Customer Reviews

Recollection 2 CD Set

5 star:		(40)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

" Recollection" is an impeccably perfect collection of KD Lang songs that brilliantly showcases her boundless vocal range, eclecticism and enrapturing splendor. She can master country, ballads, torch, jazz and light rock. Her vocals can be tender, upbeat, sad, inspiring, enthralling and invariably awesome. "Trail Of Broken Hearts" is a melancholic marvel. "Constant Craving" resonates with yearning and will always be a hit. KD's dynamic rendition of "The Air That I Breathe" is majestic. She transforms Neil Young's "Helpless" into a song that is equally poignant and assuaging."You're OK" is another compelling vocal performance that literally sends pleasurable audio sensations to your psyche and soul. "In The Valley" is incredibly emotive and heavenly to listen to. "Crying" with Ray Orbison is one of the most tremendous songs in music history. Last but not least is her peerless rendition of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" which is beyond amazing.

Each track on this CD is remarkable. There are a few rare tunes and covers that are also exemplary. KD Lang can frequently perform another artist's song better than the original. Ms. Lang is also a proud Lesbian, a humane vegetarian and a peaceful Buddhist. God and/or a Higher Power certainly bestowed such a pleasant person with a celestial and luminous voice that is peerlessly phenomenal.

From 1987's "Angel With A Lariat," k.d. lang's first American debut up to this very day when I just finished watching her singing "Hallelujah" at the XXI Olympic Opening Ceremony, I find myself (as you will be asking about your own personal favorites), where is "Pullin' Back The Reins" from "Absolute Torch And Twang?" Where is "Lock, Stock and Teardrops," along with several other classics from "Shadowland?" The gorgeous "Still Thrives This Love" and "Save Me," from "Ingenue" are nowhere to be found, as the astonishingly beautiful "Infinite and Unforeseen" and "If I Were You," from "All You Can Eat" are sorely missing. Instead of the admittedly more dramatic "Theme From Valley of the Dolls" and "Till The Heart Caves In" from "Drag," we get "Smoke Rings," and "The Air That I Breathe," the latter which proves that when Miss lang covers a song as in Dionne Warwick's "Theme From Valley of the Dolls" or the Hollies' "The Air That I Breathe," both definitive versions, she makes them her very own on a par with the originals, a truly rare gift indeed. Unfortunately, there are also a few excellent but neglected tracks from 2000's "Invincible Summer," 2004's "hymns of the 49th parallel," and finally, her stunning return with 2008's "Watershed." While "I Dream Of Spring" and "Thread" were included live on the bonus disc, as was the studio version of "I Dream Of Spring," I found myself longing for "Coming Home" as well.

The reason I mentioned all of those favorites is because the 2 discs have a LOT more room to accommodate at least some, if not all of my favorites above, or whichever yours might be. Disc 1 clocks in at a mere 47:14, and Disc 2 at 48:47. That's another 63 MINUTES, or an entire CD of music! (If you include the third live bonus disc at 42:09, that's another 37 minutes, for potentially 100 MINUTES!) I don't normally time CDs, but when another 63 to 100 MINUTES (!) of music could have been added to this already excellent set from one of my all-time favorite singers, it is hard not to question why many more of our favorites could have been added but were not. The inclusion of a new version of "Hallelujah," with more orchestration was somewhat extraneous in my opinion, adding even potentially more time to Disc 2. Having said that, the songs on the discs in this collection ARE superb, and worth buying for the remastered tracks alone. I happen to have the 3-CD + DVD box set (please see my review), and have listened to all three discs over and over again already. In my humble opinion, the remastered songs, live CD, DVD, booklet and very well thought out and elegant packaging all combine to make the box set the definite version of "Recollection" to own.

There ARE a few gems to be found on these 2 CDs, such as "Golden Slumbers/The End," from the 2006 movie "Happy Feet," as well as Miss lang's contribution of "So In Love," from the 1990 "Red Hot & Blue" AIDS benefit tribute to Cole Porter CD. k.d.'s gorgeous, ethereal duet with fellow Canadian Jane Siberry's "Calling All Angels" is here, which appeared on Jane's 1993 still amazing "When I Was A Boy" CD, as are k.d.'s reverent and beautifully done versions of Siberry's "The Valley" (on Disc 1), and "Love Is Everything" (on the DVD only), both from "hymns of the 49th parallel." Obviously, I'm enamoured of Siberry's writing as Miss lang is. Speaking of writing, MAJOR kudos and props to Ben Mink, as her fellow lyricist and band member since her career began, as well as to the long-time collaborators in her band as well.

There is also one new song on CD 2, "Beautifully Combined" (2:41), though brief in length, the lyrics (as usual), are excellent. There are also duets of k.d. with Tony Bennett on "Moonglow," and her memorably famous duet with Roy Orbison on "Crying." The first song, "You're The One" from Roy's 1992 "King of Hearts" album could easily have been included here, as it's practically a duet with Roy as well.

