The Great Pretender

The Great Pretender

The Great Pretender

ASIN: B00002615B

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
Bowie stretches the title tune to over 16 minutes with an artful and witty exploration of trumpet sounds, from brassy declarations to low blasts to half-valve techniques that sound like muttered asides. With backup vocals by Fontella Bass and David Peaston and a raucous baritone saxophone interlude by Hamiet Bluiett, the Platters' doo-wop classic becomes suspended between kitsch and concerto. On the rest of the CD, Bowie is backed by a very creative rhythm section of underrated players, Donald Smith on piano and organ, Fred Williams on acoustic and electric basses, and Phillip Wilson on drums. Together they range skillfully from the camp of "It's Howdy Doody Time" to the free jazz of "Doom?" to the Latin funk of "Rios Negroes." --Stuart Broomer

The Great Pretender,Lester Bowie,Ecm Records,Avant-Garde,Avant-Garde Jazz,Free Funk,Free Jazz,Jazz,Jazz Music,Jazz-Funk,Jazz-Pop,Pop,Post-Bop,Progressive Big Band
The Great Pretender
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • An interesting sampling of Mercury's solo work
  • NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
  • Hmmmmmm
  • Too real
  • What A Voice What Talent!!!
 The Great Pretender
Freddie Mercury
Manufacturer: Hollywood Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Pop | Styles | Music
Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
Progressive RockProgressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music
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Hard RockHard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
Album-Oriented Rock (AOR)Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000000OCF
Release Date: 1992-11-24

Tracks:

  1. The Great Pretender
  2. Foolin' Around
  3. Time
  4. Your Kind Of Lover
  5. Exercises In Free Love
  6. In My Defence
  7. Mr. Bad Guy
  8. Let's Turn It On
  9. Living On My Own
  10. My Love Is Dangerous
  11. Love Kills
  12. Living On My Own (Techno Mix)

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars An interesting sampling of Mercury's solo work .......2006-11-19

Another compilation of Freddie Mercury's solo work , including his magnifficent reworking of The Platters hit The Great Pretender , the offbeat Foolin' Around and Living On My Own , the funky Your Kind Of Lover and Let's Turn It On , the bold Living On My Own and my personal favourite among Mercury solo Hits , Love Kills.
An interesting sampling of Mercury's solo work.

2 out of 5 stars NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!.......2006-09-04

Have they no shame? The mixing engineers absolutely desecrated Freddy's music. This album is not for true Freddy fans. Casual fans and fans of Queen (only) may enjoy this, but anyone who is interested in hearing Freddy's true solo art the way he intended it should stay the #^#@ away from this (as well as "The Freddy Mercury Album" which is the same as "The Great Pretender", different packaging).

Allow me to provide an analogy:
If you're a Freddy Mercury/Queen fan, I assume you're old enough to have seen the original Star Wars when it came out in '76. It was great wasn't it? Sure, the cantina scene was cheezy as hell, and some of the special effects were--by today's standards--lackluster. BUT WE LOVED IT. Then in the late 90s, Lucasfilm decided to re-do Star Wars, chopping up the cantina scene and adding in stupid modern CGI effects. I was sickened, and I'm hoping most of you were as well.

"The Great Pretender" is the equivalent of the Star Wars 90s re-release. A travesty. We don't want stupid CGI effects on the Millenium Falcon, nor do we want stupid "arena rock" reverb on Freddy's drums. We don't want the annoying distorted guitars mixed in after Freddy's death. And we certainly don't want the inane Fine-Young-Cannibals-ripoff drumbeat overtop the original grooves.

Go find yourself a copy of the original MR. BAD GUY album. It may sound cheezy at first with its dated drum machine and flamboyant piano playing, but c'mon folks, that's what Freddy was all about. Let's remember him that way, not through some post-production sound engineer's drunken nightmare of a remix.

I give Freddy's voice 5 stars, and I give the mixing engineer -3 stars. Averages out to a 2. Avoid it. Read my review of "The Freddy Mercury Album" for more.

3 out of 5 stars Hmmmmmm.......2004-08-25

I would like to say I enjoy this album immensely, I am a big fan of Freddie Mercury but this album overlooks many of his solo songs of sheer briliance and focusses largly on lame covers and Freddies synth led dance/disco material. Foolin Around and Your Kind Of Lover sound like outtakes from the highly overrated Dance Floor/Acid Jazz Queen travesty Hot Space. Still theres some great stuff with Excercises In Free Love, Mr. Bad Guy, My Love Is Dangerous and Love Kills. These show Freddies songwriting at its best and elevate the album from the dreck and theres no deneing through even the worst parts of this album the former member of Wreckage is in fine form vocally and his piano although very minimal is also great.

