Greatest Hits [CD]

Martina's career started slowly as her first album (The time has come) did not sell in vast quantities. I did buy it - and I've been a huge fan of Martina's music ever since. Fortunately for me, Martina's second album contained Independence day, the song which really launched her career and ensured that she could continue to record high-quality music, culminating in this Greatest hits collection, which contains all the essentials.

Martina has a big voice and uses it to great effect on all types of song. Many of her hits are upbeat, happy songs, typical of modern country music. There are still people who think country music is full of sad songs with not much cheer - such people should listen to some modern country - very different from the way things once were.

Happy girl (from her fourth album, Evolution, the one that really confirmed her as a major star) is not only typical of the songs Martina records - it also describes herself. Other great upbeat songs include I love you, My baby loves me and Whatever you say. Even in modern country, there is still room for the occasional sad song, represented here by Concrete angel and Love is the only house. Despite these songs, the overall feel of the album is upbeat. Stranger was not released as a single, but has become popular with fans, so it was included instead of Cheap whiskey, a minor hit from her first album. It's a pity they didn't include both.

Martina made some of the best pop-country music of the nineties and had some success in the American pop charts while maintaining her credibility with country fans.

I heard "Independence Day" on television and knew straight away that I had to own it. But I'm by no means a fan of country music, so I didn't have high hopes for the rest of the album. What a pleasant surprise it's turned out to be! The contemporary style is easy on the ear, even if you've never been within a thousand miles of Nashville, and Martina McBride's voice is superb. Most of the album is unchallenging, upbeat and straightworward music (and there's nothing wrong with that!) but a few tracks are subtler and darker -- thrown into even sharper relief by the generally happy tone. Try it, you might like it :-)

So come 2001, Martina McBride had released 5 studio albums, and a Christmas album, and things were going very, very well. Couple million records sold; endless top 10's and some No'1's scattered among there, a female vocalist award from the CMA's in 1999 (the first of 4 she's go on to win from the academy, joining her with Reba McEntire for most wins of the award), and worldwide recognition for the groundbreaking 'Independence Day'. Not bad for a woman in country music!

This greatest hits collection is exactly what it says: it is the highest peaking singles of Martina's career to the date of 2001, with 4 new, outstanding tracks that all became as successful as the hits included. No singles are included from her first album 'The Time Has Come', although the title track from this album impressioned at #23 on the country charts, and 'Cheap Whiskey' was popular among her Nashville contemporaries, featuring Garth Brooks on backing vocals.

The set kicks off with 'My Baby Loves Me', Martina's first big song from the album 'The Way That I Am'. An upbeat number, which hit #2, set the tone of a woman with a huge voice and some serious style and spunk. 'Life #9' is another upbeat number, tempo wise anyhow, but is telling the narrator's partner to stop his fooling around, he's on his last life...how 90's Nashville! Track 3 is however where we hit Martina's first legendary song, 'Independence Day'. Filled with emotion, themes of domestic abuse and liberation, child neglect and social issues, the song has become renowned. The song was penned by Gretchen Peters, and received backlash from some country radio stations due to its outlandish themes. Track 4 is the big ballad 'Strangers' which cleverly uses its chorus as having 3 different meanings. 'The Way That I Am' has recently gone 2xplatinum.

Tracks 5 & 6 are the only singles featured from the groundbreaking 3rd album 'Wild Angels'. The title track was Martina's first #1. Both of these songs are killer, and really pushed Martina to a bigger audience, being certified platinum in the same year as release. Three singles from this album didn't make this collection, and they were killer tracks too. I suggest you buy this album as well as this greatest hits.

Now, tracks 7 through to 11 are all from the phenomenal 4th album 'Evolution'. Arguably Martina's best album to date, the album spawned 6 singles, 5 of which are featured here. 'Still Holdin' On' with Clint Black didn't make this collection. 'Valentine' with Jim Brickman hit the country top #10, and also broke the adult charts - her first major crossover. Track 8 quickly became Martina's 2nd signature song, 'Broken Wing'. This hit #1, and addresses many of the issues encountered in track 3, but in a different way. Stirring lyrics, outrageous vocal, and a moving arrangement set the picture for a woman leaving a relationship where she is overly repressed. Outstanding. 'Happy Girl', penned by Beth Neilsen Chapman hit #2, and addresses the tough transition from heartbreak to happiness. 'Wrong Again' hit #1, and cleverly uses its emotional chorus in 3 different ways - a true country pleaser. 'Whatever You Say' hit #2, and followed what had become Martina's signature style - stirring melodic verses, and huge choruses. The theme is interesting, and is magnificent lyrically.

Come Track 12, we have reached 1999. 'I Love You' was a big hit, being #1 on the country charts and having big crossover success. The more 'pop' orientation of this album turned a few noses up, but Martina's fans seemed unaffected. 'Loves The Only House' is another song about society delivered fantastically. The song talks of social divide, the lack of compassion in society, and the need for love to spread to all. 'There You Are' is again signature Martina style. A touching love song that appealed to many, and like track 12, hit the top 10. 'Its My Time' was also released from this album and hit the top #10, but isn't featured here.

Tracks 15-19 were the new songs added to the collection, and all went on to critical and commercial acclaim. 'When God Fearin' Women Get The Blues' was the first released, and became one of Martina's signature songs. 'Headbanging Hillbilly' is how Martina described the song, and it is just that. True country. 'Where Would You Be' is one of the most emotional songs Martina has recorded. It hit the top 10, and follows the narrator asking their partner what they would do without them - where would they go? Who would they love? The feeling that the relationship is ending is ever-present, and the vocal Martina delivers is unbelievably touching. 'Concrete Angel' became another signature. A moving track about child abuse, the song became an anthem for many - crossing over in a big way. The collection ends with the #1 'Blessed'. Happiness, contentment and true appreciation for life are saturated in this song's lyrics, and Martina delivers it with exactly the right manner.

Martina has cemented herself within Country Music as one of the all time greatest vocalists, and I hope she continues to blossom to bigger and better success. These songs are truly inspirational - whether it be in heartbreak, liberation or proclamation, and I wouldn't have a Greatest Hits any other way. One of my all-time favourite albums.

5 Stars.