The only two things I'm really disappointed about is that I've never been to one of Miss lang's concerts, and after hearing her sing "The Right To Love," which ends the live CD and I'm sure (or would hope), is a concert staple for her, I am saddened that I will probably never get to hear those poignant lyrics and the incredible jazz piano accompaniment with her soaring and passionate vocals in person. The second is that Miss lang is one of the most deserving, finest artists/vocalists EVER, and truly deserves to have a more thorough, comprehensive and complete boxed set, with a lot more of her timeless, older material remastered (it's time... it HAS been over 20 years!), as well as more rarities, CD-single mixes and many guest vocals on other albums, soundtracks and compilations she has done. It would be spectacular to have all of those remastered in one boxed set, wouldn't it?

Some of these include "A Kiss To Build A Dream On," from the 2005 compilation "Timeless"; her duets with Tony Bennett, "What A Wonderful World" and "Dream A Little Dream Of Me," from their 2002 duet album of the same name, and two personal favorites, Carter Burwell conducting an achingly beautiful intro and accompaniment to Miss lang's superb version of "Secret Love," (never before released on any CD, from the end credits of the outstanding 2001 DVD documentary, "The Celluloid Closet"), the other being her heavenly duet on the title track of Bruce Roberts' 1995 CD, "Intimacy," to name only a few more. I'm aware that in some cases there are licensing issues, but in ANY case, the fans suffer, as we would gladly buy an extended, complete boxed-set containing all of the above and more.

While I will admit this technically IS an excellent 2-CD set, it would have been great to see "Recollections" reach the full potential this collection was truly capable of. And that's a compliment of the highest order. That, along with the extensive variety of songs in Miss lang's repertoire, and those yet to come, combined with each new (single CD) release of hers :-) , all prove where she is concerned, it just doesn't get any better. To bring so much joy to so many with the power or subtlety of a lyric, sometimes both in one, is truly an amazing gift.

Last, but certainly not least, I'll be waiting patiently to hopefully be the first of k.d. lang's countless fans to own a copy of that COMPLETE boxed set! :-)

From a purely musical standpoint, this is a superb collection. My problem -- and it's a BIG one -- is that each CD is only about 50 minutes in length. That leaves about 40 minutes of empty space on this 2-CD collection. k.d. has been making records for 25 years, and I've been a fan almost that whole time. I can't believe the record company was so stingy with its music. There's no excuse in this day and age to release such as skimpy anthology. Sorry, k.d. Love you, but not your record company's treatment of your fans.

I have most of these songs on her previous albums, but it is good to hear all her songs on one collection. I love "Constant Craving" and the carefree "Summerfling". I love her duet "Crying" with Roy Orbison. The new song "Beautifully Combined" is a romantic love song. I also like her "Moonglow" duet with Tony Bennett. What is missing here are a few more excellent tracks from her the Drag album from 1997 and a few others. I would have loved to have seen "The Joker" and "Don't Smoke in Bed" included here. The beautiful reflective duet entitled "River" with Madeleine Peyroux is also not included here. "A Case Of You" is another song by KD that moves me. This lovely song is missing here. I cannot give this two disc set five stars because of these exclusions. I give it four stars for the excellent music that is included here. This music is highly enjoyable.

k.d. lang has a beautiful voice. What the producers of Recollection seemingly forgot is that she is also a superb songwriter. Filling 50% of an already abbreviated collection with covers and padding the rest with obscure soundtrack contributions and duets skews the perception of just how k.d. lang spent her commercial peak in the 1990s and early 2000s on Sire/Warner Bros. Records.

The release of Reintarnation in 2006, representing her earlier, "punk cowgirl" era, allowed for this second retrospective to focus on the expanse of her singles output beginning with 1992's "Constant Craving", when k.d. became a visible and outspoken pop culture icon possessing an exceptional singing voice and accomplished songwriting skills.

Perhaps now all involved would rather forget that the better part of a decade was then spent courting pop radio and the higher reaches of the charts with deserving but ultimately under performing singles. Regardless, the fact remains that the excellent albums Ingenue, Even Cowgirls Get The Blues, All You Can Eat, Drag and Invincible Summer were heavily promoted to the pop public with many of the best songs from these releases serviced as singles to radio stations, video networks and clubs.

Yes, "Constant Craving," "Miss Chatelaine," "Summerfling" and "You're OK" are included on Recollection. "Sexuality" also appears, though inexplicably only on the rarities disc of the Deluxe Version. But where are the rest of her original pop singles?

"If I Were You," "The Consequences Of Falling," "Anywhere But Here," "Lifted By Love," "The Mind Of Love (Where Is Your Head Kathryn?),""Just Keep Me Moving," "Simple" and others are shut out in favor of 2 versions of "Hallelujah", a live duet with Tony Bennett and six other soundtrack or 'various artists' contributions... most of which certainly belonged instead on the rarities disc.

