Discover just which of Tina Arena’s greatest hits and reinterpretations our reviewer David rates in his latest album review.
Tina Arena is celebrating a huge milestone in her career by releasing a modern take on a greatest hits album.
Yes, it includes all her biggest hits spanning almost 30 years, but it also contains some incredible covers by some incredible artists.
Whoever came up with this idea is a genius.
How boring are greatest hits albums generally? Yes, it may have an artist’s biggest songs, but it’s hard not to feel like a label is just trying to cash in on an artist in an extremely lazy way.
This fresh approach is definitely a fun way to remember Tina’s hits or, if you’re a foreigner like me, a great introduction to her back catalogue.
Tina has had international success in her career, however that success never eventuated in Canada where I’m from.
I was first introduced to Tina via her 2013 album ‘Reset’, which showcased what an amazing vocalist she is. And I began to explore her other tunes.
This album is a great compilation of her biggest hits, from debut single ‘I Need Your Body’ (a banging ’80s disco tune) to mid-tempo power ballad ‘Chains’.
Everything you’ve ever loved about Tina features across all her greatest hits. Even criminally ignored modern tunes ‘Reset All’ and ‘I Want To Love You’ make an appearance, providing an enjoyable close to the first half of this album.
Where things get really interesting is on the second half of this album; the interpretations.
Featuring more famous musicians than the last season of ‘The Celebrity Apprentice’ had real celebrities, the interpretations make you realise the quality of Tina’s body of work and how many want to work with her.
For me, the highlights come from Dannii Minogue, Alex Hope, Jimmy Barnes and Kate Miller-Heidke. Their interpretations of Tina’s songs are so incredibly diverse and breathe new life into her tunes.
Tina heads out on tour later this year and if you’re a big pop fan, you should be securing tickets promptly. She’s got some incredible pipes on her and the songs to back them up.
Let’s hope a few of her friends make some appearances at her shows.
VERDICT : 4/5.
MUST LISTEN GREATEST HITS : I Need Your Body, Chains, Never (Past Tense), I Want To Love You.
MUST LISTEN INTERPRETATIONS : Sorrento Moon (Dannii Minogue), Only Lonely (Alex Hope), When You’re Ready (Jimmy Barnes), Heaven Help My Heart (Kate Miller-Heidke).