Track Listing

1. Aria
2. Looking Glass
3. In the Morning Light
4. Marching Season
5. Swept Away
6. One Man's Dream
7. Mermaid
8. To the One Who Knows
9. Santorini
10. Acroyali
11. In the Mirror
12. Someday
13. Flight of Fantasy
14. End of August
15. Rain Must Fall
16. Face in the Photograph

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #48189 in Music
• Released on: 2000-10-10
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Amazon.com
Here's the scoop on this disc: it is a fine and satisfying survey of the years that Yanni spent while under contract to a major record conglomerate, BMG. It evenly samples different stages of the keyboardist's work from 1986 to 1994 (his thunderous early phase and his romantic-icon period of the early 1990s) and attractively groups some of his most memorable works in a single package (though by shifting back and forth between eras, the pacing at times is uneven). For a Yanni newcomer, this is a good introductory sampler of a major and worthwhile New Age artist. Just realize this: Yanni had nothing to do with this compilation. Nor has he had any involvement with any of the additional five samplers the company has rushed to market since Yanni jumped to another label in 1997. --Terry Wood

Customer Reviews

From Solo Piano Publications
The compilation albums put together from Yanni's previous releases must be outnumbering the albums Yanni himself assembled by now! That this one was titled "The Very Best Of" piqued my curiosity, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who would have included other pieces and removed some from this collection. I have to wonder which of his pieces Yanni would have selected as his very best - that could be an interesting collection! "Aria", "The Mermaid", "Looking Glass","Santorini", "The Rain Must Fall", and "Marching Season" are essential Yanni. "The Mermaid" was the first of his pieces that I heard on the radio in about `87, and it was one of the pieces that launched his career - as were "Nostalgia" and "Paths on Water". I don't understand how the latter two pieces could be omitted from a "Very Best" collection. And why did they include "The End of August" and leave off the wonderful "Felitsa"? Both songs have a similar feel, but "Felitsa" is far better. "In the Mirror" and "Face In the Photograph" are nice pieces, but definitely not among Yanni's best. For those new to Yanni's music, this is a great starter package. However, the selections only go through Yanni's time at Private Music, which ended in the early `90's. So, as most of the compilation albums have been, this one is a tease. It's a really good album, but beware that this is not a true representation of all of Yanni's music to date. And also be aware that Yanni had nothing to do with the selection of pieces included.

Definitely Worth The Time
The other reviews didn't seem to convey too much ethusiasm for this work, but I disagree. I think it's unfair to try to compare Yanni to Chopin or Beethoven. Compare him to somebody around today, or rather ask yourself, "is it worth the time I spent to hear this?" I think it is. If you simply want to hear some relaxing music, then Yanni is a good bet. This album is one of his best... "Someday" is my favorite track on the album. It reminds me of a very long vacation in a hammock! Next to "Friends" by Ryan Farish, it is my favorite song. The two are somewhat comparable keyboard pieces, and really bring out the best of one's soul... I would recommend this album to anyone!

Ultimate Soothing Grooves
How could you go wrong with the best of Yanni? If you love his other albums, then it tends to follow, that you will like this one as well. From a personal standpoint, I'm a real fan of Yanni. I love to listen to his kind of "soothing groves" during my long commute to work. I'm surprised to see another review mention Ryan Farish. I didn't know very many people listened to him, but "In The Day" is a great CD itself. It's very comparable to Yanni. I don't know if it's comparable to "The Best of Yanni"!, but it could hold its own with one of his other CDs. The Best of Yanni a great addition to anyone's music library, and I encourage fans and non-fans alike to get this one. See for yourself.