Search - Bonnie Tyler :: Notes from America

Simply the best

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 07/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Released with different titles in different countries, this album is a classic that mysteriously failed to achieve the success it should have had. It is far superior to some of Bonnie's albums that did much better, notably Faster than the speed of night and Secret dreams and forbidden fire.



So why did it fail? It wasn't the quality of the songs. You might think that it doesn't have a hit like Total eclipse of the heart to push album sales. The point is - it should have done. This album contains the original version of The best, more generally known as Simply the best, a song that has become part of popular culture (at least in Europe) in a way that Total eclipse has not, although I think Total eclipse is an even better song. The failure of this song to chart for Bonnie, a year or so before Tina Turner made the song into an international smash hit, is a real mystery.



The other songs are also of a high quality including great covers of To love somebody (Bee Gees) and Turtle blues (Janis Joplin). Two other great songs (Don't turn around, Save up all your tears) were co-written by Diane Warren, who has become an extremely successful songwriter in the years since. These songs are early examples of her brilliance. Notes from America (used as the album title in the USA) and Hide your heart (used as the album title elsewhere) are also excellent. Indeed, every track here is a gem.



Of all Bonnie's albums, this should have been a major international blockbuster. It wasn't - it failed miserably. Now it is hard to find although some tracks can be found on compilations. But if you get the chance to buy this album, under whatever title, buy it. You won't regret it."