Customer Reviews

Dreams Can Come True: Greatest Hits 1

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Sadly, Gabrielle is a virtual unknown in America, but in the UK she is the most successful female solo artist since Dusty Springfield and that is certainly a huge achievement!

Evoking the spirit of soul, but with a decidedly pop-influenced style as well, Gabrielle's songs (all but one of the tracks on this greatest hits are co-written by her) are generally about love and life, overcoming heartache, standing up for one's self and becoming a better person.

Her one top 30 hit in America, 'Dreams', opens the album but is actually one of the weaker tracks vocally and melodically. On tracks like 'Forget About The World' and 'If You Really Cared' she shows a stronger, fiercer side to her voice, not to mention a more interesting talent for songwriting. She touches on very Motown territory on tracks like 'Give Me A Little More Time' (another huge standout) and 'When A Woman' and rounds the album off with haunting ballads 'Should I Stay' and 'Out Of Reach'.

Arranged chronologically, it is interesting to hear how her musical style develops over the 9 years she has been in the business. From the early-90s dance pop in 'Going Nowhere', to her experimenting with a more 'live' sound in the middle of the album, to her lessons of life in the possibly more mature second half of the album, we can experience this woman's struggles with her and relate to the things she's singing to.

Great album to chill to or even to cry to. Fingers crossed that she may still break America. We'll see. :)

I absolutely love Gabrielle's voice and I sincerely wish that she was more well known in the states, most Americans don't know what they are missing. I don't recall exactly how I came to purchase the CD Rise, perhaps by sheer luck. I must admit that it is one of my favourites! I would recommend Gabrielle to anyone who appreciates talent and beautiful music

Well what can I say about Gabrielle? She is like an Angel - Her song Sunshine is so soothing and it's like a dream. If you have not yet discovered this amazing artist - I suggest you do.
I discovered this terrific singer from a friend who lives halfway around the world - dreams can come true - every where u turn there is the Sunshien in your Window! 5 stars!

Though she hasn't managed to gain much ground stateside since 'Dreams' was a minor hit in the early nineties, Gabrielle remains one of the U.K.'s most popular vocalists, and listening to this collection reaffirms the justification of that popularity. Though 'Dreams' remains one of her bests, there's more here to make one question why she couldn't muster much attention beyond that track here in the states. 'Give Me Just A Little More Time'finds her mining Motown territory, while both 'Sunshine' and 'When A Woman' suggests she had more than a passing affinity for sixties girl group pop. Among the many other standouts:new track 'Don't Need The Sun To Shine'and the sterling'Out Of Reach', quite possibly her finest moment. Highly recommended.

I'd never heard of Gabrielle and stumbled across her on the bonus menu of the movie Bridget Jones' Diary. Went looking for her stuff online and was blown away. She takes a decent but interesting voice and cooks up some excellent, infectious tunes that stay in your head (in a good way!) and often make you smile. The greatest hits album is truly excellent and covers a range of styles and feelings. I only wish we had more access to her stuff in North America!

A lot of people in the US do not know about Gabrielle, which is a shame since she is a very talented singer. Hopefully this review will enlighten people a bit. I liked her from the start with her debut single in 1993, but it was only 1999 when I actually bought her prior to most recent album 'Sunshine' which is almost as good as this one. Gabrielle had a very tough time with relationships, after her baby father got put in prison in 1996 and put her off men to this day. This is where most of her insparation comes from. With songs like 'Dreams', 'Give Me A Little Time','Rise' and 'Out Of Reach' its no wonder that she's such a big hit in England. She has a great voice, so over this year if you have any spare cash buy this album, and chill out to it, after all it is versatile :you can read to it, dance to it, party to it, drive to it....