Customer Reviews

Greatest Hits

5 star:		(51)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Jo Dee Messina - her spunk, warmth, and red hair recalling the late great Dottie West - has been one of country music's most prominent female artists since her self-titled debut in 1996. With her initial hits "Heads Carolina, Tails California" and "You're Not In Kansas Anymore," it appeared that Jo Dee would devote herself musically to our fifty nifty United States. Thankfully, that wasn't the case.

Jo Dee's subsequent release, 1998's I'M ALRIGHT, brought her stardom with a lot of rowdy, catchy hits such as the title track, "Bye Bye," and her Dottie West remake "Lesson In Leavin'" as well as the stirring ballad "Because You Love Me" and the mid-paced declaration "Stand Beside Me." 2000's BURN was almost as successful, but a lot softer, the rollicking "That's The Way" off-set by the power ballads "Burn" and "Downtime," plus the yearn-filled duet with Tim McGraw, "Bring On The Rain."

This Greatest Hits contains all of the aforementioned hits plus four new recordings. These new tracks, including leadoff single "Was That My Life" and its follow-up "I Wish" are reflective and/or optimistic odes of a gentle variety. The collection's sequencing is a bit odd, with several uptempo tracks in a row dominating the first half of the lineup, followed mostly by ballads. Mixing them up better would have made the cd far more enjoyable to listen to, since each individual recording is first-rate.

Jo Dee Messina is not hard-core or outlaw country. And hey, I like examples of those types of music in small quantities. But they're hard to take in larger doses. Jo Dee isn't. This album is almost pop-country, which means that purists will sniff their noses at it, but most people will enjoy it, or at least not be annoyed by it. It probably helps that even when she's singing about broken love (a country pre-requisite), she's bouncily facing the optimistic future rather than dwelling on the bleak past like too many other country songs.

This probably all sounds like very faint praise, but it really isn't. There just aren't many albums, especially country, I can listen to in their entirety, without skipping tracks. This is one I can. It has some great songs and all the rest are at least good songs.

Jo Dee Messina's Greatest Hits cd is very good. Here is how I rate each song on the album:

1) Was That My Life- good song that talks about how fast the years go by. (5 stars)
2) I'm Alright- one of Jo Dee's greatest songs... I love it. (5 stars)
3) Heads Carolina, Tails California- an awesome uptempo song... another favorite of mine. (5 stars)
4)Bye-Bye- Jo Dee talking about saying good bye to love. good song. (5 stars)
5) Stand Beside Me- interesting song...not bad (4 stars)
6) Bring on the Rain- GREAT song.... and the fact that Tim McGraw is in harmony vocals of this song makes it better. (5 stars)
7) Lesson In Leavin'- Not too crazy about this one. OK song. (3 stars)
8) That's the Way- good song. (4 stars)
9) Burn- LOVE this song... the first song that introduced me to Jo Dee. (5 stars)
10) Downtime- great song written by Carolyn Dawn Johnson and it talks about going through a little downtime. (5 stars)
11) Because You Love Me- slow song...another average song on the album. (3 stars)
12) You're Not In Kansas Anymore- My ALL TIME FAVORITE Jo Dee Messina song ever!!!!!! (6 stars!!!!!!!)
13) Wishing Well- new song... but an awesome one. (5 stars)
14) You Belong In the Sun- this is such a fun song... nobody could cut it better than Jo Dee. (5 stars)
15) I Wish- Jo Dee's latest single... a good song about prosperous future wishes after a failing relationship. (5 stars)

An overall great album featuring Jo Dee Messina's Greatest Hits and 4 new hits.

I'm kind of worried that Jo Dee's record label put out a Greatest Hits package and not a full-length new CD, it has been three years since Burn came out. "Was That My Life" is a great new song and the other three 'new' songs are good too, even though one of them is an older song that missed the cut for a previous CD. All of Jo Dee's songs are lots of fun to sing along with and the video for "Bring on the Rain" is also on the CD. This is a great CD for a new Messina fan, but I recommend getting all three of her CDs because the songs not included on this CD are just as good.

