The Best of Me

by

Bryan Adams

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Whether you're a Badfan or not (a fan-based reference to "Bryan ADams fan"), this is a great collection of tunes - plus a stellar new one! Basically a "Best of Bryan" part 2 album, with part 1 being "So Far So Good." The bulk of the album is music from his 90's work, as opposed to the primarily 80s-driven "So Far So Good." Three of Bryan's four #1 hits are here, including the timeless "Everything I Do (I Do It For You)" ballad from Robin Hood, the hot latin ballad "Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman," and the spectacular collaborative piece by Bryan, Sting, and Rod Stewart "All For Love" from the Three Musketeers Soundtrack (his other #1 hit was "Heaven," which you can find on the "So Far So Good" CD!). Other top hits and well-known tunes are "Can't Stop This Thing We Started," "Let's Make A Night To Remember," and "Please Forgive Me." The classic and always-popular "Summer of 69" is here, too, although it's a little out of place given the 'second half' angle of Bryan's career on this CD. The lead-off track, "Best of Me" is a brand new single and a solid turn-out from Bryan, letting his fans know he's still got what it takes to write, sing, and play great music. If you're a fan, you've clearly got to own this - I believe it's the first time the hard-to-find "All For Love" has appeared on a Bryan Adams CD; "I'm Ready" is a live recording, and the little-known "Back to You" is also a lively live rendition. All in all, a thoroughly solid album and worthy companion piece to "So Far So Good" - if you're new to Bryan's music, pick up both of them today... you'll get no better introduction to one of the legends of the genre, and one of my personal favorites to boot.

This recent release from Bryan Adams is noticably skimpy on the hits, of yesterday. Although I am a big fan of Adams, I have to say that this compilation seems to be focusing more on Adams' ingenious output from the '90s and, therefore, is missing many of the songs - which brought him fame - from the turbulent '80s. His break out hit from '82, Cuts Like A Knife, isn't here! The tender ballad, Straight From The Heart, is absent, also. This Time, Heaven(how could they omit that), It's Only Love(with Tina Turner), Somebody, Kids Wanna Rock, Heat Of The Night, and Do I Have To Say The Words? should have all been included, as well! A 2 disc collection, with all of these songs included, would have been more deserving to Bryan Adams fans, worldwide. I would recommend the So Far, So Good album, for a more '80s based hit collection. We might have to wait another 10 years for a more stellar and complete collection, from the great Bryan Adams! Best Of Me is very disappointing, in the meantime.