Disco de Cher: “Video Hits Collection”

Wow. There is a lot here (and a hell of a lot missing). The one thread that is predominant through the viewing is Cher & Rob Camiletti's incredible love story. I have never seen the video for "Main Man" - so that was a real treat. The Geffen videos show Ms. Cher at her "Cher-est" - she was so "on top" at that career point - I believe personally as well as professionally. You can almost sense it in her face; it is beautiful. I give the DVD 5 Stars because it's about time this material was commercially released; however - once again - the "Cher Camp" has released a product which is not up to par with the true artistry level of who Cher really is. This is a DVD for Cher's sake - where are the missing obvious videos ("Love & Understanding", "The Music's No Good Without You") - or the OTHER duets - "Piu Che Puoi" with Eros Ramazzotti, "Just Begin Again" with Spinal Tap (she recorded a duet side for when the toured), "Dead Ringer" with Meatload (c'mon that is a hoot) - hell, how about at least a promo clip of Cher and Sonny doing any one of their singles. Hey - there's footage of Cher and Gregg as well. And while we're at it - where is "Hell On Wheels"? One of the very first "music videos" ever produced - and it's actually great! How about that animated "Dark Lady" cartoon from the TV show? I could go on and on - this is the tip of a mountain named CHER. This is a very watchable DVD - she has always commanded the camera - Cher is truly the most amazing and fascinating female entertainer of our time.

Did Cher have a say in this compilation of her video hits? Obviously not, because what we have here is a skimming of the great lady's career, and with so many classics missing, how can the distributor dare call it "The Very Best of". There is room for more videos, so why didn't they go all the way? What we get is only 60 minutes of hit and misses with a hefty price tag.

Internationally, several of these videos are barely known outside America. The video list is as follows with my comments where needed:

1. Believe - HIT

2. If I Could Turn Back Time - HIT

3. Save Up All Your Tears- a minor hit from LOVE HURTS album. What we should have got is "Love and Understanding" which is the first and better hit single from that album.

4. Walking In Memphis - Internationally, this track is quite unknown, it would have been better to include an oldie such as "I Got You Babe".

5. One By One - Once again, this is a largely unknown song internationally.

6. Main Man- same comment as above.

7. I Found Someone- HIT.

8. Strong Enough- minor hit internationally.

9. Song For The Lonely - once again, this is a largely unknown song internationally.

10. Half Breed- HIT: good to see this included. More classics from this era would have made the collection definitive.

11.Heart of Stone - Probably my favourite Cher track. To me, having this on video makes up for the other disappointments on this DVD. GREAT SONG EVEN IF THE VIDEO VERSION IS REMIXED.

12. We All Sleep Alone - minor hit, dull video.

13. The Shoop Shoop Song- HIT. Another great video that is a blessing to have on here.

14. Dov'e L'Amore- once again, this is a largely unknown song internationally.

15. Love Can Build A Bridge- same comment as above.

There you have it. With so many songs that are internationally unknown, why didn't the distributor put together a more definitive look at this lady's career? Where are the videos for:

1. Love and Understanding

2. Jessie James

3. I Got You Babe

4. Love Hurts

5. Bang Bang

6. White lady

7. Gypsies, tramps and thieves

Without these videos, this DVD is one big disappointment that does not appeal to the international market. The only reason to consider buying it is because it contains the brilliant video for "Heart of Stone". Easily Cher's best song.

This collection includes alot of great videos they are all from the Geffen and Warner labels 1988 - 2004, but it could have been so much more, where are the videos for

"the musics no good without you", "alive again" "dead ringer for love"

and maybe some more rare videos like "hell on wheels"

"halfbreed" (the horse video)or the sonny and cher top of the pops "I got you babe" or the version used in the concert footage amoung others. Id rather the hell on wheels video to Main main anyday.

I guess i will still buy it anyway so what difference does it make to the promoters!

It hurts to give this only 1 star but it has nothing to do with Cher and all to do with how poorly this was put together. Where are All or Nothing, Music's No Good Without You, Different Kind of Love Song, Love and Understanding, Dark Lady, I Got You Babe, etc, etc. There is no excuse for this to be so incomplete. Plus, the package is mislabled about including the remix of One by One - it's actually the slow (and unpopular) version. And it would have been nice to see some remix videos. After waiting so long for a video compliation, this is VERY disappointing for an artist as well known as Cher.

I'm so excited about finally owning Cher's video classics! Some of these cuts I have never seen before, like Dov'e L'Amore, One By One & Main Man, so I'm exstatic! The closest I have to this is a video tape that crazy drag queen Bridgette of Madison County (Rikki Lake fame) gave to me at the Revolver in WeHo a few years back. I will cherish Cher for eternity!