 | |
List Price: $13.98 | | Label: Hip-O Records
Salesrank: 7310
Released: September 28, 1999 |
| Our Price: $8.60 |
| Used Price: $8.39 |
|
| Media: Audio CD |
|
Essential Collection Track Listing:
1. Every Beat Of My Heart
2. Letter Full Of Tears
3. Giving Up
4. I Heard It Through the Grapevine
5. If I Were Your Woman
6. Friendship Train
7. I Don't Want To Do Wrong
8. Daddy Could Swear, I Declare
9. Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye)
10. Midnight Train To Georgia
11. I've Got To Use My Imagination
12. Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me, The
13. I Feel A Song (In My Heart)
14. On And On
15. The Way We Were / Try To Remember
16. Save the Overtime (For Me)
17. Hero (Wind Beneath My Wings)
18. Love Overboard
Editorial Review:
While Gladys Knight and the Pips spent large portions of the '60s, '70s, and '80s on the charts, this smart CD is the first attempt to compile high points of their tenures at various labels (Motown subsidiary Buddah, Columbia, MCA). While Knight proved equally at home with smokin' church-bred R&B (the original "I Heard It Through the Grapevine") and uptown pop (an unfortunate medley of "Try to Remember" and "The Way We Were"), she was most effective on plainspoken tales of everyday people. That's the reason "Grapevine," "Midnight Train to Georgia," "You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me," and "Save the Overtime for Me," recorded over a 15-year span, sound so much of a piece. --Rickey Wright
Essential Collection Reviews:
the best thing that ever happened to me 
2009-08-26 - I don't know who wrote this song, but I love it sooooo much. I sometimes just want to cry when I hear this song. It brings back so many memories for me. This is an awsome group of singers Gladys I love your voice, the talent you have is unreal. I hope they record just one more album. I love you guys' music so much.
A Must-Have Collection for Gladys Knight and the Pips Fans!
2009-08-07 - Of all the Greatest Hits CD's featuring the music of the fabulous Gladys Knight and the Pips, this is by far the best overall collection. You have all of their early pre-Motown hits, their big hits from their Motown era, including "I Heard it Through the Grapevine", "The Friendship Train" and their Grammy winning classic - "Neither One of Us". I agree with the other reviewers that Gladys Knight was clearly a much better singer than Diana Ross but she had Berry Gordy in her corner so Gladys and the Pips didn't get the attention from Motown that they so rightly deserved. However, once they moved to Buddah and recorded what I consider to be their three all-time greatest hits - "Midnight Train to Georgia", "The Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me" and my personal favorite - "I've Got To Use My Imagination" they finally achieved the success and stardom that had eluded them. Gladys's version of "The Way We Were" is truly beautiful and "I Feel a Song in my Heart" is yet another classic recording.
They picked up a couple of more Grammy's for these recordings and their move to Columbia only continued their streak of success. And how appropriate that before Gladys decided to go solo that they had yet another big Grammy winning hit with "Love Overboard". Gladys went solo in 1989 and continues to perform throughtout the world - I've been fortunate enough to see her a few times over the years and, like a fine wine, her voice only improves with age!
Brings Back Good Memories
2009-04-26 - In the 70s I loved Gladys Knight and the Pips especially the Really Got to Use My Imagination song. Loved that song and others they created. They were often on the variety shows and I enjoyed them. This CD is a very wonderful collection of Gladys Knight and the Pips greatest hits. It's an essential for any musical enthusiasts' collection.
Gladys Knight all Night Long.
2008-12-17 - I've heard Gladys Knight's music, what seems like, my whole life. One day, a few weeks ago, I saw her on TV doing a couple of her songs. At that moment I realized I had to have some of her music, so I jumped on amazon and bought the Essental Collection. This is a fantastic CD. No not every piece, but out of 18 songs I can say I love 12, like 4 and can listen to the rest. I've had no problem listening to this CD over and over, and can say without a doubt I've loved Gladys Knight all Night Long.
Ultimate Collection
2008-09-30 - I have some other compulations but this collection is the best! It has all the songs you're looking for. The CD is well produced, recorded. The liner notes are informative as well. This is my second copy...I wore out my first one. I have had this for over 8 years and love it!
