Right Here Waiting (Greatest Hits - Richard Marx)

Member Name: jeffjen

Product:	Greatest Hits - Richard Marx
Date:	22/05/09 (100 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good songs

Disadvantages: None

As I have mentioned before, I love music and do enjoy listening to a broad range. I do have my favourite bands and artists, and probably listen to rock music more than any other genre, but now and then I do like to mellow out a little and listen to some easy listening and soppy stuff!

I first came across Richard Marx in the 90's when he released a couple of singles which I quite liked. I never bought any of his albums but a while back when I was mooching around HMV I saw this Greatest Hits album in the sale and decided to buy it. I thought I only knew a couple of tracks, but on listening to it I found I knew a couple more, and also liked most of the other tracks too, so it was quite a bargain buy!

For those of you who do not know, Richard Marx is an American singer/songwriter and also record producer, and is probably best known for the hit singles he had in the late 80's and the 90's, such as 'Hazard' and 'Right Here Waiting'. Most of his hit records were slow ballads but he also wrote quite a few more up-tempo, soft rock records too.
He managed to place himself in the US record books for having his first seven singles reach the Top 5 of the US charts.

Richard Marx sang jingles for TV commercials as a child and somehow, at the age of 17, a tape of his songs ended up in the hands of Lionel Richie, who was so impressed he invited him to sing backing vocals on his first solo album -' Lionel Richie'. He then went on to sing backing vocals on Richie's next album 'Can't Slow Down' before also singing backing vocals for Madonna and Whitney Houston amongst others.
He was also a keen songwriter, and his break came whilst singing for Kenny Rogers, he gave him a song he had written, which Kenny went on to record.

Eventually Richard Marx landed his own recording contract, after initially being rejected by record companies, and has since gone on to record a number of albums whilst still also writing for and collaborating with other artists, right up until the present day.
A particular favourite song of mine is one he co-wrote with Luther Vandross, which Luther did record, entitled 'Dance With My Father'.

His greatest hits collection was released in 1997, and although he has released further albums and had more hits since, it remains a good collection of songs from earlier in his career.

The tracklist and a little bit about the songs :~

Don't Mean Nothing ~ this was Richard's first single, released in 1987, which is one of his more up-tempo songs, about the struggles of life. It is not one of my favourite songs on the album but has quite a catchy feel about it.

Endless Summer Nights ~ this was his next single release which was a big hit for him. Yet ironically it was a song he had touted around major record companies when trying to get a recording deal, and they had rejected it. Richard says this song should serve as a reminder to every struggling new artist, that you should never give up. I do like this track, it has an 80's feel to it (showing my age!) and takes me back to my youth!

Now And Forever ~ I do like this one, and it was a big hit for Richard both in the US and here in the UK in 1994. A slow ballad which Richard wrote to celebrate his relationship with his wife.

Should've Known Better ~ this is another single from his first album, which is not one of my favourites but still quite a good track which is about the demise of his first relationship.

Angelia ~ another up-tempo single from Richard's second studio album from 1989. A good track which is one of his personal favourites. 'Angelia' was in fact a flight attendant on a flight once, who served him a drink, and he liked the name!

Hold On To The Nights ~ This is one of my favourites. It is a slow ballad which gave Richard his first US No.1. It is a hauntingly beautiful track with quite sad lyrics.

Angel's Lullaby ~ Another nice track which Richard wrote for his son's. He gave the track to the Pediatric AIDS Foundation to be used on a CD called 'For Our Children Too'.

Take This Heart ~ A 1991 single from his third album, which is a catchy guitar infused track. This is another of my favourites on this album.

Satisfied ~ The first single taken from his second album in 1989, and another up-tempo track, it is not a favourite of mine but it was No.1 hit in the US.

Until I Find You Again ~ a slow ballad, with lovely lyrics. Richard wrote this as a portrait of how it would be if he couldn't be with his wife. Released in 1997 this went to No.1 in several countries.

Hazard ~ This was the first song I heard by Richard Marx and liked it a lot. It remains one of my favourites on this collection.Taken from his third album in 1991 it is an up-tempo track, which tells the tale of a man being wrongfully accused of murder in a fictional version of Hazard, Nebraska. It was a No.1 hit all around the world. I remember this being played a lot on the radio all summer.

The Way She Loves Me ~ This is one of my least favourite tracks on the album, and in my opinion probably the weakest. Released in 1994, it was the follow-up single to 'Now And Forever'. It is more up-tempo but doesn't really do anything for me.

Keep Coming Back ~ One of the first of several songs which featured Luther Vandross on backing vocals. Luther was a very close friend and they shared a lot of songwriting and performing together. It is sung with so much soul - a great track.

Children Of The Night ~ This was written in support of the L.A. based 'Children of the Night' organisation for Runaways. It was taken from his second album and all royalties were donated to the charity. Some of the children sing on this track and it was the first song that his jazz musician father worked upon. Sadly his father died in 1997.

Touch Of Heaven ~ Produced by Randy Jackson, Richard described this track as fun to sing, and bridging the gap between old and new R&B.

Right Here Waiting ~ Finally the last track is probably his best known and most popular UK hit. A slow ballad which was a big hit and gave Richard his 3rd consecutive number one in the US.
I do like this song and it is another one of my favourites. Richard describes this as his signature song and wasn't prepared to release it as it is deeply personal to him and his wife. However, he was convinced by those closest to him to release it and states it is a privilege as a songwriter to know that is is ' our song' to many couples all over the world.

Overall, this is a good album with 16 tracks, all taken from his first five albums, with the exception of 'Angels's Lullaby'.
It demonstrates to me what a good songwriter he is, and I think anyone who liked any of his singles would enjoy listening to this. The album is not only a perfect overview of his career, it serves also as an introduction to a very good singer/songwriter.

Richard Marx greatest hits is currently available to buy from Amazon at £7.98 new or from £2.89 used.

Summary: A good singles collection