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RONNIE SPECTOR'S MASTERPIECE!!!

Bradly Briggs | TOLUCA LAKE, CALIFORNIA | 02/25/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I was in High School the athem that I can really remember was Ronnie Spector's incredible voice on "Be My Baby" and this great song blew everyone away with its hypnotic brilliance!! I waited for each and every release after and Ronnie never disappointed and was never less than brilliant. "Baby I Love You" was a winner and "The Best Part Of Breaking Up" along with the rhythmic stunner "Do I Love You?" are total classics that stand as the best from the great musical sixties!! Ronnie's passionate voice was brilliantly showcased in "Walking In The Rain" which should have gone to #1 as it jumped out at you whenever it was on the radio unlike anything else. Ronnie's releases continued at this same high level such as the hauntingly gorgeous "Born To Be Together" and the passionately stunning "Is This What I Get For Loving You?" but many have reported that those in control of playlists must have decided that Mr. Spector was too big for his britches and therefore his records would no longer receive airplay!!! This is also what many felt killed Tina Turner's brilliant "River Deep-Mountain High" which went to #1 in Europe but was believed to be silently banned from American radio. I was a fan at this time of this music and I personally called radio stations and pleaded with them to play "River Deep" and Ronnies later great releases but I was told that these records were not on the playlist and they coldly blew me off. I believe the same fate happened to the great "You Came, You Saw, You Conquered" which really sounded like a hit also. Art should never be mixed with this type of politics but sadly is and the Art suffers and audiences are ultimately cheated along with the artists! For anyone interested in enjoying one of the best voices on the planet, do not miss this awesome collection!!! Greatness like this is once in a lifetime so enjoy!!! Bravo Ronnie Spector! Update 2007; Ronnie and the Ronettes are finally being inducted into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame and it is about time~Bravo Ronnie and knock em' dead with that gorgeous voice!!!!"

This Is Five Star Music.....Transfer Is Debatable

Rachel Lai | London, Ontario Canada | 05/19/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Many customers have complained in their reviews about the lack of STEREO transfers on this record. While it is true that Phil Spector never intended these songs to be presented in stereo, they lose some of their heart in MONO [they were first heard in stereo when released, especially on radio promos].
The MONO transfer on this album is respectable, but not of demonstration quality, which is surprising, considering Phil Spector remastered these tracks. But this is the only widely-available Ronettes compilation, and should therefore be cherished. The music sounds incredible, as it did then, as it always will. Timeless material. Highlights include:01. Be My Baby -- With a classic drum beat opening the proceedings, this is what Brian Wilson called "the best pop record ever made." Hard to argue against that. Probably the most famous record never to hit #1 (#2 US, #4 UK)03. I Wonder -- The lyrics are dated, the production is dazzling.04. Baby, I Love You -- This is true Wall Of Sound, and it will never be surpassed. The orchestration is absolutely rapturous (#24 US, #11 UK)08. Do I Love You? -- Again, a classic Wall Of Sound piece, with sexy vocals by Ronnie and memorable background mixing to create a dreamy piece of pop. (Sadly, this only reached #34 in the US, #35 in the UK)11. Walking In The Rain -- Phil Spector got a Grammy for this cut's production. It shows. A true classic. (#23 US)13. Is This What I Get For Loving You? -- Ronnie is all baby-doll sensuality and repressed longing in this masterpiece. The sweeping production is just sensual but not overwrought.15. Here I Sit -- This track, sadly left out of the Phil Spector Back To Mono box set, makes its first appearance on CD here. It's a forgotten gem. I must say that the tracks DO sound richer, more zesty, and more pure in stereo, because the individual elements of the production receive equal aural representation. The mono versions tend to crash together in a symphonic Wall Of Sound. If you are interested in the stereo versions, try to obtain a copy of Greatest Hits, an import from Italy, which, sadly, is extremely rare. ..."

Unbelievably Gorgeous. 5 stars are not enough.

El Freak | Mooringsport, LA USA | 05/08/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Of all the incredibly gorgeous and powerful work that Phil Spector did, his work with the Ronettes was his finest accomplishment.Phil's Wall of Sound production style is in full effect here. And for the people who have issues with the sound, I've had many of these songs on 45 in mint or near mint condition, and this is the way they were SUPPOSED to sound.The distortion is intentional and is a huge part of the "Wall of Sound" style that Spector is so renowned for. Also, these songs WERE issued in rechanneled stereo back in the 60's, but Spector mastered these songs in MONO, and that's how he wanted them to be heard. Stereo just breaks up the wall of sound into two mini-walls of sound, and the music loses its impact(to me, anyway).It's worth it just for Be My Baby, I Wish I Never Saw the Sunshine, and Born to be Together, but ALL of these songs touch me like nothing else does.Ronnie Spector was the sexiest thing on record in her day, and her voice on all these tracks just takes them to the next level.Ronnie was/is not the most technical singer around, but there is a sultriness and soulfulness in her voice that just cannot be matched. There's a reason why so many male musicians like John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, and Joey Ramone were so moved by her voice.The Celine Dions of the world could learn a thing or two from Ronnie Spector. Why the Ronettes never saw higher chart positions in their day I will never know. I read a comment somewhere that these songs aren't just ABOUT falling in love for the first time, they FEEL like falling in love for the first time.So true. Get this cd."