GLADYS KNIGHT: GOLD

 

Gladys Knight and the Pips are one of the most successful groups in R & B history. Gladys' ultra-soulful voice was a nice blend of southern warmth and fiery gospel, while the Pips provided tuneful backup that contained plenty of character. They recorded for several labels over the years and this two-disc 39-track collection includes recordings from all of them. It is a huge improvement from the 18 track Essential collection from 1999 that also sampled all of their previous labels.

This chronological retrospective leads off with 1961's "Every Beat Of My Heart" (versions of which charted on both Vee-Jay and Fury) and its follow-up on Fury "Letter Full Of Tears" (written by the great Don Covay). A move to the Maxx label resulted in 1964's enclosed minor hit "Giving Up" (written by future disco star Van McCoy).

At this point Gladys & the Pips were major stars on the chitlin circuit, but mainstream success eluded them until they joined Motown in 1966. The collection includes 13 of their biggest Motown hits, such as the frenetic original version of "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" and the lovely ballads "If I Were Your Woman" and "Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye)." It's a good overview of their Motown years

In spite of their successes at Motown, Gladys and the Pips always felt like second-class citizens there (Miss Ross of course always got preferential treatment) and moved over to Buddah in early 1973 when their Motown contract was up. It was at Buddah that they made their most memorable music and this set includes 13 of their biggest hits there, among them their signature song "Midnight Train To Georgia," the funky barnburner "On And On" (from the film Claudine), the heartbreaker "Part Time Love," and an effective live version of "The Way We Were" teamed with "Try To Remember."

A jump to Columbia in 1979 resulted in a lot less hits than their tenures at Motown and Buddah reaped, but there were a few great moments, such as the enclosed Grammy winner "Save The Overtime For Me," the majestic "Landlord," and a version of "Hero (Wind Beneath My Wings)" that remains definitive. A move to MCA in 1987 brought Gladys & the Pips' last number one r & b hit - another Grammy winner - the call & response funkster "Love Overboard" and it's equally rowdy follow-up "Lovin' On Next To Nothin'." They're both here. The set then closes with Gladys' theme for the James Bond film LICENSE TO KILL as well as the two standout tracks from her Good Woman solo album from 1991: "Men" and "Superwoman" - the latter a collaboration with good friend Dionne Warwick and Patti LaBelle.

This strong, strong retrospective puts all other Pip sets to shame. It's all of the Gladys Knight that most people will ever need.

Track Listing:

Disc: 1
1. Every Beat Of My Heart
2. Letter Full Of Tears
3. Giving Up
4. Everybody Needs Love
5. I Heard It Through The Grapevine
6. The End Of Our Road
7. It Should Have Been Me
8. The Nitty Gritty
9. Friendship Train
10. You Need Love Like I Do (Don't You?)
11. If I Were Your Woman
12. I Don't Want To Do Wrong
13. Make Me The Woman That You Go Home To
14. Help Me Make It Through The Night
15. Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye)
16. Daddy Could Swear, I Declare
17. Where Peaceful Waters Flow
18. Midnight Train To Georgia
19. I've Got To Use My Imagination
20. Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me
21. I Feel A Song (In My Heart)
22. Love Finds Its Own Way

Disc: 2
1. On And On
2. The Way We Were / Try To Remember
3. Money
4. Part Time Love
5. Make Yours A Happy Home
6. So Sad The Song
7. Baby Don't Change Your Mind
8. Landlord
9. Save The Overtime (For Me)
10. You're Number One (In My Book)
11. Hero (Wind Beneath My Wings)
12. Send It To Me
13. Love Overboard
14. Lovin' On Next To Nothin'
15. License To Kill
16. Men
17. Superwoman