The second Michael Johnson retrospective (the first was issued by RCA in 1990) includes not only his country-leaning work for RCA, but his late-1970s pop recordings for EMI and 1990s tracks as well. As is common with "best... more » of" compilations, the more recent works toward the end of the record are not technically "hits," as they never charted. Johnson has never been easy to classify, but Adult Contemporary is probably the best bet, and fans of the local lite FM station are probably familiar with "Bluer Than Blue" and "The Night Won't Last Forever." This will be a generally pleasing compilation to Johnson fans, but the classic "Life's a Bitch (And Then You Die)" is sorely missed. --Jason Pascal« less
The second Michael Johnson retrospective (the first was issued by RCA in 1990) includes not only his country-leaning work for RCA, but his late-1970s pop recordings for EMI and 1990s tracks as well. As is common with "best of" compilations, the more recent works toward the end of the record are not technically "hits," as they never charted. Johnson has never been easy to classify, but Adult Contemporary is probably the best bet, and fans of the local lite FM station are probably familiar with "Bluer Than Blue" and "The Night Won't Last Forever." This will be a generally pleasing compilation to Johnson fans, but the classic "Life's a Bitch (And Then You Die)" is sorely missed. --Jason Pascal
CD Reviews
Another fan weighing in: It's almost complete ...
04/23/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I agree with the fan from Indiana and some of the others about this CD. Michael Johnson is one of my all-time favorite artists. I got introduced to him many years ago when I purchased the 'Michael Johnson' album, and was enchanted (and hooked). He is hard to classify in terms of the common music categories: not country, jazz, contemporary or blues, yet all of these things. Unfortunately, one must 'fit' one of the musical boxes to get a lot of exposure, and he probably hasn't gotten the airplay I think he deserves.'The Very best of ... Bluer than Blue' could be described as an exceptional collection of representative work EXCEPT ... the CD is missing something. I'm in agreement with some of the other reviewers - where are 'Sailing without any Sails', '25 Words or Less', or 'When You Come Home'? You can add me to the list of people who would happily purchase an anthology issued with those tracks on it, or for the MJ album re-issue."
A Dynamic Retrospective Carrying "Most" of MJBluer's "Hits"
Michael H. Brandau | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE | 03/23/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first discovered Michael Johnson's particular sound; a mix of (classical/blues/folk & jazz with a tinge of country) when I was a teenager in southern Louisiana. His "soulful" delivery on "blending" the (romantic ballad) meets the (wistful sigh of past loves) on such classics as "One Honest Tear"/ "I Will Whisper Your Name"/ "Give Me Wings" and "Bluer Than Blue" tugs at the heart with the lyrics identifying a broken heart. You cannot go wrong with this artist, every song he sings will (Grab You) in one way or another; and your outlook on your life will change in some way. My personal favorite song on this album & the video version from its' 1988 release is: (That's That). I will finally get to see him "LIVE" and "experience" his "virtuosity" as a consummate guitarist/singer April 2000 in Nashville, Tennessee and as you folks who "have" seen him in Live Performance already know; (This Night Won't Last Forever)! Michael Johnson - 'simply' sings songs the way they were written: "From The Heart"!"
Mostly eighties pop-country here
Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 02/21/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Michael Johnson is not and never was country singer as such, but it so happened that his normal style of music was not very different from that which was coming out of Nashville in the eighties. So it was that he had a string of country hits in the mid-eighties, culled from just two albums of his own plus one other track. These recordings account for ten of the seventeen tracks here.
Michael is actually a man of many talents, able to sing pop, folk or easy listening music, all of which originally seemed more likely outlets for his talents than country music. The liner notes to the album give an interesting description of his career development but suffice to say that his first significant success was with Bluer than blue, a top twenty American pop hit. To many Americans, this is the song he is best known for. The follow-up, Almost like being in love, made the American top forty. Michael achieved a second top twenty hit with This night won't last forever. Two minor hits (The very first time, You can call me blue) complete Michael's run in the American pop charts.
Finding himself without a recording contract, Michael eventually contacted Brent Maher, who had produced his early hits. Brent told Michael that he was now the producer for the Judds and that maybe country music was worth investigating. Brent was also producing an album for Sylvia (best known for Nobody) and decided that one song was ideal as a duet. So Michael duetted with Sylvia on I love you by heart, which became a top ten country hit. His two pop-country albums (Wings, That's that) followed, nine of their tracks being featured here including a duet with Juice Newton (It must be you).
Michael had two number one country hits (Give me wings, The moon is still over her shoulder) and three other top ten country hits (Crying shame, I will whisper your name, That's that). Another single, Gotta learn to live without you, just missed the country top ten. Nevertheless, my favorite among his songs is one of his least successful singles, Ponies, which was a top thirty country hit. This song is about wild horses and has since been covered by two famous horse-loving country singers, Lynn Anderson and Michael Martin Murphey. Michael's last country single, Roller coaster run, was only a minor hit.
Two songs recorded in the nineties (One honest tear, Almost free) complete an excellent collection."
All you need from Michael Johnson
Cory L. Schwent | Bloomsdale, MO United States | 05/05/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Most of you are probably like me in regards to Michael Johnson, you are a collector of country music and you are hoping to get a good collection with most, if not all of his hits on one disc.This disc fits that expectation nicely. The only knowledge I have of Michael Johnson before he had country hits is that he recorded "Bluer than Blue." All the songs here are the original recordings. To be honest, I had never even heard the big country hits before, the only one I remember is the duet with Sylvia. The booklet is fantastic, complete with notes and recording dates."
Just buying now
Cory L. Schwent | 09/17/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I'm glad to find any MJ. I used to be the paperboy in his neighborhood in Minnetonka, MN. His dogs Albert (the Golden) and O.B. Glad (the Springer) used to be my loyal companions on the early morning route. I too miss the earliest stuff. I would love to find "Sailing Without a Sail", "25-words or Less", and "O.B. Glad Your Alive", I suppose that's where the Springer's name came from."
Track Listings (17) - Disc #1