With the recent news of BMG releasing a series of low priced greatest hits albums under The Artist Collection umbrella, I thought it would be nice to shift some attention to the originator of the basic, mid-priced greatest hits collection. Of course, I'm speaking about none other than Universal Music's 20th Century Masters series.
Often imitated but never duplicated, the 20th Century Masters series has spawned a number of clones in it's shadow including Sony Music's The Essential series, BMG's Platinum & Gold Collection, and as previously mentioned, BMG's upcoming The Artist Collection series.
I'm sure some of you must have at least one or two 20th Century Masters albums in your collection and don't even know it. For those who aren't familiar with the series and it's origins, here's a brief synopsis: The 20th Century Masters series is the most successful single artist series of albums in history. Since its launch in 1999, the series has sold over 4.8 million albums and has grown to include over 350 titles. Since Universal swallowed a number of smaller labels which existed in the 60's, 70's, and 80's (including A&M, Mercury, Polygram, Motown, etc.) it's allowed them access to a rich catalog of music which (depending on who you speak to) they've exploited to the maximum.
Some may not be a fan of these relatively inexpensive collections since (in some cases) they don't do justice to an artist's repetoire, however, in my view, I love the fact that they collect an artist's most relevant work, present it in a remastered format, include liner notes and archived pictures where we learn more about an artist's history and contribution to popular music, and in some cases, as an added bonus, USA and UK chart peak positions are included.
Anyways, this thread wouldn't be complete if I didn't make it about ME so I just wanted to share with you which 20th Century Masters albums I own. Note: In many cases, I already own a more expansive collection of the artist's greatest hits but picked up the 20th Century Masters album anyway since I'm a sucker for any CD priced between $6.99 and $9.99.
Let's start with my most recent purchases and work our way backward...
1. The Best Of Tears For Fears
I already own Tears For Fears' 1992 greatest hits collection Tears Roll Down 1982-1992 but since that CD hasn't aged well in terms of sound quality and personal care, this newly remastered goodie featuring all the hits from Songs From The Big Chair, The Hurting, The Seeds Of Love, and "Break It Down Again" (from Elemental), was just too hard to resist. The album includes insightful liner notes on how significant the duo were in the 1985 pop arena as well as the chart peaks for each commercial single. I was so impressed with this album I also bought the accompanying 20th Century Masters Tears For Fears DVD (featuring five of their most popular music videos.)
2. The Best Of Vanessa Williams
Previous to this collection, the only Vanessa Williams album I owned was 1991's ultra glossy and deeply satisfying The Comfort Zone. Although this album includes neither liner notes nor chart positions for each song, it does provide all of the uptown diva's biggest hits in remastered format from The Right Stuff ("Dreamin'", "Darlin' I", and the Janet Jackson circa Control inspired inspired/sampled title track) to The Comfort Zone ("Save The Best For Last", "Running Back To You", "Work To Do", and the title track) to "Oh How The Years Go By" (Vanessa contribution's to the NBA 50th Anniversary Celebration OST), "The Sweetest Days" (the title track from her disappointing 1994 AC/MOR release), as well as the Jam & Lewis produced "Happiness" (from 1997's Next). Pictures of the gorgeous songbird/actress throughout the various stages of her Mercury recording career nicely enhance this hastily assembled collection.
3. The Best Of DeBarge
One thing I love about the 20th Century Master series is the chance to own the cream of an artist's catalog without heavily investing in a CD you might not listen to much in the future. DeBarges's biggest crossover hit "Rhythm Of The Night" is probably the only song I've given repeated listens to thus far (since it's a nostalgic favorite from my childhood years.) Although I'm well aware there are a wealth of early 80's R&B smashes on this album including: "Love Me In A Special Way", "All This Love", "Stay The Night", as well as "Who's Johnny" (El DeBarge's solo foray from the Short Circuit OST ), it might take a little while before I get around to giving those songs repeated listens since they don't immediately connect with me. Liner notes, remastered sound quality, and chart peaks for each respective single are included.
