Ultimate Collection

Maria McKee | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 22, 2000)
• Original Release Date: August 22, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Hip-O Records
• ASIN: B00004WJG4
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #77,029 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Underappreciated Goddess of Rock, March 16, 2002

By 

Erik North (San Gabriel, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Ultimate Collection (Audio CD)

I think it's safe to say that Maria McKee has to rank as one of the most underappreciated (or least appreciated) female singers of the last three decades. Whether it has been as the lead singer of the 1980s alternative country-rock outfit Lone Justice or on her own, Maria has had one of the most flexible voices this side of Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris. And yet despite her immense talents, radio and the music-buying public have ignored her. This compilation CD of Maria's best performances will leave you shaking your head as to why this is.

Maria shines really well while out front of Lone Justice on songs like Tom Petty's "Ways To Be Wicked" (with the notorious "stick it in" line), the country weeper "Don't Toss Us Away" (which Patty Loveless would later abscond with), and "Dixie Storms." On her own, the best tracks include "Only Once", a country tune that sounds like she's channeling early Linda Ronstadt and Patsy Cline, "If Love Is A Red Dress" (which would find its way into the soundtrack for PULP FICTION), and the up-tempo country-rocker "Am I The Only One (Who's Ever Felt This Way)" (which the Dixie Chicks would cover on their 1998 breakthrough album WIDE OPEN SPACES).

Some of the blame for Maria's lack of success may have had to do with some of her own personal eccentricities. Beyond that, however, vocally she is certainly very close to the equal of Linda and Emmylou, and as such would blow many a female pop or country singer off the map. This CD comes strongly recommended.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great sampler especially for newcomers, August 22, 2000

By 

Frederick Rudofsky (East Greenbush, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ultimate Collection (Audio CD)

Maria is one of the great singers of the past 20 years-- seriously. I'd rank her with Emmylou Harris and Toni Price and Chrissie Hynde in a heartbeat. Plus, she's an excellent songwriter and one of the all-time great live performers. How Geffen Records failed to get her the attention and success she deserved is beyond comprehension, as is the label's dumping of her. While she's working on an independent release in Ireland ... , this complilation will perhaps keep her rabid fans at bay (though likely debating track selections) and entice new listeners. It covers her early days with Lone Justice right through her solo work to 1995. It's got a marvelously annotated and photo-filled booklet with choice commentary from MM herself, and the music sounds great. However, 6 of the 17 songs are from the LJ days, which means that her finest album, LIFE IS SWEET, seems underrepresented with a mere 3 cuts. (Also a notable omission is her fabulous cover of Victoria Williams' "Sweet Relief" but hey you can seek out that all-star benefit album, right?) With the possible exception of Steve Earle or Sam Phillips, no one else explores as many styles with such daring and soul as Maria-- just line up the roots-rock of "Ways to Be Wicked" with the sonic maelstrom and vivid lyrics of "Absolutely Barking Stars" or the country ballad "Don't Toss Us Away" (written by her late brother and later covered by Patty Loveless) with the ferocious live cover of VU's "Sweet Jane" to feel the energy and eclectic spirit that dwells within her. A pivotal song from the PULP FICTION soundtrack, "If Love Is a Red Dress" should also get your immediate attention-- it's spine-chilling stuff, especially with the lights low. "Am I the Only One) Who's Ever Felt This Way)?", which was recently covered by McKee fans the Dixie Chicks, closes things out with gusto. This album retrospective will be a revelation to newcomers weened on soporific AOR noodlings. Burn your Paula Cole and Sarah McLachan cd's and pick up on the real deal, the Little Diva known as Maria McKee!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Winning Collection of the Little Diva, August 28, 2000

By 

C. Brown "dirty_work" (Atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ultimate Collection (Audio CD)

Did you just learn of Maria McKee and Lone Justice? Unsure what CD to buy first? Well, of course, get them all - but this one is sure a great start!

The fantastic "If Love is a Red Dress," was a stand-out on the Pulp Fiction soundtrack, and Maria McKee fans will love this song. The acoustic demo of Show Me Heaven is also a must-have for those looking to complete their CD collection.

The pacing of the CD is great - mournful to toe-tapping, all in the right order.

Add this one to your collection!