4 out of 5 stars Too real.......2003-09-06

This is a compilation album of Freddie Mercury solo material. Six of the songs are from his "Mr. Bad Guy" album, two are from Dave Clark's musical 'TIME', two are from movie soundtracks, and there is one other song which, I believe, is an outtake from the "Barcelona" sessions. The songs on this CD have been remixed. I have never heard the original mixes of these songs, so I can only judge them based on how they sound here. Well, they sound pretty good to me. I enjoyed all the songs here, some more than others, of course. If you are a fan of Queen, you will probably enjoy this CD, too.

5 out of 5 stars What A Voice What Talent!!!.......2003-07-03

I love FM and how can't you? He had talent written all over him. His voice could swoon anyone. I have only one complaint where is, There Must Be More To Life Than This!? The song is one of the most beautiful pieces Freddie wrote that almost brings me to tears everytime I hear it and is a much needed song in the time of war. Please do FM justice and release a compliation with all his songs with the all the different versions. I think my fellow Freddie and Queen fans would agree.
The Great Pretender
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Great !
  • you'll never listen to the Platters the same way again
 The Great Pretender
Lester Bowie
Manufacturer: Ecm Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Avant Garde & Free JazzAvant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
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ECM Jazz & WorldECM Jazz & World | ECM Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B00002615B
Release Date: 2000-09-12

Tracks:

  1. The Great Pretender
  2. It's Howdy Doody Time
  3. When The Doom (Moon) Comes Over The Mountain/A) Doom?/B) When The Moon Comes Over The Mountain
  4. Rios Negroes
  5. Rose Drop
  6. Oh, How The Ghost Sings

Amazon.com essential recording

Bowie stretches the title tune to over 16 minutes with an artful and witty exploration of trumpet sounds, from brassy declarations to low blasts to half-valve techniques that sound like muttered asides. With backup vocals by Fontella Bass and David Peaston and a raucous baritone saxophone interlude by Hamiet Bluiett, the Platters' doo-wop classic becomes suspended between kitsch and concerto. On the rest of the CD, Bowie is backed by a very creative rhythm section of underrated players, Donald Smith on piano and organ, Fred Williams on acoustic and electric basses, and Phillip Wilson on drums. Together they range skillfully from the camp of "It's Howdy Doody Time" to the free jazz of "Doom?" to the Latin funk of "Rios Negroes." --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Great !.......2006-03-08

I agree that this record is not for everyone, but is it a reason to give it less than 5 stars? Sure, the title has very little to do with the complex free-jazz oriented harmonies of Lester Bowie, and the vocals represent a drop of water in his ocean.

But this is without a doubt a brilliant record, great for those in need of some relaxing, challenging and subtely burlesque music.

Made in 1981 in Germany on the usually-no-risk-taking ECM label, "The Great Pretender" is an powerful, haunting and fully enjoyable record.

4 out of 5 stars you'll never listen to the Platters the same way again.......2000-11-27

Lester was pomo before there was pomo. The Amazon.com reviewer says that its suspended between "kitsch and concerto." Exactly -- Lester Bowie obliterated such distinctions. The standout cut is the absolutely monumental reworking of the Platters' "The Great Pretender" featuring doo-wop vocals, a variety of slurred half-valve trumpet techniques a la Bubber Miley/Cootie Williams, and a scorching double time bari sax solo by Hamiet Bluiett. (Be forewarned -- when this came on the radio one afternoon in the car, the overblowing part of the solo had a friend of mine threatening to drive the car off a bridge if I didn't turn it off.) The piece ends with Bowie sounding like Jack Nicholson in "The Shining" intoning "Hey, baby I'm here...I...have...arrived...he,he,he."

"Rios Negros" is based on a repeated vamp; Bowie solos, pianist Donald Smith solos, and then Bowie comes back with a muted solo to finish. "Rose Drop" and "Oh, How the Ghost Sings" are exercises in atmospherics. "Howdy Doody Time" and "When the Doom (Moon) Comes Over the Mountain" are along the "Great Pretender" model of deconstructing pop culture themes.

