Average Customer Review: ( 31 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.

As I write this, I am listening to "Meet Me On the Moon," my favorite track and one of the many fine ballads that form the heart of "Prime of My Life". It is at once elegant, contemplative and very sexy without resorting to cliches or excessive vamping. The tracks "When I Give My Love (This Time)" and the Quiet Storm radio hit "Living in Confusion" exhibit similar qualities, but in their own unique way. Other highlights include the sublime "When You Get Right Down To It" with special guest background vocals from R&B legend Betty Wright, the confident title track and the classy "Walk Away."

If you like sophistcated R&B at its best, this is a good place to hear it. Buy without hesitation.

14 of 14 found the following review helpful:

My Favorite SingerDec 16, 2003

This is simply Phyllis Hyman's best album. A true classic. Phyllis Hyman was my favorite singer. I am so grateful I was able to see her in concert before she passed. I brought all of her albums prior to her death as soon as they were released. Before I even heard them. Her talent was not appreciated while she was alive. And it still is not appreciated so many years after her death. "Meet Me On The Moon" is her masterpiece! This is a rare CD where every song on it is outstanding. My favorites are "Meet Me On The Moon", "I Found Love", "When I Give My Love This Time", "When You Get Right Down To It" and Living In Confusion". Phyllis Hyman was truly in a class by her self. A truly great talent!

19 of 21 found the following review helpful:

I Miss Phyllis HymanJun 11, 2000
By MarvelousMarla "MarvyM"
I still remember where I was when I heard that this wonderfully talented woman had taken her own life. This is the last CD she made before her untimely death, and I think it's her best. I don't think it was any accident that it's titled "Prime of Life." Her talent was matched by her imposing physical presence. I think she was about 6 feet tall. I met her once at The Black Expo in Manhattan back in '90. She was so gracious and even posed for pictures.

What can I say about that voice? It's husky, impassioned and supple -- absolutely inimitable. When I get married, I intend to use "Meet Me on the Moon" in the wedding. Those lyrics are so earnest and Phyllis sings them with such conviction --"You be my love and I'll be yours too. As long as the sun warms the heavens. Tell me. You be my love and here's what we'll do. We'll skywrite our love through the heavens" -- I don't think there will be a dry eye in the house. The printed word does this song no justice. "I found Love" is also a very sweet ballad. I enjoyed them all.

A friend once said of Phyllis "She was the bomb, and she didn't even know it." So true. At least she left behind a beautiful musical legacy. RIP.

8 of 8 found the following review helpful:

BEYOND INCREDIBLE!!!!!Dec 17, 2004
By T. Robinson "historynp2003"
That voice is beyond the signature of incredible power.......and control.....that lady had AMAZING CONTROLLLLLLLL!!! god, have u ever heard "Living In Confusion (The Album Version)" WOWWWW!!

When she yelled out "LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!!" wow,she must have really be tired of going through what she was going through at that time she co-wrote the song......thats one thing about any song phyllis hyman sings,she convinces u to the maximum , that what shes singing about is the absolute truth......

OMG,I love Phyllis so much.....she is juss my mentor,my inspiration......i wish i had enough money to buy every thing by her at one time.....

believe me......u cant go wrong with anything Phyllis sings,its just straight up down to earth material,incredible power......strong lyrical arrangements....

I LOVE U PHYLLIS!!!!

8 of 8 found the following review helpful:

A Precious Audio TreasureAug 10, 2000
By Jesse H. Melchor
"Prime Of My Life" is frequently considered one of the Sophisticated Lady's best albums, and there are many reasons why. Enduring distribution issues with PIR, Phyllis seized the opportunity to perform many of the songs from this album during her live performances; thereby giving her truly passionate audience a sneak preview of things to come. The material was very well-received and the first single, "Don't Wanna Change The World," climbed to the number one spot on the R&B charts. Alas, this would be her only song to reach that plateau. The follow up single, the aching ballad, "Living In Confusion," echoed Phyllis' long-standing history to sing songs with integrity. "When You Get Right Down To It" continued her love affair of blending R&B with jazz, with soothing quiet storms resulting. "I Found Love" supplemented the selection of singles, providing a tender ballad of joy and happiness.

In addition, the album tracks stand strong on their own and are worth mentioning. "Prime Of My Life" may have suggested Phyllis' state of mind during this time, despite her troubled soul that she fought long and hard to overcome. Perhaps "I Can't Take It Anymore" was an early hint of just how difficult her inner demons were becoming to her.

By far, the two tracks which stand out for any Phyllis Hyman fan are "When I Give My Love (This Time)" and "Meet Me On The Moon." No sweeter sound can be heard than by playing these tracks back to back. "When I Give My Love (This Time)" is a true torch song in every sense of the word. It creeps up on you from the opening drum tap, to the picking of the electric guitar and flowing bassline. Her vocals are smooth and tender...building to a crescendo so high that you never want to come down. Her vocal delivery is adamant, confident and assured.

"Meet Me On The Moon" sneaks in with a piano tickle. If a voice could every be carried on the clouds above, then this is how it would sound. No romantic evening is complete without the blessing of hearing this ballad. It is known that this was one of Phyllis' favorite songs from her repertoire. In fact, she had to fight to have it included on this project. She performed it a cappella to Kenny Gamble one morning, determined with her passion for the song. The decision to include it was indeed a wise one.

If you can only pick up a precious few of her albums, this must be one of them. Highly recommended for the true music and vocalist lover.

See all 31 customer reviews on Amazon.com