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Best of

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Various compilations have been released on CD with slightly different track listings. This review pertains to the Rhino Best of compilation, the first eleven tracks of which are a straight re-issue of Tracey's original debut album.

Tracey first achieved fame in her native Britain as a comedienne, then had a brief career as a pop singer before moving to America, where she resumed her career as a comedienne. The public are always suspicious of established celebrities becoming pop singers, but make no mistake, Tracey can sing, as this and other collections of her music show. She knew her limitations and worked within them effectively and well.

Tracey recorded two original albums on LP. The first, You broke my heart in 17 places, was pure magic. The second, You caught me out, was quite a good effort with some magic moments. A compilation album was released containing the best tracks from the first two plus some other songs, including My guy, that didn't appear on either.

Tracey's biggest hit, They don't know, was a cover of a song by the brilliant Kirsty MacColl, whose own version of the song had mysteriously flopped. Tracey took the song to number two in the UK and number eight in the USA. It went to number one in Norway and several other countries. After that Kirsty supplied Tracey with other songs - You broke my heart in 17 places, You caught me out, Terry

Tracey had other hits in the UK, all covers. Breakaway (Jackie De Shannon) peaked at four. Move over darling peaked at eight in Britain just as Doris Day's original had done although neither made the USA charts. Sunglasses was first recorded by Skeeter Davis but was quickly covered by Sandy Posey. My guy was originally written and recorded by Madness as My girl. The minor hit Helpless is a Motown song originally recorded by Kim Weston.

Tracey recorded many other covers of songs from the late fifties to the early eighties including Long live love (Sandie Shaw). Shattered (Sandy Posey), Oh what a night (the Dells), Bobby's girl (Marcie Blaine in the USA, Susan Maughan in the UK), Life is a rock but the radio rolled me (Reunion), I'm always touched by your presence dear (Blondie), I close my eyes and count to ten (Dusty Springfield), Baby I lied (Deborah Allen), I don't want our loving to die (the Herd) and Falling in and out of love (Sinceros).

As befitting a comedienne, Tracey's music is upbeat, fun, music not to be taken too seriously but Tracey is no mere novelty singer. This is great party music but can be enjoyed in any setting.

I fondly remember the video for Tracey Ullman's hit single "They Don't Know" with its cameo by Paul McCartney. I tracked down the record at the library and made a cassette copy. Now I have this CD and am the proverbial happy camper. I have always liked girl groups, mainly because I think their songs are usually in my vocal range, plus there is more of a tendency to harmony than you get with boy bands (e.g., "Beatles" versus "Rolling Stones"). "The Best of Tracey Ullman: You Broke My Heart in 17 Places" is something of a throwback to the 50s-60s.

For me this collection starts off a lot stronger than it finishes. In addition to "They Don't Know," the tracks that get the most play at my house are Tracey's cover song: Jackie DeShannon's "Breakaway," Marcie Blane's "Bobby's Girl," the Reunion's "(Life Is A Rock) But The Radio Rolled Me," and the Blondie classic "(I'm Always Touched By Your) Presence Dear." One thing you get with Tracey Ullman is high energy, which always reminds me of Bette Midler. The key difference is that with Ullman the songs are carried more by production values than by her voice, not that there is anything wrong with that. She's a fun singer and this is a fun album that can perk you up in the late afternoon at work.

My mother bought this cassette in our local pharmacy in the early 80's, and with me being born in only '79 it wasn't exactly on the "Hit" list with anyone else my age. It's not exactly "Main Stream". It didn't matter, I love this music! I love her songs! It's just great music! And her vocals are wonderful! I still know almost every word to every song. I am so glad I found this CD on here! I have been looking everywhere for it, and people are like "Tracy Ullman??? You mean that British chick who does a comedy show on HBO? She sings?!! Never heard of it."

Ullman delivers with this collection of her best known hits of the '80's, pre-comedy. Many of the numbers are reminiscent of '50's and '60's girl groups in the U.S., and there are also plenty of original songs (If you're looking for the theme to HBO's 'Tracy Takes On', it's on this CD). If you liked the sound of the Go-Go's and Bangles, here's another CD you will probably enjoy. Most of the tunes are rockin' upbeat tunes that are fun to hum along with ( or sing, if you're alone :-) ), but that is just my personal preferance. With 16 tracks, you can aford to skip over the few clinkers--whatever your preference.

