The Essence of Nancy Wilson: Four Decades of Music [Box set]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Sophisticated and elegant, tart and bold, Nancy Wilson remains one of our most exemplary vocal stylists. This four-disc box is a gift for her diehard fans, focusing as it does on tracks making their debut on CD, as well as a number of tracks that have never been released at all. Through an endless range of styles and settings, Wilson's distinctive voice--crisp and biting, dexterous and translucent--commands center stage, always showing the influence of her hero Dinah Washington and remaining much the same throughout the decades. Disc 1 offers a broad chronological survey of both chart hits and rare singles. The second disc includes 23 unreleased tracks from the vaults, including a terrific live, 14-song performance from the Las Vegas Sands Hotel in 1968. The sassy and aggressive "Peace of Mind" and breathy "I Can't Get Started" highlight the live portion, while studio readings of the bluesy, sultry "Anytime" and the soulful, spine-tingling "Hurry Change" are as strong as anything here. Disc 3 is "Nancy's Choice," distinguished especially by early-1960s Billy May arrangements and three 1969 recordings accompanied by the Hank Jones Quartet, including a wonderfully relaxed and alluring version of Gershwin's "Do It Again." The final disc introduces a slew of album cuts to the CD format.

On the whole, one wishes the compilers would have sacrificed a bit of breadth in order to dig deeper into Wilson's prime recordings. The disco, lite-funk, and smooth jazz material--and even some of the more bombastic orchestral arrangements--don't play to her strengths as an interpreter, even if her authoritative vocal performances prove a worthy match. Thus, newcomers and casual fans may want to start elsewhere, although collectors will be thrilled with most of the treasures found here. --Marc Greilsamer

Tracks:

Seventh Son
My Foolish Heart
The Verdict
The Next time You See Me
Save Your Love For Me (with Cannonball Adderley)
You Can Have Him
(You Don't Know) How Glad I Am
Afterthoughts
(You Got) The Power Of Love
But Only Sometimes
He Called Me Baby (alternate version)
Are We Losin' Touch
You're As Right As Rain
Now
In My Loneliness (When We Were One)
As Time Goes By
The Way It Goes (with The Crusaders)
Do You Still Dream About Me

Tracks:

Hello Young Lovers
Small World
Gypsies, Jugglers & The Clowns
I Can't Get Started
If We Only Have Love
The Man That Got Away
The Folks Who Live On The Hill
Crazy Butterfly
Peace Of Mind
Face It Girl, It's Over
Just Go
Band Intro
We Would Have Been Fine
K.C. Medley: That Face/K.C./Black Is Beautiful
Ghost Of Yesterday
I Concentrate On You
Be True To Me
Anytime
Hurry Change (If You're Coming)
No Easy Way Down
Go Away And Find Yourself
When You're Alone
I'm Gonna Make You Love Me

Tracks:

I Want To Be Loved (But Only By You)
Passion Flower
He's My Guy
Did I Remember
Rain Sometimes
Over The Weekend
Free Again
Theme From HOTEL
Prelude To A Kiss
Glad To Be Unhappy
Do It Again
Suzanne
How Many Broken Wings
Can I
China
I'm A Balloon
Sunshine
Casablanca
If You Wanna Sing Me (I'll Be A Song)
Dindi
Godsend
I Remember

Tracks:

I'm Gonna Laugh You Right Out Of My Life
Listen Little Girl
Wave
Below, Above
What Do You See In Her
Let's Fall In Love All Over
Morning In Your Eyes
All My Love Comes Down
I Don't Want A Man Sometimes
All By Myself
He Makes Me Feel Good About Myself
I'm Gonna Let Ya
The Island
Ribbon In The Sky
Not Afraid To Love (live)
When Did You Leave Heaven (live)
Guess Who I Saw Today (live)
The Greatest Performance Of My Life (live)

