Search - Gladys Knight & Pips :: Collector's Edition 1-3

Smooth as Butter, but Supremely Soulful

Habatwa V. Mweene | Lusaka, Zambia | 08/05/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is not possible to over-praise this collection. Gladys Knight has had a long career and her music has passed through many phases. But personally, the phase reflected in the music in this collection is my favourite. The albums she produced under Van McCoy were superlative - you could never find a bad cut on them. She also sang some memorable songs penned by Jim Weatherly. The numbers in this collection have a winning combination of ingredients - the emotion-laden voice of Gladys Knight, the wonderful backing harmonies of the Pips and the string-based, sometimes lush, instrumentation to which the songs, especially the smooth ballads, are so well suited. My only gripe is that some of my absolute favourites are missing from the collection. For example, where is "Butterly?". But this is is still a collection to buy and to enjoy for the rest of one's life."

A true collector's edition.

Blackworm | 11/18/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"On this boxed set, there were a lot of songs that I didn't recognize, but there were a lot that I did. Gladys and the Pips solidify their space as one of soul's first families. The funky cuts were on point, and classics like "Midnight Train To Georgia", and, my personal favorite, "Baby Don't Change Your Mind", continues to move me, but, it was the ballads that made my hairs stand on end. She gave each song a personal touch that I can't imagine anyone else trying to duplicate. Her slow songs are the topper on this cake, and that makes this collection that much sweeter."