The Lady in Red
The Very Best of Chris de Burgh
by Chris de Burgh
Year of release: 2000
Finally, Chris de Burgh has come back to the States!
This greatest hits collection, put out by Ark 21, marks the long overdue return of Chris de Burgh to America. The collection, which features 16 tracks including such hits as The Lady in Red and Don't Pay the Ferryman, boasts a bonus in the form of the first-ever authorized commerical recording of de Burgh's tribute to Princess Diana, There's a New Star in Heaven Tonight.
If you're a collector of de Burgh's music, then you're probably buy this album simply for the new song, regardless of the fact that you probably already have the rest of the material. (The song was written shortly after Princess Diana's death and was performed at her memorial service.)
The disc collects many de Burgh gems from the past, but strangely leaves out such classics as Crusader, Carry Me (Like a Fire In Your Heart), and Patricia the Stripper and instead includes questionable choices such as Blonde Hair Blue Jeans and Up Here in Heaven.
Still, the album includes a wide range of material that the typical US fan hasn't been exposed to, and should make for a very nice, if at times uneven, (re)introduction of de Burgh to fans who remember The Lady in Red and Don't Pay the Ferryman.
The liner notes are nice as well, and help to add even more value to the package for new fans. The booklet includes lyrics to all of the songs, including the Princess Diana tribute, as well as a mini-biography of de Burgh's career. And while I'm still not sure what the funky red and black design on the CD itself is supposed to be, the booklet really helps to round out the album.
If you live in the USA and don't like paying high import prices for de Burgh's albums, then this CD, the first available in the US since 1988's Flying Colours, is a must for your collection. And if you do have all of de Burgh's past work, you'll still want to pick this up for the Princess Diana tribute song. Either way, you can't miss.
My Score: 8/10