Blue Magic was an American R&B group that rose to fame in the 1970s. They were known for their smooth harmonies and romantic ballads. Blue Magic had several hit songs during their career that became classics in the R&B genre. One of their greatest hits was "Sideshow," released in 1974. The song tells the story of a man who feels like a sideshow attraction in a relationship. Its haunting melody and heartfelt lyrics struck a chord with audiences, making it one of Blue Magic's most memorable tracks.
Most of the essential gems that are on Greatest Hits are also on Soulful Spell, and that includes Sideshow, Three Ring Circus, and Stop to Start, as well as Look Me Up, Spell, and What s Come Over Me the original 1974 version, not the 1975 duet with Margie Joseph. Most of the essential gems that are on Greatest Hits are also on Soulful Spell, and that includes Sideshow, Three Ring Circus, and Stop to Start, as well as Look Me Up, Spell, and What s Come Over Me the original 1974 version, not the 1975 duet with Margie Joseph.
Its haunting melody and heartfelt lyrics struck a chord with audiences, making it one of Blue Magic's most memorable tracks. Another notable hit by Blue Magic was "Three Ring Circus," released in 1974 as well. This song continued in the theme of feeling like a circus act in a relationship, using the metaphor of a three-ring circus.
The Magic of the Blue: Greatest Hits
In a perfect world, all of Blue Magic's '70s LPs would have been reissued on CD in the late '80s or '90s. But that didn't happen; when the 21st century arrived, most of the Philadelphia vocal group's '70s albums were out of print. However, various best-of packages were available on CD. The most comprehensive is The Best of Blue Magic: Soulful Spell, a superb 20-song collection that Rhino assembled in 1996. Less generous is Magic of the Blue: Greatest Hits; originally released on vinyl by Omni in 1986 and subsequently reissued on CD, Magic of the Blue: Greatest Hits only contains 12 songs. Most of the essential gems that are on Greatest Hits are also on Soulful Spell, and that includes "Sideshow," "Three Ring Circus," and "Stop to Start," as well as "Look Me Up," "Spell," and "What's Come Over Me" (the original 1974 version, not the 1975 duet with Margie Joseph). Both collections are gem-laden and both paint a highly attractive picture of Blue Magic's '70s heyday; when the quintet was at their creative peak from 1974-1976 (the period that Greatest Hits focuses on), Blue Magic was Philly soul heaven. Anyone who treasures Philly vocal heavyweights like the Stylistics, the Moments, and the Delfonics owes it to himself/herself to hear Blue Magic as well. So if you're exploring Blue Magic's legacy for the first time, what is the best starting point? Although everything on Magic of the Blue: Greatest Hits is first-rate, Soulful Spell would be a better choice. Again, it is more generous -- and unlike Greatest Hits, Soulful Spell boasts informative liner notes by writer A. Scott Galloway. Greatest Hits certainly isn't a bad CD to have in your collection, but it isn't ideal -- and all things considered, Soulful Spell would be the best choice if you're making your first Blue Magic purchase.
In a perfect world, all of Blue Magic's '70s LPs would have been reissued on CD in the late '80s or '90s. But that didn't happen; when the 21st century arrived, most of the Philadelphia vocal group's '70s albums were out of print. However, various best-of packages were available on CD. The most comprehensive is The Best of Blue Magic: Soulful Spell, a superb 20-song collection that Rhino assembled in 1996. Less generous is Magic of the Blue: Greatest Hits; originally released on vinyl by Omni in 1986 and subsequently reissued on CD, Magic of the Blue: Greatest Hits only contains 12 songs. Most of the essential gems that are on Greatest Hits are also on Soulful Spell, and that includes "Sideshow," "Three Ring Circus," and "Stop to Start," as well as "Look Me Up," "Spell," and "What's Come Over Me" (the original 1974 version, not the 1975 duet with Margie Joseph). Both collections are gem-laden and both paint a highly attractive picture of Blue Magic's '70s heyday; when the quintet was at their creative peak from 1974-1976 (the period that Greatest Hits focuses on), Blue Magic was Philly soul heaven. Anyone who treasures Philly vocal heavyweights like the Stylistics, the Moments, and the Delfonics owes it to himself/herself to hear Blue Magic as well. So if you're exploring Blue Magic's legacy for the first time, what is the best starting point? Although everything on Magic of the Blue: Greatest Hits is first-rate, Soulful Spell would be a better choice. Again, it is more generous -- and unlike Greatest Hits, Soulful Spell boasts informative liner notes by writer A. Scott Galloway. Greatest Hits certainly isn't a bad CD to have in your collection, but it isn't ideal -- and all things considered, Soulful Spell would be the best choice if you're making your first Blue Magic purchase.
The soulful vocals and gripping instrumentation made this song a standout in their discography. Additionally, "Spell" was another successful hit for Blue Magic. Released in 1973, this song showcased the group's ability to create captivating and enchanting melodies. It tells the story of being under a spell of love and not being able to resist its powers. "Spell" became a fan favorite and further cemented Blue Magic's place in the R&B music scene. In addition to these songs, Blue Magic had several other hit tracks, including "What's Come Over Me" featuring Margie Joseph and "Stop to Start." These songs showcased the group's versatility and ability to create diverse and memorable songs. Blue Magic's greatest hits continue to be celebrated and loved by fans of R&B music. Their smooth harmonies, captivating lyrics, and soulful melodies make them timeless classics in the genre..
Reviews for "Blue Magic's Top Hits: Taking a Walk Down Memory Lane"
1. Emily - 2/5
I was really disappointed with the "Blue Magic Greatest Hits Songs" album. The song choices were very underwhelming and didn't showcase the best of the band's talent. The production also sounded outdated and lacked the modern touch that I was hoping for. Overall, it felt like a lackluster compilation that didn't do justice to the band's true potential.
2. John - 1/5
I have been a fan of Blue Magic for many years, but their Greatest Hits Songs album was a huge letdown. The selection of songs seemed random, and it didn't showcase their most iconic tunes. The sound quality was also very poor, with muffled vocals and instrumentals. It's like they didn't put any effort into making this album enjoyable for the fans. I would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2/5
I was really excited to listen to the Blue Magic Greatest Hits Songs album, but it did not live up to my expectations. The song arrangements felt rushed and uninspired, and it seemed like the band was just going through the motions. I was hoping for a collection of their best hits, but instead, it felt like a compilation of average tracks. Overall, it was a missed opportunity to celebrate the band's true talent.
4. Mike - 2/5
As a long-time fan of Blue Magic, I was eager to get my hands on their Greatest Hits Songs album. However, I was left disappointed. The song selection was decent, but the overall execution felt lacking. The production quality was inconsistent, and some tracks sounded flat and dated. It's a shame because Blue Magic has produced some incredible music, but this album didn't do them justice. I would recommend listening to their original albums instead.