The Commodores - Anthology

Brick Houses

The Soul & R&B today doesn't really have a unique distinction for what made the sights and sounds of the classic Motown era. It definitely is quite a shame, because there are so many people in this generation who are more interested in Lindsay Lohan, Ashanti, and Beyonce' that haven't discovered classic soul from one of the most legendary eras. The same is sadly said for The Commodores. Throughout three decade of Funk, Soul, Pop, and R&B, Lionel Richie, Walter Orange and company have made some of the most irrestible hits ever showcased. Their unique blends of harmonies and songs have truly shaped the era of feel good music, and now it is stretched into one unique anthology.

The Commodores: Anthology is a well-recognized reflection of one of the most unique acts to have ever discovered out of the 70's. The double album deliver well in showcasing the classic Motown vibe, and reintroducing so much from classics of the past. The collection includes some great guilty pleasure delights like the classic party track Brick House, Lady (You Bring Me Up), their breakthrough smash Machine Gun, and laid back mellow ballads like Easy, Still, Just To Be Close To You, and the soulful Three Times A Lady. The album does a great job delivering everything that The Commodores had from beginning to end, while letting listeneres have a vivid imagination to Funk, Soul and Pop into one. Not bad for a group of guys from Tuskegee, Alabama.

The Commodres: Anthology is a fantastic compilation for die hard Motowns fanatics, and Commodres followers young and old. It is definitely worth the purchase. Howvever, if you are not interested into this great double disc storyteller, I definitely would suggest their '97 Ultimate Collection instead.

Album Cover: B+

Songs: B+

Price: A-

Remastering: B 1/2+

Overall: B+ April 11, 2006

Solid, Festering Funk...

Mid-tempo grooves, poignant slow jams and the tasty love songs! Over the years, Motown has made some major missteps when re-issuing classic music, but this time around they actually hit the Bulleye! Even if you weren't around when these guys originally laid this material down, you can still enjoy it. If you want to catch Lionel before he became the "lovey dovey pop musical king" of the 80's, then you need to cop this double disc set of pure "Commodore" Heaven.

It is continuous enjoyment and listening pleasure...from the ever chart popular songs: Brickhouse, Lady (You Bring Me Up), Sweet Love and Night Shift to the less radio played but nonetheless spittin' fire tunes: High on Sunshine, Say Yeah, Fancy Dancer and Come Inside! Just check the harmonizning on "High On Sunshine." Phew! There is but one song missing I would have loved to have in the collection and that is the dynamite instrumental "Rapid Fire" from their "Machine Gun" album.

Nevertheless, you can not go wrong purchasing this package of pure, smoldering, TNT! I guarantee, you'll either be blowing the roof off the sucker, grooving and swaying or simply chilling depending upon what song is playing. I can guarantee you this too, when you do listen, you will not be disappointed and you'll take a trip to your past, while enjoying the present! Also, for a "live" feel of these fellas..pick up there "Commodores Live" Cd. I waited years for that gem to be re-issued and it was worth the very long wait!
July 21, 2005

Consumate Pop/Funk Band

The Commodores were the consumate Pop/Funk Dance music band that had it all... The Look, the voices, the harmonies, the horns... All of it in a tight knit, correographed musical explosion! They covered a wide range of musical styles from laid back get your groove on music to full tilt Bumpin' it into the night jams... November 14, 2004

Excellent!

This anthology of the Commodores is everything it should be and more. I will say that Lionel Richie was at his best with the Commodores and by the same token, THEY were at their best before he left! So many great songs on here, the most complete Commodores compilation. A must for 70's r & b/soul/funk lovers! September 15, 2004

Lionel & his boys anthology

Lionel Richies commodores were a strong crew back in the day. I like the way they could combine funk with jazz and soulful love songs, and this two disc anthology gives a great overview of their many faces and styles. So many classic cuts here, disc one has stuff like `Sweet Love', `Just To Be Close To You', and that awesome groove `Zoom'... Its probably more funky than disc two, where we slowly see Lionels vision taking over the crew. All the classic cuts are here, `Easy', `Three Times A Lady', `Sail On', and one of my personal pics, `Still'. What a beautiful song that is. How Lionel Richie created all these great melodies I'll never know, he was bad back then. `Oh No' really does capture the pain & hurt of seeing someone you love with someone else.

The best thing about all these songs are for once they are in rare full-length form, which adds a new dimension for people who are only familiar with the usual radio edits. Although I was frustrated to see one of my cuts `Wonderland' missing, otherwise this double album is as complete a job as any Commodores look back has ever done. We even get some post-Richie stuff like the classic Marvin Gaye tribute `Night Train'. Overall this is a great double album, essential music for any fan of black music, what a group the Commodores were, they created some truly beautiful & timeless music. May 14, 2004

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