MUSIC ZONE
Shania Twain — Greatest Hits (Universal) 
Saurabh & Gaurav

More than 41 million albums sold in the US; the top selling female artist in history; the sixth-biggest selling album of all time and 16 top ten songs, half of which reached No1. Shania Twain is a phenomenon. It is bizarre to recall that Shania Twain was originally billed as a country artist, since most of the 21 tracks on her Greatest Hits are fairly conventional mainstream pop. Over the course of the eight years covered by this compilation (nothing pre-1997 is included), her output has gradually drifted from up-tempo country towards a more pop-oriented sound. The collection runs in reverse chronological order, beginning with the ballad Forever and Always from Up! and running through hits like Man! I Feel Like a Woman!, That Don’ Impress Me Much, You’re Still the One, Any Man of Mine — all in their most familiar radio mixes. The album contains a few heartfelt, love ballads along with the predictable chart-toppers.

Best track: The Woman In Me

Misfit: Kerching

Reflecting what a strong year it was for most kinds of music, Grammy Nominees 2005 collects a surprisingly diverse range of songs by new and time-tested acts alike. As with the previous Grammy compilations, this volume concentrates on the nominees for some of the most prominent categories: Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist, Best Male Pop Performance, and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. Gretchen Wilson’s Redneck Woman, Los Lonely Boys’ pop smash Heaven, and the Black Eyed Peas party jam Let’s Get It Started are just some of the tracks making up this compilation. Other highlights include strong cuts by Ray Charles and Norah Jones (which has already bagged a Grammy), U2, Prince, and Elvis Costello. An overall decent round-up of some of the biggest musical moments.

Tania Libertad has released 37 albums in Latin America, but Negro Color is only her second international release. The current album has helped place her alongside chanteuses Eva Ayllon and Susana Baca who are storming the American market. Tania’s opulent voice soars above the instrumentation in these 15 tracks, and she applies an array of rhythms to popular songs, showcasing her talent for interpretation. Bolerosque Dos Gardenias, penned in the 1930s, acquires a spiritual soul, while L Bruja mixes Afro-Peruvian sound with the original Mexican feel. Apart from the typically Peruvian El Arrullo and Samba Malato, the album also offers interesting Brazilian rhythm and striking poetry. Negro Color is a wonderful mix of beautiful lyrics with a voice that is not just powerful and melodic but piercing and sweet.

Best track: Dos Gardenias

Worst track: Bruja (The Witch)

Peachtree Road proves that Elton’s back to making good, solid records focused on songs, not hits, the way he did at the outset of his career. Showcasing a voice that’s become deeper and richer with age, John wisely sticks to a set ranging from the lush Turn the Lights Out When You Leave to the gospel-flavoured Answer in the Sky. The record features not only collaborator Taupin but also two-thirds of his original band – drummer Nigel Olsson and guitarist Davey Johnstone. Elton being Elton, Peachtree Road is peppered with grandiose ballads that could turn your music den into a piano bar, but thanks to Bernie Taupin’s perceptive lyrics, nothing gets too syrupy. Elton sings: "Ya know I’m no longer 30 these days...and I’m happy to play one or two hands of cards / I hate flies in the kitchen buzzin’, disturbing the peace I’ve found...I’m happy to say I’m amazed that I’m still around.…" Buoyed by an alluring piano reminiscent of his early work, he embraces optimism while reminding us of the tragedies of the Elvis and Kennedy assassinations in Too Many Tears.

Best track: Turn The Lights Off When You Leave

Worst track: All That I’m Allowed

This feature was published on March 5, 2004