Jennifer Holliday - The Best of Jennifer Holliday

Holliday's Roof-Raising Voice Is Always Worth a Listen Even When the Material Falters

I was fortunate to see Jennifer Holliday's legendary performance as Effie Melody White in Michael Bennett's original production of "Dreamgirls", and just last month, a quarter century later, in a solo performance in the rotunda of the San Francisco City Hall as the headliner for the 2007 Equality Awards. Her full-throttle, gospel-fueled voice was a marvel then and it still is now. Even though it has been superseded by the Millennium Collection, this 1996 compilation is still worth seeking out for several tracks not available on the later release. It should come as no surprise that the two best known songs from "Dreamgirls" are still her finest moments on record simply because they fit the contours of her outsized voice and often theatrical delivery - the conciliatory urgency of "I Am Changing" and of course, her do-or-die signature anthem, "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going". Not even Jennifer Hudson's superb cover can approach the heightened emotional desperation and roof-raising volume that Holliday delivers.

It seems inevitable and something of a shame that the rest of her recorded output feels somewhat marginal despite often stellar vocal performances. Holliday was surrounded by grade-A talent like David Foster and Maurice White during the 1980's, when most of these songs were obviously recorded. However, most of the results now sound over-arranged and often dated. Pulsating disco beats saturate unmemorable tracks like "Just Let Me Wait", the echo-dominated "No Frills Love", and "Heart on the Line", while "Hard Times for Lovers" just sounds like generic, synth-saturated filler. "This Game of Love (I'm Never Coming Down)" is pure Ashford and Simpson with its hooks and hiccupping rhythm, and Dean Pitchford and Tom Snow's "Read It in My Eyes" sounds like a mix between Chaka Khan's "Through the Fire" and Christopher Cross's "Arthur's Theme" down to the melancholy trumpet solo.

When Holliday's voice is allowed to soar unencumbered by multi-tracking, the results can be sublime - the lush power ballad, "I Am Love"; the gospel-tinged "I'm on Your Side", and the quiet storm of "Say You Love Me". Easily the most impressive non-Effie track is the most elegant as she wraps her sizable voice with supple conviction around a sauntering cover of Duke Ellington's "Come Sunday". Probably to make the disc sound less like an eighties time capsule, there are three remixed dance-oriented tracks included, the so-called "Love to Infinity 96" sessions - a hyped-up, clubby version of "No Frills Love"; a sassy cover of the Bee Gees' oldie "Love Me"; and the more generic "Early Warning". An unreleased track from 1983, Maurice White's "Someday", is a nice if overproduced R&B cut. Holliday's recording career has been hamstrung by such excess behind the scenes, but as "Come Sunday" proves, she really could soar with more timeless material. Her voice is a true force of nature. March 16, 2007

Excellent compilation of key tracks from this stellar vocalist

Jennifer Holliday is well represented in her prime with this compilation of hits and key tunes along with a few extras.

This compilation includes her two biggest hits from her Tony Award winning stint in Broadway's Dreamgirls as well as her pop and R&B hits from the 80s and very early 90s. One strange omission is the poignant "A Dream With Your Name On It" from her sole Arista LP I'm On Your Side, but this was likely due to licensing (most of the material included here are tracks from Jennifer's tenure with Geffen Records) so I reckon the label did not want to shell out for any more songs than they had to! Still, this song would have been an excellent inclusion as it is a Jennifer Holliday fan favourite.

One wonderful inclusion is the album track "Read It In My Eyes" which was not a hit but would've been well deserving of the title. Another great find is the previously-unreleased track "Someday" which apparently was left over from the sessions to Jennifer's debut LP Feel My Soul.

The collection is rounded out with a remix of "No Frills Love" where Jen shouts for days! "Love Me" and "Early Warning" are two other tracks released for the first time on this compilation and are pleasant but not essential tunes and will likely not appear on any future compilations.

All in all, this collection is an essential for any Jennifer Holliday fan and will certainly make a fan out of any new listeners who will be instantly mesmerized by the power, expression, personality, passion, and raw beauty of Jennifer's voice, as well as the strength of the songwriting and production throughout the songs on this disc. This is probably one of the finest greatest hits albums that I own and is most definitely a shining moment in Jennifer's career. February 5, 2007

Best of Jennifer Holiday Review

I primarily purchased this item for one particular song: "And I'm Telling You" from the original Broadway play, "Dreamgirls". I thoroughly enjoyed it...just wish it was a longer song! January 20, 2007

Jennifer's Review

The album was indeed what i expected of her. I know she is a talented artist and is capable of tearing down the roof. There were songs on the album I did not know she sang. I am indeed pleased with my purchase. January 15, 2007

Amazing Voice

As one of the earlier post mentioned i too saw jennifer on the tony awards show from the uk on some cable channel. You can still see this and many other performances of Jennifer on youtube.com. Jennifers voice is remarkable, her tone, power and phrasing are so unique that nobody could come close to singing a song like she can. The emotion is remarkable and if you like big voice divas then you cant get much better than this. Its a shame she wasnt surrounded by better producers and song writers that could have given her a bigger catalouge of songs but she has still managed to capture the hearts of many fans. The ballads are Jennifers showcase on this album. I am love and I am changing do her voice justice. If you havent heard her sing then give it a go you wont regret it. Lets hope she gets more exposure with the new dreamgirls show coming out and releases more material. Until then get this album. April 23, 2006

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