Customer Rating:  
Summary: Somewhere From Her Life
Comment: It definitely seems like to me that people don't actually appreciate older R&B acts today. While there have been so many acts that've relased records these past several years like Vanessa Williams, Patti LaBelle and Natalie Cole, the R&B standards acts unfortunately don't have the credibilty radio will allow. That also is said for Phyllis Hyman, even though it has sadly been over a decade since her heartbreaking suicide, there are still those that are interested in listening to her silky, sophisticated voice, but there haven't really been any definitive hits records that actually told the beginning to end life of her career, but this one is the one that says it all.
The 2004 Ultimate Phyllis Hyman, reflects the late R&B songstress through all her labels and eras of recording from Arista, Philadelphia Internation, all the way to her work on Zoo. This one really does mostly say it all. The songs here have all been remastered well, and highlight her 3 decades of recording. The collection includes a lot of great songs that simply show her essence in soul, from her beginnings with cover of The Stylistics Betcha By Golly Wow, all the way to her final overlooked tracks including I Refuse To Be Lonely. The album also the soulful and seductive Old Friend, the upbeat Hip Hop felt Don't Wanna Change The World and Living All Alone. Although I wish that tracks like When You Get Right Down To It and First Night Together were also included to the great hits album, this collection stands out well.
While there have been so many hits records relased reflecting the late Phyllis Hyman over the past several years, this is the definitive one that works the best, even surpassing collections like Arista's Legacy Of Phyllis Hyman and Under Her Spell. I do feel sad though that many people absolutely don't appreciate Phyllis as much these days, in favor of current R&B divas like Beyonce' and American Idol's oxerexposed Fantasia Burrino. It is too easy to forget about how talented she really was. I really recommend Ultimate Phyllis Hyman, it really works, and still doesn't make her spirit feel like it is living all alone.
Album Cover: B
Songs: B+
Price: B
Remastering: B+
Overall: B 1/2+
Customer Rating:
Summary: TIMELESS!!
Comment: I initially bought this album to enjoy the CLASSIC,songs'that I loved as a little fella("Old Friend" "Living All Alone" "Slow Dancing")But,little did I know,that Phyllis made other songs just as good as those songs that I wasn't "up on",until,I heard this album!! i.e."Living In Confusion""Refuse To Be Lonely" "Meet Me On The Moon" "Just Another Face In The Crowd"and,the other great songs!!Boy,was I really missing out,all of these years!!"Refuse To Be Lonely"is a wonderfully,TRIUMPHANT song,with a SUPERB message:You have a CHOICE,of whether,you're gonna LET,somebody,throw your life into chaos and despair or NOT!!Hearing,this song,prevented ME,from letting that take place in my life a few years back!! KUDOS,to Phyllis(bless her soul)for letting me know that despair,is something,you can "put on"(like a sweater)OR,leave in the"closet"!! Before,I heard this song,I never looked at it that way!!But,I discovered,that it's TOTALLY TRUE!! This song has some really touching lyrical content,starting out so sadly with:"I can't hold you, like I want to...Can't hold you to the promises you've made."You won't be HERE tonight...Or ANY OTHER night,It would be a lie to say:"I'm not afraid."But to be afraid is something that I've ALWAYS been...The DIFFERENCE is,THIS time,I'm not giving in!" continued with:"I can't change you,I can't blame you,and this time I'm not even gonna TRY,you do what you HAVE to do,I'll do the SAME thing too." "You've got a RIGHT to say:"goodbye"But I'VE got a right to take care of MYSELF,I realize that I come FIRST,before anyone else!" this following part of powerful declarations'is my favorite:"YES:I'm all alone,YES:I'm on my own,but for the FIRST time in my life,I'm gonna carry-on..." "YES:I'm gonna ache,but I WILL NOT,break!" SOME things I can CHOOSE,and(baby)I REFUSE,to be lonely!" "Lonely is a"place"I used to be,but I'm CLOSING that"door"I won't"live"there anymore!"Anyway,it was a "Nostalgic Smorgasbord"when,I heard,all of those GREAT songs,that defined,my,early teenage years!! Phyllis,will always,have a place in my heart,for making ALL,of the timeless songs that,are on this hallmark album!!
Customer Rating:
Summary: A Definitive Collection
Comment: The late Phyllis Hyman's talents were tragically under-appreciated. She was an amazing vocalist whose career spanned over three decades. This compilation includes all the hits from all the record labels.
ULTIMATE PHYLLIS HYMAN consists of 17 songs, released 1976-1995; songs are in chronological order. Disc packaged in clear jewel case; total running time: 79:37. Booklet includes an essay by David Nathan, production information, titles and years of albums of origin, chart positions, and several black & white photographs from early in Phyllis's career.
Songs are from Norman Connors's 1976 album (track 1), her self-titled 1977 Buddah debut (tracks 2 & 3), her four 1978-1983 albums on Arista (4-11), her 1986 Philadelphia International Records album (12 & 13), her 1991 Volcano/Zoo Entertainment album (14, 15, 17), and posthumously released 1995 Philadelphia International Records/Zoo Entertainment album (16).
There are three songs from both 1981's "Can't We Fall in Love Again" and 1991's "Prime of My Life", including her only #1 R&B single, "Don't Wanna Change the World".
I only have two criticisms: one, I would have appreciated photographs that spanned her career; and two, that the track information is adequate, not truly complete, because, for example, the male vocalist/rapper on "Don't Wanna Change the World" is not credited. It should also be noted that there are no songs from her run in "Sophisticated Ladies", the Broadway tribute to Duke Ellington's music.
This is a great collection for someone that wants a solid Phyllis Hyman collection.
music: 3 stars
packaging/comprehensiveness: 5 stars
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great collection!
Comment: A friend of mine recommended Phyllis Hyman to me and I'm glad he shared her immense talent with me. This is a great collection if you are a new fan like me. The soulful ballads are just stunning, captivated by her voice! It's truly a shame...she was gone too soon! But it's nice to listen to a collection like this and be transformed and moved by the music.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Finding Phyllis Hyman
Comment: The ultimate collection by Miss Phyllis Hyman is a true treasure. I've been searching for a single particular cut off of the "Can't We Fall in Love Again" recording. I have never been able to find it until this recordings release.
Anyone familiar with the sultry love ballads of the 80's knows what I'm talking about.
Thank you to whoever put this compilation of recordings together.
The Love Too Good To Last. Personal touch to Phyllis who will live forever in my heart.
I hope to see you on the other side of heaven.
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