Greatest Hits - Boney M. > Reviews > A much better greatest hits!

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	90% of the tracks are original versions; great catchy pop tunes  -  perfect for nostalgia
Disadvantages:	The original version of 'Mary's Boy Child' is not present; poor liner notes

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

In short, if you are looking for a one-stop Boney M compilation with the hits, this is the one to get, IF you can get hold of it.

I have just written a review for the 2006 compilation 'The magic of Boney M,' which to be frank, is appalling compared to this 'Greatest Hits.' The main reason : The Greatest Hits (this product) contains most of the original versions of the tracks AND better still, the album versions. The only complaints I have is that the liner notes are very basic - just a list of the tracks and the usual copyright information AND sadly, the original unedited 1978 version of the Christmas Number 1 'Mary's Boy Child/Oh My Lord is not present.'

All in all however - the original versions, bar from 'Mary's Boy Child/Oh My Lord' - the 1992 overdub of 'Mary's Boy Child' is essentially no different from the original bar under a minute edited out and the drums have changed. However, this is not the worst version of 'Mary's Boy Child' I have heard - that is left for the version on 'Magic of Boney M.'

The tracks worth noting:

Boney M were huge in the late 70s and all of the major singles from 1976 - 1980 are present, including naturally the million selling double A-sides 'Brown Girl in the ring/Rivers of Babylon' and 'Mary's Boy Child.' There are a couple of album tracks present and a fairly good cover of the classic 'No Woman, No Cry' is worth checking out- the infamous version of course was by Bob Marley & The Wailers.

Boney M's music is essentially feel-good pop/disco from the 70s, full of catchy choruses, but with a real caribbean flavour. Most people know the classic 'Rivers of Babylon' and 'Mary's Boy Child' (always on the radio/TV at Christmas) and essentially that represents Boney M - it's "sunny" pop music at its finest. Bit cheesy, but I like it.

HOWEVER, before 1978, Boney M were a little less cheesy and introduced the classic 'Daddy Cool,' which was featured on a car ad a few years ago (think it was Peugeot) and this is probably one of the best disco anthems of all time - excellent reverb on the vocals, plenty of strings and a great bassline.

The follow-up 'Ma Baker' tells a tale of the FBI's most wanted - an often forgotten 70s gem - brilliant bassline, quite similar to Daddy Cool, and excellent production - it's a fun track, especially for the quite bad Wild West American accents put on by the band at various points throughout the song.

'Ra-Ra Rasputin, Russia's greatest love machine' is also present - Rasputin was a major hit in 1978, completely different sound to their earlier releases and far removed from the caribbean flavour of 'Rivers of Babylon' and later releases. Another 70s gem - pure cheese, but quite amusing tribute to the legendary Rasputin, rumoured to be the Tsarina's lover. Nothing short of dramatic is how I would describe this number. The lyrics on this track are hysterical, particularly if you know a bit about Rasputin and that period of Russian history.

Boney M became increasingly cheesy as 1978 progressed, and naturally the cheesiest work is present : 'Brown Girl in the ring/Rivers of Babylon,' as well as the 1979 hit 'Hooray Hooray It's A Holi-Holiday.' These songs have a distinctive caribbean disco flavour, full of catchy choruses, perfect for summer days, but yes, not the most credible peak of 70s music. The version of 'Hooray Hooray' is not the original 1979 7" BUT having listened to the original on vinyl, there is little difference - a couple of seconds shorter and that's about it.

Another track to check out is the Boney M cover of the classic song 'Sunny' - an often covered track in the 60s. The Boney M version was sampled by Mark Ronson on the hit 'Ooh wee' a few years ago - before Mark Ronson became infamous with his album 'Version' naturally, which featured the infamous Amy Winehouse version of 'Valerie.' However fans of Ronson should check out both 'Ooh wee' and the Boney M song 'Sunny' on this album - I guarantee you will not be disappointed if you like retro disco.

Worth getting hold of if you like 70s music, particularly of the disco variety.