Melanie was the Jewel of the Woodstock Generation. Like her three-decades-down-the-road heir, the woman born Melanie Safka made a quick splash as a radio-friendly singer-songwriter. Something of a male Donovan (what is thi... more »s, no-surname syndrome?), Melanie took hits (like Jewel, too) for delivering what critics considered hippie-dippy platitudes. (She came to resent her "bliss ninny" image and rebelled against it following her late-'60s, early-'70s heyday.) But, also like Donovan, Melanie's best songs have aged nicely, thanks in large part to her knack for integrating her distinctive rasp into ingratiating hooks and solid folk-rock arrangements. Alternating between melismatic sing-alongs ("Lay Down," here in unedited seven-minute-plus form, her splendid cover of "Ruby Tuesday," "What Have They Done to My Song, Ma?") and precious novelty numbers ("The Nickel Song," "Brand New Key," "Animal Crackers"), Melanie wrote her own little bit of pop history, which is celebrated in this worthy 19-song retrospective. All the hits are here, remastered by art-rock avatar Robert Fripp. --Steven Stolder« less
Melanie was the Jewel of the Woodstock Generation. Like her three-decades-down-the-road heir, the woman born Melanie Safka made a quick splash as a radio-friendly singer-songwriter. Something of a male Donovan (what is this, no-surname syndrome?), Melanie took hits (like Jewel, too) for delivering what critics considered hippie-dippy platitudes. (She came to resent her "bliss ninny" image and rebelled against it following her late-'60s, early-'70s heyday.) But, also like Donovan, Melanie's best songs have aged nicely, thanks in large part to her knack for integrating her distinctive rasp into ingratiating hooks and solid folk-rock arrangements. Alternating between melismatic sing-alongs ("Lay Down," here in unedited seven-minute-plus form, her splendid cover of "Ruby Tuesday," "What Have They Done to My Song, Ma?") and precious novelty numbers ("The Nickel Song," "Brand New Key," "Animal Crackers"), Melanie wrote her own little bit of pop history, which is celebrated in this worthy 19-song retrospective. All the hits are here, remastered by art-rock avatar Robert Fripp. --Steven Stolder
"I bought this cd mostly for "The Nickel Song" which I happen to think is a terrific view of life in any sort of business. I really didn't expect to like the other cuts, having stated I'm not a Melanie fan.But guess what - I did. I had forgotten how amazing "(Lay Down) Candles in The Rain" sounded, how the gospel singers and Melanies voice worked so well together. And I even sort of like "Brand New Key" now that they don't play it on the radio station every 20 minutes. My only complaint was "Lover's Cross" - I much prefer that by Jim Croce, but considering I didn't expect to like the rest of the cd except for "The Nickel Song", I was quite surprised.If you're a fan, buy this cd - the sound is wonderul and her voice is clear and pure on it. If you're a wishy washy fan as I was, buy it anyway and enjoy it - you'll probably be surprised how much you like Melanie's music. I know I was."
An American Treasure
K. Glenn | Arizona, USA | 12/09/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Melanie's been discounted unjustly over the years as a hippie flower child of the Woodstock era, mainly because of her record label's marketing but also because of her many peace songs and earthy style. This is unfortunate because Melanie is a songwriter of incredible style and wit and no one out there sounds quite like she does. This collection spans just about her entire career from the fans' favorite, "Beautiful People," which was her first single, through the quirky number 1 single of 1971, "Brand New Key," which many feel doomed her as a cute, one hit wonder, through a couple 1990s tracks, "Summer of Love," and "I Will Get Over." Melanie's other big hit, "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)," is here as well and what a song it is even today. The arrangement still sounds fresh in the year 2000 and Melanie's vocals are downright inspired and inspiring. A couple of cuts from her incredible but neglected 1974 album, "Madrugada," are included as well. "Love to Lose Again," should have been a huge hit for Melanie and her rendition of Jim Croce's, "Lover's Cross," is second to none. This is the compilation CD, along with 1999's, "Ring the Living Bell," to have of all of the compilation CDs out there of Melanie's music because it has been digitally recorded from the masters so the songs are as clear and resonant as Melanie's powerful voice."
"Animal Crackers are in this year..."
Megg | Napa, CA | 04/15/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"WOW! I first heard MELANIE, when I bought the Boogie Nights Soundtrack, and heard "Brand New Key"and it was a song that was easy to learn and fun to sing, and my roomates and I sang it ALL over at our Art School. And its somethig we still laugh about. It wasnt until I bought the ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY : 1970 variety CD, and heard "LAY DOWN (candles in the rain) " that I realized, it wasnt at ALL about the simplicity in learning her lyrics, but the way her music just seems to wiggle its way into your life and nuzzle up to your heart. I have NEVER EVER in my entire life, heard a song, or voice, that makes me want to crawl up in bed and write in my journal, and then cry, and not shave my legs, and grow my hair long, and protest everything, and love everyone, and at the same time, just BE....BE content, BE happy, BE sad.........simply BE me. This CD will make you want to move around , and do ANYTHING BUT listen, because you will be petrified to let the words in, seeing how the melody, clings to your soul, and shakes it to the very core, and makes you feel as though you cant breathe. Yes...you should buy this CD, but only if you intend on expanding your CD collection with ALL of her CD'S, because MELANIE is the curve in my smile. She does that too you......listen to her, SHE will change your senses, and make you whole."
Digitalized, Re-Energized Melanie
Megg | 07/23/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Finally, a compilation of Melanie's music that has been re-mastered digitally from the original masters, and apparently, from some masters that have just recently been discovered after being feared lost. What a joy it is to listen to some of these old chestnuts in brilliant stereo with crystal clear sound quality. In addition, there is a new cut of her fairly recent, "Summer of Love," which is quite good (though we'll let slide the kitchy faux audience cheering near the end), and the re-mixed, "I Will Get Over," from her 1993 effort, "Freedom Knows My Name." One wonders about the possibilities of commercial success if that entire album had been mixed as beautifully and professionally as this cut has been.The joy in this compilation CD, though, is how absolutely fresh all of the songs sound, and most of the songs are 20 to 30 years old! Now: Melanie's fans could use a compilation album of her more obscure songs that are loved as much as these. Re-mastered digitally, of course! And how about a collection of her unreleased recordings? Their existance is well known and Melanie's fans won't rest until they are released on a collection as well. Re-mastered digitally, of course. How about it?"
Tuneful pop, singalong ballads, and real soul
Pieter | Johannesburg | 06/11/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
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The stylistic variety on this compilation reveals the versatility of this singer-songwriter who made her mark in the early 1970s. There is genuine soul in her great hit Lay Down (Candles In The Rain), an inspiring arrangement with lovely vocals. The rousing Ring The Living Bell is an anthemic song with a strong melody, whilst What Have They Done To My Song is a typical pop-folk ballad from the era, something that Francois Hardy or Marianne Faithfull might have done.
The novelty numbers Brand New Key and Nickel Song are quirky and tuneful, quite addictive, in fact. The highlight is Melanie's version of Ruby Tuesday, a stellar performance, very mature, elegant and authentic. The moving Beautiful People is the song that made her famous at Woodstock in 1969.
This is a great mix of folkie ballads, soulful rock and quirky pop. Don't be put off by the flowergirl image, this woman had real talent as songwriter but also in her impressive vocal skills. Not everything here is 5-star material, but the aforementioned songs prove that Melanie's legacy, although small, is worthwhile and very enjoyable today.