Number Ones

by

Michael Jackson

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It may seem like overkill for MJ to release another greatest hits album after 2001's "Michael Jackson Greatest Hits HIStory Volume 1", but these songs are strong enough to warrant it (all of them were number one hits). This set omits the songs "She's Out of My Life", "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'", "The Girl Is Mine" and "Remember The Time" that appeared on the 2001 greatest hits disc but adds 8 (!) other hits. "Smooth Criminal", "Dirty Diana", "You Are Not Alone", "Earth Song", "You Rock My World", "Break of Dawn", his newest song "One More Chance" and the concert version of "Ben" from The Jacksons live album. Although there are some number one hits still omitted, this CD is the more complete of the two. As a bonus, the songs are presented in chronological order this time too.

The CD has been released in four different covers representing separate eras of his solo career. Who knows which one Amazon will ship, but the cover pictured is my favorite. Don't worry about not getting your favorite cover though as all are included in the bookelt. Which brings me to the only downside to this collection - the skimpy liner notes. Every greatest hits colection should list release date and chart information. Not all of these songs were number one hits in the U.S. It would be nice to know where it hit number one and how long it held the position.

MJ fans probably already have all 6 of his CD's and therefore the main reason to get this CD is for the new song "One More Chance" which is classic MJ R&B. If you only have one or two of his CD's then NUMBER ONES will be a perfect addition to your collection. Highly recommended.

Michael Jackson's sanity is clearly a matter of debate, but only a fool would deny his talent and chart supremacy since leaving Motown. "Number Ones" is yet another collection featuring the usual lineup of his classic hits: "Billie Jean," "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough," "Beat It," "Rock With You," and so on. The tracklisting is presented in chronological order, starting with material from "Off the Wall," right up to the previously unreleased R. Kelly ballad "One More Chance" and a somewhat unnecessary live performance of "Ben." There isn't much for me to comment about the hits themselves, except to say that unless you've been living in a 25 year coma, you're already familiar with 90% of this album. But the problems with "Number Ones" are twofold: first, the tracklisting overlaps Jackson's previous hits album "HIStory." Do we really need yet another recycling of songs millions of us already have? Also, not all of the tracks on "Number Ones" topped the chart, such as the excellent "Smooth Criminal" and "Break of Dawn," a cut off 2001's "Invincible" that was never even released as a single. Is "Number Ones" a competent survey of Jackson's biggest hits? Yes, it is. But is it a necessary purchase? Not if you already own "HIStory." While listeners green to Jackson's work should pick this up, "Number Ones" brings almost nothing new to the table for those who already own his prior albums.