Search - Buffy Sainte-Marie :: Best of 1

I hate giving it a "4", because BUFFY HERSELF is a "5"

Daniel Mackler | www.iraresoul.com | 11/25/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"there are some truly wonderful songs on here, but the compilation also puts on a lot of schloc. almost all of her later work, i feel, is terrible - all her synthetic stuff, ick! and there's a fair amount of it on here. i've owned this album (in record form) for five or six years, and there are just some songs NOT WORTH EVER LISTENING TO.



now, all that said, for the wonderful songs on here, the ones with buffy and a guitar (and sometimes with her bass player), they are just wonderful, truly a powerful musical and emotional experience. universal soldier is up there with the best of em, as in "now that the buffalo's gone" and "my country tis of thy people you're dying" and "many a mile." buffy is raw power, and don't be fooled, she's one hell of a talented musician as well, highly sophisticated both in voice and on guitar.



she's raw woman, raw human, just raw! (but that later stuff, god, what was she thinking?)"

Buffy's Best: Better than Most

Timothy J. Slivinski | 10/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Buffy Sainte-Marie is an acquired taste. Some are put off by the quaver in her voice; others object to her politicizing of music; still others find her jumping around from one music genre to another a bit odd. Nonetheless, she is a stupendous talent, and this collection showcases all the above. The anger evident in "My Country Tis of Thy People You're Dying" is a stinging indictment of American treatment of native American cultures. "Uuniversal Soldier" is a classic anti-war anthem. "Codine" is haunting in the reality that Buffy's voice brings to it. For those who like a little Nashville sound, "I'm Gonna Be A Country Girl Again" (which, though released as a single several times steadfastly refused to become a hit) and "Soulful Shade of Blue" are beautiful country tributes. Of course, the collection wouldn't be complete without Buffy Sainte-Marie's own version of the classic "Until It's Time For You To Go." So many more could be singled out for their beauty or for their uniqueness. Suffice it to say that this a great introduction to Buffy Sainte-Marie's songbook. Though a bit scattered in organization of tracks--as other reviewers have stated--it is still a fine tribute to a multi-talented musician who is far too silent today."

Timeless, enlightening and entertaining...a classic album.

Timothy J. Slivinski | 09/12/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"No other entertainer has ever moved me as deeply and as consistently as Buffy Sainte Marie."The Best of Buffy Sainte-Marie" compact disc is one of the great values in prerecorded music. The 24 tracks offer 65minutes and 12 seconds of the most varied and brilliantly performed songs a mortal could hope to hear.I can't think of another album that manages to enlighten the listener on so many varied themes: war, genocide, drugs, patriotism, love lost and found, religion, life choices, commerce, urban sprawl, prejudice and faith yet emphasizing and celebrating the joy of living.Buffy's voice is a national treasure, and her exquisitely arranged backgrounds perfectly frame her unique and compelling singing.I've had the great fortune to see and hear her in concert several times in my life and thank god this greatest hits album is always available to help me relive the magic."