Search - Bananarama :: Very Best of

A missed opportunity

K. Eisenberger | 01/04/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"

This CD could have been so much more but, alas, it ain't much. Aside from the fact that there are several singles missing from the first CD (where's Cheers Then, Hotline To Heaven, Do Not Disturb, A Trick Of The Night, etc ?), the worst part of the VBOB is the remixes. Practically every mix on the CD is terrible or there are better mixes in the Bananarama discography than those included on the extra CD. Case in point: the "I Heard A Rumour Miami Mix" is not one of my favorite. It's positively outdated and cheesy. A much better mix version of IHAR would have been the "Corporation of Bananarama inc" mix, which is a TOTALLY BRILLIANT mix. Probably the best remix done to a Nana song. Then there's the "Nathan Jones" remix, which is the standard extended version when the "Psycho Remix," which is also brilliant, should have been included. Then there's the "Venus Hellfire" remix available on the CD. God, what a terrible remix. This is THE worst remix of a Bananarama song ever. A better choice would have been the "Fire & Brimstone" remix of Venus. The "Hellfire mix" of Venus is DULL! And then they included the "Cruel Summer (Swing Beat Dub)" on the CD which is the dull and lifeless remix of the 1989 version of "Cruel Summer". The original version of "Cruel Summer" is still the best no matter what SAW or others think. It's a classic and the 1989 version of CS is best forgotten. And of all the 20 + mixes "Tripping on Your Love" had, they had to choose the "Euro Trance Mix" which is the dullest mix of all the TOYL mixes. The "Maurice's Wicked Mix" or the "Sweet Exorcist Mix" are killer remixes. And where's the Shep mix of "Preacher Man"? Or the amazing "Love, Truth & Honesty Hot Power" mix? Or any remixes of earlier songs like "Shy Boy," "Really Saying Something" or even "State I'm in" which is better than the single version?All in all, this CD is not worth buying. It's a typical half-hearted effort from London Records, who probably hate Bananarama. And there's too much SAW/Pete Waterman, not enough earlier stuff. Skip it."

Absolute Bananarama Heaven

04/20/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the ultimate Bananarama album comprising of every hit along with a bonus cd of remixes.Remastered versions Cruel Summer,Venus,I Heard A Rumour,I Cant Help It etc...all sound far better than the originals.For anyone contemplating buying this cd set,you most definetly should...It's a limited edition offer so after a while the bonus cd(remixes) will no longer be available.The cd sleeve features a picture of all four members over the years,although the current lineup just consists of Sara and Keren.This compilation sums up the very essential Bananarama material."

2 cds of hits and remixes of the best UK girl group.

K. Eisenberger | Defiance, Ohio United States | 01/22/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This collection of 2 discs features 21 of their hits plus 10 full remixes. The first disc comes with all the classics like "Venus" ,"I Heard A Rumour" and "Cruel Summer"- their only top 40 hits in the USA. Then you get classic hits like "Robert DeNiro's Waiting","Shy Boy","Really Saying Something" ,"Na Na Hey Hey(Kiss Him Goodbye)" and "Rough Justice" with their work by producers Tony Swain & Steve Jolley. Then with HUGE producers Stock Aitken & Waterman the hits "Love In The First Degree","I Want You Back ","Movin' On","More More More","Nathan Jones " and "Love , Truth & Honesty".Plus you get their song with Jennifer Saunders & Kathy Burke for Comic relief with The Beatles "Help". The second disc is the remixes of some of their best songs. The remixes are "Venus"(Hellfire Mix-9:21),"Love In The First Degree"(Eurobeat Style Mix-7:19),"Movin' On"(Bumpin' Mix-6:16),"Cruel Summer"(Swingbeat Remix-5:20),"Only Your Love"(Remix-8:15),"Tripping On your Love"(Euro Trance Mix-7:22),"I Want You Back"(Remix-7:57),"Nathan Jones" (Remix-5:13) and "I Can't Help It (Remix-8:02). The Miami Remix(7:12) of "I Heard A Rumour" is tracked onto the 1st disc . There should have been a third disc of remixes because so many were left off. There should have been a remix on here of "More Than Physical" or "A Trick of The Night" or even "Shy Boy" or "Long Train Running" or "Robert DeNiro's Waiting".Oh well it still is a great collection of hits by the best UK girl group."