Disco de Cyndi Lauper: “The Essential Cyndi Lauper”

Sure, before you could buy the pricey imports, but "The Essential Cyndi Lauper" is much better than her previous American "hits" collections. It's not perfect, yet I think it's superior to "12 Deadly Cyns."

The big complaint was that for so long, american fans couldn't get "Good Enough" from "The goonies." Well, FINALLY it's included. Whether or not Cyndi likes the song, it's an 80's movie song classic and was a top 10 hit. Eight of Cyndi's top 10 hits are on here including the classic "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun", "She Bop", "All Through the Night" and "Time After Time" frm her debut. all four of these were massive radio hits and still heard to this day. "True Colors" and "Change of Heart" were big hits off of her sophomore album. Her last top 10 single is included too from "A Night to Remember" which is "I Drove All Night" *recently Celine Dion did an amazing cover of it.* "Money Changes Everything" is graciously included also which didn't hit the top 10, but was still a big top 40 hit. The non-hits are also very worthy. "Hat Full of Stars" is gorgeous and "Sisters of Avalon" is very catchy.

So why 4 stars? As outstanding as this collection is, "What's Going On" *a top 10 hit from "True Colors"* was left off as was the minor hit "Hole In My Heart." These are minor gripes but would've really put it over the top. Still, it's a great hits collection and well worth the money. Cyndi is awesome.

Honestly I feel that this cd could have been better. I cannot give it less than 4 stars because it has all of her Big Hits, even the top 10 Goonies song which many have been craving here in the U.S. but it does lack a lot of other songs. Hole In My Heart, You Don't Know, Ballad Of Cleo And Joe, Disco Inferno, and Shine are all left out while Unhook The Stars, and Sisters Of Avalon are included. Not sure why they do not really make a collection with true hits and remixes of those latter hits. Well I guess you ahd to buy the singles when they came out to get it. Other than that it is almost the same as Twelve Deadly Cyns... And Then Some. So unless you want to collect them all you can live without it if you have all her albums.

This collection is hardly "essential" when it is missing one fo Cyndi's greatest... "Hole In My Heart (That Goes All The Way To China)" from the movie, VIBES.

Though I'm sure she'd love to forget that film!

Cyndi Lauper became one of the most well-known singers of the 80's. If it weren't for Madonna she would have become huge. Lauper's original style will evoke memories of the 80's for those living in that era. These songs have a classic and magical style to them that gets better with each listen. Lauper's vocals are not for everyone. For some they may be irritating but for others comforting. Her powerful vocal range makes Madonna's vocals pale in comparison. She can sing ballads as well as up-tempo 80's pop songs. Co-writing every song on this album she proves to the public that she is a respected artist for the most part. In 2008 she released a new album called "Bring Ya To The Brink" which is the style of dance-pop.

I bought this Cindy Lauper CD as a birthday present for my wife, who has always liked her more than I did. But this CD is making me a bigger fan every time I hear it. I would recommend it for any of her fans or for those curious about her music.