The Very Best of Dionne Warwick [Rhino]

by Dionne Warwick

Overview

This is the fourth compilation of Dionne Warwick's work done by Rhino Records, and the company's third collection of her major hits -- but it's not redundant in the least, as a 2000-vintage release, more than a decade more advanced in mastering quality than the label's first two best-ofs on Warwick. In fact, as a collection of 16 of the singer's classic singles from 1962-1974, the heyday of her collaboration with songwriters Burt Bacharach and Hal David, all in state-of-the-art sound, it's downright essential listening for fans of the singer or the songwriters -- the exquisitely lush arrangements never sounded richer, and Warwick's voice here is close and intimate (as well as powerful) in ways that the records only ever hinted at. "Walk on By," "Alfie," "I Say a Little Prayer," and "This Girl's in Love With You" are some of the hits that define Warwick's soulful, orchestral sound from that era; but even the first track here, "Don't Make Me Over," from the outset of their work together in 1962 -- before the collaboration was established -- has a moment of magnificent, throat-catching dramatic soulfulness, on the lyric "Accept me for what I am/Accept me for the things I do," that seems to open the door for everything that follows. Beyond those early hits, and such obvious highlights as "(Theme From) Valley of the Dolls," "Do You Know the Way to San Jose," "I Say a Little Prayer," and "Then Came You" (which also features the Spinners), the makers have included such more modestly performing (but equally worthwhile) treasures as "Reach out for Me" and "Are You There (With Another Girl)." The notes by Alec Cumming are first-rate and a match for the overall production quality, which is superb. ~ Bruce Eder & Heather Phares

Product Details

Release Date:	05/23/2000
Label:	Rhino
UPC:	0081227983925
Rank:	3564

Tracks

1. Don't Make Me Over
2. Anyone Who Had a Heart
3. Walk on By
4. Reach Out for Me
5. Are You There (With Another Girl)
6. Message to Michael
7. Trains and Boats and Planes
8. Alfie
9. The Windows of the World
10. Theme from Valley of the Dolls
11. I Say a Little Prayer
12. Do You Know the Way to San Jose?
13. Promises, Promises
14. This Girl's in Love With You
15. I'll Never Fall in Love Again
16. Then Came You

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Dionne Warwick   Primary Artist
The Spinners   Primary Artist,Guest Artist

Technical Credits

Patrick Milligan   Compilation Producer
Steve Woolard   Project Assistant
Hugh Brown   Art Direction
Lonnie Donegan   Composer
Jim Currie   Composer
Daniel Goldmark   Editorial Research
The Spinners   Performer
Anthony Smith   Composer
Burt Bacharach   Composer
Donna Summer   Composer
Donna Wyant   Composer
Sherman Marshall   Composer
Hal David   Composer
Dory Previn   Composer
Philip T. Pugh   Composer
Keith Diamond   Composer
Bill Inglot   Producer
Andre Previn   Composer
Julee Stover   Editorial Supervision
Shawn Amos   Editorial Coordinator