Search - Rita Coolidge :: Delta Lady: The Anthology

The Delta Lady Indeed!

Anthony Accordino | Massapequa Park, New York United States | 02/10/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This cd "Delta Lady", The Rita Coolidge anthology is a must own collection for any old-time fans, who are in need of a cd upgrade, or if you want to own more than just the usual 10 cut best of packages. Rita Coolidge, got her first big break, when invited to tour with Joe Cocker's Maddogs and Englishmen, as the solid anchor of his space choir. During that tour, Rita had a solo spot during every show, singing "Superstar"[included here]. She caught the eye of A&M who offered her a recording contract. She went on to record a version of Dave Mason's "Only You Know And I Know", which received a decent amount of airplay in the early 70's. Featured here, is over 3 decades of rita's music, including duets with then husband Kris Kristofferson, and great tracks like "Bird On The Wire" and "This Lady is not forsale". Her really big break, came in 1977, with the release of "Anytime-Anywhere, which spawned 3 top 20 hits, including,"Higher and Higher", We're All Alone", and "The Way You Do The Things You Do". Following that huge success, Rita charted with many other tunes as well, like "You", 'One Fine Day", "I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love", "Fool That I Am", and "All Time High". Rita Coolidge was never a mega-superstar,and I am sure she preferred it that way, but this beautiful lady in my eyes, remains one of the truly great unsung female vocalists of the modern pop era. This handsome cd package is very neatly put together, with songs released in chronilogical order, a very nice booklet and essay, along with some great photo's of Rita through the years. If you are a fan of adult contemporary music, and soft rock, I highly recommend you add this to your cd library."

Lovely Rita

Harry N. Cohen | New Haven, Ct. USA | 02/13/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After this weeks display of no voice no-talents on the Grammys, it is a welcome relief to have the release of this sumptuous 2 disc set from Rita Coolidge. All the 70's ladies(Ronstadt, Muldaur, Raitt,Phoebe Snow) were all faves of mine, but Rita was the one who stood out for me. Her beauty, combined with the smoky sweet soulfulness, intelligence and just a hint of Julie London like sexiness, helped me make it through many nights(yes that is a deliberate reference to Rita's ex Kris Kristofferson). This set kicks off with Rita's first regional hit, which did crack the Hot 100,"Turn Around And Love You". The rest of disc one sticks to prime cuts from Rita's A&M catalogue years 1970-76.High points for me are the live Superstar(from Mad Dogs and Englishmen, it's astounding that the bland Carpenters version was the hit), Mud Island,Family Full Of Soul(a funky Dusty In Memphis feel), the smokily seductive Fever(a minor hit, but the only version of this song to rival Peggy Lee),The Lady's Not For Sale, the beautiful duet with Kris on Loving Arms, the understated Love Has No Pride(the way it was meant to be sung)2 fine Jackie DeShannon tunes,Now Your Baby Is A Lady and I Wanted It All, and a tasty dip into the Great American Songbook with Am I Blue, accompanied by the incomparable Barbara Carroll. Disc 2 is more hit oriented,featuring Higher and Higher, We're All Alone, The Way You Do The Things You Do(one of my favorite Motown covers), and All Time High. Featured on this disc is the sad duet with Kris of his song Please Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends, recorded shortly before their divorce in 1979. Among the rarities on this disc are Rita's duets with Glen Campbell and Rupert Holmes, Love Came For Me(theme from Splash) and some cuts from Rita's Andrew Gold produced Heartbreak Radio. Another treat on disc 2 is Rita's last A&M single, 1984's Something Said Love. Two of Rita's 90's recordings are here also. Rita proves that you don't have to scream or do annoying vocal runs to connect, nor do you have to be so understated that you seem to be in a coma(Jones,Krall), you just have to sing. Well done liner notes are an added plus. This is a wonderful set and should be in the collection of everyone who cares about the dying art of pop singing."

Melts your heart & makes you want to get up and dance at onc

Mary McAllister | Grenwich Village NYC | 02/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's always a problem for me selecting c.d.'s to listen to whether i'm at home or at the office. Although my collection of Ms. Collidge's songs is quite extensive I have those special standards that Rita recorded that i can never get tired of hearing. This new anthology seems to be a dream come true. Some of Rita's most soulful work, like "Am I Blue? is embedded in the long awaited set. "The Lady's Not For Sale" is a prime example. One of Rita's finest works, until now I could only hear it on my "record
player." In many of these songs you will find music and words you never heard before due to the technical wizardy in the remastering process.But let's face it, even witout these enhancements, Rita's work stands up to the test of time. Like a small body of water flowing through the earth, making inroads or streams where you wouldn't expect them, the sheer warmth and at the same time the strength of Rita's voice can make you wither want to get up and dance, or transport you to another place back in time, while your heart melts away. Twenty one songs but they never get boring. Like my a personal diary, as I listen to each song i remember where i was in life when that song was released! It is pure Rita or Rita singing someone else's hit like "One Fine Day" and making you forget anyone else every had a hit with it.What's neat about this set is it is easy to put in your pocket, not in a plastic case to crack. it's a grand mixture of upbeat songs one minute and deep down in your soul the next. included are songs with Kris Kristofferson as well as Glen Campbell, songs from the movies Splash, octopussy and Mystry of Edwin Drook. What makes this two set disc perfect is it is all Rita Coolidge. Be it "Bird on a Wire" or "Nice Feeling" this anthology is definitely Rita's strength,but my weekness. You won't be sorry if you buy it!"