4. The Best Of The 80's - New Wave
As of late, I've been finding myself exploring early 80's new wave more and more. I think it might have something to do with my personal frustration over current musical trends as well as a desire to further explore another side of the musical landscape in the 80's, since up until this point, I've been mainly familiar with the R&B and Pop genres during that period. On this 11 track collection, Universal Music gathers up some of the biggest new wave hits from the Decade of Decadance including: ABC's "Poison Arrow", Anomotion's "Obsession", Tears For Fears' "Shout", The Style Council's "My Ever Changing Moods", Level 42's "Something About You", Berlin's "No More Words", among many others. In some cases, I was already familiar with the songs based on radio airplay over the years, while others were completely brand new to me. As to be expected, the sound quality on these remastered tracks is superior and the liner notes featuring a brief synopsis of each featured act and their relevance to the new wave movement are spectacular. Yes, it's very easy to throw together a homemade 80's compilation using your CD burner, however, on this 20th Century Masters collection, it's done with a specific theme and it's done well.
5. The Best Of Swingout Sister
Known primarily for their hit "Breakout", Swingout Sister may be a footnote in a long list of 80's one hits wonders who briefly created a stir on North American shores, however, as this collection aptly demonstrates, there was a lot more behind this Pop and Jazz inflected threesome (now a duo) who originally formed in 1985. Like Sade, frontwoman Corrine's smooth voice is a wonder to behold on tracks like "Forever Blue", "Am I The Same Girl?", "Twilight World", and "Notgonnachange". Although SOS's heyday has long since passed, this collection is a nice keepsake for those who may feel like a slice of 80's cool synthezied jazz/pop. Liner notes, chart peaks, and remastered sound quality nicely round out this collection.
6. The Best Of The Mamas And The Papas
Yes. This group is *way* ahead of my time, however, considering the influence and impression they left behind on many acts which followed, this CD serves as a good history lesson in the sounds which emanated in Young America (specifically the East Coast) during the late 60's/early 70's. Most of you are probably already familiar with the group's biggest hit "California Dreamin'" while "Monday, Monday" might also ring a bell as it was also recently covered by Wilson Phillips' on their latest cover album California. Both of those songs are presented in digitally remastered glory as well as a slew of other recordings which eventually earned the group a place in the Rock 'N' Roll Hall Of Fame. As an added bonus, nicely tucked away near the end of this collection is a solo recording from the infamous Mama Cass entitled "Make Your Own Kind Of Music". One listen to this song and you'll be humming it all day.
7. The Best Of Michael Jackson
Of course, it would be impossible to summarize the career of the King Of Pop one a single disc, mid-priced, greatest hits collection. However, if there ever was a collection that nicely presents the highlights of the Gloved One's beginnings as a solo artist at Motown Records, then this is it. Beginning with Jackson's first ever solo foray "Got To Be There", the set nicely strolls through his early 70's output name checking such classics as: "Rockin' Robin'" and "Ben" (two songs at the polar end thematically yet intertwined by their references to animals), the jubliant "I Wanna Be Where You Are", the tender odes "Music And Me", "With A Child's Heart" and "Happy" (ballads that are sung with such personal conviction and emotion that you'd think Jackson wrote the lyrics himself), as well as a few recordings which capture the singers most awkward vocal period as his voice was adjusting to changes brought about through puberty ("We're Almost There", "One Day In Your Life", and "Just A Little Bit Of You"). As one writer aptly put it: "His Motown hits, both solo and with the J5, are dazzling examples of his technical range and emotional depth as a singer. This kid had more going on when he was twelve years old than most vocalists do by the time they're fifty." I couldn't have said it better myself. Liner notes comparing Michael's early 70's solo output with Sammy Davis Jr.'s career as well as rare photos of Michael from the Motown archives nicely complete this set.
