I take music compilations quite seriously. There's an art to compiling a GREAT set of songs that drive home a collective message or idea or sentiment. Sometimes, someone gets it together and does a good job. This is not one of those times.
Five discs of "Essential Love Songs" really could have been more essential, given its broad sell. And observant buyers will know that when it comes to these types of compilations, few labels do it better than EMI – what with their embarrassingly underused but vast back catalogue.
Unfortunately this Universal music collection shows up its lack of depth when it comes to those classic tracks that made everyone from your grandma to your teenager writhe in adolescent agony. Moreover, some of the picks turn an innocuous and forgettable listening experience into a frustrating and even offensive one.
So, disc by disc:
Disc 1 – Movie Love Songs
The highlight of this disc is an original-sounding Platters classic "Smoke gets in Your Eyes" – The Platters' classic recordings are really something to honour. But is "What a Wonderful World" really a love song?
1. All By Myself - Jamie O' Neal
2. Say You, Say Me - Lionel Richie
3. Unchained Melody - Righteous Brothers
4. I've Never Been To Me - Charlene
5. She - Elvis Costello, London Symphony Orchestra, Geoffrey Alexander
6. The Heart Of The Matter - India.Arie
7. Everlasting Love - Jamie Cullum
8. What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
9. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes - The Platters
10. Out Of Reach - London Session Orchestra
11. I'm Not In Love - 10cc
12. Show Me Heaven - Maria McKee
13. Love Is All Around - Wet Wet Wet
14. The Lady In Red - Chris De Burgh
15. Crazy - Patsy Cline
16. Will You? - Hazel O'Connor
17. A Thousand Miles - Vanessa Carlton
18. You're The First, The Last, My Everything - Barry White
19. Je T'Aime Moi Non Plus - Serge Gainsbourg, Jane Birkin
Disc 2 – Duets and Harmony
Sentimental folks may well like the Jennifer Warnes/ Joe Cocker throwback to the classic movie song (wasn't disc one the movie disc… "An Officer and a Gentleman" anyone?), but the rest is ultimately forgettable Cape Talk/702 weekend B-rotation reject.
1. Don't Go Breaking My Heart - Elton John, Kiki Dee
2. Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell
3. Up Where We Belong - Jennifer Warnes, Joe Cocker
4. Endless Love - Lionel Richie, Diana Ross
5. Reunited - Peaches & Herb
6. All I Ever Need Is You - Sonny & Cher
7. If I Never See Your Face Again - Maroon 5, Rihanna
8. All My Life - K-Ci & JoJo
9. Lie About Us - Avant, Nicole Scherzinger
10. Two Hearts - Stephanie Mills, Teddy Pendergrass
11. Do That To Me One More Time - Captain & Tennille
12. Sugar Baby Love - The Rubettes
13. The Girl From Ipanema - Stan Getz, Joao Gilberto, Astrud Gilberto
14. Song For Whoever - The Beautiful South
15. You Can't Hurry Love - (Stereo) The Supremes
16. What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted - Jimmy Ruffin
17. No Matter What - Boyzone
18. Caravan Of Love - The Housemartins
19. Love Me For A Reason - The Osmonds
20. The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore) - Walker Brothers
Disc 3 – Pop Love Songs
It seems that when they said "Love Songs" they meant both the currently-in-love and heartbreak variety. By far the most convincing track on disc three is Vanessa Williams' sugary "Save the Best for Last". At least that track is superbly indicative of its pop era. Great arrangement and vocal performance, too. And it was a nice touch to add the Pat Boone and the Shangri-Las. Far better Connie Francis ("Where the Boys Are"), Dusty Springfield and even Swing Out Sister tracks exist that could have been included here.
1. Love Is A Losing Game - Amy Winehouse
2. One Day In Your Life - Michael Jackson
3. LA LA (Means I Love You) - Swing Out Sister
4. Big Girls Don't Cry (Personal) - Fergie
5. Save The Best For Last - Vanessa Williams
6. Achy Breaky Heart - Billy Ray Cyrus
7. (Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher And Higher - Rita Coolidge
8. Baby, I Love Your Way - Peter Frampton
9. As Time Goes By - Bing Crosby
10. Love Letters In The Sand - Pat Boone
11. Leader Of The Pack - The Shangri-Las
12. Release Me (And Let Me Love Again) - Engelbert Humperdinck
13. I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself - Dusty Springfield
14. Who's Sorry Now? - Connie Francis
15. Wives And Lovers - Jack Jones
16. Your Lies - Shelby Lynne
17. If I Can't Have You - Yvonne Elliman
18. Love And Affection - Joan Armatrading
19. Big Big World - Emilia
20. Beautiful - Mandalay
21. Love Is Blue - Paul Mauriat
Disc 4 – Rock Love Songs
Way to start a "Rock Love Songs" set with a New Romantic synth-pop tune there. "Wind of Change" by Scorpions? Really? "Luka" by Suzanne Vega? REALLY?
1. Tainted Love Original 7" - Soft Cell
2. If I Could Turn Back Time - Cher
3. Lovesong Remastered - The Cure
4. Valerie 2010 Remaster - Steve Winwood
5. Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone) - Cinderella
6. Is She Really Going Out With Him? - Joe Jackson
7. You Wear It Well - Rod Stewart
8. Pale Blue Eyes - The Velvet Underground
9. Heartbeat - Buddy Holly
10. Wind Of Change - Scorpions
11. You're The Best Thing - The Style Council
12. Lessons In Love - Level 42
13. The Reason - Hoobastank
14. Wonderwall - Ryan Adams
15. Linger - The Cranberries
16. Luka - Suzanne Vega
17. Up The Junction - Squeeze
18. She's A Star - James
19. Always The Last To Know - Del Amitri
Disc 5 – Urban Love Songs
This disc destroys it all. "Urban" must mean "black" in the compiler's dictionary - that's the only way you can explain Shirley Bassey (yes, the Welsh one), The Jackson 5 and Etta James on a disc with the description of "urban". What was going to be a two-star disc just lost any sympathy with that bit of lazy and offensive labelling. Don't insult my intelligence, nigga.
1. End Of The Road A Cappella - Boyz II Men
2. Back At One - Brian McKnight
3. Down Candle Light Remix - Jay Sean
4. Rub You The Right Way - Johnny Gill
5. Thong Song - / Explicit Version Sisqo
6. Cherish - Kool & The Gang
7. Three Times A Lady - Commodores
8. Kiss Me Honey, Honey Kiss Me - Shirley Bassey
9. You Make Me Feel Brand New - Stylistics
10. How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) - (Stereo) Marvin Gaye
11. I'll Be There - Jackson 5
12. Reach Out, I'll Be There - (Stereo) Four Tops
13. The Tracks Of My Tears - (Stereo) Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
14. Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye - Ella Fitzgerald
15. I Just Want To Make Love To You - Etta James
16. With You I'm Born Again - Billy Preston, Syreeta
17. That Ole Devil Called Love - Billie Holiday
18. Touch Me In The Morning - Diana Ross
19. Teardrops - Womack & Womack
20. Words - Anthony David
21. Stickwitu - The Pussycat Dolls
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