Brian M. Coffee | Philadelphia, PA United States | 11/08/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have been updating my TP collection this year. This is the best yet that I have come across. The audio quality is pristine and it includes some of the older as well as newer stuff. It's nice that they included some of his hits that he did with the Blue Notes. This compilation also shows how TP could go from old school soul songs to funky dance tunes. His biggest draw was that of a lady's man. This nicknamed him Teddy Tender the female bender. TP was perhaps the only r&b artist to go on tour a feature a ladies only night at big arenas is various cities! Who knows how far his career would have gone if he was crippled by the car accident. Teddy is one of the big name singers from the Philly Sound era. This is an era of r&b music that like Motown will never be repeated! It's that good! Get this cd! It's that good!"
And they do mean Essential!!!!!
M. Shelton | Charlotte, NC | 11/16/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Sony has revived the Philadelphila International label & this is one of the first releases. (the other is Essential Lou Rawls, which is very choice by the way!!) Included here are all the long versions from previous releases of Teddy as well as the Harold Melvin collections. 145mins of nothing but the truth!!! Including the extended versions of Wake Up Everybody(yes the Jahim sample!!), original version of Don't Leave Me This Way, etc. all remastered, in it's musical glory!! Bonus is the cd has the P.I.R. logo & color on the disk. I cannot wait for future releases from Sony/P.I.R. Thank you Sony music!!!!!"
Classic Songs
mistermaxxx@yahoo.com | usa | 02/21/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"this is probably the best overall collection on Teddy Pendergrass yet. all the extended versions and the soulful feelings from the songs and sentiments which still hit. great Production and strong songwriting. Teddy pendergrass is One of the most underrated Soulful Giants ever. this collection is very soulful and on time."
"THIS GIFT OF LIFE...I TREASURE IT ABOVE EVERYTHING"
D THRILL | PG County, MD | 01/14/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I usually don't do reviews of compilation albums, but with the passing of one of my favorite singers of all time Teddy Pendergass, I felt a need to do a special review. I remember when I was a kid, every weekend my mom would play different records from the 70's all day. Isley Brothers, Earth, Wind & Fire, Marvin Gaye and countless others would blast in my living room while my mom would sing along, foot tap and sometimes get up and cut a rug. As I got to my early teenage years, records had faded out and tapes and CD's were the mainstream. So I remember buying a Teddy Pendergrass Greatest Hits CD I saw on BET one night for her birthday. Once it arrived, she listened to it maybe 2 times all the way through before I claimed it for myself. Anytime I wanted to hear real soul music I would pop that Teddy P in. No matter what situation I was going through in my teenage years, I had a Teddy P song that could make me see things differently. Breakups, makeups and just overall love, Teddy P had the right song for every situation. Even today I sometimes sing "When Somebody Loves You Back" to myself when I'm feeling happy. I'm not going to do a eulogy or history of his life. If you want that go to Wikipedia. This is Amazon and I'm doing a review of "The Essential Teddy Pendergrass".
One of the injustices is that Teddy Pendergrass never one a Grammy. Teddy had one of the most distinct voices ever. The strength in his voice and the power in his lyrics made him standout amongst the heavyweight of his time (Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Marvin Gaye) This was evident in his early days as a member of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes. He was brought in as a drummer but was called up to sing lead on "If You Don't Know Me By Know" and "The Love I Lost". But my favorite is "I Miss You". That's where you see the real power and emotion in his voice. By time he went solo, he already had a very strong fan base and he didn't disappoint with hits "Close The Door, Turn Off The Lights & Love TKO". But the songs that really stood out most for me were "You're My Latest, My Greatest Inspiration, Come Go With Me & The Whole Towns Laughing At Me". The song I think that sums up Teddy's life is "This Gift Of Life". A revelation song released after his near fatal car accident in 1982.
This is a very good compilation CD. Its the best I seen since that one I had 15 years ago. However, just like every greatest hits CD, this is not perfect. People will always argue about what songs should have been added and which ones should have been left off. I think "Somebody Told Me" & "Only You" should have been replaced with "Live Without Your Love" & "Can We Try". Also like another reviewer mentioned I wish this CD was in chronological order. To see how he grew from with Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes to the early 90's.
Teddy Pendergrass has inspired so many other artist. From Luther Vandross to Jaheim, they have all benefited from Teddy's style. His songs have been sampled by hip hop acts like Ghostface, Little Brother, Mobb Deep and many more. His music was considered "raunchy" thirty years ago. He told women exactly what he wanted and if she didn't do it fast enough, he would yell it again. Nobody does that anymore. Maybe its just a coincidence but its funny how the "baby boom" of the 70's happened at the same time as when Teddy was on top of his game. That's true baby making music there. R.I.P Teddy!!!
"
Excellent Release
Dorrie Wheeler | 12/02/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Teddy Pendergrass is one of the most beloved R&B singers from the late 70's and early 80's. Although a car accident would leave him a paraplegic, that didn't stop Teddy from performing or keep his fans away. Legacy Recordings has released a special two disc collection titled "The Essential Teddy Pendergrass." The two disc release features 28 of Teddy's most beloved hit songs. Songs included on the release include "Close The Door," "Love T.K.O.," "Get Up, Get Down," and many other hits. The release also includes Teddy's duet with Stephanie Mills "Feel The Fire," and his collaboration with Whitney Houston "Hold Me." The CD was produced by Gamble & Huff. In addition to the 28 re-mastered hit songs, "The Essential Teddy Pendergrass," includes rare photos and an essay."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1
