Greatest Hits

Michelle Wright | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 25, 2000)
• Original Release Date: January 25, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Arista
• ASIN: B00003OP36
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #86,044 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Take It Like a Man

2. Safe in the Arms of Love

3. He Would Be Sixteen

4. Nobody's Girl

5. When I Found You

6. New Kind of Love

7. The Answer Is Yes

8. What Love Looks Like

9. Guitar Talk

10. Your Love [With Jim Brickman]

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This Canadian woman has her virtues. She's one of the more rhythmic singers in Nashville when she wants to be, she puts across Rodney Crowell's "The Answer Is Yes" convincingly, and the little "ooooooh" that opens "When I Found You" is awfully soulful. Ultimately, though, that nonverbal sigh of contentment is more soulful than the rest of this CD combined. Though there's the occasional nice touch like the mandolin on "Safe in the Arms of Love," most of the time she's safe in the arms of her producers, who constantly weigh her down with the most clichéd, contempo-Nashville schlock, both in songs ("He Would Be Sixteen," "Your Love") and sounds (which consistently take the wind out of would-be anthems like "Nobody's Girl" and "New Kind of Love"). Still, for 1990s mainstream country, you could certainly do worse. --John Morthland

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of Canada's best imports, October 31, 2001

By 

James E. Bagley "Jim Bagley" (Sanatoga, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Greatest Hits (Audio CD)

It must seem odd to most American country music listeners to hear that Michelle Wright has released a Greatest Hits cd. Her country radio success in the states consists of one top ten hit: the defiant anthem "Take It Like A Man." In her native Canada, however, Wright has been one of country's biggest stars with a steady stream of hit records.

Repeated listens to this collection clearly indicate that American radio programmers dropped the ball when they snubbed Wright's music. Material like the poignant adoption tale "He Would Be Sixteen" and the rousing "Nobody's Girl" are just as strong as the stuff Trisha, Martina, and Reba hit big with in the 90's. In one instance, the material is the same: Wright recorded "Safe In The Arms Of Love" first, but Martina McBride beat her onto American radio with her own rendition (Wright's version was the more successful in Canada).

As American country radio thrives on familiarity, it probably hasn't helped that Wright lacks an easily identifiable sound. On rowdy, uptempo numbers like "Guitar Talk," Wright raspily sounds like Melissa Etheridge while slower numbers such as "What Love Looks Like" recall Wynonna's voice at its prettiest.

Pretty is an understatement when describing the two new recordings found on Greatest Hits. The lush ballad "When I Found You" is an impressive Wright composition, while "Your Love" is a collaboration with pianist Jim Brickman which features one of the most gorgeous melodies ever. The latter's recent top 20 success on the American Adult Contemporary charts may signal a new marketing route for future Wright recordings (if so, country's loss).

To the uninitiated, Greatest Hits serves as a great introduction to Wright's underappreciated vocal talents. Established fans may want to check out the expanded Canadian version of this collection. It contains six extra tracks, including her electronic duet with Patsy Cline on "Walking After Midnight" and a stirring, gospel-tinged rendition of the Impressions' hit People Get Ready."

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Set Of Music That Didn't Get The Airplay It Deserved, April 30, 2000

By 

Mark (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Greatest Hits (Audio CD)

Michelle has a wonderful strong voice that somehow didn't catch on like it should have. She has a similar sounding voice to Lorrie Morgan's but is distuguished to her own style.

Lots of great songs here including my favorite Michelle song: What Love Looks Like. Other great songs are Safe In The Arms Of Love (just as good as Martina McBride's version), Take It Like A Man, Nobody's Girl, and The Answer Is Yes. One song omitted from this collection that should have been here is One Good Man. But this is a great collection of music for anyone wanting something from Michelle.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Puzzle to Me, July 1, 2000

By 

Karen Jones (Nebraska) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Greatest Hits (Audio CD)

I cannot understand why Michelle Wright is not at the top of country music here in the States. Just went to her concert: fabulous stage presence, her absolutely wonderful voice, plus a terrific band. This album has all my favorites, especially "Take it Like a Man". Her voice pulls me out of my usual jazz and blues into the country.