Other collections I own but am too lazy to write a review about right now:
The Best Of The Carpenters
The Best Of Donna Summer
The Best Of Smokey Robinson
Often imitated but never duplicated, the 20th Century Masters series has spawned a number of clones in it's shadow including Sony Music's The Essential series, BMG's Platinum & Gold Collection, and as previously mentioned, BMG's upcoming The Artist Collection series.
I'm sure some of you must have at least one or two 20th Century Masters albums in your collection and don't even know it. For those who aren't familiar with the series and it's origins, here's a brief synopsis: The 20th Century Masters series is the most successful single artist series of albums in history. Since its launch in 1999, the series has sold over 4.8 million albums and has grown to include over 350 titles. Since Universal swallowed a number of smaller labels which existed in the 60's, 70's, and 80's (including A&M, Mercury, Polygram, Motown, etc.) it's allowed them access to a rich catalog of music which (depending on who you speak to) they've exploited to the maximum.
Some may not be a fan of these relatively inexpensive collections since (in some cases) they don't do justice to an artist's repetoire, however, in my view, I love the fact that they collect an artist's most relevant work, present it in a remastered format, include liner notes and archived pictures where we learn more about an artist's history and contribution to popular music, and in some cases, as an added bonus, USA and UK chart peak positions are included.
Anyways, this thread wouldn't be complete if I didn't make it about ME so I just wanted to share with you which 20th Century Masters albums I own. Note: In many cases, I already own a more expansive collection of the artist's greatest hits but picked up the 20th Century Masters album anyway since I'm a sucker for any CD priced between $6.99 and $9.99.
Let's start with my most recent purchases and work our way backward...
1. The Best Of Tears For Fears
I already own Tears For Fears' 1992 greatest hits collection Tears Roll Down 1982-1992 but since that CD hasn't aged well in terms of sound quality and personal care, this newly remastered goodie featuring all the hits from Songs From The Big Chair, The Hurting, The Seeds Of Love, and "Break It Down Again" (from Elemental), was just too hard to resist. The album includes insightful liner notes on how significant the duo were in the 1985 pop arena as well as the chart peaks for each commercial single. I was so impressed with this album I also bought the accompanying 20th Century Masters Tears For Fears DVD (featuring five of their most popular music videos.)
2. The Best Of Vanessa Williams
Previous to this collection, the only Vanessa Williams album I owned was 1991's ultra glossy and deeply satisfying The Comfort Zone. Although this album includes neither liner notes nor chart positions for each song, it does provide all of the uptown diva's biggest hits in remastered format from The Right Stuff ("Dreamin'", "Darlin' I", and the Janet Jackson circa Control inspired inspired/sampled title track) to The Comfort Zone ("Save The Best For Last", "Running Back To You", "Work To Do", and the title track) to "Oh How The Years Go By" (Vanessa contribution's to the NBA 50th Anniversary Celebration OST), "The Sweetest Days" (the title track from her disappointing 1994 AC/MOR release), as well as the Jam & Lewis produced "Happiness" (from 1997's Next). Pictures of the gorgeous songbird/actress throughout the various stages of her Mercury recording career nicely enhance this hastily assembled collection.
3. The Best Of DeBarge
One thing I love about the 20th Century Master series is the chance to own the cream of an artist's catalog without heavily investing in a CD you might not listen to much in the future. DeBarges's biggest crossover hit "Rhythm Of The Night" is probably the only song I've given repeated listens to thus far (since it's a nostalgic favorite from my childhood years.) Although I'm well aware there are a wealth of early 80's R&B smashes on this album including: "Love Me In A Special Way", "All This Love", "Stay The Night", as well as "Who's Johnny" (El DeBarge's solo foray from the Short Circuit OST ), it might take a little while before I get around to giving those songs repeated listens since they don't immediately connect with me. Liner notes, remastered sound quality, and chart peaks for each respective single are included.
