Search - Randy Vanwarmer :: Best of

From the days when lyrics and melody mattered

Warren Mullin | Lenexa, Kansas United States | 01/20/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The late Randy Van Wormer (better known to the world by his pseudonym Randy Vanwarmer) was a very strong lyricist and a composer of profoundly soaring melodies. On top of that, Randy had an equally (and far underrated) soaring voice that conveyed a tremendous and guiltless innocence. Most listeners are familiar with his debut smash "Just When I Needed You Most", but fewer know some of the great masterpieces that followed - or, at least, fewer know that Randy wrote them! The original reditions of his self-penned smash country hits "I'm In A Hurry (And Don't Know Why)" [Alabama] and "I Guess It Never Hurts To Hurt Sometimes" [Oak Ridge Boys] are found in this collection. The largely ignored, but flawless single "Whatever You Decide" is here. Listen to the masterful lyrics citing the torture of a relationship plagued with indecision, and the storyteller trying best to appear nonchalant OR divinely considerate about it all. Some of the best lyrics of ANY composition is right here: "You're so afraid of being wrong - your chances will be gone before you choose one. Someone has to lose. It's getting late, so throw it in, 'cause EVERYONE one loses if NOBODY wins...Whatever You Decide"...awesome and perfect... "I Will Whisper Your Name" was another largely missed masterpiece - Randy's voice is in top form here. This hymn-like anthem of love is one of pop's most beautiful melodies, and had it received it's due airplay, it would be sung at every wedding in America today. The collection is rounded out by Randy's covers of The Lovin' Spoonful's "Do You Believe In Magic" and The Zombies / Santana's "She's Not There". This album is definitely worth a lifetime of listening, but do not fail to miss every Randy Vanwarmer recording you can get your hands - and ears - on. You will never regret it."

How could you not know?

Anton | New Orleans | 09/30/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A suttle singer that just blew away from everyone--beautiful melodies and lyrics. Please stop giving Jewel so much press and learn to listen to the music again."