Paula Abdul Album: “Greatest”

This import release has preceded Paula's domestic "Best Of" compilation by two years and counting. Virgin Records has confirmed a release date of June 6 for the US "Best Of," but why hasn't this date appeared at music stores? Losing patience, I purchased this version and I was not disappointed. Paula's best work has always been demonstrated in her singles. Usually, a Paula album is less than the sum of its parts, I'm sorry to say. GREATEST confirms the reason Paula soared to superstardom in the late '80s. Her songs were irresistible pop delights that have stood the test of time. If you don't find yourself singing along to the classic "Straight Up," I truly feel sorry for you, for the rest of us cherish this wonderful song as a perennial favorite.

Paula's place in pop history was secured with her multiplatinum debut, FOREVER YOUR GIRL, but she continued to grow artistically, as is clearly evident after giving GREATEST a listen. After "Forever Your Girl," "Cold Hearted" and "Opposites Attract," Paula followed not with another dance track, but a sweeping ballad, the unforgettable "Rush Rush." After spending five weeks at Number One, "Rush Rush" was succeeded by the equally magnificent "Promise of a New Day." The captivating smash further proved Paula's gift for defying expectations and braving new territory. Next, she introduced another ballad, the elegant "Blowing Kisses in the Wind," one of her very best tracks.

When Paula unveiled HEAD OVER HEELS in 1995, she was unable to resume her position as a pop princess atop the charts, but her sophisticated "My Love is For Real" proved she was willing to give it her best shot. While the single failed to crack the Top 20, Paula persevered. Her next single was the underrated and overlooked "Crazy Cool," which gets my vote as one of the best songs of the '90s. It reached a disappointing No.58. Even with her last single to date, Paula went out with a bang, not a whimper. While "Ain't Never Gonna Give You Up" failed to hit the Hot 100, it demonstrated Paula's gift for incorporating dance, pop, R&B and soul into her work.

GREATEST compiles all of Paula's singles, except for "Cold Hearted." In its place is a poor replacement, "Spellbound." Another thing that is frustrating about this release is that the singles are out of sequence. "Rush Rush" should not follow "Will You Marry Me?," just as "(It's Just) The Way That Love Me" shouldn't open the album. However, until Virgin gets its priorities straight and rewards us with Paula's "Best Of," (featuring a new "Megamix Medley" and the previously unreleased "Crazy Love") GREATEST should serve well for those who long to see music's most charming chameleon recapture her throne atop the charts.

It is a shame that with all the pop bliss that is pumping through America's speakers these days that Virgin Records has yet to release this dance filled juggernaunt here in the states. While Virgin Records continues to ponder its own existance, Paula Abdul fans will have to continue to wait for corperate people to get their acts together. In the mean time, "Greatest Hits" can be imported. I felt like a kid a Christmas when I recieved my copy. Only missing the mega hit "Cold Hearted", this album sums up the late 80's and early 90's. According to many Paula Abdul web-sites, the American version of this album will contain 3 new singles. If dance or pop is your thing and you are like me and just can not wait any longer, buy it. You can thank me later.

WELL, THIS IS A GREAT CD TO SAY THE LEAST. ITS ONLY MISSING ONE BIG HIT, COLD-HEARTED. BUT THEN AGAIN, ITS FROM JAPAN, SO FOR ALL WE KNOW, COLD-HEARTED WASN'T A BIG HIT OVER THERE. WHO KNOWS? I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS CD TO ANYONE WHO HAS EVER LIKED PAULA ABDUL. HER TALENT IS ENDLESS, AND THIS CD PROVES NO DIFFERENT. TRUST ME, IF YOU BUY THIS, YOU'LL LOVE IT!!!

When She Released Forever Your Girl in 1989 I Thought That Was The End Of Ms. Abdul But It Wasn't in 1991 She Released Spellbound Then 5 Yrs Later 1996 She Released Head Over Heels

Paula Abdul has done 3 popdance albums. The best songs from those are now on this "Greatest" album. From "Straight Up" to "My Love Is For Real" its a journey with good dance songs and strong ballads. Missing "Cold Hearted" and new tracks. "If I Were Your Girl" from "Head Over Heals" album is a great ballad, to bad it was not released as a single. Spring/summer99 Paula will release a US version of this plus a brand new album.