Timi Yuro
Timi Yuro was an American singer known for her powerful contralto voice and blue-eyed soul style. Born Rosemary Victoria Yuro on August 4, 1940, in Chicago, she rose to fame in the early 1960s with her breakout hit "Hurt."
Rosemary Timothy Yuro, often called the "little girl with the big voice," grew up in an Italian-American family and moved to Los Angeles as a child. She began performing in her family's Italian restaurant, honing a deep, emotive style influenced by R&B and standards. Signed to Liberty Records in 1959, her career took off under producer Clyde Otis.
In 1961, Yuro's version of "Hurt" reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 2 on Adult Contemporary, and No. 22 on R&B charts, establishing her as a soul stylist. Follow-up singles like "I Apologize" (No. 72 US, No. 19 AC) and "Smile" (No. 42 US, No. 9 AC) followed, and she toured with Frank Sinatra in Australia while appearing on shows like Britain's Ready Steady Go!.
Yuro gained popularity in Europe, the Philippines (starring in the 1967 film Buhay Marino), and performed at venues like the Kray twins' clubs in London. After re-signing with Liberty in 1968, she shifted toward cabaret but quit music post-1969 marriage. A 1981 Netherlands comeback featured a Top 5 "Hurt" re-recording and gold album All Alone Am I, leading her to relocate there temporarily.
Yuro continued performing into the 1990s but faced health struggles. She passed away on March 30, 2004, in Las Vegas at age 63.
The Very Original Greatest Hits
Written-By – Jacobs, Crane
2:38
A2 The Love Of A Boy
Written-By – Bacharach/David
2:25
A3 If I Never Get To Love You
Written-By – Bacharach/David
2:29
A4 I Apologize
Written-By – Goodhart, Hoffman, Nelson
2:50
A5 Just Say I Love Him
Written-By – Val, Dale, Kalmanoff, Ward
2:55
A6 What's A Matter Baby
Written-By – Otis, Byers
2:30
A7 I'll Never Fall In Love Again
Written-By – Jimmie Currie, Lonnie Donegan
2:35
A8 Fever
Written-By – Colley, Davenport
3:01
B1 Smile
Written-By – Chaplin, Parsons, Turner
2:48
B2 I Ain't Gonna Cry No More
Written-By – Byers
2:32
Timi Yuro's The Very Original Greatest Hits offers a powerful showcase of her distinctive, emotive, blue-eyed soul voice, with fans praising its fantastic sound and mix of blues, country, and soul, though some compilations might feature slight background noise on certain tracks, likely due to source tape issues; it's considered an excellent collection highlighting hits like "Hurt," "Make the World Go Away," and soulful covers, confirming her status as a powerhouse performer even decades later.
The main draw is Yuro's deep, resonant contralto voice, often compared to Dinah Washington, described as "sensational," "powerhouse," and full of "hurt & anger".
Features a strong mix of R&B, blues, and country-infused soul, showcasing her versatility. Includes essential songs like her iconic hit "Hurt," "Make the World Go Away," "Fever," "Smile," "What's a Matter Baby," and covers of Burt Bacharach songs.
A collection of timeless performances from a unique, influential artist often called the "little girl with the big voice". A great introduction to Yuro for those discovering her after seeing her in films like The Krays or hearing her iconic "Hurt". Listeners love how she "lives" the song, conveying deep emotion and making the music compelling.
Overall, a highly recommended collection for fans of powerful, soulful singing, celebrated for its emotive quality and great song selection. Reviewers and fans consistently praise the emotional depth and raw power of Timi Yuro's vocals, with some calling her "one of the best ever" soul singers. The compilation is seen as an excellent introduction to her work, featuring many of her most well-known and affecting songs.
Yuro's voice is described as a "powerhouse" with a deep, strident, and soulful quality that carries immense emotional weight. Listeners note that she "lives" the songs she performs, often bringing listeners to tears.