Search - :: Wham - If You Were There: The Best Of

Fairly The Edge Of Heaven

Michael Kerner | Brooklyn, New York U.S.A. | 12/18/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I always seem to not realize why good and adequate acts, have albums that have tracks that are overshadowed, especially greatest hits albums. That has been the case with so many acts, no matter what the case is. For one of those artists of the 80's, Wham! with George Michael and Andrew Ridgely is no acception. Although they've had very gracious pop songs, they just have hit the nail on the head when it absolutely comes to a definitive hits package. Not only that, all of the greatest hits packages are released overseas, and not even one that is inexpensive for U.S. buyers. This package is almost the edge of heaven, but could've used more.



The Best Of Wham!: If You Were There... Is a detailed reflection of one of the best teen acts of the 80's. The songs here have all been remastered and restored very well, for a much better sound quality. The album includes some great songs like The Edge Of Heaven, Young Guns (Go For It), Club Tropicana, and their catchy #1 smash Wake Me Up Before You Go Go. Nevertheless, while there are so many good songs here, there is always the feeling that something is completely overshadowed here. The collection does overlook a couple of great Wham! gems, surprisingly the mellow and beautifully conjured Careless Whisper, and Bad Boys from their very first album, instead of featuring remixed versions of some of their songs.



This really isn't really a must buy for die hard George Michael fans, but considering there aren't any hits packages of Wham!! that'll ever be issued in the U.S. only right now, this might have to do. The Best Of Wham!: If You Were There... is a fair record, but not quite the edge of heaven.



Album Cover: B



Songs: C+



Price: C



Remastering: B-



Overall: C"

Why waste CD time on remixes and omit "Careless Whisper" is

capaBILLity | Somewhere Out There, NJ USA | 12/17/2005

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Gee,the CD seemed fine. My favorites are here. "Everything She Wants" (original),"Freedom","Young Guns (Go For It)","Where Did Your Heart Go?","Careless Whisper"...hey,wait a second..."Careless Whisper" ain't on here. The ultimate George Michael/Wham! ballad and this is supposed to be a greatest hits album and that song missed? "A Different Corner" also? Because of stupid remixes of "I'm Your Man" & "Everything She Wants"? Huh,I rather listen to ANDREW RIDGELEY's solo album than those remixes. Really! Psyche!"

Good, but not the "Best"

Yamato | Seattle, WA | 03/31/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'll be honest. I didn't need this. I have all Wham! albums, but I had to have this becuase I had to have all Wham! albums.



This curiously titled "The Best of Wham!" contains many singles and non-single tracks from "Make It Big." Plus, the remix of "I'm Your Man" and "Everything She Wants."



The remix is not as good as original though I enjoyed the different twists to the tracks.



"Careless Whisper" is not included in this collection because it was released as George Michael's solo single in the UK.



Including two non-single tracks from "Make It Big," "If You Were There" and "Like A Baby" was a good choice.



A single "Bad Boys" were not included in this collection and I was ok with it.



But, "The Final" which was never released in the US, but available as imports, is absolutely the BEST. If you don't have to have Wham!'s all albums, skip this, and buy "The Final.""