Dream Daddy

It's hard to pull off a tribute album to a recently deceased celebrity with grace and style, but Diana, Princess of Wales: Tribute works extraordinary well. None of the songs on the two discs are explicitly about Diana, but the generally wistful, melancholy tone captures the feeling of mass mourning and regret. And, on the most basic level, it offers a collection of strong mainstream '90s pop songs. Only three of the songs – Neil Finn's new solo acoustic take of "Don't Dream It's Over," Peter Gabriel's "In the Sun," and Rod Stewart's fine cover of Dylan's "Love Minus Zero/No Limit" – are new recordings, and most of the collection features familiar items: Queen's "Who Wants to Live Forever," Annie Lennox's "Angel," Bruce Springsteen's "Streets of Philadelphia," Seal's "Prayer for the Dying," Des'ree's "You Gotta Be," Michael Jackson's "You Are Not Alone," Toni Braxton's "Unbreak My Heart," Whitney Houston's "Greatest Love of All," Celine Dion's "Because You Love Me," Gloria Estefan's "Don't Want to Lose You," Simply Red's "Stars," Puff Daddy's "Miss You," Mariah Carey's "Hero," and Spice Girls' "Mama."

James Taylor's seventh album and last new recording for Warner Bros. is notable for producing his biggest self-written hit in four years, "Shower the People" (number 22 pop, number one easy listening). Bobby Womack's "Woman's Gotta Have It" was the album's only cover, and elsewhere Taylor took on a surprisingly rough set of issues in his typically gentle style, including "A Junkie's Lament" and "Money Machine." There were also reflections on being a "Family Man" even if, due to his peripatetic touring life, "Daddy's All Gone." Guest stars included Art Garfunkel, who harmonized on "Captain Jim's Drunken Dream," and Stevie Wonder, who co-wrote and played harmonica on "Don't Be Sad 'Cause Your Sun Is Down." On the whole, a respectable effort for an artist who was evolving into more of a craftsman than a virtuoso.

Before Aretha Franklin was exalted as the Queen of Soul, Ruth Brown was dubbed "Miss Rhythm" – and with good reason. A gritty, aggressive belter with an impressive range and a powerhouse of a voice, Brown was the top female R&B singer of the early to mid-'50s, and would directly or indirectly have an influence on such greats as Etta James and LaVern Baker. A two-CD set ranging from Brown's early hits to engaging obscurities and rarities, Miss Rhythm offers a fine overview of her Atlantic years…

"It was magic night! The air was electric and felt good. The audience responded beautifully."

Johnny Cash, July 2002

With tongue firmly in cheek, the Cardigans decided to play up the candyfloss arrangements of their debut for second album Life. Where Emmerdale studied an introverted melancholy, Life is undiminished in both its independent-minded exuberance ("Hey! Get Out of My Way") and zest to enjoy life with others ("Daddy's Car," "Gordon's Gardenparty"). The incredible production and quality of arrangement from the debut are here also, even more strikingly crisp and spot-on. (Over 50 instruments were used on the 14 songs included on the Minty Fresh American release.) Though the Cardigans planned Life as something of a joke, it became one of the finest pop albums of the '90s.

Ze Records boasted an early-'80s roster that included the varied likes of Alan Vega, Kid Creole & the Coconuts (who was also the imprint's house producer), Was (Not Was), John Cale, the Waitresses, and Christina. The label's musical focus was often on the poppy and eclectic offshoots of New York punk, with more raw acts like Lydia Lunch, James Chance & the Contortions, and Suicide balancing things out with some typically askew contributions. Even though this second label roundup does not feature those fine proponents of Gotham's underground ethos, it still provides a fairly thorough overview of Ze's best acts.

One of the finest vocalists of the 1950s, Dinah Washington could sing just about anything, was a popular attraction for 20 years and was known as the Queen of the Blues. ~ Jazz Heritage