With the surplus of cover recordings included on Recollection, what exactly are we to recall? k.d., the "song stylist"? That is only a small --and perhaps the least interesting-- facet of this particular artist.

A more ideal collection would have consisted of one lengthier disc (16+ songs) of original singles, plus the great new recording "Beautifully Combined"; a second disc including covers and other album highlights; a third disc of TRUE rarities collecting the aforementioned soundtrack and VA cuts; and finally a COMPLETE, chronological DVD video collection.

As it stands, the k.d. lang I and many others have enjoyed for 20 years is barely visible on Recollection.

Having read the other reviewers comments, I admit that I am no K.D. Lang expert. In fact I had never owned one of her tapes nor had an interest in owning one until I saw her perform at the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics (on television of course). To me her singing of "Hallelujah" was THE highlight of the ceremony. It was SUPERB! I couldn't wait to access Amazon.com and order a CD of hers with "Hallelujah" as one of the songs. To my most pleasant surprise, this two-tape set far exceeded my expectations. Granted I am one of those over 50's who may liken Lang to singers like Linda Rondstadt--only a sexier and sultrier version but I simply LOVE her! I am SO GLAD I bought this two tape set which is a collection of outstanding songs I will be enjoying for a long time to come. I may not be as knowledgeable of Lang and her music as the other reviewers but I know what I like and THIS is it! Good job K.D.!

I always find compilations a bit suspect, especially when they include "previously unreleased material". One can't help but wonder if there wasn't a perfectly fine reason these were never released, specifically because they simply aren't all that good; they didn't make the cut. This is not the case here, though, as lang lends her lovely voice and writing skills (she co-wrote three of the 11 previously unreleased songs) to this effort. I am left to wonder why some of these superb renditions were never put out there, and her version of Lennon and McCartney's "Golden Slumbers/The End" is particularly beautiful.

Of course, much of these are not in fact being heard here for the first time. I am not enough of an aficionado to know the entire history of these songs, but I know that Jane Siberry released this version of "Calling All Angels" years ago. I also believe the duet with Tony Bennett was released by him (I know I've heard it before), and I have heard her version of Cole Porter's "Love for Sale" prior to this. Still and all, it is great to have them all in one place, and to have an alternate version of her stupendous rendition of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" is an added bonus.

The first disk of this set is not as inspiring, simply because it is something of a miniature Greatest Hits, and there is little need to release them here except to beef up what would otherwise have been a rather thin compilation. As with any such selection of 11 songs, there will be debate over which should have been included, but I think it would be indisputable that better choices may have been made.

All in all, though, buy this album for the second disk of "unreleased" songs and you will not be disappointed. A great overview of a splendid talent.

I am not a big fan of country music and listened to very little through the years, although I do keep an open mind and have dabbled in and own all types of music. I had never listened to k.d. lang until I sampled her CD "Drag" when it was first released. I was immediately blown away by her voice, and have been hooked on her ever since. She has such a distinctive, transcendent style and manages to make every song her own somehow, even when doing covers that I love by the originals. She is truly a classic, with a voice that will be remembered and revered for many years to come. This CD represents a good cross-section of her many styles and shows how no matter what style she chooses to sing, she owns it, makes it her own. She sings with such a deep sense of feeling, as though she is sharing an intimate glimpse into her soul, softly caressing your own soul until you lose yourself completely and willingly into the comfortable silkiness of her sound, a sound that will continue to haunt your memory long after the CD has ended.

Almost every song on this double disc "Recollection" of k.d. lang's finest is a gem. I can't argue with any of them. Her voice is a treasure of emotional intensity and vulnerability, and her interpretive skills are with few rivals in modern music. So why not five stars?

Well, frankly, the collection is skimpy. There's easily another half hour's space available between the two discs, room enough for at least one song from "Angel With A Lariat" and "Live By Request" or a couple more songs from "All You Can Eat." Or a few more one-off singles, like her duet with Andy Bell on "No More Tears." At least they did us the favor of only repeating one song from the "Reintarnation" set ("Trail Of Broken Hearts"). Oh well.

However, the second CD of odds and ends totally justifies buying this set. It pulls a batch of songs out of soundtrack obscurity, like her original duet of "Cryin'" from the forgettable Jon Cryer movie "Hiding Out." Or her tear jerking rendition of "So In Love" from the "Red Hot and Blue" charity project. There's also a new song, the sweet "Beautifully Combined." And while I am not all that thrilled that two versions of "Hallelujah" are here, you have to admit, her version rivals the late Jeff Buckley's for goosebump inducement.

Overall, "Recollection" is far from a bad collection of k.d.'s work. It's just that there is so much more to hear that I kept waiting for more songs to come out of my stereo once the discs were inserted.

For an artist that has been around more than 20 years, a collection with only 22 songs can only be termed a sampler, not a retrospective. I am not a big Lang fan, but certainly she must have many good songs that could have been included in this collection.