This compilation, concentrating as it does on hit singles, is not necessarily the best of Anne Murray. Two of my favorite Anne Murray tracks - Wintry feeling and Song for the Mira - were not released as singles, but I would certainly rate them more highly than some of the major hits. That said, this is a compilation of extremely high quality.
Being a British compilation, this includes all of Anne's five UK hits. None of them made the top twenty, though Snowbird and You needed me came closer, the latter becoming much more successful when covered by Boyzone in the nineties. Anne's three other (minor) UK hits were Destiny, I just fall in love again and Daydream believer. Of course, Anne was far more successful in America, where You needed me topped the pop charts and she had many other hits.
Most of Anne's other classics are here including Danny's song, You won't see me (a cover of a Beatles song) and A little good news (a political song, rare for Anne) although Could I have this dance (from the Urban cowboy soundtrack) is omitted.
Of the others, I particularly like Just another woman in love, Broken hearted me and Shadows in the moonlight.
While it is not possible to fit all of Anne's classic songs on one CD, this is an excellent collection. If you only want one CD of Anne's music, this is a good choice. Note that the majority of the tracks also appear on The best so far. The five tracks here but not on that compilation include Destiny, but the other compilation has four tracks not included here, one of which is Could I have this dance. You must make up your mind which you prefer.
This "Special Collection" on import is almost identical to the current US release "Best Of...So Far". Whichever, the songs (hey, and most of them are even hits) are boring, dowdy and sleep inducing. It doesn't help that Anne Murray's phrasing and precision singing method resembles that of a prim and proper Sunday schoolteacher. Sure, she can be depended upon to hit the notes dead centre at all times, but this doesn't alter the fact that as a stylist (country or pop) she's an interminable bore. "Snowbird" is pleasant enough. "Broken Hearted Me" has its poignant moments. "You Won't See Me" nearly rocks (but not quite) and you'd be quite happy with "I Just Fall In Love Again" if you haven't heard Dusty Springfield's infinitely superior version. But "Daydream Believer" must go down in history as the most pointless cover ever. She adds nothing to the Monkee's original. Enough said. If this is Anne Murray's best, I'd rather not know what else she has to offer.
