Search - Betty Wright :: Very Best of Betty Wright

Betty Wright's Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 (1968-1979) *1 & half s

Truth | DC | 02/01/2007

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Betty Wright, born in 1954, was only 14 when "Girls Can't Do What the Guys Do" became a #15 R&B hit in 1968. She would go on to release 7 studio albums and a live album on Alton/Atlantic.



THE VERY BEST OF BETTY WRIGHT consists of 16 songs from 1968-1978, including one live recording; songs are in non-chronological order. Disc packaged in clear jewel case; total running time: 49:49. Booklet includes an essay by David Nathan, a few small b&w photographs, and track information (including release dates, albums of origin, chart positions, and a discography). Sound quality is good.



The songs in this collection come from her albums on the Alston/Atlantic label, so her 1988 hit "No Pain, No Gain" is not included here. The majority of the songs are from 1972-1975 (three are from 1968-1970; two are from 1977-78); there are no songs from her final Alton album, 1979's "Betty Traveling in the Wright Circle". There are 6 non-album single sides included.



There are two very disappointing aspects of this compilation. The first is the length; it includes only 16 songs, totaling less than 50 minutes' worth of music. [Collections by other `60s & `70s artists such as Esther Phillips, Baby Washington, Millie Jackson, Mable John, Irma Thomas, Honey Cone, Pointer Sisters, and Lyn Collins include an hour or more of music (often comprised of more than 20 songs).] The second is the version of "Tonight Is the Night" included here. The track is listed as "Tonight Is the Night Pt. 1 (rap)". It consists of the spoken word (dialog) intro that precedes Betty Wright's concert performance of "Tonight Is the Night" (which she calls on of her "biggest songs") from her live album; after about three minutes of speaking, Betty starts to sing the song. Then halfway into the first verse, the track fades out. And that is how this album ends.



The title "The Very Best of" seems quite the exaggeration. Rhino did good jobs on compilations for everyone from Ruth Brown to Millie Jackson to MC Lyte, but this is not one of those amazing or comprehensive compilations.



"The Very Best of Betty Wright" 2000 Rhino Records

music: 2 & half stars

packaging: 3 stars

value/deal/quality: one star

comprehensiveness: one & half stars



"

Pure soul...

B. Bowman | Jersey, United States | 01/26/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Why Betty Wright isn't more well known I will never understand. She has such a great voice and her recorded work on this CD speaks for itself. Her biggest hit was 1971's "Clean Up Woman", but there are some other songs on this disc that I hadn't heard of which should have been #1 hits. In particular, "It's Hard To Stop (Doing Something When It's Good To You)" and "Let Me Be Your Lovemaker" are incredibly funky and Betty's vocals and attitude are awesome. The ballad "You Can't See For Lookin'" is also a standout, displaying Betty's vocal abilities on a slower song. Betty Wright seems to have gone largely unnoticed despite a following in the southern U.S. and Europe. She should get the credit she deserves for being the talented singer she is. If you like soul music or R&B, there should be some Betty Wright in your collection."

Danity Kane step aside!

Patrick D. Preston | Lexington, KY | 01/09/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I first saw Betty Wright on the TV show "Making the Band," on which she served as the vocal coach for P. Diddy's girl group, Danity Kane. Here was this little old woman with PIPES, lettin' these "young things" know how to sing a line like they MEAN IT! I was amazed and HAD to hear more!



This album is a collection of Wright's hits, and it doesn't disappoint. With a sassy, no-nonsense delivery and catchy tunes, Ms. Wright sets an early example for her pupils to follow decades later.



(Note: I recently noticed that Beyonce samples Betty in her latest cd.)"