4. The Best Of The 80's - New Wave
As of late, I've been finding myself exploring early 80's new wave more and more. I think it might have something to do with my personal frustration over current musical trends as well as a desire to further explore another side of the musical landscape in the 80's, since up until this point, I've been mainly familiar with the R&B and Pop genres during that period. On this 11 track collection, Universal Music gathers up some of the biggest new wave hits from the Decade of Decadance including: ABC's "Poison Arrow", Anomotion's "Obsession", Tears For Fears' "Shout", The Style Council's "My Ever Changing Moods", Level 42's "Something About You", Berlin's "No More Words", among many others. In some cases, I was already familiar with the songs based on radio airplay over the years, while others were completely brand new to me. As to be expected, the sound quality on these remastered tracks is superior and the liner notes featuring a brief synopsis of each featured act and their relevance to the new wave movement are spectacular. Yes, it's very easy to throw together a homemade 80's compilation using your CD burner, however, on this 20th Century Masters collection, it's done with a specific theme and it's done well.
5. The Best Of Swingout Sister
Known primarily for their hit "Breakout", Swingout Sister may be a footnote in a long list of 80's one hits wonders who briefly created a stir on North American shores, however, as this collection aptly demonstrates, there was a lot more behind this Pop and Jazz inflected threesome (now a duo) who originally formed in 1985. Like Sade, frontwoman Corrine's smooth voice is a wonder to behold on tracks like "Forever Blue", "Am I The Same Girl?", "Twilight World", and "Notgonnachange". Although SOS's heyday has long since passed, this collection is a nice keepsake for those who may feel like a slice of 80's cool synthezied jazz/pop. Liner notes, chart peaks, and remastered sound quality nicely round out this collection.
6. The Best Of The Mamas And The Papas
Yes. This group is *way* ahead of my time, however, considering the influence and impression they left behind on many acts which followed, this CD serves as a good history lesson in the sounds which emanated in Young America (specifically the East Coast) during the late 60's/early 70's. Most of you are probably already familiar with the group's biggest hit "California Dreamin'" while "Monday, Monday" might also ring a bell as it was also recently covered by Wilson Phillips' on their latest cover album California. Both of those songs are presented in digitally remastered glory as well as a slew of other recordings which eventually earned the group a place in the Rock 'N' Roll Hall Of Fame. As an added bonus, nicely tucked away near the end of this collection is a solo recording from the infamous Mama Cass entitled "Make Your Own Kind Of Music". One listen to this song and you'll be humming it all day.
7. The Best Of Michael Jackson
Of course, it would be impossible to summarize the career of the King Of Pop one a single disc, mid-priced, greatest hits collection. However, if there ever was a collection that nicely presents the highlights of the Gloved One's beginnings as a solo artist at Motown Records, then this is it. Beginning with Jackson's first ever solo foray "Got To Be There", the set nicely strolls through his early 70's output name checking such classics as: "Rockin' Robin'" and "Ben" (two songs at the polar end thematically yet intertwined by their references to animals), the jubliant "I Wanna Be Where You Are", the tender odes "Music And Me", "With A Child's Heart" and "Happy" (ballads that are sung with such personal conviction and emotion that you'd think Jackson wrote the lyrics himself), as well as a few recordings which capture the singers most awkward vocal period as his voice was adjusting to changes brought about through puberty ("We're Almost There", "One Day In Your Life", and "Just A Little Bit Of You"). As one writer aptly put it: "His Motown hits, both solo and with the J5, are dazzling examples of his technical range and emotional depth as a singer. This kid had more going on when he was twelve years old than most vocalists do by the time they're fifty." I couldn't have said it better myself. Liner notes comparing Michael's early 70's solo output with Sammy Davis Jr.'s career as well as rare photos of Michael from the Motown archives nicely complete this set.
Other collections I own but am too lazy to write a review about right now:
The Best Of The Carpenters
The Best Of Donna Summer
The Best Of Smokey Robinson