"Hurt": The Best of Timi Yuro

It's a shame that maybe a dozen or so individuals will stumble upon these reviews of Miss Timi Yuro and attempt to understand what a talent she was. I'd love to climb the musical mountain and shout her praises to the masses. In my opinion, she represents one of the all time great female singers to emerge in the sixties decade. That's a remarkable feat in itself. Timi's talent as a vocalist and song stylist are truly unique. Not only did she have a rich soulful voice but also the ability to interpret the song within her own style. This talent is extremely rare. A couple of examples of other vocalists who could put there imprint on a song, Sinatra, Nina Simone, come to mind.Timi's success didn't happen overnight but that story will have to be reserved for another time. Suffice to say, that Timi, with her magnificant talent, had the good fortune to be produced by the legend Clyde Otis and have her arrangements built by the one and only Belford Hendricks. These three together in the studio made musical magic that would last a lifetime. Next were the song selections, many penned by Clyde Otis. However, it's interesting to note that selections also included numbers penned by young Willie Nelson and Burt Bacharach. I like to think that Timi recognized their talent early on. It's also interesting to ponder what would have happened if Burt worked with Timi instead of Dianne Warwick during his musical heyday. Also her interpretation of the old chestnuts, Smile and Let Me Call You Sweatheart. These were songs being sung by barbershop quartets but Timi made them her own and added a soulful touch. What happened?? How could a star shine so brightly and with so much promise practically disappear, after only a few years, behind the clouds? Timi with her dedication, energy,hard work and talent should have been a major headliner for years but sadly this wasn't the case. One of the reasons were the times. Female pop singers were literally "chewed up and spit out" by the business. Talented singers were grouped together with the "one hit wonders " and soon forgotten by the general public. No one seriously thought female pop singer, for the most part, were capable of an extended career. During the late fifties and early sixties public visibility was challanging. There were very limited public venues. Some isolated TV spot work,if you were extremely lucky, possibly Dick Clark, Ed Sullivan, etc. Musical venues were just as restrictive. Many really talented artists were tossed into rock and roll package tours with at best ten minutes on the stage shared with a dozen or more acts.It was more akin to a circus performance then a musical concert. the other alternative was night club work. Unfortunately, the club attendees were mostly in their 40s,50s and up, who'd grown up listening to big band and standards singers. A talent like Timi's was rarely appreciated on a consistent basis. Although I don't know, I suspect she was probably represented by less then enlightened management. I find it hard to believe that any talented management, given Timi's work ethic and talent, could not have sustained a headlining career. Sadly, by the late sixties Timi mostly worked the golden oldies package tour. She never really received another major break,although there were periodic rays of sunshine mostly in Europe. To soon major health problems surfaced which, although she fought bravely, finally took the ultimate toll.All that's left is her music and the thought of what might have been for someone as talanted as she. My ongoing hope is that one of her classics will find it's way onto a successful movie soundtrack and her stylings will receive the wide audience this body of work deserves. It happened to the late Johnny Hartman(a long neglected jazz stylist)when Clint Eastwood inserted his material into the "Bridge " soundtrack. Until then, consider yourself fortunate that you somehow came accross Timi's work. Now purchase the CD and enjoy the songs for a lifetime.

"I know the reason you've been crying; I heard she won't be needing you; How does it feel being the one left behind; What's a matter baby, is it hurting you?," Timi sings on one of the most biting & bitter romantic breakup songs ever recorded. Yuro's vocals on "What's A Matter Baby" captured my imagination with the dramatic impact of her singing. Although at the time the track only went to #12 on the pop charts, it's an amazing testament to Yuro's power as a vocalist. This 1992 collection is still probably the best overview of Yuro's career, although the Best of the Mercury Years also has its charm. Her biggest hit was "Hurt" with its aching sadness & an arrangement rooted in its era. However, her amazing vocal presence delivers the payload, "Even though you've hurt me like nobody else could do, I would never ever hurt you." The well known torch song "Smile" is reinvented with Timi's emotionally laden delivery, "Now you should smile though your heart is aching, Smile even though it's breaking, When there are clouds way up in the sky, you're gonna get by." I love Yuro's unabashed use of strings on tracks like "You Belong to My Heart" that creates such a rich sonic landscape for Yuro's powerful vocals. "Count Everything" with its under-the-boardwalk percussion is a lovely track. Yuro tests her chops as a songwriter on "Only Love Me." "That's Right, Walk On By" is another breakup song with Timi's vocals bursting with hurt & anger, "I'm just your used-to-be & I know you don't have no more use for me." Yuro recorded a couple Burt Bacharach songs with the large swelling vocals on "The Love of a Boy" and the bouncy "If I Never Get to Love You." "I Ain't Gonna Cry No More" has a catchy chorus as Yuro takes the stance of one who's now romantically wiser. It's a great track. She takes the Hank Cochran track "Make the World Go Away" and breathes life into it with her powerful vocals. Elvis Presley also sang "She's Got You" and sold a few more records, although Timi's vocals are strong. This is an excellent collection that still sounds powerful and affecting as we near the 50th anniversary mark of "Hurt." Enjoy!

I can't believe that I never heard of TY until this day. Back in the early 60's I started collecting and listening to all types of music, yet I never heard of her. Recently a friend gave me a copy of a few of her songs and I thought they were great. Timi has a style like that of Dinah Washington and really delivers a tune in a powerful way. Obviously she never got the recognition she deserved probably because during that time you had such groups as the Beatles, Beach Boys, Rolling Stones and the up and coming Motown stars on the scene all at once. It was easy to miss her. Discovering her now is like listening to brand new music. After listening to this you will not be disappointed.

I just bought this second album of Timi Yuro--because I have totally enjoyed her 2CD set. Timi gives you her heart in very song she sings. She has a bold, bombastic voice, with a great vibrato and sincerity. If she sang the phone book, she would do it with feeling! I can only compare her to Shirley Bassey in power and range. The nice thing is, she can sound just like Dinah Washington on her softer ballads.It's uncanny to hear her do this! She was a big fan of Dinah Washington--"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery..."

there is nothing that Timi Yuro sings that isn't really good and worth listening too. she really was a diva.....

One of my favorites from long ago. She left too soon.

I bought this CD because I am a huge fan of Timi Yuro. Now I can listen to her soulful sounds that I grew up with, anytime I feel like it.. The CD arrived on time and plays beautifully.. Well worth the price..

Great. Highly recommend

perfection from a lost diva of 1960/70s check out other albums by Timi you will not be disappointed

Bought this album because I was interested in hearing the real person behind Duffys portrayal of Timi in the film Legend. What an amazing voice.

If you never hear another femail singer for the rest of your life you MUST hear Timi Yuro. This album is a great selection of her work. She sings with such feeling and soul and has left behind the most amazing collection of songs. Can someone please release "Something Bad on My Mind" album.

todo perfecto

Great CD. Shipped quickly. New.