Awesome--strawsome
Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 04/30/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Ultimate Collection 100 Hits: Seventies is an underrated 5 CD box set that truly has something for everyone who likes the great sounds of the 1970s. The quality of the sound on all 5 discs is excellent; and the artwork is very nicely done. We also get a liner notes booklet with the song credits and the year each song was produced. Overall, if you like `70s music, you really should get this box set.
There's so much I scarcely know where to begin. Everybody will think each CD has its own different set of highlights because each disc has more than one type of music on it. I will try my best to give you the highlights of each CD with a few words about the song.
CD # 1:
Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive." How's about that dramatic piano solo at the very beginning? This disco tune gets airplay even today. Great for dancing--anytime.
Kool & The Gang doing "Ladies Night." Great disco tune with a catchy beat that would make even the dead tap their feet to their rhythm. And wow, how they sing this flawlessly!
James Brown's "Get Up Offa That Thing." Now THAT's what I call music!
Wild Cherry's "Play That Funky Music." Awesome-strawsome!
The Hues Corporation's "Rock The Boat." Excellent disco/dance tune, has it lost its luster? Nope! They score big in my book any day.
The Temptations' "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone." Incredible musical effects and the brass works very well in the arrangement--still memorable after all these years.
Third World's "Now That We Found Love" has a terrific impact--strong! And how's about "Sunshine Day" by Osibisa? You won't regret this track.
CD # 2:
The Sweet's "Blockbuster." Talk about electric guitars to rock away the night! This is one song that is NOT to be missed.
Mott The Hoople's "All The Young Dudes." Classic `70s rock. Great guitar work enhances this and puts you in nirvana.
Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama." Just a touch of anger at Neil Young--but did Neil care? Great southern `70s rock--it rarely gets better than this.
Bachman-Turner Overdrive's "You Ain't' Seen Nothin' Yet." Powerful `70s rock with BTO outdoing even themselves. A must-have.
Sham 69's "Hurry Up Harry." They don't mean Harry Potter. Could this be the dawn of punk rock? Anyway you slice it, this AIN'T disco.
Ram Jam's "Black Betty." ROCKIN'!!!
CD # 3:
Labelle's "Lady Marmalade." "Voulez vous coucher avec moi ce soir?" One heck of a $exy French pick-up line set to catchy disco/dance music; it got people up off their seats and dancing in addition to doing, er, something else...
Sly & The Family Stone's "It's A Family Affair." They never sounded so good.
The Jackson 5's "ABC." Teen pop from back in the day--I dare you not to like this one in your heart of hearts!
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles' "The Tears Of A Clown." Ace in the hole--as if they needed one!
Bob & Marica's "To Be Young, Gifted And Black." They were dreaming of an African-American president and that's what they got. Great percussion, and they deliver this faultlessly.
The Rubettes' "Sugar Baby Love." A fine disco tune with something that almost sounds like a side dish of doo-wop. Creative and catchy!
CD # 4:
Tom Jones' "She's A Lady." How the women swoon over this guy! He sings this with all his might; and he never sounded better.
Tammy Wynette's "Stand By Your Man." Maybe it IS sometimes "hard to be a woman;" but ooh, how Tammy made it the romantic thing to do! Country classic gem that could never be forgotten--and an absolute must-have.
Donny Osmond's "Puppy Love." OK, I admit it--I actually LIKE this song. Syrupy sweet but when you're that young and in love, it's all true...and since when did Donny sound any better, by the way?
Lulu's "The Man Who Sold The World." Romantic, sensual and easy on the ear. Great music never steals the show from Lulu.
Julie Covington's "Don't Cry For Me Argentina." Julie's set of pipes makes this a stand-out! Good closing number for the 4th CD.
CD # 5:
M's "Pop Muzik." Early `80s intro, anyone? Not to mention that infectiously catchy beat after the organ at the very beginning...
Steam's masterpiece, "Na Na Hey Hey Goodbye." Why these guys didn't take the credits with their own names puzzles me--tunes rarely get better than this. Enjoy this over and over again!
Mungo Jerry's "In The Summertime." Yep, he's got women on his mind...how can you blame him? That beat amazes me!
Nilsson's "Everybody's Talkin'." Awesome song; emerging artists should be required to study fine music like this timeless number. Great guitar and singing--Bravo!
Bonnie Tyler's "It's A Heartache." Tell me about it. Great song about the angst that can come with love--and Bonnie never sounded better.
Bob Dylan's "You Angel You." Great rock on the softer side of the spectrum. Bob aces this as effortlessly as if it were mere breathing; and that guitar works wonders for this number.
Jim Capaldi's "Love Hurts." Light `70s rock with drums, guitar and percussion--not to mention Jim's wonderful singing. Excelllent!
Overall, this 5 CD box set of 1970s music has it all and any fan of `70s music would do well to get this box set. I highly recommend it. You won't be disappointed!
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