Two Words, One Answer.
Phil Collins'
 Hits $18.98 Genesis singer/drummer Phil Collins released his first proper greatest hits album entitled Phil Collins Hits in October of 1998. This compilation compiles all of Phil's hit singles up until 1998. When I first heard of the best of being released I thought are they either going to use live tracks from Serious Hits Live with the classic non-album singles or use the studio versions. When I heard it was the latter, I bought and what a compilation. His 1981 solo debut Face Value is represented by the classic "In the Air Tonight" which was the first hit (UK #2 and US #19) he had as a solo artist and a great song I must add to this day and only track from Face Value here ("I Missed Again (the first single in the US which was also charted at #19) is missing why I don't know). His 1982 solo effort Hello, I Must Be Going is represented by his first US Top 10 hit out of his re-make of The Supremes' "You Can't Hurry Love" and a great choice. Some are shocked of no "I Don't Care Anymore" as that was a US rock radio hit but the rule Pop hits had to be applied. His 1985 monster seller No Jacket Required is represented by the #1's "One More Night" and "Sussudio" and the Top 10 "Take Me Home". Great choices but many noted the Top 5 "Don't Lose My Number" is sadly missing. His 1989 chart topping ...But Seriously is well represented out of "Another Day in Paradise" (a #1 in late 1989), "I Wish It Would Rain Down" (a huge rock radio smash and Top 5 Pop hit with Eric Clapton on guitar) and "Something Happened On the Way to Heaven" (another big hit). His 1993 album Both Sides is only represented by "Both Side of the Story". The song "Everyday" was a hit but not as big as the first single apparently. His return to the 1980s formular solo album from 1996 entitled Dance Into the Light is represented by the title cut and a great song I must add. Now the real reasons to acquire is for the studio version of "Easy Lover" which was Phil's hit duet with Earth Wind and Fire singer Philip Bailey (that groups horn section played on all of Phil's solo efforts from the 1980s and on Genesis' Abacab and US version of Three Sides Live albums), the studio version of his hit ballad "Against All Odds" (which was his first #1 as a solo artist and was theme to film of same name), the studio version of his duet with Marilyn Martin called "Separate Lives" from the 1985 film White Nights and the two #1's from the 1988 film Buster out of "A Groovy Kind of Love" (best version of song IMHO) and "Two Hearts" both of which hit #1 in the US. We also have a new recording of Cyndi Lauper's 1986 hit "True Colors" produced and collaborated by then-red hot R&B singer/producer/songwriter Babyface. Phil Collins Hits would go on to Triple Platinum in US sales and another Top 20 album for him (to date his last). Recommended!  ...Hits $7.99 Genesis singer/drummer Phil Collins released his first proper greatest hits album entitled Phil Collins Hits in October of 1998. This compilation compiles all of Phil's hit singles up until 1998. When I first heard of the best of being released I thought are they either going to use live tracks from Serious Hits Live with the classic non-album singles or use the studio versions. When I heard it was the latter, I bought and what a compilation. His 1981 solo debut Face Value is represented by the classic "In the Air Tonight" which was the first hit (UK #2 and US #19) he had as a solo artist and a great song I must add to this day and only track from Face Value here ("I Missed Again (the first single in the US which was also charted at #19) is missing why I don't know). His 1982 solo effort Hello, I Must Be Going is represented by his first US Top 10 hit out of his re-make of The Supremes' "You Can't Hurry Love" and a great choice. Some are shocked of no "I Don't Care Anymore" as that was a US rock radio hit but the rule Pop hits had to be applied. His 1985 monster seller No Jacket Required is represented by the #1's "One More Night" and "Sussudio" and the Top 10 "Take Me Home". Great choices but many noted the Top 5 "Don't Lose My Number" is sadly missing. His 1989 chart topping ...But Seriously is well represented out of "Another Day in Paradise" (a #1 in late 1989), "I Wish It Would Rain Down" (a huge rock radio smash and Top 5 Pop hit with Eric Clapton on guitar) and "Something Happened On the Way to Heaven" (another big hit). His 1993 album Both Sides is only represented by "Both Side of the Story". The song "Everyday" was a hit but not as big as the first single apparently. His return to the 1980s formular solo album from 1996 entitled Dance Into the Light is represented by the title cut and a great song I must add. Now the real reasons to acquire is for the studio version of "Easy Lover" which was Phil's hit duet with Earth Wind and Fire singer Philip Bailey (that groups horn section played on all of Phil's solo efforts from the 1980s and on Genesis' Abacab and US version of Three Sides Live albums), the studio version of his hit ballad "Against All Odds" (which was his first #1 as a solo artist and was theme to film of same name), the studio version of his duet with Marilyn Martin called "Separate Lives" from the 1985 film White Nights and the two #1's from the 1988 film Buster out of "A Groovy Kind of Love" (best version of song IMHO) and "Two Hearts" both of which hit #1 in the US. We also have a new recording of Cyndi Lauper's 1986 hit "True Colors" produced and collaborated by then-red hot R&B singer/producer/songwriter Babyface. Phil Collins Hits would go on to Triple Platinum in US sales and another Top 20 album for him (to date his last). Recommended!  Phil Collins - Finally....The First Farewell Tour (2DVD) $29.98 This artist is superlative and for whatever defects in recording a live concert-which i think are few-the pure energy of this outstanding drummer translates well and makes up for any asserted technical defects in this DVD-while I can appreciate that the bonus videos from the '80's are in stereo only because of the technology of the time -it sure would be nice for these to be put into the Dolby or DTS 5.1 or above surround format-when this is played on a blu rayplayer with HD it is amazingly crisp and clear-if anyone does not know the solo Phil Collins -this is definitely the place to start |
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