Compilation based on Starting over
Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 03/29/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Reba's Starting over collection of cover version, released in the mid-nineties, made little impact in the UK. It was repackaged with one track removed and six others added to form this compilation.The nine tracks from Starting over included here are By the time I get to Phoenix (Glen Campbell), On my own (Patti Labelle) featuring Martina McBride, Trisha Yearwood and Linda Davis, You're no good (a song that originally became a minor American hit for Betty Everett, but later became a huge British hit for the Swinging blue jeans and a seventies chart-topper in America for Linda Ronstadt), Starting over again (Dolly Parton), Please come to Boston (Dave Loggins), Ring on her finger time on her hands (Lee Greenwood), I won't mention it again (Ray Price), Five hundred miles away from home (Bobby Bare) and Talking in your sleep (Crystal Gayle). Two tracks from her more recent So good together - We're so good together and I'll be - plus one from one of her eighties albums - New fool at an old game - are also included.Long-standing Reba fans may already have all the above tracks, but there are three other tracks, including two original songs, What if and What do you say, plus a stunning cover of If I fell, the first Beatles song that Reba has ever covered.Given that most of the songs are covers, it might have been ever better to compile this album entirely from covers - I would have included Reba's versions of Cathy's clown (Everly brothers), Respect (Aretha Franklin) and You keep me hanging on (Supremes) - the only track missing from Starting over - but this is still a fine collection.Reba fans who haven't got round to buying Starting over should consider buying this instead. It is difficult to justify buying both. I didn't buy Starting over when it first came out, so it was easy to choose this."
Interesting, but Good Collection
J. M. Zuurbier | Canada | 01/11/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is an interesting Import by Reba McEntire, titled ILL BE. It features 9 songs from her 1995 album STARTING OVER, which was sorely frowned upon, as its a great collection of cover songs, yes they were less country but it was a nice way to celebrate her 20 years in the industry, it is badly underrated. From her past album, SO GOOD TOGETHER, are the top 10 hits "I'll Be" and the touching ballad "What Do You Say", which is one of her better songs from the late 90's. As well included is the song "So Good Together". Overall its an interesting collection of songs from here and there, consisting mostly of her STARTING OVER days, but also a stirring rendition of the Beatles song "If I Fell", which is worth the price of this CD."