THE BEST OF ME (by Bryan Adams)

SUMMARY:                    APPROX. RUNNING TIME: 68 Min.

As Adams’ second career compilation, this album was first released outside the U.S. in 1999.  It subsequently became available in the U.S. in 2001-2002 through A&M Records.  Best of Me consists of these fifteen tracks:    

                Track:                                             Running Time:

1. The Best of Me (1999)                                  3:33
2. Can’t Stop This Thing We Started (1991)          4:29
3. I’m Ready (1997)                                                4:29
4. Summer of ’69 (1984)                                         3:34
5. Let’s Make It a Night to Remember (1996)         6:19
6. All for Love (with Rod Stewart & Sting – 1993)  [The Three Musketeers]  4:36
7. Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman (1996)   [Don Juan DeMarco]   4:48
8. Run To You (1984)                                             3:54
9. Cloud Number Nine (1999)                                 4:11
10. (Everything I Do) I Do It for You (1991) [Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves]  6:34
11.  Back to You (1997)                                            4:30
12. When You’re Gone (with Mel C. – 1998)               3:25
13.  Please Forgive Me (1993)                                    5:58
14.  The Only Thing That Looks Good on Me is You (1996)   3:37
15.  Inside Out (1998)                                              4:43         

REVIEW:

Partially doubling up 1993’s rollicking So Far So Good, this second Adams greatest-hits experience is geared more towards his efforts from the latter 1990’s.  One can’t dispute including Summer of ’69 and Run to You, though Cuts Like a Knife from that same album would have been worthy, too.  Further, representation from 1991’s Waking Up the Neighbours (Tracks 2 and 10) and his soundtrack contributions (Tracks 6-7, and again 10) make perfect sense. 

As a movie love song, the flamenco-flavored Track 7’s originality is a welcome signal re: Adams’ versatility.  It certainly surpasses the syrupy Track 6, which is essentially a paycheck for its all-star trio.  Though All for Love is enjoyably catchy, its clichéd romanticism merely imitates Track 11’s timeless (Everything I Do) I Do It for You).  Perhaps there’s also a curious touch of irony, as the terrific Please Forgive Me (Track 13) was itself an original addition to So Far So Good. 

Still, what’s apparent is how Adams’ career prime levels off after 1996.  While his vocals remain consistently appealing, the bland post-1996 tunes represented here are often forgettable.  It’s like Adams is coasting on fumes, at least as compared to his inspired earlier works.  In terms of this collection’s value, if one doesn’t already have a copy of the far better Waking Up The Neighbours and/or So Far So Good, then this album is a solid purchase for a nearly seventy-minute album.  Yet, too much of The Best of Me recycles Adams’ lesser material.  As a mild disappointment, this album is a mixed bag sporting a ratio of nine great songs to maybe six in the otherwise so-so range. 

PACKAGING:

The tracks and running times are listed on the CD case’s back cover.  Besides the obligatory credits, the booklet includes song lyrics and various black-and-white images of Adams.  One of these photos is a blurry, self-indulgent backside glimpse of Adams in the buff, as if in proximity to a hot tub.  The case itself is standard-issue.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    6 Stars