This cd has been wonderful to listen to. Put together very well. I love the song Because You Love Me. Dedicated to my husband of nearly 20 long but great years of my life. He has never judged me, he believes in me and has been there in my life through thick and thin, not talking about weight now, but lifes difficult situations and troubling tough times. If he has left my side it was to go to work and nothing more. I have always questioned that he was going to leave me after all these years, that is a trust issue that i have. But the answer from him is no, Because He loves me. Thank you Jodee you couldnt have sang it any better and for anyone other than me. I love you sweetheart with all of my heart and all that i am and no matter where I live. Thank you for every little thing you do for me, whether it is doing laundry, helping me move around or just being there to listen to me, or handing me a tissue to cry into. Thanks for being there for me and with me. I cant imagine anyone else doing anything better than you. I love you! You do it all Because You Love Me.

JoDee Messina is extremely talented, and this album is all the proof you need. JoDee is pure country, and someone who doesn't let fame change her, she still remembers her roots with songs normal people can relate to, and she is one of the few singers, who can sing a country song, and make you believe what she's singing, after listening to some of these songs, you really believe Jodee has been through everything she sings about, and isn't just singing lyrics mailed in by writers. She actually has a talent for heartfelt music, and she kicks it with this album like usual. Rock on JoDee, your at the top of your game.

Jo Dee Messina has broken several records on the country music charts! She has developed such a great cataloge of hits in a very short time period. I feel it may have been a bit early for a greatest hits complilation but Curb Records must have thought it was time; they shelved her finished studio album in favor of this compliation.
However if you are fan of Jo Dee's this compliation is for you. You do get all her great hits. The highlights include her biggest hit "Bring on the Rain". The songs is so haunting yet so uplifting; the vocal performance is perhaps her best ever. Another notable ballad is her song "Beacuse you loved me".
But Jo Dee is known for her strong uplifting, uptempo tunes; we get her best in this collection.
Her first hit "Heads Carolina Tails California" is one of the best country songs of the 1990's; as is her huge hit "Bye Bye".
Other greats are "Im Alrite" and "Thats the way".
We get four new songs on here (only "Was that my life" is actually new; the others were previously recorded but never made her previous albums). Since the songs were technically "leftovers" they are not Jo Dee's best, but they are still good songs. "Was that my Life" is really a great medtempo song and it is a nice departure for Jo Dee and her style.
Looked at as just a greatest hits package, this album does really work. Any general fan who does not on the original albums; this album is for you!

Let me be honest with you, I have never been a fan of Jo Dee Messina nor listened to any of her music. I am a huge fan of pop and adult contemporary music.

When I heard the song, Was That My Life, I immediately thought it was the most beautiful song I had ever heard! :-) After doing some researching, found out it was by a country artist by the name of Jo Dee Messina. My first thought was, "Who???"...

And shockingly found the song on a 'greatest hits' album. So I thought, 'greatest hits', so they songs must be good (??).. Purchased it and have been collecting her previous albums since.

But I will never forget that such a song (Was That My Life) can change a person so much as to start listening to country music!! :-)

The song itself is beautiful and the lyrics are positive and uplifting!

Thanks Jo Dee!!!!!!!!

I have seen Jo Dee perform live several times. The first time I saw her, I was totally blown away. At that time Jo Dee had just released her first hit. I have been a big fan ever since. Jo Dee is one of the best entertainers; she is energetic and down to earth. My children also love her. Recently, I purchased Jo Dee's Greatest Hits for my 6 year old daughter. She loves the CD and we listen to it all the time. It is an excellent collabaration of her talent, including her new songs.

Jo Dee I hope you get to read this. I first started to listen to your music when I heard the song BURN on my local radio station 92.5 WXTU in Philly. I immediately went out and brought that album and "I'm All Right." I played them so much I had to buy new ones. I brought your Greatest Hits Enhanced the day it was put into the stores. I relate to a lot of the songs you sing. I really connect with you when I see your video "I'm All Right" That song keeps me from falling apart in my long days alone. I am now and forever will be a fan. I was sorry I did not get to see you when you were here in Philly just recently. One day I will be able to see you in person and listen to you sing. GOD BLESS