Has it been a year since Janet showed us where she really wears her earrings? Is it really the end of the season when grown men grunt and scream as they throw an ellipsoid shaped ball around in the cold while wearing shiny tights? Ahh, but the Grammy's are just around the corner, and my flames are stoked for just such an event.
Speaking of flames, with more than five decades under her belt, Annie Mae Bullock is still blazing as brightly as the day she first belted out the holler-till-you-can't-no-more hook of 'A Fool In Love'. Better known as Tina Turner, she's just released a two CD set on Capitol Records. And she's listed as the Executive Producer. *snap*
'All The Best' is an anthology like no other. It chronicles the phenomenon we call Tina Turner from her beginning right up until now. Three new tracks are added to a collection of thirty songs to produce one of the more densely packed double-disc sets to come out in a very long time.
Many of the Ike and 80's era tracks have been re-mastered beautifully. 'Nutbush City Limits', Phil Spector's 'River Deep Mountain High', 'Let's Stay Together', and her funky rendition of 'I Can't Stand The Rain' all sound lush and full. The first disc closes with a live version of Robert Palmer's 'Addicted To Love', which blows away the original. ( Suddenly I have the urge to wear a black mini-skirt and some cherry red lipstick. Where's my 80's eye shadow? )
The second disc contains even more gems from her history. 'It's Only Love' with Bryan Adams, 'Tonight' with David Bowie, and the rocking Italian duet 'Cose Della Vita' with Eros Ramazzotti. The chart topping Tina songs also included; 'We Don't Need Another Hero', 'Private Dancer', 'Better Be Good To Me', and 'What's Love Got To Do With It'.
The three new tracks in the collection are exquisite examples of what Tina is still capable of. 'Open Arms' kicks off the collection with the bright Pop-Rock sound she is known for. 'Complicated Disaster', as the name implies, describes the puzzles of the heart that life brings to us all. 'Something Special' is a gentle love ballad, proving that she hasn't lost any of her range of emotions in song or life.
I'm awestruck looking at these two CD's which, while not exhaustive, span the career of such an incredible artist. I haven't mentioned several more songs that appear across these discs, but if you're missing one or two of those Tina Turner songs you love, they're here. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up. It is 'All The Best' after all.
With you in 4/4,
Peter Mavrik
peter@windycitymediagroup.com