Search - Laura Branigan :: The Essentials: Laura Branigan

A solid hits package from a great talent

A. Salas | Brooklyn, New York United States | 01/23/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This latest Laura Branigan compilation is a definite improvement over the last 1995 collection, restoring a few missing tracks and removing the bloat that kept that previous hits CD from rockin. Yes, it would have been nice to have Hold Me and All Night With Me included, as many have stated, but what greatest hits is without a gap or two? The important thing is the little word REMASTERED, never before used on a Laura hits CD, even the pretty cool European "Very Best Of" released in the early 90s. This one is a keeper, great for the curious as well as the hard core fans (who obviously own all her albums anyway). Pop it into the car stereo, pump the volume and get ready to cruise the night with the glorious voice of a true talent in your ears."

Theres So Much More to Her Than "Gloria"

Gregory Barnette | Cincinnati, Ohio United States | 09/09/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Laura is one of those singers that when listened to her sing a song it was although she was just singing just to you. The intimacy in her voice enabled her to create a one on one bond with millions of listeners.
The Essentials CD feautures excellent examples of that talent. The heartbreak meltdown performance on "How I Am Suppossed to Live With Out" or the passion filled "Ti Amo" and her seductive purring like a cat delivery on "Moonlight On Water".
For us die hard fans the track listing was definitely lacking on this collection(as was her 1995 Best of Branigan)
Missing on this one are two songs that were released as singles and charted.
Lauras first single that charted (released previously to Gloria) "All Night With Me" (peaked #69 in April 1982 on Billboards Hot 100) and "Hold Me" #82 October 1985).It would have been nice if they included "Imagination" a track she contributed to the "Flashdance" soundtrack.Although not released as a single its one of the most memorable songs used in that movie. Also songs fr her 1993 album "Over My Heart" where ignored.There were no charted singles from it, but there were some that were worthy enough to be called "Essential" if u ask me.
This a Perfect CD for your average 80's music fan to pick up if they are interested in getting all of Lauras biggest hits on CD,but also a chance for those listeners to discover there was so much more to her than her first big hit "Gloria"
By the late 80's and into the early 90's Lauras singles were losing their steam on the charts but she was still making well produced catchy pop songs (and vocally she matured and grew as well)
For some tracks on her 1987 album titled "Touch" she teamed with UK hitmakers Stock/Aitken/Waterman (who also made hits for likes of Banarama,Rick Astley and Kylie Minogue).One of the results of that teaming was the single "Shattered Glass" a catchy,glossy,smooth pop song that hooks you on the first listen.
Her first single fr her self titled 1990 release "Moonlight On Water" stalled on the singles chart at #59.Its a total injustice that this gem of a song did not chart higher.Also another standout was the follow up single to Moonlight,the tender heartfelt ballad "Never In A Million Years". I noticed alot of reviewers have said that they could not figure out why this song was included on Essentials. Yes it did not chart on Billboard Hot 100 singles chart,but if did chart on Billboards Adult Contemporary Chart and peaked at #22 in November of 1990,and for some unknown reason that info was not included on the Essentials CD sleeve."

Laura sings my favorites

Roberta Hotard | Somewhere here, Florida | 04/07/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"So my recent purchase The Essentials has alot of her hits on this cd, I decided like other singers which recorded some of the songs and I still prefer laura singing them . Celine has recorded her version of the Power of Love, Cher did I Found Someone and Michael bolton recorded How Am I Supposed To Live Without You. They all did great and are top recording artists but Laura her way was the best. Its something with her voice that is breathtaking. I miss you laura. Your #1 fan

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