This is a great record, but forewarned is forearmed -- it is not for everyone.
The Very Best of the Platters
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		The Very Best of the Platters

    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    Doo WopDoo Wop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music
    ASIN: B000CSF1GI

    Product Description

    1.the great pretender.2.my prayer.3.(you've got)the magic touch.4.on my word of honor.5.twilight time.6.you'll never never know.7.only you (and you alone).8.i'm sorry.9.smoke gets in your eyes.10.if i didn't care.11.enchanted.12.harbor lights
    What If Mozart Wrote "Roll over Beethoven"
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      		What If Mozart Wrote "Roll over Beethoven"

      Manufacturer: RCA
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

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      ASIN: B000003EQ3
      Release Date: 1990-10-25

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      3. Get a Job
      4. Roll over Beethoven
      5. Stand by Me
      6. Blue Moon
      7. Earth Angel
      8. Great Pretender
      9. To Know Him Is to Love Him
      10. Wonderful! Wonderful!
      The Great Pretender
      Average customer rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
      • The Great Pretender (Prime Cuts) The Platters
      • Save Your Money
      		 The Great Pretender
      The Platters
      Manufacturer: Prime Cuts
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      GeneralGeneral | R&B | Styles | Music
      Doo WopDoo Wop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
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      ASIN: B000002V4L
      Release Date: 1995-07-14

      Tracks:

      1. The Great Pretender
      2. Only You
      3. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
      4. (You've Got) That Magic Touch
      5. Twilight Time
      6. Harbour Lights
      7. I'm Sorry
      8. Red Sails In The Sunset
      9. My Prayer
      10. The Wonder Of You

      Customer Reviews:

      4 out of 5 stars The Great Pretender (Prime Cuts) The Platters.......2003-11-19

      I listened to a sample of the songs but was a trifle disappointed
      that it was not the original version of the Platters singing. Did the solo voice belong to a different singer? I just love all of their songs and my heart is set on this particular CD.

      1 out of 5 stars Save Your Money.......2001-11-07

      This CD is as bad as any I've had the misfortune to buy. It's a great ad for try before you buy! The songs don't really sound at all like the original hit recordings. I can't recommend this to anyone who really loved the hit versions but maybe someone without any fond memories of The Platters could enjoy this CD. An example of poor attention to quality can be found at the end of track 2 (Only You): there's a stray note left in (after the fade out).
      Great Pretender
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        		Great Pretender
        Pat Boone
        Manufacturer: Allegro Corporation
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD
        ASIN: B00000DQIP
        Release Date: 1993-05-03
        The Great Pretender
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          		The Great Pretender
          Freddie Mercury
          Manufacturer: Parlaphone
          ProductGroup: Music
          Binding: Audio CD

          Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
          ASIN: B00005PSIE
          The Great Pretender
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            		The Great Pretender
            The Platters
            ProductGroup: Music
            Binding: Audio CD

            GeneralGeneral | R&B | Styles | Music
            Doo WopDoo Wop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music
            GeneralGeneral | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music
            GeneralGeneral | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
            ClassicClassic | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
            ASIN: B00004U4YO
            Release Date: 2006-05-16

            Tracks:

            1. Great Pretender
            2. Only You (And You Alone)
            3. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
            4. (You've Got) The Magic Touch
            5. Twilight Time
            6. Harbor Lights
            7. I'm Sorry
            8. Red Sails in the Sunset
            9. My Prayer
            10. Wonder of You
            The Great Pretender
            Average customer rating: Not rated
              		The Great Pretender
              Gene Pitney
              Manufacturer: Disky
              ProductGroup: Music
              Binding: Audio CD

              GeneralGeneral | Pop | Styles | Music
              Teen PopTeen Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
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              ASIN: B00005QJM9
              Release Date: 2001-10-04

              Tracks:

              1. 24 Hours from Tulsa
              2. Backstage (I'm Lonely)
              3. Every Breath I Take
              4. True Love Never Runs Smooth
              5. Only Love Can Break a Heart
              6. If I Didn't Have a Dime (To Play the Jukebox)
              7. Half Heaven, Half Heartache
              8. Looking Through the Eyes of Love
              9. Mecca
              10. It Hurts to Be in Love
              11. That Girl Belongs to Yesterday
              12. Princess in Rags
              13. (The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance
              14. I Must Be Seeing Things
              The Great Pretender
              Average customer rating: Not rated
                		The Great Pretender
                The Platters
                Manufacturer: Classic Sound
                ProductGroup: Music
                Binding: Audio CD

                Doo WopDoo Wop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music
                ASIN: B000KE2ED2

                Product Description

                Songs: 1) The Great Pretenfer 2) One In A Million 3) Washed Ashore 4) Only You 5) Smoke Gets In Your Eyes 6) With This Ring 7) Twilight Time 8) My Prayer 9) I Love You 1,000 Times 10) Unchained Melody

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