Disco de Paula Abdul: “Greatest Hits”

Alright, i don't know who wrote the previous message(Phony Braxton), but any new recording by Paula is welcomed. Where has she been, and why does it take her so long to put out releases. Sure, what ahppened to the cat, but in her heydey, everybody would at least move or smile when "Straight Up" hit the radio. "Rush, Rush" her first real ballad is a decent song, albeit, vocal talent has never been her best feature, I'm talking about the moves. Anybody whom is the owner of Shut up and dance is familiar with the Medley Remix,and yes, it serves well again. Let's hope we see a new recording from Paula in the future, it's been nearly five years since Head Over Heels, what is she doing? Tell her reps that this isn't right.

I must admit, I was a Paula Abdul fanatic when I was a young teen. I loved everything she did.

Unforunately, after her Spellbound album, she fell into obscurity. Her Head Over Heels was okay, but it didn't capture the feel and spirit that was Paula Abdul. But I did like some songs on it.

So, come to my surprise that that she has a Greatest Hits CD. All Paula's hit on one CD. Her first two albums I have on tape and they are just about ruined from playing them over and over again when I was younger, so this CD is a blessing.

One thing I really commend this CD for is the fact that most of the songs are the original radio/video release. If anybody has the original albums (especially with Forever Your Girl), the song remixes are different. I always preferred the radio versions.

I'm disapointed that they didn't put the Will You Mary Me song on this album. I loved that song and played it out so much the first time I heard it years ago. But I'm pretty happy with this CD. A must for a old Paula fans.

Greatest Hits is the long awaited collection from Paula Abdul, over 5 years since her last album, 1995's Head Over Heels. This collection highlights some of Paula's biggest hits in her career. Starting from her Forever Your Girl days, we are offered the hits Straight Up, Cold Hearted, Forever Your Girl, The Way That You Love Me, Knocked Out and Opposites Attract, all in remix edit form, like in the videos you would see on MTV. Track 7 is a song previously unavailable called Bend Time Back Around. Then we continue with the hits, from her 1991 Spellbound album: Rush Rush, Promise of a New Day, Blowing Kisses In The Wind, and Vibeology, all in their edit forms as well. One track that is much missed is the overlooked hit Will You Marry Me, which failed to make it on the collection. The album continues with a few hits from her Head Over Heels album, an album full of promise that didn't take flight. These hits include the R&B remix of My Love Is For Real, Crazy Cool, and an oddity (since it was never a single), If I Were Your Girl. Following suit is a Megamix Medley, a 9 and a half minute song where her hits are thrown together in a remix medley. Its ok but I would of rather seen songs that didn't make the collection (Will You Marry Me?, etc) instead of a megamix. The album closes with a song called Crazy Love, which was on the Japanese import of Head Over Heels. Overall this 16 track collection is a nice reminder of Paula, who has yet to release a new album (we are waiting Paula!), with some of her best hits all in one collection. A must have.

It's really nice to see this album being released, after having been delayed for at least 2 years. Several of Paula's biggest hits were somewhat different than the versions included on her original albums, so it is great to finally see the hit single versions available on CD for the first time. For instance, the version of "Opposites Attract" that is included here is the one with the rap by "MC Skat Kat", the same version that was released as a single and became Paula's 4th #1 hit in early 1990. This version was not included on the "Forever Your Girl" album, and as far as I know, never released as a CD single. (Casstette singles were the main sellers in 1990). The single version was also somewhat remixed from the album version.

Another treat is the version of "Cold Hearted" that appears on this album. As most Paula fans will recall, the single version included a part in the middle where Paula talks very fast and repeats several words twice. This was also the version that became Paula's 3rd #1 hit in 1989. Again, this version was not included on the "Forever Your Girl" album, and is being made available on CD for the first time (at least as far as I know!). The same is true of the single version of "Forever Your Girl" that appears here, although it is only slightly remixed and runs around 30 seconds or so shorter than the original album version. In fact, all the hits featured on this album are the single versions, which is even better for collectors. (By the way, a bit of trivia for Paula fans----did you know that the album version of "Cold Hearted" was originally released as the B-Side of the "Straight Up" single? The record company also printed copies of the single where a remix of "Straight Up" appeared as the B-Side, rather than "Cold Hearted").

Also included for the first time on a Paula Abdul album is "Bend Time Back Around", which was previously only available on the "Beverly Hills 90210" soundtrack in 1992. In my opinion, this song was worthy of being a hit, but unfortunately failed to make the "Billboard Hot 100 Singles" chart.

The only negative aspect of this album is that it follows what seems to be a trend in "Greatest Hits" albums of leaving off a major hit in favor of a new song. Paula's Top 20 hit from 1992, "Will You Marry Me" (from the "Spellbound" album) is unfortunately left off this album in favor of a new Megamix Medley of her hits which runs over 9 minutes long. (This is not the same medley as the one on her "Shut Up And Dance" remix album of 1990). Although the new megamix is good, it seems a shame that a Top 20 hit would be shelved in favor of it.

Overall, this album serves Paula Abdul fans well. The inclusion of the single versions gives collectors and those who already own Paula's original albums all the more reason to purchase it. I also rank it among my personal favorite "Greatest Hits" albums. A definite must for Paula Abdul fans.

I just had to add my two cents about this disc. Paula's music along with that of Janet Jackson, Pebbles & Jody Watley remind me of a time in music when it was really diversified. Was Paula the strongest vocalist/singer of all time...NO but she could dance her azz off and created some of the most enjoyable & visually stimulating videos to this day.

I still have my bootleg cassette of 'Forever Your Girl' and keep it in my car to cheer me up on long drives but following that album, I never bought another Paula album till this one.

My fave tracks are 'Straight Up', 'Cold Hearted', 'Vibeology' & 'Blowin Kisses in The Wind'.

I'd definitely recommend adding this disc to your collection if your're curious about Paula, the music artist. It's a good representation of her music.