I love me some Ms. Patti Lord knows is do but the only reason i gave this album 5 stars is because it's Patti the material is all great with good sound but it's missing "If only you knew" her first #1 as a solo artist. Also i din't think "Love is a whisper away" and "Don't block the blessings" should have been added. They were not hits, not even singles from the Flame album. They could have thrown in "If only...." and " Love,need and want you" or " You Are My Friend". and wait Where the hell was "Lady Marmalade" Thats what made me mad what is What can i do for you doing in the place of "Lady M." that was the biggest mistake on the disc!! Even so the album is good. I lov the pic of her in the studio it lokks like a defenitive collection very nice look to it! It sold well to it charted at #36 on the R&B charts it sold in the thousands! It was a bgi hit for a compilation cd especially since she has had so many and she's black!! Also some people i think thought it was her gospel Cd but most just wanted it! I found that alot of young people like me have it! Wise children!

No "You Are My Friend", no "If Only You Knew", no "Love, Need and Want You"- definitely NOT definitive!!

this cd could have been indeed been the definitive collection but anyone who is a fan of miss patti knows her signature song is You Are My Friend, it's not included here on this cd. the sound of what is on the cd is great, but alas like i said it's lacking the big gun

There are often times where I've seen and heard a very good artist, but not actually deliver a definitive greatest hits record. Nevertheless, it is definitely a very sad situation for so many acts within the past several years. From Luther Vandross, to Natalie Cole, they've each had several hits records that were good, but not good enough. That also is the case with a true leend like Patti LaBelle. Her career has span a mind-blowing 45 years, and remains one of the very few perfomers that shows that her voice is still as unique and special as it was the day it started. Now that her 45th anniversary is here, another hits record is out from her universal catalog of delights. The question is, does this collection deliver like the other ones did.

Patti LaBelle's 2006 Definitive collection is a single disc comprehensive collection that tries to showcase Patti's longtime highs and lows as a singer. The album features 19 of her tracks reflecting her eras with The Bluebelles, LaBelle, and Patti's solo efforts. The record does show some of her best tracks like On My Own with Michael McDonald, Kiss Away The Pain, The Best Is Yet To Come with the late Grover Washington Jr., the upbeat When You Talk About Love, and her 2004 hit New Day. Although the album does highlight a lot of her great tracks, the also isn't really as definitive as it claims to be. The album really overlooks a lot of great songs such as the fiesty and soulful classic Lady Marmalade, If Only You Knew, the seductive Love, Need & Want You, When A Woman Loves, and many other great tracks.

All in all, Patti LaBelle's Definitive Collection feels more like it is a re-introduction to her longtime career to new fans, rather than displaying a definitive reflection for die hard longtime fans of this legendary diva. Still, if you haven't heard any of these great songs Patti LaBelle has made famous throughout the years, than this record is still worth listening to.

Album Cover: B (Same Cover As 2000 When A Woman Loves album)

Songs: C+

Price: C

Remastering: B-

Overall: C 1/2+