Tracey Ullman's brand of 1980s pop didn't extend the boundaries of music but they dusted off and gave new life to some old standards that deserved a new lease on life. With her perfect pop voice and her sense of humour, she made albums of great listening pleasure. Every track here is worth the effort. My favourites include Breakaway, Oh What A Night, Move Over Darling, Bobby's Girl, They Don't Know and especially her wonderful version of Blondie's (I'm Always Touched By Your) Presence Dear. The backing is superb, the production is perfect and her delivery is great with all the right vocal inflections. All in all an album of classy and enjoyable pop classics.

Purchased for the hit "They Don't Know About Us" (remember the great video with Paul McCartney?), this CD surprised me. I thought "They Don't Know" was a novelty song by a comedienne, but this woman can really sing. I would characterize this CD as mainly a tribute to the girl groups of yesteryear. Many songs are remakes of familiar tunes; "Bobby's Girl", "Life is a Rock But the Radio Rolled Me", etc. "I'm Always Touched by Your Presence Dear", made popular by Blondie, sounds great. Others are less familiar or written for/by Tracey and she does a fabulous job. If you like the sound and style of those great groups, this is a good buy.

As a fan of Tracey's highest-charting hit and biggest charmer, "They Don't Know," I sought out THE BEST OF TRACEY ULLMAN and I was pleasantly surprised with the impeccable singing skills of this quintessential British comedienne. In the 1980s, the ultimate age of excess, Ms. Ullman gave it her best shot and tried to revive the popular girl-group sound of the '60s. She succeeded in scoring a Top Ten smash, but her music career was over before it began. Songs like "Bobby's Girl," "I Close My Eyes and Count to Ten," "Breakaway," and "(I'm Always Touched By Your) Presence Dear" remind us why Tracey was such a delightful performer upon her arrival onto the music scene. All of the tracks from her 1984 debut effort, YOU BROKE MY HEART IN 17 PLACES, are included here, as well as six bonus tracks and some great liner notes. Since THE BEST OF TRACEY ULLMAN is the only domestic release of her material still in print, I highly recommend locating a copy. Tracey's talent is NOT to be ignored.

For those of us that are old enough to remember Tracey Ullman before she was on HBO, you would have to know that she was once a singer. And a very good one at that! This album is a "greatest hits" CD of all her best stuff from the early to late 80's. With it's 50's sound and "bubblegum" lyrics, this CD just makes you get up, kick off your shoes, and start dancing! To me, Tracey will always be a singer and not an actress (although she is a wonderful actress as well!), and I urge you to get this CD. You will LOVE IT!!!

Length:: 1:28 Mins

THE BEST OF TRACEY ULLMAN: Comedic chameleon Tracey Ullman may be best known for the wacked out array of characters she plays on TV, but her abilities hardly begin and end there. As BEST OF amply illustrates, this British songbird is a one-woman-girl-group; through the modern miracle of multi-tracking, her sunny voice evokes the sweet 'n sassy sounds of the Chiffons, the Crystals, and especially Lesley Gore. Bona fide hit THEY DON'T KNOW, from her debut disc YOU BROKE MY HEART IN 17 PLACES, is as close to pure, sweet bubblegum nirvana as any single of the 80s. It's chock-full of infectious hooks, ringing instrumentation, and above all, Ullman's yearning, tough-but-vulnerable chick delivery. Faithful remakes of Marcy Blane's BOBBY'S GIRL, Connie Francis' WHERE THE BOYS ARE, and Debbie Harry's Blondie sparkler I'M ALWAYS TOUCHED BY YOUR PRESENCE DEAR add oodles of fun to the mix. Who else but Ullman has both the guts AND the talent to tackle Reunion's motormouthed golden oldie tribute LIFE IS A ROCK (BUT THE RADIO ROLLED ME)? Few songbirds could pull off twenty tracks this titillating and retro-sensitive.

RATING: FIVE HIGH NOTES