Review by Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
4 stars out of 4
When you visit the Bryan Adams website and look at the page in reference
to his greatest hits package "The Best Of Me," you get pictures of
all his body parts and one complete shot of him standing naked (with
his back to you, thank god). At first I thought "What the hell is
he doing here?" The CD booklet offers the same sequence of pictures.
Right after those thoughts the answer became obvious…you can either
have parts of Bryan one song at a time, or listen to the entire CD
and enjoy the complete package all at once. In essence he is saying-
Here I am, all of me, the best of me, all in one nice package just for you.
Adams has always made music everyone can relate to. It's the kind
of high energy rock and roll that you play full blast with the windows
rolled down on your way to the beach. When he arrived on the scene
in the eighties I really appreciated his wholesome no bullshit approach
to his music. His voice sounded seasoned and expressive with just
enough toughness to help push his songs along. "Summer of 69" is the
one song that defines him, and it always will be. "All For Love,"
with superstars Rod Stewart and Sting, probably didn't hurt his career
either, it wouldn't anyone's.
When the 90's rolled around Adams found a new niche, movie soundtracks.
He was very much in demand on a regular basis to contribute in that
realm of the entertainment industry. "(Everything I Do) I Do It For
You" (1991) was a huge hit from the movie "Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves."
That song is what launched another successful part of Adams' career.
"I'm Ready," which is normally a rocker, goes the unplugged live route.
It has a pleasant sound and texture that is softer, yet very pleasing.
You get an all encompassing retrospective of his career in just 15 songs.
After all these years (the 80's still seem just a few years ago) I
still enjoy this music immensely. It makes me smile and think of people
I loved and laughed with when I was going and growing through some
major life changing experiences. It's a comforting feeling to hear
music that leaves a warm feeling inside your heart while exciting
your senses enough to help you step on the gas pedal of life just
a little harder. Now that's what great music is all about, it makes
you feel everything all at once, and it ends up leaving you with a
big smile wanting for more.
This is an excellent greatest hits package well worth the price of
admission. Can't stop this thing we started…
Songs:
1. The Best of Me (Adams/Lange) - 3:35
2. Can't Stop This Thing We Started (Adams/Lange) - 4:27
3. I'm Ready (Adams/Vallance) - 4:25
4. Summer of '69 (Adams/Vallance) - 3:33
5. Let's Make a Night to Remember (Adams/Lange) - 6:18
6. All for Love performed by Adams / Rod Stewart / Sting - 4:40
7. Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman (Adams/Kamen/Lange) - 4:50
8. Run to You (Adams/Vallance) - 3:52
9. Cloud Number Nine (Adams/Martin/Peters) - 4:10
10. (Everything I Do) I Do It for You (Adams/Kamen/Lange) - 6:33
11. Back to You (Adams/Kennedy) - 4:26
12. When You're Gone performed by Adams / Mel C - 3:25
13. Please Forgive Me (Adams/Lange) - 5:54
14. The Only Thing That Looks Good on Me Is You (Adams/Lange) - 3:39
15. Inside Out (Adams/Peters) - 4:44
Credits:
Bryan Adams - Guitar, Vocals, Producer, Photography
Paco de Lucía - Spanish Guitar
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