Hall & Oates - Very Best of Daryl Hall & John Oates

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Music reviews of Very Best of Daryl Hall & John Oates

Music Review: Rock and Soul Part 1 and 1/2
Rating: 4 Stars

It will include their hits in complete versions (the extended, atmospheric beauty of "She's Gone," their Temptations medley with Eddie Kendricks & David Ruffin) their last RCA & Arista hits ("Your Imagination," "So Close," "Everything Your Heart Desires") their should-have-beens ("Do What You Want, Be What You Are," "Back Together Again," "Don't Change" from 1977's "Beauty On A Back Street") and even Daryl Hall's solo hits like "Dreamtime" and "In a Philly Mood."

It could easily cover two discs and complete the unique "art & soul" picture of a sound this prolific duo created and used so well the first, most memorable years of the 1980s. For now, this is at least the most complete, if not best, Hall & Oates hits set.

"The Best of Hall & Oates" covers nearly all the duo's RCA chart hits including their impressive 1980-84 string matching soulful harmony and backbeat to frosty, stomping new wave rock ("Private Eyes," "Family Man," Fall 1984's still thrilling "Out Of Touch.") The set also restores David Foster's studio-produced version of "Wait For Me" (heard live on 1983's earlier "Rock n' Soul Vol. I") and adds 1978's poignant Top 20 "It's A Laugh."

Michael Hill's instructive essay accompanying the CD quotes Hall as comparing his and Oates' personalities to Lennon-McCartney's, calling his duo "the eighties Beatles." The comparison is not simply ego or wishful thinking; while "Did It In A Minute" and "Rich Girl" are not songs the whole world sang, they infused great pop melody and simple, sometimes sweet lyrics with foreboding and even danger. Hall often pointed out that "Kiss On My List" meant yours was only ON the list, not necessarily topping it. Like Philly contemporary and one-time producer Todd Rundgren, Hall & Oates filtered art-rock lyrics and folk-soul harmony through Motownphilly R&B they worshipped as children and young musicians.

"The Best of Hall & Oates" will do for casual fans needing a quick early-80s fix. But longtime fans should reach for Rhino's "The Atlantic Collection," the scarce "No Goodbyes," or early, cohesive LPs like "Abandoned Lunchonette" and the superb "Bigger Than Both of Us." These, plus this recommended set, should give an excellent picture of Hall & Oates underrated, near-30 year career.

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