"I feel sorry with the appreciation that the US has for Tina Turner and her record company aswell.
Since 1989 when Tina released "Foreign affair" seems that there's not a support for her in this country. The example is that "Foreign affair" turned out to be the best-seller album back in 1989 in Europe, the selling arrive close to the 7 million, whether in the US was only certified Gold (up to 500,000 copies).The singles "The best" and "Steamy windows" were successful but not in the magnitude that they had been in Europe or Asia or even Australia, ("The best" reached #15 and "Steamy windows" #39 in the US).
In 1991 Tina released her last album with Capitol Records ("Simply the best" which sold several million copies) and signed with the EMI family. Her first work with them wasn't a new album, it was the soundtrack of her biogical movie "What's love got to do with it". The first single was "I don't wanna fight" which was a hit in the US peaking at #9 and "What's love?" was certified Platinum.
But the time that all Tina's fans were waiting came in 1996 when she released her first new album after almost 7 years. The up-coming album was "Wildest dreams" which had a wonderful production, the songs in the album are great aswell are the lyrics. "W.D" has special features by Sting, Barry White and Antonio Banderas.
The album came out in Europe in may of 96 and was a hit, the first single "Whatever you want" was going up to #1 all over Europe and then in october of the same year was the release of WD in the US, the first single was the 1984 cover "Missing you" which sounds wonderful from Tina but the song went nowhere it only reched #16 in the Hot Adult Contemporary and WD wasn't even certified Gold in the US, it sold around 450,000 but I think that the fault is actually from her record company because thay don't promote her much.
The album it's full of energy with songs like: "Whatever you need", "Do what you do", "Missing you". "W.D" also has great love songs such as: "Something beautiful remains", "Confidential", "Dancing in my dreams" and the wonderful "On silent wings".
It's a pitty that Tina lost the chance to return after 7 years with a big success in the US because the album also had the theme from the James Bond's "Goldeneye".
Tina made a world tour during 1996 and 1997 were she sold-out all the shows and sang in front of 5 million people.
The results of "Wildest dreams" were 3 Top 10 hits in Europe. Multi-Platinum status in the UK, France, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Iceland, Platinum in Greece, Holland, Germany, Norway and other and Gold in Australia, Japon, Korea and China."
An Excellent Album From The Rock Legend!
Busy Body | London, England | 07/18/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In the 1980's, the now legendary success story of Tina Turner made her one of the biggest female recording artists ever. Her days of loneliness with Ike were over, and she now back on track, with multi-million selling albums such as "Private Dancer," "Break Every Rule" and "Foreign Affair." A greatest hits collection, "Simply The Best" followed in 1991, with the soundtrack to the autobiographical movie on Tina's troubled life, "What's Love Got To Do With It?"
Fans were left eagerly awaiting Tina's latest release - her first album of brand new songs in seven years. It arrived in September 1996, and was called "Wildest Dreams." The album has experienced moderate success in America, but big sales have been achieved in Europe where Tina is by far at her most famous. The album produced many Top 10 hits and further proved that - now in her 60's - Tina Turner is still a rock legend and a true force to be reckoned with.
Wildest Dreams opens with the fantastic song "Missing You." This cover-version is absolutely fantastic, and Tina's vocals are very impressive. Heavy guitars and drums are added to awesome effect and violin strikes towards the end are particularly enjoyable. A fantastic Tina classic. "In My Wildest Dreams" is another highlight. There is only one word to describe this song - sexy! Tina's vocals are gravely and husky in such a mysterious tone, and the beat is deep and moody. The lyrics are equally intense, and a vocal guest appearance from Antonio Banderas spices things up even further. With "Whatever You Want," Tina goes back to her hardcore rock roots by pumping out this absolutely amazing power ballad and sings to her lover, telling him that whatever he wants, he can have. "Do What You Do" is a pure pop dance number. An infectious beat dominates the song, and Tina's incredible vocals twist around the arrangement perfectly.
"Thief Of Hearts" is a brilliant dance number in which Tina hits the disco floor and belts out a fantastic song about loving guys, giving them what they want, and running away while stealing their hearts. "On Silent Wings" is a wonderful mid-tempo ballad which will relax any listener. Tina's vocals are once more on top form, and the beat is very open and beautiful. You can imagine Tina stood on a mountain top singing this song, because it has such an excellent melody. "Something Beautiful Remains" is an average song on this album. It's not the best song, but it's good enough with some great lyrics and a mysterious beat. "Confidential" is another highlight. Penned by the Pet Shop Boys, the song is about Tina telling her lover that she can keep anything confidential if he indeed confides in her. The melody is relaxing and tranquil, and Tina's voice is smooth and silky.
