Kim Carnes - The Best of Kim Carnes

"Thanks, Randy. What about you, Paula?"

First of all, there seems to be a debate about whether this CD is the "Best Of..." or "Greatest Hits Of..." or what. I don't know; I just know that the 10 tracks include everything of Kim's that I am familiar with except her duet with Barbra Streisand, "Make No Mistake, He's Mine". (That's a shame, but...) Most of the tracks are successfully realized, with a couple that are just sort of strange.

The CD opens with the mother of all Kim Carnes hits, "Bette Davis Eyes". If possible, it sounds even better with today's technology than it did in 1981. However, in all honesty the real draw for me is "More Love". From the synth intro, through the Thelma Houston-style lead-in, the lyrics, the vocal and the hot sax - talk about your blue-eyed soul! This is it! "Draw of the Cards" is not one of the best - in fact, it's pretty odd - but the synths, bass and guitar give it a bluesy rock vibe. Also in the rock area we find "Cry Like a Baby", a cover of the BoxTops 60's hit that's pretty rousing, with a dash of gospel replacing the psychedelic feel. "Invisible Hands" is very danceable early 80's pop-rock. "Voyeur" is another moody, synth-based 80's pop-rock track with interesting sensual lyrics. "Crazy in the Night" - I can't begin to imagine what inspired this. To me, it is just strange.

Then there are the ballads. Of course, "Don't Fall in Love With a Dreamer", the duet with Kenny Rogers, is very powerful, a soft-rock classic inclined toward country music. The other two, "Does It Make You Remember" and "It Hurt So Bad", are solid ballads which also lean toward country.

The variety of material on such a short (39 minute) CD can be disconcerting, but overall the tracks are well done, so it is definitely worth your while. I feel Kim is at her most authentic in the country ballads. If she were an American Idol contestant and I were a judge, I'd tell her to define herself in that direction. BUT - her biggest hits were a soul cover ("More Love") and a new wave contrivance ("Bette Davis Eyes"). So what do I know? May 3, 2008

The Best Of Kim Carnes

Hi, this cd of Kim Carnes is a very good cd it has all her best songs on it. December 15, 2007

Betty Davis Eyes

Just bought it for this one song, Betty Davis Eyes. The other songs are good but really just like the one song. September 3, 2007

Excellent Seller

Item arrived on time, in excellent condition, easy to buy. Highly recommend. November 10, 2006

Better than J. Collins "stoned-soul"

With all-Due-Respect to J. Collins "stoned-soul" I think that this person has it all wrong.

Why does a performer have to have 20 years in to have, what they call, "Greatest Hits". How many performers have 20 years worth of hits ?

Perry Como (30) ? Barry Manilow (20) ?

The Beatles were'nt in for 20 years as a group but no-one will argue that they have "Greatest Hits".

I think that the J. Collins review is wrong.

A hit-is-a-hit-is-a-hit.
August 18, 2006

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