Melanie : She is SO FINE!!!
Dennis Lee Cleven | Madison, WI | 09/21/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The price is a real bargain for so many great songs by one of the greatest singer/songwriters that ever came out of Woodstock. This CD showcases a wide range of songs that are from years ago along with brand new songs. The sound quality is superb and while the songs were recorded in the studio, there is a live feeling to most of them that is wonderfully vibrant. Melanie puts her all into these tracks and the results make this album a definite "must have". If you are unfamiliar with Melanie, this is an excellent introduction. All of the songs are current recordings and time has not diminished the amazing voice that Melanie has. She can sing a tender ballad and belt out a rock song. She crosses genres with ease. "Solo Powered" is a wonderful album. It is most definitely worth having. You will not regret buying this one."
Yet ANOTHER compilation
Phil | Australia | 10/14/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Here is yet another of the endless stream of early Melanie compilations. This of course has the latest reworkings. Where are the many brilliant albums? All the albums from 1976 (or 74) to 1985? There are a few tracks from these, but they never seem as good as the originals, in Melanie's case. What's wrong with the record companies? Why isn't Melanie pushing to get them released? Don't people realize how well they would resell on CD? And don't they realize how sick and fed up we are all getting with constant compilation releases?
I know these are mostly great songs however, and Melanie wishes to keep her early work at the forefront of each new generation of listeners, and she never tires of performing them. However something is screwy here, and it seems the only way I will ever see 10 years of brilliant work on CD is to make up my own from my old LPs.
I understand "Photograph" has been released from 1976, 29 years later, as a remastered CD. So maybe it's a good sign. Though at $30 (Aust) it's hardly a bargain price, no matter how good the album is. And it is very, very good however. Good being an understatement.
Anyhow, if you don't have these songs, or are an avid collector, then of course you would want this CD. I've been into Melanie for 30 years, collecting every album I could, as I was never disappointed by the content. These days however I've lost interest to the point where I wouldn't even check out a new release, especially another compilation. That's not to say Melanie is washed up. I'm sure she still has it in her to write more good music. And I'm still on the lookout for the lost decade of albums on CD. That was her in her prime. Family life and raising children obviously agreed with her.
If I could offer any advice I'd tell her to concentrate on producing good new material, and leave the past behind, which seems an obsession. How many comps do we need? It's positively robotic! Borg Melanie? Anyway she carries with her legions of adoring fans, who these days however are a little bit less awestruck and a bit more analytical and nonchalant about life.
I was seduced by Melanie's music for a long time. I thought it was just her and me, and a few other great artists. A concert she gave in Adelaide, South Australia, was Heaven on Earth, and the epitome of a life then filled without meaning."
Unplugged, Sincere and Compelling
Jeff Feezle | Indiana | 01/08/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Melanie Safka has one of the most unique and recognizable voices in folk/Pop music. It is a comforting combination of Joni Mitchell's warble, and the self-assurance of Joan Baez. And man, can she hold a note!! Even 25 years after Woodstock, her voice is as clear and sharp as it ever was. While most of her popular singles tended to be fairly simple sounding, they weren't very indicative of the range and emotion that this artist strives to put forth in every song. It is obvious that each song is a painting to her: one that is constantly being honed to be heard with proper intent.
This 2 cd set is astounding: there is no evidence at all that Melanie has missed a note, or beat. The great anthem: Lay Down/ Candles in the Rain sums up her life-long goal of peace. There is a clearly emotive `Beautiful People' version that will melt your heart. Not all of these songs are folk ballads, however, as evidenced by my favorite Melanie cut: `Cyclone' which is a great song that never saw the light of day on the radio. It is only found on the newly released `Photograph' limited release. Get it, while it is still in production.
You really get your money's worth here: 34 songs, mixed impeccably. Often 6 and 12 string guitars are muddied, but this is not the case here: they ring when they need to ring, and are muted when the mood is muted. Most of the songs on here are live unplugged versions with sparse accompaniment. That puts the focus on Melanie's voice, which is alluring and fresh, even after all these years.
I looked forward to this `Unplugged' compilation for a long time, and was not a bit disappointed after listening to it. On the contrary, every song has heart and is neither overdone, nor oversang. Instead, they have the sweet voice of conviction, sincerity and peaceful love that Melanie is know for.
"
Track Listings (18) - Disc #1