"The Difference Between Us" is not featured on my version of this album, so I cannot comment on it. "All Kinds Of People" is a wonderful mid-tempo song about the various races in the world, and how everyone is equal. A real quality power anthem. Tina's cover-version of Massive Attack's "Unfinished Sympathy" isn't as good as the original version, but it's a worthy effort. "Goldeneye," the theme from the James Bond film of the same name, is another album highlight. Tina's trademark husky vocals make this song sizzle, and the traditional strings of a Bond theme are also present. "Dancing In My Dreams" is an excellent ballad in which Tina sings about dancing in her dreams. There isn't much of a beat, but the drums make for a heavenly kind of image in the brain.
OVERALL GRADE: 9/10
Wildest Dreams is not Tina Turner's best album, but it does come very close to being so. It seems that at present, Tina Turner is taking a well-deserved break after a hectic 40 years in the music business. The woman deserves all her success and the fact that her record sales are fast approaching 100 million is something to be very proud of. Wildest Dreams is the kind of album that you can put on to chill out or relax to. It's definitely not a party album, but it's not meant to be. Buy it now and experience this legend."
On the same level as "Private Dancer"
Reginald D. Garrard | Camilla, GA USA | 07/27/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This 1996 release is equal to Turner's chart-topping"Private Dancer" in scope, delivery, and production. Anydisc that features a duet with Barry White ("In Your Wildest Dreams"), the best James Bond theme ("Goldeneye"), and two smoking versions of a supremely crafted song ("Something Beautiful Remains") deserves to be purchased. When these and other songs are performed by the lady with one of the best pipes in music, the listener wins hands down! The cover and inner photography of the lady and those magnificent legs are worthy of the cost alone. Other diva-wannabees should stand in line far behind the real thing!"
Whatever You Want
C. Tolley | hampton, tn United States | 08/28/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This was Tina's first album of new material in seven years, and it really stands out as a first-rate album. Just exactly why it really went nowhere is a complete mystery. Again overseas, it was huge, with many massive hits. Here in the States, it disappeared. One could blame her record company for not promoting it well, or radio for not playing it, I really don't know. I do know, however, that this is a great disc. Her cover of "Missing You" is incredible. She seems to spit out her scorn for who has done her wrong in the lyrics of this song, and makes it her own in the process. For sheer sexiness, "In Your Wildest Dreams" is SO awesome. The song also features the late, great Barry White in a co-lead singing spot, and it really works well. The rest of the album has a romantic, edgy feel that is so fresh for Tina, and it seems she had a ball doing it. The James Bond theme, "Goldeneye" is on this disc, and it actually fits in the scheme of the album surprisingly well, as most movie songs stand out like a sore thumb on albums not directly attached to a movie project. Overall, Ms. Turner is in fine form vocally, and the album has a great feel to it. It does stand as one of her best overall efforts, and is well worth getting."
The best post-"Private Dancer" Turner record? Darn straight!
Neptunian Spirit | Dayton, OH USA | 12/02/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Turner's discography has been held to the standard of the amazing 1984 comeback record "Private Dancer" since it's release. While efforts such as 1987's "Break Every Rule" & 1989's "Foreign Affair" came close, no gold in breaking the rule of "Private Dancer" being de-throned as Tina's best solo album.
Then, in 1996 "Wildest Dreams" came along. Now, while ironically this was Tina's most disappointing commercial record in the States, overseas this record would soar well beyond double-platinum status. With commericiality aside, "Wildest Dreams" to me ranks as Tina's finest record in her post-"Private Dancer" catalogue. It is uniform, cohesive, yet there are the elements of sass, romance, & Tina's soulful voice that make this record standout.
Clearly, living in Europe for over a decade had worn off on Tina. While she hinted at this on the look of the predecessor to this album, "Foreign Affair", with pictures of Tina in French cafe's & a such; the record was an American pop/rock record. Here, while you could at first say this a typical "American R&B" album, upon closer inspection, there is a loose, romantic European sheen woven throughout the whole album. It's mood is very European. From the vintage black & white cover with Tina wearing a short skirt & black jacket, to the fashionable approach the record takes.
This is due to the produers, some of Europe's finest, who helmed the project. From Nellee Hooper, the Pet Shop Boys, U2's Bono, all help "Wildest Dreams" shine.
The title track is a steamy duet with the late-Barry White, which has to be heard to really enjoy. The duet seems fresh, sensual, & over a cool ambitious melodic riff & creeping beat, sizzles. Other highlights include the theme to Bond film "Goldeneye" (one of my favorite Bond themes!) which finds Tina getting brassy, "Confidential" is simple Euro-pop at it's finest. This cut finds Tina just relaxed, giving a cool, almost detached delivery, until the chorus where the emotion of being involved with someone who won't be open with a relationship overtakes Tina.
Tina's vocals are in perfect shape as demonstrated on the soul workout of "Whatever You Want" & an awesome cover of 1980's pop staple "Missing You" which starts off quiet, then explodes with Tina's voice & the arrangement follows suit.
I had previously bought "Twenty Four Seven", this album's follow-up first, this record blows that out of the water. "Wildest Dreams" is Tina at her most soulful, sensual, & fun. Highly recommend to any music fan."