Search - Sandie Shaw :: The Best of Sandie Shaw

Smooth Cool Vocals

Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 06/27/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This German pressing of Sandie Shaw's "Nothing Less Than Brilliant: Greatest Hits 1964-1995" is an excellent overview of her career. Always a bigger star in Europe, her work sounds delightfully fresh. The set opens with the #1 UK smash penned by Burt Bacharach, "Always Something There to Remind Me," that was eclipsed stateside by Dionne Warwick's recording. "Girl Don't Come" written by Chris Andrews was probably her best known U.S. track with her airy vocals floating over the delightful horn chart, "You want to see her, oh yeah, so you wait & wait & wait, girl don't come." "Long Live Love" is another pop gem with the samba/jazz flavor punctuating the happy chorus, "We meet every night at 8 & I don't get home til late." "Message Understood" is another little pop jewel that burned the UK charts. "Puppet On a String" has that circus rhythm that makes a romance feel like its happening under the big top. "Today" and her last chart hit "Monsieur Dupont" wind up the hits portion of the CD. Her reading of the familiar "Those Were the Days" that was a hit for Mary Hopkin on the Apple label shows a provocative vocal nuance. She also does another great Burt Bacharach song, "Anyone Who Had A Heart." Sandie joins with the Smiths on "Hand In Glove." Sandie's teaming with Lloyd Cole on "(Are You) Ready to Be Heartbroken" has nice energy with Sandie's smooth cool vocals, "You read Norman Mailer, get yourself a new tailor." The set ends with a Chris Andrews soul rave-up "Where Were You." "Nothing Less Than Brilliant" is an excellent set that will want to keep popping into your changer when you get in those 60s moods. Sandie on the cover looks like central casting could enlist her to play Demi Moore's mom. Enjoy!"