & Masters At Work - but only the original version is shown here). Not very dated and good if you're in a silly kind of mood.9) Missing You - 5:21 - a ballad that Lonnie wrote for her daughter Ricki. Black Box at the helm once again. And one would be surprised to hear this. Lonnie's fabulous vocals are hilighted here and the song shows the power that she does have. If only all of her tracks displayed her fantastic voice like this one.10) Dirty Love - 4:08 - a 1996 release, and one would have a hard time believing this because it sounds like every other song that she's released. Bland and unimaginative. The man-bashing gets tiring after a while.11) If You Realy Love Me - 4:30 - A cover of a Stevie Wonder song. Lonnie does give us a decent track with this one. Another 1996 release which went pretty much unnoticed. There is nothing special about this track, and the record label knows this. The liner notes promote not the song, but the video of the song (which was directed by Madonna's brother Christopher and features Kevin Aviance).12) A God That Can Dance - 3:54 - a 1998 release that according to the liner notes was a hit in the Australian markets. It's a pretty decent track which is a little bit euro-trashy, but not horrible. It does sound dated though and sounds as though it came out in 1993, not 1998.13) Edge of 17 - 7:03 - A pop/dance remake of an old Stevie Nicks song and one of only two new tracks made for this album. If you'd never heard the original, you might think that this is a really good track. Well, it is a good track, but it's very odd to hear a Stevie Nicks song danceified. It's not bad, but nothin' special here.14) He Lives In You - 3:23 - A dance version of a song from "The Lion King"? What is this world coming to? This is supposed to be being released as a single soon with some remixes. This should be interesting. It's not actually too bad, but nothing you need to rush out to buy.So basically what this album is (in my opinion) is a woman with a very strong voice who's happened to have a few minor hits keeps on releasing singles that do not get big, but she does have the charisma to keep on makin' more music, but not enough to fill out an album. So a new record company snatches her up, gets her a couple of new tracks and slaps together a quick greatest hits collection, when this collection is not actually needed.Very upsetting, and it has nothing to do with Lonnie, who deserves much more than she has gotten. She has the power to be one of the greatest dance divas of all time. She just has to rid herself of tacky production work and shoddy singles..........END"

A MUST Have!

guybear | Philadelphia, PA United States | 10/29/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a fan of Lonnie's since I first heard "Happenin' All Over Again" over 10 years ago at a club. Since then, this one track has been remixed, rereleased, rerecorded endless times. But the original UK (1990) single and mixes are the finest. And here, on this compilation, is the original UK single version. It's never been released here in the US before. (A remixed single was released in the US in '93) It's an absolute pop masterpiece! And still does not sound dated. Lonnie's collaboration with Stock/Aitken/Waterman was shear pop and dance brilliance! If you can find Lonnie's first album (If I Have To Stand Alone), GET IT! "No Regret" features Lonnie's "greatest hits" plus a few new tracks. "No Regret", "If I Have To Stand Alone" and "Gonna Catch You" should please any pop/dance fan. The downtempo "Beyond Your Wildest Dreams" really shows Lonnie's she's not just a dance diva. This is another piece of art from the Stock/Aitken/Waterman collaboration (as was "If I Have To Stand Alone"). The hard to find "A God That Can Dance" is a wonderful dance track that begs you to sing along! "Do You Want It" and "Bad Mood" are pure house and won't disappoint! All in all, this CD is HIGLY recommended! it's a shame our Miss Lonnie hasn't had more success here in the US."

CLUB ANTHEM - HAPPENIN ALL OVER AGAIN!

Allen Common | Bay Area, CA | 08/28/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"There are two very strong tracks on No Regret. Those are Happenin' All Over Again and Gonna Catch You! Could easily be a club anthem for years to come. They should put you out on the dance floor. Other luke warm songs include: Do You Want It, Dirty Love, A God That Can Dance and Edge of 17. The other 8 tracks I didn't care for but I feel if you like 3-4 songs on an album it's a MUST HAVE:-)"