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38 of 41 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not ALL the best - that would take so many CDs!!, February 19, 2005
Like almost all of the reviewers I would give this a 5 star rating for 2 reasons - 1.)This a is superior collection of Tina's music, and far more comprehensive than "Simply the best", and 2.) NEW TINA songs!
As a long time fan, most of the songs on this collection are familiar to me from my heavily played albums and singles Tina has released in the past. Thus, my ear was tuned to the new, and that is what I will focus on since I am pretty sure most people reading this know her hits well enough to sing along.
Disc 1 is a good mix of previously released material with a couple of exceptions. If you were lucky enough to see the lady perform during her TV push for "All the best" you saw her sing the current adult contemporary hit "Open Arms". This song took a few listenings for me really get into...at first blush I thought Tina was kicking her vocals up to make up for the straight ahead bland backdrop...well, now I no longer feel that way. This song has a wonderful, upbeat feel, and while in no way could you say this song "rocks", Tina does what her fans love about her, she delivers a feel good message of friendship wrapped around a very satisfying pop backdrop. This is exactly the song Tina should be recording now, and I think the spirit of this song is what Tina's fans take away from her live shows - good vibes and inner strength.
After that, the least well known track is the song Tina recorded for the Disney film "Brother Bear" called "Great Spirits". This song was written for Tina by Phil Collins, and has a pleasant Adult Contemporary feel with a satisfying backdrop complete with strings. Personally, I like this song, and I am glad it was included here since I did not want to purchase the soundtrack.
Disc 2 is where the new material really surfaces. First off, one of my favorite singles of Tina's which was grossly cast aside by urban and pop radio, the very sexy "Wildest Dreams" (from the album of the same name.) As many of you know, this was a steamy duet Tina did with Barry White (and if you bought the single, also with Antonio Banderas!) And here we have a new version. Curiously, the version included here is a solo cut - Barry White's vocals have been replaced by Tina and new backup singers on the refrain. If I had never heard the original, I would love and defend this version...but hey. We are talking Barry White, and besides, the legend just died recently, he deserves the space on this CD. And to add to this, at the end of this version a French voice over pops on, which, although maybe could be considered adding a little sizzle, seems unecessary. HOWEVER, that said, since this was reworked, I had to wonder if they were considering making this a single - it still kicks and as I said I think it was underpromted when the Tina/Barry version was released about 10 years ago (right down to the bare bones cover art on the CD single with white background and headshots of the two.) This single should have been huge.
Next new, the marvelous "Tonight" duet with David Bowie. Sure, many have heard the live version before, but this is a studio version, and a great one at that. There is a mellow reggae vibe, and I was thrilled to hear Aretha Franklins "Spanish Harlem" (yep!) sampled. It makes one wonder the hit potential if Capitol had released a single. No matter what would have happened, Tina and David are fantastic together, and this is a great addition to a Tina collection.
After that, the next new song is one that other reviewers have praised as the next potential single, "Complicated Disaster". Pretty great title eh? And a very decent song - mid tempo and full of emotional vocals.
Personally, I would rank this just below the last of the new material, a lovely ballad titled "Something Special". This has a beat remeniscent of "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me" by Culture Club, and features a demure Tina singing with a honeycoated restraint. It also ends with a nice instrumental wrap. This reminds me of when "Simply The Best" came out and I loved "Way of the world" and "Love Thing" (both sadly missing here.)
So, as you can see, I am a fan of this compilations. Problems with it? Sure. Here is my list, but this is strictly personal.
Missing songs:
Hits:
-One of the living
-Show some respect
-Break every rule
-Look me in the heart
-Afterglow (dance hit)
Not hits but noteworthy:
-Undercover Agent for the blues
-Foriegn affair
-Falling like rain
-Confidential
-The difference between us
-All the woman
But hey, I have all those elsewhere anyway. ENJOY THIS GREAT COMPILATION, AND HOPE FOR A SHOW!
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29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rolling To Tina, February 4, 2005
I always hear so much about artists that really are just too annoying. From manufactured artists like our Milli Vanilli Jennifer Lopez, to wannabes Madonna's like Britney Spears. Yet, we really seem to often forget about true and definitive legends. That has truly been that way with Cher, Patti LaBelle, Aretha Franklin, and of course Tina Turner. Since her breakout in the late 50's, she came out with avengance. Yet, so many people did forget at a time, but she came back again still struting her stuff. Yet, with all he success, she still hasn't even stopped for a minute.
All The Best, the 2005 greatest hits collection is a very detailed reflection of Tina on her solo efforts away from her ex-hubby Ike Turner, and really displays her career since her massive comeback with Private Dancer in the 80's. The double album includes a lot of great songs here including hits like What's Love Got To Do WIth It, We Don't Need Another Hero from Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, I Don't Wanna Fight, When The Heartache Is Over, and Goldeneye to name a few. The songs sound much better than her previous 1991 collection Simply The Best and really displays Tina very, very well. Yet, there is one downside to this collection. It really doesn't focus in on much of her days with Ike Turner, other than hits like River Deep, Mountain High and Proud Mary. Still, for die hard Tina fans, it really doesn't make much of a hastle.
While so many greatest hits collection don't stand out very well, Tina Turner's All The Best is a great hits collection that really brings out the best of a living legendary diva that is still standing today. Hopefully, the younger generation can really appreciate and listen to this icon.
Remastering: A
Price: A-
Songs: B+
Overall: A-
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Uniquely Tina!, March 25, 2005
I've always liked Tina Turner, but I've never really gotten into her music, so this CD has been a real treat. As the first song--"Open Arms"--says, "Whatever life throws at you, your friend is here," and looking at the photo on the cover of the album, it does indeed seem that Tina is a friend.
Some of the songs are perfect for "a woman of a certain age," such as "I Don't Wanna Lose You," which speaks of the need, at this age, to find a real, honest relationship.
"I Don't Wanna Fight" are the words of a rather world weary woman, who just wants peace--and love.
The incredible "River Deep, Mountain High," with its soaring music and moving lyrics, conveys volumes about the emotional intensity love can bring.
"And What You Get is What You See" adds a lively, bouncy beat, which makes you want to get up and dance.
And there are so many others, which I am just getting to know.
This is an amazing artist, whose personality--gutsy, passionate, and, at times, vulnerable, shines through the music, giving it a style all its own.
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