Sheena Easton Album: “Greatest Hits [EMI/Capitol]”

I only heard of the 80's pop diva Sheena Easton, born in Scotland, when I watched the 007 James Bond film "For Your Eyes Only", in which she sang the title song. I truly loved her beautiful voice so I decided to get this album. And it's GREAT!!

*Modern Girl* - The first song on this album and very interesting to listen to. About the 'modern girl' who 'doesn't build her world 'round a single man, whose free to be what she wants to be, a modern girl'. This song hit the top 20 charts in the U.S. while it hit the top 10 charts in the U.K. This song was also one of her first single along with "Morning Train (Nine to Five)".

*Strut* - One of the best songs on the whole album! Love the beginning with a neat drum beat, then when the lead guitar comes on. "~Strut I'm cutting out, I'm takin' with no givin', watch me baby while I walk out that door~"

*Wind Beneath My Wings* - A very quiet song with Sheena Easton singing it beautifully.

*We've Got Tonight" - The piano is played very nicely throughout the whole song. Very nice harmony with Kenny Rogers.

*Morning Train (Nine to Five)* - This song was originally called "Nine to Five" but when it made it to America, was changed to "Morning Train" to not confuse it with another song by Dolly Parton's song. A jolly fun song, loving singing along!

*For Your Eyes Only* - THE best song on the whole album, from the 007 James Bond Film "For Your Eyes Only". Love the aquatic sound in the very beginning. Sheena Easton can certainly sing!

*I Wouldn't Beg For Water* - Quiet song with a nice piano in the background.

*When He Shines* - Another very quiet song, one of her weak songs on this album in my opinion.

*Sugar Walls* - This song certainly has a pretty cool beginning! Sheena Eastong sings interestingly in "Sugar Walls". "~My sugar walls~"

*Telefone (Long Distance Love Affair)* - Another song which was on the top 10 charts. Bass and drums is pretty neat. "~I called you on the telephone, but you're never home~"

*Amost Over You* - The beginning of the song really reminds me of "We've Got Tonight" with the piano. The harmony is very beautiful.

"The Best of Sheena Easton" certainly does contain some pretty terrific songs and I totally recommend this CD to anyone who love the 80's type of music.

It almost sounds like Sheena Easton is actually triplets, and none of them share the same musical taste. This collection highlights the incredible diversity of styles Sheena has tried in her brief career, some with better results than others.

Her earliest hits, Modern Girl and Nine to Five, sound a bit too contrived and plastic today. She is excellent in the disco paean Strut, but never followed up on that success.

The best track on this disc from a vocal perspective is the angst ballad Almost Over You, which takes full advantage of Miss Easton's tremendous range, but also reveals the limitation's in her voice.

There are two very steady mid-stream pop cuts, the James Bond theme For Your Eyes Only and an early version of Wind Beneath My Wings.

The most unfortunate inclusion in this collection, despite its commercial and critical success, is the Prince collaboration Sugar Walls. While at the time of its release, the overtly suggestive lyrics were seen as some kind of breakthrough for the sultry singer, the approach quickly reached near-pornographic dimensions and effectively derailed her career.

In fairness, this disc is a very good representation of Sheena Easton's musical career; no continuity, no discernible individual style and an almost schizophrenic lack of direction. Still, beneath all the confusion and distractions is a marvelous voice and a talented artist.

Those who add this disc to their collection won't find it gathering dust in a rack.

OK! So this 11-track EMI compilation-CD realised in 1989 doesn't include "You Could Have Been With Me" or "Do It For Love".

And one can wonder why "Wouldn't Beg For Water" is included.

But so what!

A full 20-track compilation would be for die-hard fans only anyway. For others it would be too many songs.

But for anyone who's just curious about Sheena Easton, or once where small fans, this CD gives a perfect impression and reminder of Sheena Easton.

Most of her 80's hits and fine radio-friendly songs (mostly ballads) on EMI are included.

It also shows the different styles Easton pursued during her career; the light catchy pop songs ("Morning Train", "Modern Girl"...), AC ballads ("For Your Eyes Only", "When He Shines"...), dance songs ("Strut"), country ("We've Got Tonight"), and R&B ("Sugar Walls").

I highly recomend this CD!

I really enjoy this compilation. Includes the sassy side of Sheena with songs like "Telephone" and "Mordern Girl" as well as the soft side with songs like "For Your Eyes Only" and "When He Shines". An excellent cover version is included here. "Wind Beneath My Wings" is by far the definitive version of the song. Sheena's voice is much more pretty than Bette Midlers. I gave this 4 stars rather than 5 because the song "You Could Have Been With Me" should have been included.

This is a great CD, 80's are back when you hear this music, of course if you lived this decade the only decade that you could hear all kinds of music and all were the best