The gift of music: Our critics recommend box-set and greatest-hits

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Dec 19, 2003

BON JOVI; "This Left Feels Right" (Island) ** 1/2

What started off as an acoustic album became a quasi-electric one instead. Bon Jovi has rethought and remade its biggest hits. A low- key blues take on "You Give Love a Bad Name" and a piano-ballad version of "It's My Life," were interesting at first, but wore out their welcome after awhile. The new version of "Wanted Dead or Alive" works well, as does a bluesy remake of "Bad Medicine." The semi- acoustic ballads "I'll Be There for You," Bed of Roses" and "Always" were rebuilt from original power-ballad structures, but it would have been fun to hear those songs turned into rockers, to oppose the rockers turned to ballads. -- S.I.

BILLY BRAGG; "Must I Paint You a Picture? The Essential . . . " (Elektra/Rhino) ***

Calling this two-disc collection of songs by the British folkie "essential" is a bit deceptive. His heavily leftist political leanings and rough-hewn vocals make his musical output an acquired taste. Still, the first disc in particular is filled with earnest, appealing love songs, such as "The Milkman of Human Kindness." And there are at least a couple of terrific moments from his collaborations with alt-country act Wilco to round out the second disc. -- J.V.

TONI BRAXTON; "Ultimate" (Arista) ***

When Braxton emerged in the early 1990s, critics were quick to call her an Anita Baker protege. However, by the time her breakthrough hit "Breathe Again" raced up the charts, the singer, who was mentored by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, had silenced those mean old critics. "Breathe Again," "You Mean the World to Me," the suggestive "You're Making Me High" and the multi-platinum "Unbreak My Heart" are all remastered in this best-of collection. Just for good measure, previously unreleased works "Whatchu Need" and "The Little Things" are included -- S.I.

JAMES BROWN; "50th Anniversary Collection" (Polydor/UTV) ***

In 1996, James Brown released a "40th Anniversary Collection." But there are some discrepancies about when "the hardest working man in show business" actually began singing professionally. Turns out it was 1953. Therefore, he decided to release "50th Anniversary Collection" this year. The only complaint: "I Feel Good" and "Livin' in America" are not included on this two-CD package. But that's not a huge problem. "I Feel Good" is one of Brown's more overplayed works, and "Livin' . . ." isn't his strongest. Still, why not give "Cold Sweat Pt. 1," "Say It Loud -- I'm Black and I'm Proud" or "Get Up Offa That Thing" some time. They're included in this set, along with "It's a New Day" and "I Got Ants in My Pants." -- S.I.

MARIAH CAREY; "The Remixes" (Columbia) * 1/2

Enough already!! When Carey released the original versions of "Always Be My Baby," "Honey," "Loverboy" and "Crybaby," they didn't have the depth of her earlier songs, "Emotions," "Love Takes Time" and "Vision of Love." So, why is there a two-CD collection of remixes that includes "Always Be My Baby," "Honey," "Loverboy" and "Crybaby?" These rehashed, dance-track arrangements are just as boring as the originals. Good thing the remix of "Emotions" is included. Otherwise "The Remixes" would be "The Please Fix These." -- S.I.