2009-06-18 -- 4/5:: Sure takes me back...
I really enjoyed this album, it took me back to my childhood days. All of her most recognizeable songs are here along with the rarity "Goonies R Good Enough" (which is much better than its title suggests). Songs like "True Colors" and "I drove all night" really bring out her chops as a vocalist. There were a few skippable songs from her later CD's but those didn't detract much from the whole.

2009-05-31 -- 5/5:: Essential Cyndi Lauper
Cyndi Lauper became one of the most well-known singers of the 80's. If it weren't for Madonna she would have become huge. Lauper's original style will evoke memories of the 80's for those living in that era. These songs have a classic and magical style to them that gets better with each listen. Lauper's vocals are not for everyone. For some they may be irritating but for others comforting. Her powerful vocal range makes Madonna's vocals pale in comparison. She can sing ballads as well as up-tempo 80's pop songs. Co-writing every song on this album she proves to the public that she is a respected artist for the most part. In 2008 she released a new album called "Bring Ya To The Brink" which is the style of dance-pop.

2009-04-09 -- 4/5:: Good album with all the hits from cyndi lauper.
If you like cyndi lauper you will like this album. It has her best songs.

2009-04-06 -- 4/5:: extremely good--as far as it goes, that is...
The Essential Cyndi Lauper really should have been a two CD set. While we get a good number of her biggest hits on this album, there isn't quite enough to satisfy me. Although the material that we do get is wonderful; where are some more very good tunes? At any rate, Cyndi worked hard to produce great music for her fans; and just one listen to this album proves it. In addition, the quality of the sound is excellent and the artwork is very well done.

"Girls Just Want To Have Fun" starts the CD off with a huge number that was one of Cyndi's earliest hits. "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" celebrates women who just want to enjoy their relationships with men without long term commitments; and Cyndi delivers this like a pro! The number is full of positive energy and it's great music for dancing even today. "Money Changes Everything" was another early hit for Cyndi; this has that mid `80s dance flavor to it and Cyndi's really good diction enhances the number even more. "Who Let In The Rain" features Cyndi front and center--right where she belongs! "Who Let In The Rain" is a fine number that proves Cyndi can easily tackle a rock flavored ballad to make it take flight!

"She Bop" was always one of my very favorite Cyndi Lauper hits; this hit the airwaves big time during the summer of 1984 and I remember going to dances where the DJs played this very often. "She Bop" has a great, power-packed melody that is also rather catchy and it remains one of Cyndi Lauper's best hits ever. "Time After Time" also comes from the mid 1980s; and Cyndi does this wonderfully. "I Drove All Night" comes from Cyndi's great album entitled A Night To Remember and just one listen proves that Cyndi is a champ! "Hat Full Of Stars" is a ballad from the album of the same name; and listen for "All Through The Night." "All Through The Night" is one of Cyndi Lauper's best hits ever--period. The percussion enhances the musical arrangement and Cyndi's excellent diction makes her performance even better. "All Through The Night" is another one of my very favorite Cyndi Lauper tunes and it deserves its place on this CD.

"When You Were Mine" comes from Cyndi's first album entitled She's So Unusual; and Cyndi's cover of the song originally done by Prince really shines bright. "True Colors" comes from the album of the same; Cyndi does this with great sensitivity and the guitar work enhances the melody quite a bit. Awesome! "Unhook The Stars" plays with major and minor keys as Cyndi sings this very well; and the album ends strong with a great number from the movie The Goonies entitled "The Goonies 'R' Good Enough." I agree with other reviewers who write that this last number is a most welcome addition to this album.

I always liked Cyndi Lauper; so while I love the tunes on this album I must admit that it's not as complete as it should be. There should be several other songs here. Specifically, I would have wanted extra songs like "Hole In My Heart (All The Way To China);" "My First Night Without You;" "Ballad Of Cleo & Joe;" "Boy Blue" and maybe even one or two more. That's a missed opportunity; and I can only hope that we get a better Cyndi Lauper "essential" collection two CD set soon. Nevertheless, I still recommend this album for Lauper's fans; and it makes a great starter CD for people just discovering Cyndi's talents. It's also a fine CD for people who merely want a small sampling of Cyndi Lauper's incredible artistry.

2008-12-30 -- 5/5:: Great collection!
I love this collection. I'm more of a hard rock fan but this stuff brings back some great 80's memories. Time after time and True colors reminds me of high school and the girl friend and friends I had then that have all since moved away or just lost touch. Great music like this moves us to reflect and think. Some of it makes me sad but good music does that.
Also, I like to support artists who are cool and not too full of themselves...Cindy seems like a cool chick to hang out with.
If you love good music-get this cd.