Amazon.com

Sophisticated and elegant, tart and bold, Nancy Wilson remains one of our most exemplary vocal stylists. This four-disc box is a gift for her diehard fans, focusing as it does on tracks making their debut on CD, as well as a number of tracks that have never been released at all. Through an endless range of styles and settings, Wilson's distinctive voice--crisp and biting, dexterous and translucent--commands center stage, always showing the influence of her hero Dinah Washington and remaining much the same throughout the decades. Disc 1 offers a broad chronological survey of both chart hits and rare singles. The second disc includes 23 unreleased tracks from the vaults, including a terrific live, 14-song performance from the Las Vegas Sands Hotel in 1968. The sassy and aggressive "Peace of Mind" and breathy "I Can't Get Started" highlight the live portion, while studio readings of the bluesy, sultry "Anytime" and the soulful, spine-tingling "Hurry Change" are as strong as anything here. Disc 3 is "Nancy's Choice," distinguished especially by early-1960s Billy May arrangements and three 1969 recordings accompanied by the Hank Jones Quartet, including a wonderfully relaxed and alluring version of Gershwin's "Do It Again." The final disc introduces a slew of album cuts to the CD format.

Customer Reviews:

Aptly Named.......2007-04-25

I've always adored Nancy Wilson's work as a singer and actress. I remember going to see a Cuba Gooding Jr. movie and they advertised this box set by playing "Save Your Love For Me". Upon hearing that song, I made it my mission to own this, and I've been the proud owner of this box set since the year it came out. I haven't regretted since. This song, her version of "Can I", and countless others make any listener pleased.

Excellent!.......2005-09-06

This is absolutely the best of her best. I'm only afraid I'll wear it out. For me her voice and style hit its zenith in the late sixites and seventies and these recordings are mostly from that time period. Nancy's voice is unmistakable and her talent immeasurable and it all comes out on these cd's.

Totally Awesome.......2002-12-21

I have been purchasing Nancy Wilson albums for years so I believed that I had heard all of her recordings. Well, I was wrong. This collection includes new songs from live performances that are excellent, along with different arrangements of old favorites. I agree with the reviewer who praised disc #2. It's a must for any Nancy Wilson fan. If you like to listen to Miss Nancy, buy this set.

FROM A BIG FAN IN SAN FRANCISCO.......2002-05-09

Miss Wilson is my favorite singer -- there are no exceptions -- so of course I immediately added this set to my collection. I'll admit, however, that -- so far -- I'm stuck on Disk 2, which begins with her live performance at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas in '68. She mixes old and new, adding her unique style and talent to each song. This CD, alone, is worth the price of the set. I've seen Miss Wilson in person many, many times over the years, and this Sands performance captures her spirit and art with grace and style. I'll soon move on to the other disks in the set, but I couldn't wait any longer to post my hearty recommendation. I know you'll enjoy!

A well deserved tribute to a special lady!.......2002-02-26

I love this box. What a great idea! I got it on the day it was
released. And as the booklet demostrates, Nancy is not only a
woman with a beautiful voice, but a spiritual being who has given so much joy and love to the world we live in by just by being being the woman she is. Through the course of a long career, an artist is not only judged on the calibre on their talent. They are commented on their appearance, empathy, and attitude. And we all know Nancy has got that all in spades. That's what makes this even more special. Nancy is family-always has been. The kind of woman you would not be intimidated going up to say express your appreciation but someone that you respect enough to come correct with. I love the variety of Nancy's work this box explores. It could have been lonh longer 'cause there are a couple of notable songs I was longing to hear. I list them not to say this wasn't an exceptional product of love, but to point out things that are also worthy of great merit in her catalog.

1. Mr. Walker It's All Over- From "A Son Of A Preacher Man"
2. Tonight Will Have To Last Me All Of My Life
3. Gentle Is My Love
4. Forbidden Love
5 Almost Persuaded
6. This Girl is a Woman Now
7. Have A Heart
8. Before The Rain

Music:

Music

Music