My World: The Definitive Collection

by

Smokey Robinson

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Smokey Robinson was a fixture on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart for nearly three decades. He is also widely regarded as one of America's greatest songwriters. "My World: The Definitive Collection" offers a fine overview of the career of this multi-talented and legendary performer. Enjoy once again several of his 1960's hits with the Miracles including Motown's very first hit single "Shop Around" as well as the 1967 smash "More Love". Among the other Miracles tunes included on this disc are "Going To A-Go-Go", "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" and Smokey's most popular song of all-time "The Tears of A Clown". Kudos to the engineers for an outstanding remastering job! Each and every track on this disc is crystal clear and this will add to your enjoyment of Smokey's inimitable falsetto voice.

But this treasure trove of hits also includes several of Smokey's biggest solo recordings from the 1970's and 1980's. "Quiet Storm" and "Cruisin" are fine examples of Smokey's work in the 1970's. Smokey Robinson's popularity would soar in the 1980's with three Top 10 hits. "Being With You", "Just To See Her" and "One Heartbeat" are all included in "My World: The Definitive Collection".

I was quite excited to discover that Smokey Robinson recorded two brand new tunes for this collection. I have sampled both "My World" and "Fallin'" a number of times and to be honest with you neither tune excites me. Perhaps they will grow on me with time but the old magic just does not seem to be there.

Nevertheless, the great remastering job coupled with the inclusion of tunes from both his days with the Miracles and his own solo career makes "My World: The Definitive Collection" a winner. This is a solid four star offering. Recommended.

While the material here is mostly 5-star, this compilation is not as complete as it should be. While the obvious hits are all here - "Cruisin," "Tracks of My Tears," "Being With You," etc., I would like to have had "Baby Baby Don't Cry," "If You Can Want," and "I'll Try Something New" from the Miracles and the solo "Agony and the Ecstasy." These are all better than the two new songs, and several others included here, including "Yester Love" and "I've Made Love to You a Thousand Times" really aren't from the cream of the crop. Plus only 74 minutes - enough room left for two more Miracles tracks. The sound quality and liner notes are good, and I am glad that the complete, "R-rated" album version of "Cruisin" was included. This is good enough for the casual fan, but, for those wanting the whole picture, the two-disc compilations of Smokey Robinson and the Miracles and Smokey solo are better.